Tessa fell silent.


    She couldn’t possibly trust her fans–for just moments ago, she’d been standing right behind them, clearly seeing them record a video of Grace and Xylia.


    She knew these fans inside out; all that talk about caring for her was just a cover for their own self–interest.


    They were just looking for a chance <i>to </i>show off on fan forums about meeting her face–to–face, trying to make other fans jealous and stroking their own vanity.


    Tessa cocked her head towards the fans and said, “Hey, could you guys delete those videos?”


    The fans were caught off guard—they hadn’t expected Tessa to ask them to delete what they’d recorded.


    But seeing that look in her eyes, they didn’t want to make things any harder for her.


    So they just quietly pulled out their phones and deleted everything they’d filmed and snapped at the rehearsal–even emptied the trash, just to be safe.


    Finally, with a look of righteous indignation, they thrust their phones at Xylia.


    “We’ve deleted everything, so if any rehearsal footage ends up online, don’t you dare try to smear our Tessa!”


    Xylia nced at the girls hanging around Tessa–they looked pretty young, but it was obvious they were genuinely looking out for her.


    “You can go now,” Xylia said.


    The fans hesitated, wanting to say something, but afraid of giving Tessa any more hassle. So in the end, they didn’t say another word and just headed off.


    Once the fans had left, Tessa fixed Grace with a look full of loneliness and disappointment.


    “Grace, I’m still your student, aren’t I? I made my suggestions for the good of the stage–because I care about your reputation. Don’t you realize how much it hurts to be treated like this?<b>” </b>


    Saying that, she shot Xylia an especially fierce re, then turned and walked away.


    The rehearsal had been noisy and lively, but as soon as things got heated between Tessa and Grace, the whole ce turned silent.


    Everyone kept quiet until Tessa walked out.


    Grace looked toward the center of the stage. “Lead dancer,e with me. The rest of you, keep rehearsing.”


    Xylia helped Grace make her way to the backstage lounge.


    As soon as they stepped inside, Fiona rushed to Grace and blurted out, “Please, don’t drop me from the team!”


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    Grace turned to Xylia. “You used to be a doctor, if I recall correctly–so you’re the most qualified to weigh in


    here.”


    Fiona nced nervously at Xylia, her eyes full of anxious anticipation.


    “Have you had your tetanus shot?” Xylia asked.


    Fiona bit her lip and hung her head, too embarrassed to answer–her silence said it all.


    Before Xylia could get a word in, Grace burst out, “Seriously? You stepped on a massive nail and didn’t even bother with a tetanus shot?”


    Fiona finally managed to speak, her voice small and hesitant.


    “The performance is almost here, and rehearsals are super packed… I just… didn’t want to mess things up for everyone…”


    Grace red. “What’s more important, the show or your life?”


    Grace’s eyes practically burned with anger.


    Fiona kept her head down, too scared to say anything more.


    Xylia gently stepped in, trying to ease Grace’s anger. “Grace, please don’t be upset. She really just wanted what’s best for the performance. I’ll take her to Norhill General Hospital right away for her tetanus shot, and I promise she won’t miss her chance to get on stage.”


    Grace remembered that before Xylia ever hit the stage, she’d already made a name for herself as a brilliant


    surgeon.


    Grace never doubted Xylia for a second.


    She let Xylia escort Fiona out, gave Fiona a couple of reminders, then went back to the rest of the crew to keep watching over their practice.


    On the drive over, Xylia was behind the wheel and Fiona rode shotgun.


    Perhaps from the pain in her injured foot, Fiona’s slender face was slick with cold sweat.


    Every now and then, she’d sneak a nce at Xylia, as if she wanted to say something, but just kept biting her


    tongue.


    Xylia could see right through her anxiety, so she reassured Fiona, “I promise, you won’t miss your chance to go on stage the day after tomorrow.”


    Fiona finally found an outlet for the unease she’d been bottling up.


    “Xylia, are you really sure I won’t be reced?”


