Chapter 18: Forced to Perform

Two days before the New Year's Gala, Class President Cristiano received the event schedule and rehearsal times from the homeroom teacher. He returned to Class F and raised the chart, clearing his throat. "Classmates, this chart will be posted on the bulletin board at the back. Please pay attention to the event arrangements, especially those who signed up for performances. Make sure to check the rehearsal times and participate on schedule to avoid any chaos during the event."

As soon as Cristiano finished speaking, Kalvin excitedly ran to the bulletin board to check the rehearsal schedule. His eyes quickly stopped at a line, and he shouted in surprise, "Kit! Kit? When did you sign up for a performance? And a dance performance at that?"

All eyes in the class immediately turned to Kit. She lifted her head, scanning the classroom, and finally settled her gaze on Jenny. Jenny was pretending to be engrossed in her notes, but the slight smirk on her lips betrayed her satisfaction.

Kit calmly stated, "I didn't sign up."

Lily, hearing the news, looked worried. She approached Kit and whispered, "Kit, if you say you didn't sign up, then you didn't. But once a performance is listed, it can't be changed. What will you do?"

Seeing the concern in Lily's eyes, Kit softened and reassured her, "Don't worry, I'll handle it."

Jenny continued to act nonchalant, but her eyes gleamed with pride. She secretly thought, "Kit, let's see how you handle this. You always act so calm; this time, I want to see you humiliate yourself in front of the whole school." She walked over to Kit, feigning innocence, "Kit, since you're already listed, why not give it a try? You might surprise everyone."

With a smug expression, Jenny pretended to organize her books, feeling triumphant. She recalled Anna's words, who had called Kit a country bumpkin who couldn't do anything. Jenny was already envisioning Kit's embarrassment on stage.

"Kit, this time you'll definitely embarrass yourself in front of the whole school. Everyone will see you're not so perfect after all," she thought gleefully.

In another class, Anna saw the rehearsal schedule. Her eyes widened in exaggerated surprise when she saw Kit's name under the dance performance section.

"Oh my, my sister actually signed up for a dance performance?" she exclaimed, her voice full of mock concern. "But she doesn't know how to dance!"

Her loud announcement drew the attention of her classmates, who paused their activities to look at her.

Georgia, standing nearby, quickly chimed in, "Anna, why worry about her? If she doesn't know her limits and signed up for the performance, let's just wait and watch her make a fool of herself."

Anna furrowed her brow, pretending to be deeply concerned. "But what if she can't dance? What will she do?"

Her display of concern won her sympathetic looks from the boys in her class, who already admired her for her kindness and thoughtfulness. Anna's every word drew attention and empathy from her classmates.

While she outwardly seemed worried for Kit, inside, Anna was relishing the thought of Kit's impending humiliation. "Kit, you'll definitely make a fool of yourself this time. Everyone will see you're not as perfect as they think," she thought, a slight smirk playing on her lips.

Georgia, noticing Anna's expression, added with a hint of schadenfreude, "Anna, don't worry. She chose this path. If she embarrasses herself, it's her own doing."

The news quickly spread throughout the grade, with everyone talking about Kit's upcoming performance. Many doubted her abilities, convinced she would embarrass herself on stage.

After school, Kit walked home alone. Anna had already taken the family car, not allowing Kit to ride with her. Kit had to find her own way back.

When she opened the front door, she found Mary and Anna waiting for her in the living room. Mary had a stern look on her face, her tone commanding, "Sit down."

Kit quietly took a seat, her expression calm as she looked at Mary. Mary spoke, "I heard from your sister that you signed up for the school gala. How dare you sign up when you haven't learned anything? Unlike Anna, who has been learning from renowned teachers and excels in cello."

Kit's eyes scanned the living room before settling on Anna. Anna sat with an innocent expression, holding a book as if unaware of everything. But Kit knew this was all orchestrated by Anna.

Kit calmly replied, "What does it have to do with you?"

This statement immediately ignited Mary's anger. "What do you mean it has nothing to do with me? You're living with the Zhu family now. If you embarrass yourself, you embarrass all of us. Can you bear that responsibility?"

Anna, pretending to be considerate, suggested, "Mom, it's okay. I heard there's a talented dancer in Kit's class. Maybe we can ask her to teach Kit."

Kit instantly understood Anna's plan. Everyone knew she and Jenny didn't get along. Anna's suggestion was a way to humiliate her by making her ask Jenny for help. Kit looked at Anna, her eyes cold, but she said nothing.

Mary thought it was a good idea, even though only two days remained. Learning a bit would be better than nothing. "Anna is always thoughtful, never making me worry and always helping out," Mary said, looking at Anna with satisfaction.

Anna, pretending to be obedient, leaned against Mary, enjoying her mother's affection. She secretly delighted in the thought of Kit's humiliation while asking Jenny for help.

"Tomorrow after school, you must invite Jenny over to teach you to dance," Mary ordered Kit sternly.

Kit had initially planned to ignore the charade but hearing this command triggered her disgust. Without even looking at them, she coldly replied, "I have my own plans," and headed upstairs.

Mary, enraged by Kit's attitude, was about to explode when Anna quickly comforted her, "Mom, it's okay. I'll try to invite Jenny over tomorrow."

"You're too good, Anna," Mary sighed, feeling that Anna lowering herself to invite someone was a great sacrifice.

Anna, still pretending to be docile, nodded, a gentle smile on her face but her heart filled with malicious satisfaction.