Chapter 83

"Come in," said Melina.

The door eased open, and Emilia stepped into view, immediately capturing the room's attention.

Her appearance was unforgettable-every feature seemed sculpted, and the poise in her tall, slender frame made it impossible to look away. What drew every/ eye most was the long, graceful curve of her neck. She looked every bit like a regal swan, dignified and mesmerizing.

Both Melina and Emory found themselves briefly lost in the sight of her.

A thought crossed Emory's mind: this woman must have the perfect form for ballet. Emilia seemed to fit the image of an ideal ballerina so well that Emory almost wanted to ask her to dance right then and there.

It would be no exaggeration to say Emory considered inviting Emilia to join her own training program. As someone who had nearly taken the top spot in the world of ballet, Emory had come here hoping to discover a new prodigy-someone who might even outshine the current champion one day.

She knew her own chance had come and gone, but that only fueled her ambition for her future student's victory. Watching someone she'd coached reach the pinnacle would be the ultimate reward, a balm for every disappointment.

Melina checked the phone in her hand, glancing between the screen and the young woman standing before her. "Emilia?" she asked, recognizing her as the woman everyone had been talking about online.

The photos didn't do her justice. In person, Emilia had a magnetism that felt almost otherworldly-she looked like she belonged on a stage. There was no doubt in Melina's mind: if Emilia ever took up ballet,the results would be breathtaking. She had the neck and grace that only true dancers possessed.

Calmly, Emilia met her gaze. "Yes.Emilia Harris."

After stepping inside, Emilia's gaze briefly flickered toward Emory, but she soon fixed her attention directly on Melina. Meanwhile, Emory cared little for courtesy or attitude; her only concern was scouting out the next rising star. Usually, Emory would have taken offense at someone ignoring her, but this time she let it slide.

"So you're the one everyone's talking about online? The student causing all the controversy and dragging the academy's name through the mud?" Emory gave her a thorough once-over, not missing a detail.

Truth betold, Emory thought, if this woman could master ballet and truly shine, all this drama would blow over. Talent always mattered more than gossip-unless the scandal went too far.

"I didn't do that," Emilia answered. Her expression grew sharper, coldness settling in her eyes.

"Yet here you are, about to get expelled, and you're still denying it?" Emory rose from her chair and slowly circled Emilia, her eyes weighing everything from Emilia's bearing to her posture.

No matter how hard she tried, Emory couldn't find a single flaw-Emilia's presence was truly exceptional.

Without giving Melina a chance to speak, Emory continued, "Let me make you an offer. If you're willing to train under me and dedicate yourself to ballet, I'll see to it that this whole mess goes away. The expulsion will be off the table. What do you think?"

"Thank you, but I have no intention of accepting you as my mentor," said Emilia, her tone cold and unwavering.

A shadow crossed Emory's face, and her eyes narrowed at Emilia, radiating clear annoyance with an edge of hostility.

She couldn't believe this. Dozens of dancers would give anything for the chance to call her their mentor,and yet Emilia had turned her down without a second thought.

What made Emilia so confident? Who did she think she was to brush off an offer like that?

Were it not for Emilia's exceptional potential-and Emory's fierce determination to train someone who could topple her old rival-she would have dismissed the woman right then and there.

"Think carefully, Emilia. You shouldn't rush to say no. This is a rare opportunity. With someone like Emory,the silver medalist of the global ballet competition, guiding you, your dancing would reach another level entirely," Melina said, her tone gentle and sincere.

From Melina's perspective, expelling such a gifted student felt like a waste. Meeting Emilia face-to-face only made that feeling stronger.

If Emory's involvement could settle this situation, she saw no harm in letting the problem shrink into nothing.

There might even be a way to clear things up and keep everyone's reputation intact, which would be the best outcome.

Above all, she cherished real talent, but she also wanted those she supported to show strong characterin every way.