CHAPTER 161: CHAPTER 161: PREJUDICE

Vivian Langdon’s lips curled into a smile, but her brows were still furrowed, and her tone carried a hint of dejection, "Auntie, I’m worried about the Lorraine competition."

Rosalind Morgan’s smile grew even more benevolent, "Why, lacking confidence?"

She admired Vivian for her determination.

However, ballet originated in Elysia, and it’s always been a strength there. For an Eastern person to win gold, it’s indeed not easy.

Vivian quickly shook her head, her eyes shining with confidence, "Auntie, I am at the peak of my dancing career right now, I’m very confident!"

She paused, letting out a gentle sigh, "It’s just that the top international LB ballet coaching team I planned to hire was signed by Vera Sheridan... I really don’t understand her motives."

Hearing the name "Vera," Rosalind’s expression stiffened, her face darkening.

Vivian frowned deeply, her tone full of helplessness, "I’m not deliberately being pessimistic, but Senior Sister’s foot injury just healed a year ago; it’s miraculous she can still dance, and now that she’s older, she can’t even get a ticket to Lorraine."

"Why insist on seizing the LB team... I’m representing the country in battle, bearing the heavy responsibility of bringing national glory. Having LB’s guidance is like having an additional layer of insurance."

Rosalind understood, her face dark enough to drip water.

She hadn’t imagined that Vera was even more scheming and narrow-minded than she thought!

Unable to enter the Lorraine competition herself, and not wanting Vivian to bring glory to the country!

Vivian sensed Rosalind’s anger and gently patted her hand, "Auntie, don’t be upset on my behalf, I don’t want this either."

"Perhaps there is some cognitive bias between us and Senior Sister. When she was 20, she won the Lorraine gold medal, which is indeed a lifelong honor and pride for a ballet dancer. She’s just doing this because of her obsessive confidence in her abilities now."

Hearing Vivian trying to make excuses for Vera, Rosalind grasped Vivian’s hand in return, "Vivian, you’re too naive, but Vera is no simple person..."

Rosalind stopped there.

But inside, she was indignant.

Vera really is cunning. She started flirting with her son while married, after the divorce, using the ’perseverance despite adversity’ and ’clear and tenacious’ image, she had both Noah and Old Madam Grant wrapped around her finger.

Even her ex-husband willingly gave up all his post-marriage assets, went to prison, and still couldn’t forget her.

Rosalind felt a pang of discomfort in her heart.

Vivian noticed her hand was evidently cold, full of concern, "Auntie, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have brought this up to make you unhappy, about Noah... don’t hold it against him, otherwise, he dislikes me even more..."

Rosalind snapped out of it, holding Vivian’s hand even tighter, "Vivian, you know what kind of person Noah is, better than anyone. He’s always been self-disciplined, polite and graceful, now... it’s just that he’s momentarily infatuated by Vera!"

"As time goes by, he’ll naturally come to understand and see your worth."

Vivian’s eyes glistened with redness, nodding vigorously, her voice soft yet filled with emotion, "Auntie, I’ll tell you quietly, I’ve had a crush on Noah since I was little... especially... at the age of twenty..."

"When I was in Corinium participating in the Royal Ballet competition, there was a severe incident with the stage equipment backstage! The entire dome was shaking, debris falling down... I was petrified, and it was Noah..."

As she spoke, her eyes sparkled with admiration, gratitude, and deep feelings, "He disregarded his safety, rushed in, grabbed me, and protected me in his arms as we escaped from the backstage."

Vivian’s voice grew softer, filled with boundless longing and bitterness, "Yet, I’ve never dared to hope..."

Rosalind, hearing for the first time of their past bond, was greatly comforted seeing the love in Vivian’s eyes, "Vivian, tomorrow night, at Mrs. Payne’s charity event, accompany Auntie."

...

Mrs. Payne’s charity night held significant weight in the circle.

Rumors had long circulated that The Grants and The Langdon Family intended to marry into each other. Witnessing Rosalind bringing Vivian along this time made everyone immediately understand that the union of the two families was a certainty.

At that moment, Rosalind was dressed in a tailored beige suit, simple yet elegant, her every gesture exuding the nobility and authority of a high-ranking person, commanding the entire venue.

