Chapter 50

The stage lights dimmed as the performances of all eight groups concluded.

At the judges' table, the mentors were busy tallying the final scores.

"In first place—Ethan Smith's team!" the host announced loudly. "Second place goes to Lucy White's team! Third place, Michael Johnson's team!"

Lily Green stood at the edge of the stage, her fingers unconsciously twisting the fabric of her skirt. She had performed flawlessly—why was she only ranked fourth?

The livestream voting session began under the supervision of official auditors.

As the numbers on the screen rapidly changed, Lily's smile slowly froze.

"Team ranking sixth—Lily Green's team!"

Her head snapped up, disbelief flashing in her eyes as she stared at the screen. How was this possible?

The individual rankings were even more devastating. Every member of Lucy's team had risen significantly, while one of Lily's trainees had been eliminated.

"Judge!" The eliminated trainee suddenly stepped forward. "Our mentor Lily performed so well, why—"

"Because she overshadowed all of you," a female judge cut in bluntly. "The entire performance looked like a backup dance for her. There was no spotlight left for the trainees."

Lily's eyes reddened instantly. These judges must have been bribed by Lucy!

Backstage, Lucy watched the wisp of dissipating luck above Lily's head and smirked.

In her past life, that same trainee had been blindly devoted to Lily. Now, he resented her. Interesting.

"Lucy!" Jason Wright and his four teammates surrounded her. "Can we still be on your team next round?"

Lucy shook her head with a smile. "That depends on the production crew."

"If we get to choose, we’d pick you again!" Noah Adams said eagerly, his eyes shining.

After removing her makeup, Lucy stepped out of the dressing room—only to run into Ethan standing across the hallway.

"Ethan," she greeted politely.

He moved beside her naturally. "Walk together?"

Inside the elevator, the man suddenly leaned in, his warm breath brushing her ear. "Be careful of Liam Parker."

Lucy's pulse jumped. Since when did this aloof award-winning actor start paying attention to such things?

In the parking lot, Michael Johnson strode toward them from his car. "Lucy, we need to talk."

His gaze turned icy the moment it landed on Ethan. Since when had this notoriously solitary actor gotten so close to Lucy?