Chapter 4

I wanted to confront Scarlett, but they found me first.

Julian gently placed Serena on a chair. Her voice was soft: “Eleanor, you’re disfigured now. How can you be the lead dancer? Why don’t you let me have the position?”

“You’d look embarrassing dancing like that, and you might scare the audience.”

My face changed. I instinctively tried to sit up, pulling at my wounds: “No! I’ve been preparing for this performance for three years! I poured so much effort into it; I can’t give it up.”

“It’s just a lead dance. Why are you so petty? If it weren’t for you, Serena wouldn’t be injured.”

Julian completely disregarded my refusal. He forcefully grabbed my hand and pressed my fingerprint onto a voluntary withdrawal form.

Scarlett, beaming proudly, handed the form to Serena, swinging her arm and acting spoiled.

“Auntie Serena, now you can relax, right? Without her as a stumbling block, the lead dancer position is yours for sure!”

“And you can wear the gown Dad bought you, Auntie Serena. You’ll be so beautiful. Dad and I will both be there to cheer you on!”

Serena’s face broke into a smile.

She gently stroked Scarlett’s head, then looked up at Julian with a sweet expression and kissed him.

“Julian, thank you. It’s so good to have you both as family.”

The three of them looked so intimate, as if they were the true family.

A bitter wave of despair washed over me, twisting my heart. I closed my eyes, unable to watch their joyous family scene.

Julian suddenly stepped forward, grabbing my wrist and sliding off the ice-blue jade bracelet I wore.

He said with disdain, “This bracelet looks perfect on Serena. Your skin is so sallow; it’s wasted on you. And all those designer skincare products you have at home? Give them to Serena too.”

“You’re not allowed to be discharged with us. Your face is too ugly. You stay here in the hospital and get plastic surgery. Don’t come out until you’re done.”