Chapter 76

Elissa had scattered people throughout the crowd,all with the job of causing trouble.

Arabella stood to gain nothing from this.Once everything played out, she and Daisy would both be left facing harsh criticism.

Watching Arabella's shocked expression, Elissa felt even more pleased with herself.

The look on Arabella's face was genuine surprise, but she was truly caught off guard by the sudden arrival of the bodyguards.

Her eyes moved from one bodyguard to another, and she quickly noted their impressive skill. These were most likely Asher's men.

Toward the back of the room, Asher was seated,impossible to miss with the authority he carried.

A faint smirk formed on Arabella's lips. When her gaze passed over the agitators in the crowd,a flash of icy contempt lit up her eyes. "Elissa must have paid you all quite a bit, considering how determined you are to stir things up for her."

"What are you talking about?" The troublemakers tried to hide their discomfort, but their shouting only grew louder. "Now that your plot has been exposed, you're accusing us?How ridiculous!"

"I wasn't sure before, but hearing that makes it clear you're just trying to set them up! I have never even met Elissa!"

Even as the troublemakers kept making a scene, Arabella refused to argue with them any further.

Elissa tried to savor her little victory, but a voice from behind made her stop.

"Wow. Daisy, those dance moves aren't bad at

LU

all. Are you planning to audition for the Griridge Troupe now?"

Elissa turned around and saw that a video had started playing on the big screen. In the footage, she was with two classmates, and Daisy was front and center.

Daisy kept her head bowed, her whole body shaking. Anger flashed across her face,but there was nothing she could do.

It was Joyce's voice on the recording, and she was obviously the one behind the camera.

After Joyce spoke, Daisy whispered, "What do you want from me?"

"Lift your head! Stop looking so pathetic!"Joyce exclaimed, yanking Daisy by the hair.

The video kept Daisy's face hidden, as Arabella had made sure her identity would not be revealed to the public.

Elissa pressed her lips together before finally

saying, "Don't be so rough, Joyce. You're scaring her."

"Honestly, Elissa, you're just too soft. This bitch is after your spot, and you still feel sorry for her?" Joyce said, clearly annoyed.

"But... she looks miserable too," Elissa said, her voice faltering.

"Miserable? She's faking it. People like her always get what's coming," Joyce sneered."Daisy, this is your last warning. Drop out of the troupe auditions."

"I'm not quitting!"

"You little bitch!" Joyce snapped, lifting her hand to slap Daisy.

Elissa quickly caught Joyce's arm. "Joyce,stop!"

Elissa then took Daisy's hands in her own and tried to reason with her. "Please just listen to me!"

Daisy tried to break free, and the next thing anyone saw, Elissa was holding onto her shoulders, and Daisy went crashing to the ground.

The footage made it clear that Elissa had used force when she grabbed Daisy's shoulders.

Daisy tumbled all the way down the stairs, and a pool of blood quickly formed around her.

"Oh my God! Is she even alive?" both classmates asked, their voices shaking with fear.

Joyce sounded rattled as she spoke up. "No way! Daisy's always been tough. There's no way she could really be dead!"

"Should we call the police?" one classmate asked, her voice filled with anxiety.

Elissa pressed her lips together, worry in her eyes. "But if we do, everyone will think this was our fault..."

"Forget her. We need to get out of here," Joyce suggested, her voice sharp with panic.

That was where the video stopped.

For a moment, silence filled the room before it erupted in outrage.

"That's sick! And there are still people defending Elissa? I saw her push Daisy with my own eyes!"

"Disgusting! She's nothing but a manipulator!"

"She has to apologize!"

"That's attempted murder!"

The anger swirling in the room was almost too much to take in.

Elissa sat in stunned disbelief. How could this happen? How did Arabella get her hands on that video?

Her first instinct was to look straight at Joyce.Only Joyce should have had a copy of the

recording.

Joyce looked just as shaken, her face drained of color. "This can't be real... How did you get this video?"