CHAPTER 171: CHAPTER 171: VERA SHERIDAN IS ACTUALLY STRONGER THAN VIVIAN LANGDON!

A fleeting glimpse.

Figures around her were swaying, indistinct.

Only that person was crystal clear, dressed in a black practice outfit, accentuating a swan-like neck that was glaringly white.

The oval face, skin and bone perfectly proportioned, slender and neat, without an ounce of excess flesh.

Beneath the cold white skin, the bone structure was distinct, emanating a sense of aloofness and defiance.

The whole person was clean and frosty like snow atop a high mountain, with not a trace of vulgarity.

Rosalind’s gaze was drawn to her.

Upon taking a closer look, realizing it was Vera Sheridan, the hint of admiration at the corner of her mouth swiftly vanished, pressed into a line.

Just a persona.

This Vera, would always package herself as an "untainted lotus"—a flower on a high mountain.

Rosalind’s gaze returned to Vivian Langdon, speaking kindly, "Vivian, don’t belittle yourself. You are our acknowledged ballet princess, a true princess."

Beside them, Mrs. Langdon’s smile slightly stiffened, instinctively clenching her handbag before quickly smiling again, "Vivian, take it seriously, don’t let down your Aunt Grant’s expectations of you."

Vivian nodded earnestly, "Mommy, I understand."

She then lowered her voice, furrowed her brows, and asked with concern, "Aunt Grant, how has Noah been lately?"

"Can’t you persuade Uncle Grant? I don’t want him to suffer losses..."

As she spoke, her gaze drifted toward Vera’s direction, who was greeting Chloe Everett, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Crowe Family, with no sign of Noah Grant.

It’s said that Noah’s company’s stock price has been plummeting for consecutive days, evaporating billions of market value in just two to three days, with many projects facing the risk of stalling. Could it be he’s not here to support Vera, because... he’s given up?

Seeing Vivian so concerned about her son, Rosalind felt quite comforted and looked at Mrs. Langdon, "Vivian is truly an understanding, caring girl."

She gently patted Vivian’s hand back, "Your Uncle Grant just wants him to come to his senses; he will sober up."

Vivian still appeared worried.

The first round of competition was about to begin, she said no more, bid farewell to the two elders, and turned to head backstage.

Rosalind scanned the audience once more but still saw no sign of Noah Grant. Her mouth curled slightly.

Her son, at least, still knows what’s important.

Before the curtain rose, a video call request from Julian Grant came in.

The elderly couple chatted over the screen for two to three minutes. Mrs. Langdon watched the usually dignified Julian Grant coaxing Rosalind with a tender demeanor on the other end, unable to hide her envy in her eyes.

The men of The Grant Family, renowned from top to bottom for pampering their wives and being devoted.

Completely different from her husband, whose affairs were blatant.

Mrs. Langdon inwardly spat: Not only did he conduct affairs outside, but also brought home children for her to raise!

At this moment, the "Technical Skill Assessment" of the selection contest officially began, set to eliminate over half of the contestants.

Backstage, Vera had just finished warming up and was sitting in front of the makeup mirror.

Vivian sat not far away, as a girl who had just come off stage approached and whispered, "Vivian, still no sign of Second Master Grant in the audience."

Vivian smiled slightly, courteously sending the girl away.

Through the mirror, she observed Vera’s calm profile and smiled:

"Senior Sister, you know about Noah’s company affairs, right? It’s said... in just two to three days, billions evaporated in market value."

Vera picked up the foundation, meticulously sketching her facial contours, with not a flicker from her eyelids.

Unbothered, Vivian continued, "But it’s well that Noah is a top-tier businessman, who knows best when to cut losses."

"Senior Sister, considering your qualifications, marrying into a wealthy family again is not difficult at all. It’s just that in the top-tier elite circles..."

"Marriage has never been just a matter of two individuals; it’s the integration of resources between two families, a strong union. Do you understand?" she spoke from her heart, then turned her gaze toward Vera.

"Senior Sister, I’m saying this not to look down on you, don’t be upset," Vivian added.

Vera was still drawing her eyeliner, appearing entirely indifferent.

Vivian was just about to approach her when she realized Vera had Bluetooth earbuds in.

So she hadn’t heard a word of her well-intentioned speech...

Vera noticed her gaze, removed the earbud, and looked at Vivian. Her delicate face remained expressionless, her gaze slightly puzzled, "Were you talking to me just now?"

Vivian, "..."

At that moment, the staff’s voice timely broke the subtle deadlock, "Group A, number 009, Vivian Langdon, please prepare! 0010, Vera Sheridan, please standby!"

...

On the center stage, Vivian was dressed in ballet training attire. After a series of fouetté turns and grande jeté combinations, the entire hall erupted in enthusiastic applause, with the judges giving uniform top scores of 10.

In the subsequent final leg control leap, she was nearly flawless as well.

Vivian ended her performance in a perfect freeze position, her chest gently rising and falling from breathlessness, her face beaming with confidence and pride.

