The Five Powerhouses Who Match the Unwilling Bride novel Chapter 289

Chapter 289 Everyone Had Their Stage

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Zoey had already switched her performance. She gave up on dancing and chose a spoken recitation instead. Once she got into it, her delivery was full of feeling, and her voice carried real force. By the end, the piece was genuinely moving.

Naomi’s class, meanwhile, had prepared a lively song–and–dance routine. It was supposedly based on a girl–group track that had been hugely popular online lately.

Noelle’s sword dance was still as spirited and heroic as ever. She won over both the boys and the girls with ease. Ava kept teasing that Noelle had been born in the wrong age. If she’d been born in another time, she probably would’ve been some free–spirited swordswoman roaming the world on her own.

Ava even painted a portrait of herself with that image in mind.

In the painting, Noelle wore red, her long hair tied high, a sword in hand, her eyes sharp as lightning. She looked every bit like a fearless heroine of the martial world.

Noelle treasured the painting like a precious treasure. She praised Ava’s skills over and over, then hurried off to find someone who could custom–make an outfit based on the drawing.

That day, Ava went again to watch Malory rehearse.

Before she even reached the dance studios, she could already tell the atmosphere was different from last time. There were clearly many more people around.

When she stepped into Dance Studio No. 5, she quickly found Malory.

She was not dancing.

Instead, she was standing by herself off to the side, while the room was filled with other girls.

Ava walked over and took in the scene. “Why are there so many people here?”

Malory nodded toward the others. “They’re from the Dance Club. They’re rehearsing today as well.”

Ava looked around once, then noticed Naomi was nowhere to be seen. She asked in a low voice, “Aren’t you and Naomi always together? Why isn’t she here?”

Malory answered, “She’s not taking part in the dance club’s performance this time.”

Ava’s gaze returned to Malory.

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Chapter 289 Everyone Had Their Stage

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She was standing alone in one corner, while the others clustered together in twos and threes. No one seemed interested in speaking to her.

Ava raised a brow. “Are you performing in the club’s show?”

Malory hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. “The club president said I already have my own act, so this opportunity should go to someone else.”

After that, she clearly had no interest in talking about the club anymore. “Come on, Ava.”

Ava frowned when she saw Malory had already packed her things. “Aren’t you still supposed to rehearse? You’re leaving just like that?”

“They need the room.” Malory did not explain further. She pushed open the door and walked

out.

Ava almost asked more, but in the end, she held it back.

Malory checked one studio after another. Finally, when she saw that Dance Studio No. 8 was empty, she opened the door and went inside.

Ava simply sat down on the floor and watched from there while Malory resumed practicing.

Compared to the last time Ava had seen it, the choreography had changed a little in a few places. Even so, one thing was obvious: Malory really did have talent. She was the kind of person made for dance.

After running through the piece several times, Malory finally stopped and came over. “How’s your performance piece coming along?”

Ava answered casually, “It’s alright. At least it doesn’t sound bad anymore.”

Malory laughed. “I’m actually really looking forward to your performance. A lute, of all things. Hardly anyone even knows how to play one of these days.”

Then she glanced around, leaned in close, and lowered her voice. “I heard Tylissa is doing a ridiculous number of acts this time. The Drama Club’s putting on a musical she wrote and directed herself. She’s also the lead dancer in the Dance Club performance. On top of that, her own class is giving her a solo too.”

After a pause, she added, “Apparently, she’s playing the zither. That’s a classical instrument

too.”

Ava was stunned. “She’s doing all of that by herself? Does she not get tired?”

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Chapter 289 Everyone Had Their Stage

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Malory lifted her shoulders. “Well, a heaven–favored genius isn’t built like the rest of us. Maybe when God made people, He just happened to like her more.”

Ava almost laughed, then caught herself. “Why do I feel like you’re not exactly a fan of this princess anymore?”

Malory hesitated for a second before answering, “I used to like her a lot. Maybe not to the level of a fanatic, but close enough. Then after I joined the Dance Club, she came by a few times, and I realized she’s… not what she seems.”

Her expression turned more complicated. “Deep down, she’s very arrogant. She barely acknowledges anyone. With her status, I guess she’s used to people flattering her nonstop, but…” She exhaled and shook her head. “Forget it. I shouldn’t say more.”

The two of them stayed a little longer, talking idly before eventually leaving the dance studio together to eat dinner.

By then, evening was settling in.

At the same time, Matthew looked at Laurent and felt a strange ache in his teeth, as if he were suffering secondhand from the absurdity of it all.

“You’re leaving today, getting there tomorrow, meeting her once, and then rushing back overnight?” He stared at him in disbelief. “Is that really worth it?”

Matthew had always known that people in love tended to do things that made no sense.

Still, seeing Laurent like this was something he simply could not process.

This was Laurent Caswell.

In all the years Matthew had known him, there had never been anything remotely this irrational.

When Laurent had first entered the military, he had not even gone home once during those first few years. Later, even when he did return, it was usually only for a few days at the end of the year, and more often than not, he would head back to the unit ahead of schedule anyway.

To Matthew, Laurent had always seemed like the type who would spend his entire life in the army and grow old alone without ever marrying.

Given everything Laurent had been through growing up, he had never held any hopeful illusions about love or marriage. He had never expected anything good from either.

After so many years without the slightest hint of romantic interest, Matthew had long since

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Chapter 289 Everyone Had Their Stage

concluded that Laurent would spend the rest of his life alone.

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