    “The lead dancer doesn’t get reced unless it’s really necessary,” Xylia said, keeping her eyes on the road. “Are you upset that I called you out about your injury earlier?”


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    Fiona shook her head. “I made a mistake because I got hurt, and you just called me out on it. I don’t have any reason to be angry at you.”


    Xylia stole a nce at her through the rearview mirror.


    Fiona had delicate yet refined features and carried herself with a graceful air–no matter how worn out she looked, her elegance shone through.


    With a face and figure that belonged on stage, losing her would be a real blow to the whole show.


    Without another word, Xylia drove them straight to Norhill General Hospital.


    Xylia had already given Cyrus a heads–up earlier.


    Fortunately, Cyrus didn’t have much going on that day, so when Xylia said she was bringing someone over for a check–up, he just waited for them in his office.


    Before long, Xylia showed up with Fiona, stepping straight into Cyrus’s office.


    “Cyrus, she’s got a nasty puncture wound on her foot from a nail, but she needs to be up on stage the day after tomorrow. Is there any way you can make sure she’ll be able to perform without having to worry about her injury?”


    Cyrus didn’t answer Xylia right away–he just had Fiona take a seat so he could check out the puncture wound on her foot.


    Fiona slipped off her shoe, exposing the spot where the nail had gotten her.


    Her cheeks went pink, eyes kept dropping to the floor, but she couldn’t help sneaking nces at Cyrus from under hershes.


    ‘Wow… I’ve literally never met a guy this ridiculously handsome, Fiona thought, flustered.


    After checking the wound, Cyrus said, “It’s pretty deep and hasn’t been properly cleaned–there’s some pus building up. We’ll get you a tetanus shot and bandage it right away. When it’s time for the show, I’ll give you a pain–relief shot–you’ll be able to perform without any worries.”


    Cyrus spoke with a steady calm, his tone leaving no room for doubt.


    For the first time in days, Fiona’s face lit up with a sincere smile.


    “Thank you, doctor,” Fiona said, her voice brimming with gratitude.


    Cyrus started typing her info into theputer. “What’s your name?”


    “Fiona Young,” she replied.


    After a few clicks, Cyrus handed her the form. “Go get your tetanus shot first<b>.</b><b>” </b>


    Xylia was just about to stick around with Fiona, when suddenly her phone buzzed–it was an urgent call from


    the studio.


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    Noticing the anxious look on Xylia’s face, Fiona gave her a gentle nudge. “Go ahead, I’ll be fine here.”


    Xylia lingered for a second, torn, but finally made up her mind and headed back to the studio.


    “Cyrus, do me a favor and make sure she’s alright. This show means everything to her, and if her foot gets any worse, it could really affect her whole career,” Xylia said, her concern clear in her voice.


    Cyrus frowned with concern. “Sure. But what’s up with you? Did something happen?”


    “I’ll fill you in when I get home,” Xylia replied.


    Xylia gently patted Fiona’s shoulder, giving her a bit offort.


    “Don’t let it get to you. Focus on healing up and give it your all when you step on stage,” Xylia encouraged.


    Fiona nodded, and Xylia left the hospital.


    On her way back to the studio, Xylia gave Grace a call and let her know about Fiona’s injury.


    Grace just said she got it.


    “Grace, the show’s almost here. If people find out Fiona’s still good to perform, whoever’s been targeting her will probably try to sabotage her again,” Xylia warned.


    “Don’t worry–I’ll handle these little headaches myself. You focus on whatever you need to do,” Grace reassured her.


    “Alright, I’ll drop by and see you on show day,” Xylia replied.


    After hanging up, Xylia pulled into her studio’s parking lot.


    As soon as she got out of the car, she saw the unexpected visitor she’d just heard mentioned on the phone.


    Ziggy.


    Ziggy had no idea how long he’d been waiting. Seeing Xylia step out, he shoved his hands deep into his pockets and sauntered over, taking his time.


    “Well, little sis, seems like life in Norhill suits you just fine,” Ziggy said, the hint of a smirk ying on his lips.


    The sarcasm in his smile was almost impossible to hide.