Thunderous applause filled the hall.

In the audience, Rosalind smiled with relief and remarked to Mrs. Langdon beside her, "If Vivian can win the Lorraine Gold Award, then..." The Grant Family would have a "world champion daughter-in-law" bringing honor to the country!

Rosalind hadn’t finished her sentence when a mild commotion arose at the entrance.

Noah Grant, in a dark suit, made his way through the passage straight to an empty seat in the front row.

Before sitting down, his gaze swept over the crowd toward Rosalind.

His eyes were serene, icy, devoid of warmth.

The remnants of Rosalind’s smile instantly froze, her posture instinctively straightening, chin slightly raised.

The eyes of the mother and son briefly met in the air before quickly parting.

Noah Grant had already withdrawn his gaze and sat down calmly, focusing intently on the stage.

Rosalind Morgan’s knuckles whitened slightly as she clutched her handbag, her face losing some color. She slowly took a deep breath and forcibly looked away from her son’s profile.

On stage, Vivian Langdon also saw Noah Grant. The man was impeccably dressed in a suit, sitting upright with an imposing presence that radiated the aura of a superior.

Someone whispered, "Mr. Grant arrived right on time to support Senior Vera!"

Vivian’s fingers silently pressed into her palm.

He still came!

And he made sure to arrive just in time, only to support Vera!

The applause had long faded, and Vivian forced herself to appear calm as she left the stage.

Vera Sheridan brushed past her, striding towards the center of the stage.

Noah Grant said nothing as he walked to an empty seat in the first row and focused his gaze on the stage.

On stage, Vera easily spotted him in the crowd, her lips curling up slightly. Then she withdrew her attention, immersing herself in her own world.

Rosalind stared at her son’s back, clutching her handbag tightly.

The surrounding whispers and gazes darted between Vera, Noah Grant, and her and Mrs. Langdon.

Rosalind sat as if on pins and needles.

Once again, her "good son" had silently slapped her in the face in public!

After a while, Rosalind took a deep breath, thinking about Vivian’s recent performance that had just won over the audience, her expression easing slightly.

She looked at Vera at the center of the stage, her eyes cold and prideful, waiting for Vivian to completely outshine her.

However, at that moment, the entire hall fell silent.

All eyes were glued to Vera’s soaring figure on stage.

Vera’s light-footed run was like the wind, without a trace of excess footsteps. Then, she suddenly pushed off with her left leg, while her right leg kicked forward with astounding speed and power, carving a nearly straight, powerful arc!

This was no ordinary leap; it was a flawlessly executed grand jeté!

Rosalind’s entire body jolted.

On stage, Vera landed as lightly as a feather, standing steadily without the slightest movement or sound from her feet.

This was the pinnacle of control in ballet technique.

Like a top-tier diver achieving the perfect "zero splash" entry into the water.

The audience held their breath for a second.

Then, thunderous applause erupted, engulfing the entire theater.

Even the judges stood up and applauded!

To maintain a silent landing at the age of 28 is truly remarkable for Vera.

Earlier, when Vivian landed, there was a clear muffled sound.

The screen behind them lit up with a row of perfect 10s.

Backstage, the girls were abuzz with excitement.

"Senior Vera’s landing was even more perfect than Vivian’s! The Lausanne ticket is likely hers!"

As she removed her makeup, Vivian listened to their unabashed discussions, a buzzing in her ears, her hand clutching the makeup remover pad suddenly tightening.

Vera did better than her?

Impossible!

Vivian couldn’t believe it.

She hadn’t been interested in Vera’s performance and didn’t pay attention to it earlier.

Vivian raised her eyes, looking at the wall-mounted broadcast screen, where Vera’s stunning jump was being replayed in slow motion...

The scene froze and zoomed in at the moment of landing... and it was silent.

Vivian stared straight at this scene.

The color drained from her face, bit by bit...

At this moment, all of Vera’s technical assessments were over, and she had secured the highest score without any suspense.

In the audience, Rosalind stared blankly at the blue screen displaying: 1st place Vera, 2nd place Vivian...

Vera, unexpectedly ranked higher than her carefully chosen perfection, Vivian.

Other screens continued to replay Vera’s textbook-perfect leap. Each slow-motion replay silently mocked her earlier prediction of "waiting for her to be outshone."

Vera returned backstage, receiving applause from the girls, who praised her sincerely, "Senior, you’re amazing!"

She nodded slightly, smiling calmly, and walked to her spot to begin a simple relaxation stretch.

Vivian sat not far away, her makeup mirror reflecting her blood-drained face.

The surrounding applause and discussions felt like thousands of needles, piercing into her.

"It’s only the first round!" she suddenly exclaimed, her compact case slamming heavily onto the table.

Vivian’s sharp voice instantly overpowered all the noise.

Everyone was taken aback.

All eyes turned to her, seeing the usually proud and elegant princess, her face tense, even causing her meticulously drawn features to appear somewhat... distorted.