Stella Edwards had been rehearsing with Sophie Ortiz these days. Today, her repertoire ended a bit earlier, but she didnât leave.
As usual, she waited for Sophieâs rehearsal to finish.
She had just gone to the restroom, and when she came back, she heard a sound coming from the practice room and curiously went to take a look.
When there were no performances scheduled, all the practice rooms on this floor would be full, but once a performance was arranged, everyone would gather in Sophieâs practice room.
So at this point in time, she was somewhat curious about the sound in the practice room.
The door to the practice room was not fully closed, leaving a small gap. From the entrance, she could see Charlotte Lane at a glance.
When Stella saw the person inside, she was momentarily stunned before she became rooted to the spot.
She watched Charlotteâs fingers, arms, neck, waist, and legs. She observed every technique and every movement.
From a professional standpoint, she could give a very good evaluation.
Even these techniques were better than some people in the Dance Association.
Sophieâs dance represented the highest level of classical dance.
Her daughter, even if she merely inherited a little of her genes, would naturally be quite good as well.
However, compared to those who could perform, there was still a gap.
And the difference was more or less about systematic and repetitive practice.
But what about it?
Stella watched her and thought that in the eyes of a loved one, there would be no professional standards. You were always the best, no matter how you performed.
This was something others couldnât achieve, no matter how hard they tried.
Like in Edward Kirstenâs eyes, no matter how hard she tried and how well she danced, she would never be as good as the Enigma Starry in his heart.
Stella felt a gradually increasing ache in her chest with each breath and involuntarily clenched her fingers hanging by her side.
Inside the practice room, Charlotte took another stepping turnâ¦
She turned without a problem, but her bun couldnât withstand it, so it unraveled.
Thatâs why she stopped as well.
Then Hanton Clarkâs applause immediately rang out.
Charlotte was catching her breath a little, and while taking apart her fallen bun, she looked at Harton and said, âSuch a lavish applause.â
Harton approached and helped her with her hair, âItâs because Madam danced well.â
Her hair was entangled with the hair tie, making it difficult to fix. Charlotte simply turned around, letting Harton fix it for her.
Harton carefully helped her with her hair, speaking in a gentle voice, âWith some practice, you can perform with Aunt Sophie.â
Charlotte laughed softly, and in a light voice replied, âWhat has made the ever-picky Third Master suddenly lower his standards?â
After saying this, she answered herself, âItâs love.â
Hanton sensed her good mood after the dance and smiled, âDoes telling the truth not win anyoneâs trust these days?â
âIâll give you a choice then.â Charlotte looked at Harton through the mirror, her soft voice suddenly lowered, âWould you like me to perform in the future, or would you rather I only dance for you alone?â
Just as he was about to untie the hair tie, Hartonâs hand suddenly stopped upon hearing these words.
He looked at Charlotte through the mirror as well.
The two stared at each other through the mirror.
Charlotte clearly felt Hartonâs surprise, joy, and the little leap of excitement buried deep in his heart for the second option.
But after a moment of silence, he looked down at her hair, untied the hair tie, and smoothed her tangled hair with his hand, saying, âIâd rather you choose what you like.â
Charlotte watched as he combed her hair.
She had been very curious and fond of many things since she was a child.
Thankfully, she was born into a good family. Regardless of what she wanted to learn, her family would always wholeheartedly support her.
So, among the things she had learned well, there was always genuine love.
Dance was one of them.
But why did she stop dancingâ¦
She knew in her heart that she was influenced by Edward Kirsten.
But today, when Kevin Clark asked her, she looked into his eyes and wanted to jump again.
In that instant, the thought in her head was.
Others have seen it, her brother Arthur must see it too.
So with a hot-headed decision, she jumped.
After jumping, she impulsively asked him a question.
âWhat I likeâ¦â Charlotte Lane looked at Kevin Clark, âI prefer the latter.â
Kevin Clark tied her hair for her, and then hugged her from behind, kissing the back of her neck: âFrom now on, the little girl should only dance for me.â
âDepends on my mood.â Charlotte Lane raised her eyebrows.
Kevin Clark was amused by her cold and slightly arrogant tone, holding her chin as they looked at each other. He kissed her lips twice more and let her go.
When the two left the Practice Room, Stella Edwards had already left.
Charlotte noticed that there was someone outside the door after she had finished dancing, but when Stella had left while she was fixing her hair, she didnât pay it much attention.
When Sophie Ortiz finished work, Stella Edwards was there as she left with Charlotte Lane.
Stella Edwards exchanged a few words with them before leaving first.
Although she hid it well, Charlotte still sensed her awkward attitude.
Ever since the inexplicably hostile incident last time, this time she had a hard time talking to her.
Charlotte didnât know where her hostility and awkwardness came from.
The two had no conflicts of interest. Moreover, according to Morris, Stella Edwards seemed to quite like her.
So where was the problem?
As she thought, Charlotte looked toward Kevin Clark.
Kevin Clark was chatting with Sophie Ortiz. When he saw her looking over, her eyes looked cold and probing.
âWhatâs⦠the matter?â Kevin Clark asked cautiously.
Sophie Ortiz also looked over.
Charlotte looked at Kevin Clark for a while, then took back her gaze: âNothing.â
Was it really nothing?
Kevin Clark thought so, but just now that gaze, he seemed to see a washing board waving at him in the supermarket.
But looking again, the little girl was calm and indifferent as if the person just now wasnât her.
â¦
This trip to the Mountain Sea Continent was Charlotte Laneâs first long journey after returning to the Lane family.
The evening before leaving, Sophie Ortiz and Aunt Cruz packed three large suitcases filled with clothes, food, and essentials for Charlotte Lane.
While the two of them were packing, Old Master Lane and Andrew Lane kept reminding her to take care of her health and be safe.
Olivia Lane was even nagged to sleep.
But Charlotte listened to them.
âCharlotte, this suitcase is full of clothes. These two mainly contain food.â Sophie Ortiz said, âMany of them were made by Aunt Cruz herself, share them with your friends.â
Charlotte raised her eyebrows: âMom, let me give you a heads-up.â
âWhat?â Sophie Ortiz looked at her and asked.
âIf I really give these to them.â Charlotte said, âOur home might always have visitors and be lively.â
âThatâs good, I like lively.â Sophie Ortiz said.
âYeah, not bad.â Andrew Lane agreed, âOur house is big enough to accommodate many people.â
Charlotte smiled but didnât respond.
In her heart, she thought: I hope youâll be just as happy when the time comes.