Chapter 14 Raising the Stakes Everyone in the room looked at Olivia, anticipating a good show.
Finished SY They didnât believe for a second that Olivia, who had struggled her way into the gates of St. Rona Academy, would dare to accept this bet.
âIâll take the bet,â Olivia replied decisively.
While she could submit the application form herself, there was a risk of it being rejected. Only programs directly submitted by a mentor were guaranteed to stay on the list.
Emma was both amused and angered by Oliviaâs unwavering attitude. But then she calmed down.
Even if Olivia and Isabella managed to get on stage, they wouldnât be able to put on any decent performance. It was inevitable they would end up at the bottom, giving her the perfect excuse to kick these two out of the performing arts department.
âThis is your choice,â Emma said, tossing the registration form to Olivia.
Olivia grabbed the form and pulled Isabella over to fill it out.
Isabellaâs mind went blank. âLivi... I...â
Olivia looked up, her gaze calm and steady. She smiled and asked, âDo you trust me?â
For some reason, Isabella felt her anxiety dissipate, replaced by a strange sense of calm. She instinctively nodded.
Seeing Oliviaâs defiance today had made Isabella want to take a chance too.
Under Oliviaâs guidance, Isabella wrote her name on the registration form.
Olivia then slapped the form, with both their names on it, down on the podium. Emma halfâheartedly reached for it, but Olivia held it firmly in place.
âIf you regret it, nowâs the time to back out,â Emma sneered, thinking Olivia was about to change her mind. âNext time, think before you act. If you canât handle the consequences, donât open your mouth so easily.â
Olivia smiled slightly, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes.
âMs. Emma, why donât we raise the stakes?â
Emma frowned slightly.
Olivia continued, âForget about finishing last. If Isabella and I donât win first place in this performance, weâll leave the academy immediately.â
Her words sent a wave of shock through the classroom.
Everyone stared at Olivia in disbelief..
She had gone mad!
1/2 11:46 Wed, Jan 14 Chapter 14 Raising the Stakes Completely insane!
Finished If Olivia had said she didnât want to come last, maybe she still had a fighting chance. But first place?
How could she even have the nerve to say that?
Every year, the winner of the performance was a standout figure at St. Rona Academy. Who did Olivia and Isabella think they were to make such a boast?
Even Emma didnât expect Olivia to propose such a do or die bet.
âAnd in return, if Isabella and I do take first place,â Oliviaâs eyes gleamed.
â...then you leave.â
âWhat did you say?â Emma exploded in anger. If not for her concern for her reputation, she wouldâve slapped Olivia right then and there.
Who did this girl think she was, daring to suggest that Emma should leave St. Rona Academy?
âWhat are you scared? Or do you think Isabella and I have a shot at winning first place?â Oliviaâs lips curled into a faint, taunting smile.
âRidiculous! Do you believe that the two of you have a chance to take the first position?â Emma spat back, losing control of her words.
The students below the podium buzzed with conversation, all thinking Olivia was on a suicide mission. They didnât stand a chance, not even one in a million.
Olivia let go of the registration form, giving Emma the choice.
Emma glared at Olivia. Was she letting this brat get under her skin?
With only a few days left before the performance, there was no way Olivia and Isabella could pull off a decent act, even if they crammed. This was just Oliviaâs way of turning the situation to her advantage, so she wouldnât have to leave the academy if she lost.
Calming herself, Emma grabbed the corner of the form and added it to the stack of other entries.
âIâll take your bet.â
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