It was well-known that this second wife of The Grant Family, with her formidable family background and strong skills, had become the de facto matriarch of The Grant Family, even holding authority in front of Old Madam Grant.

Beside her, the Langdon Family’s Vivian Langdon, wore a dazzling floor-length gown, highlighting her graceful figure, her swan-like neck slightly raised, delicate chin, wearing a subtle smile, exuding the calm confidence of someone from a prestigious background.

The two of them became the instant focus of the whole venue upon arrival.

Rosalind, together with Vivian, greeted and socialized with the elite figures present in turn.

Unnoticed, her peripheral vision caught a figure.

It was Vera Sheridan.

She wore a plain yet skillfully tailored moon-white long dress, standing with Mrs. Payne, both wearing smiles.

Rosalind tightened her lips momentarily, but her face maintained a decorous smile.

Vivian also saw Vera, softly asking, "Auntie, isn’t Noah abroad on a business trip? How did Senior Sister get in here?"

Mrs. Payne’s charity night has always been low-key, only open to the core circle of The Capital Circle.

How could a powerless, status-less ballet dancer like Vera get in?

Rosalind didn’t respond, her heart full of disdain for Vera.

—How did she get in?

It was certainly by exploiting her son’s status, using his name to get in.

Everyone knew about her son’s infatuation with Vera, didn’t they?

Noticing new guests, Mrs. Payne gave Vera an apologetic smile before turning away to greet them.

Vera quietly walked away, moving to one side of the banquet hall to the display wall.

Pinned on the wall were photos and introductions, all featuring children with innocent yet solitary eyes, who were the main focus of this charity night: the children with autism from "Starlight House."

Vera gazed intently.

At this moment, a soft and gentle voice called from behind, "Vera."

Vera turned, seeing Chloe Everett smiling at her.

Looking up again, she caught sight of Jasper Crowe not far away, conversing with several gentlemen.

She smiled slightly, greeting Chloe Everett politely, "Mrs. Crowe."

Chloe’s face remained warm and welcoming as she idly chatted, "My Mr. Crowe is over there socializing, I noticed you were here too. Are you alone?"

Vera nodded, "Alone."

It was Mrs. Payne who invited her.

Two years ago, when Vera and Ian Kane had not yet divorced, The Payne Family was in turmoil, and the fund Mrs. Payne established for autistic children was on the verge of collapse, with no one daring to help.

Vera silently sold all the jade Ian Kane had given her, and knowing about this, donated the whole sum to save the last hope for those children.

This act remained etched in Mrs. Payne’s memory.

Chloe Everett stood beside her, looking at the pictures on the wall. After a brief silence, she turned her face toward Vera, her voice warm and sincere:

"Vera, I’ve always wanted to find a chance to tell you, after watching your comeback debut video, it was truly moving, you were born to shine under the spotlight."

As she spoke, her tone carried a trace of regret, "It’s a pity there was an interruption in between..."

Vera sensed her kindness and sincerity, her heart mildly warmed, "Thank you, Mrs. Crowe. The past... is past, one must look forward."

Chloe nodded, "Indeed, looking forward is the only way to move further."

"I know, because of some people and things, you might feel... uneasy associating with me."

"But I’m also a ballet enthusiast, and your fan, my admiration for you is pure, unrelated to others," Chloe looked at Vera with clear, candid eyes,

"If you don’t mind... shall we exchange WeChat? Chat about ballet occasionally?"

"Of course, if it’s inconvenient, it’s totally okay too," she quickly added another sentence, her smile remaining gentle.

Vera didn’t hesitate, taking her phone out from her evening bag, and added her immediately.

Just as they exchanged WeChats, a commotion erupted from the direction of the banquet hall entrance.

Noah Grant had arrived.

Wearing a sharp, dark suit, he stepped into the venue with steady steps, his deep gaze penetrating through the crowd, landing precisely on Vera.

His cold, dignified aura instantly captured the attention of the entire room.

After a moment, everyone’s gaze involuntarily drifted back and forth between him, Vivian Langdon beside Rosalind, and Vera standing a little further away.

Rosalind was momentarily stunned when she saw Noah, she hadn’t expected him to return suddenly...