Night Carved Paths Into Silence by Zyrel Ash ` 233
Two hours of competition flew by. Minerva, who drew the third
spot, gave a solid performance and got the highest score of the
night.
When she stood on the podium, Madeleine finally managed to
force a smile.
Another judge was supposed to present the award to Minerva,
but somehow, it ended up being Leona.
She stood next to Minerva for a photo, her smiling gaze landing
right on Madeleine in the audience.
It was so obviously intentional.
After the competition, Madeleine went backstage with the
flowers she had prepared.
“Congratulations, my little champion~”
Minerva’s face was flushed with excitement.
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“Madeleine, I think I did really well just now. I remembered all
the key points you told me.”
“I saw. You did great. I’ll take you out for a big meal later.”
“That’s great!
I’m going to eat my heart out.”
The two of them walked out, laughing and talking. Madeleine had just received a message from Roderick.
He had cleared his afternoon schedule to come back and
celebrate with Madeleine and Minerva, and he was on his way
now.
On their way out, Madeleine and Minerva both noticed Leona up
ahead, taking pictures with a contestant.
To Minerva, she was one of the judges, after all, so she quickly
told Madeleine she wanted a photo with her too.
“Okay.”
Madeleine put on a smile, hiding all her emotions.
“Come on, I’ll take the picture for you.”
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After the contestant in front of them was done, Minerva went
over and politely asked if she could have a photo.
“The little champion, of course you can.”
Leona smiled, then turned her head to look at Madeleine after
she spoke.
“So you two are cousins. Madeleine, your cousin is much better
than you.”
Madeleine didn’t meet her gaze, looking down as she took the
camera out of her bag.
Her tone was very flat. “The student surpasses the master. I’m
happy my sister is better than me.”
“Yes, at least your sister didn’t just run away like a deserter, like
you did.”
Madeleine froze.
Minerva, who had been holding flowers with a smile on her face,
found her smile vanished after hearing that.
She didn’t look to see Leona’s expression after she said that,
but focused on her cousin not far away.
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Seeing her cousin’s face had indeed turned a little pale, Minerva
instinctively took a step away from Leona.
She walked over to Madeleine.
“Madeleine, you two know each other?”
Madeleine nodded.
Leona chuckled. “Didn’t your cousin tell you? Not only do we
know each other, we were respectable rivals in high school.”
Minerva’s brow furrowed slightly.
Rivals?
She had rivals too, on stage, but they weren’t like this off stage.
Her gut told her that her cousin was being bullied.
Madeleine quickly composed herself. Today was a big, happy
day for Minerva.
She couldn’t let her own problems ruin the girl’s mood.
“Come on, Mina, go stand next to Leona. We’re taking a
picture.”
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Minerva walked over, her little face serious.
“I don’t want to anymore.”
“You don’t want to?”
Madeleine froze, then snapped out of it when she saw the little
girl’s expression.
She quickly smiled and told her in a very low voice, “It’s okay,
let’s just take one.”
“I don’t feel like it.”
After saying that, she grabbed Madeleine’s hand, gave Leona a
nod with a dark expression, and walked quickly outside.
The smile on Leona’s face froze before she had a chance to pull
it back.
What does that mean?
What does that kid mean?
Taking a deep breath, Leona turned her head to look at
Madeleine’s retreating back, her eyes darkening slightly.
Her phone rang, and she answered it.
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“Three months. I need to stay in the country for three months
before I go back. Yes, I’m here… I have some important things
to take care of.”
–
That little girl Minerva walked so fast that Madeleine could
barely keep up.
She had been feeling stifled, but seeing Minerva’s reaction, she
couldn’t help but laugh.
“What are you doing?”
The two of them had reached the entrance and were standing
on the steps. Minerva turned her head and asked, “Madeleine,
was that person bullying you?”
“What makes you say that?”
“What she said sounded really uncomfortable, and your face
changed. What right does she have to call you a deserter?!”
Madeleine pressed her lips together, finally managing a bitter
smile after a long moment.
“Because I haven’t danced these past few years, I guess.”
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“But that’s your personal choice. What does it have to do with
her? The only person who can condemn you is yourself.”
Minerva puffed out her cheeks and crossed her arms, fuming.
“I really hated the way she was looking at you just now.”
Chapte
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.