Chapter 366

Chapter 366:
“Plus,” Daphne added, giving Millie a curious look, “you must know, even though the Elliott Group is just one of Crobert’s big three, there’s something mysterious about them. Actually, there’s more to—wait, why am I even telling you all this?”
Millie just smiled and kept her thoughts to herself. She actually knew more than Daphne was letting on. Not only the Elliott Group, but the Watson Group and Evans Group all had their own secrets. That was how those families had managed to hold their ground in Crobert.
“No, I’m not planning to back out,” Millie replied, seeing that everything that had happened recently was bound to make Daphne rethink her approach. “For the finals, we’ll just have to rely on our own talent,” Millie remarked. Discover more novels at.net
“You!” Daphne snapped, reaching out as if she wanted to pull Millie’s mask away and see who she really was.
Millie caught on right away and moved Daphne’s hand aside.
“You’re crossing the line,” Millie retorted.
Daphne pressed her lips together in frustration, giving Millie a hard stare.
“I’m not nearly as bad as you,” Daphne responded sharply. “Everyone knows you’ve got Charles backing you. The whole industry has heard that you’re his woman!”
Millie stared at Daphne. There had been a time when she’d found Daphne genuinely likable, but now she saw how wrong she’d been. If people weren’t so focused on their own interests, maybe things could stay friendly. But whenever disputes arose, hidden grudges came to light.
“My connection with Charles is strictly business,” Millie explained in a steady voice, and whether or not Daphne chose to believe her wasn’t her problem.
Daphne only gave her a mocking sneer, clearly refusing to accept it.
“I earned my spot based on what I bring to the stage,” Millie remarked, unwilling to let Daphne’s doubt go unanswered.
“No matter how much you try to defend yourself, it doesn’t matter,” Daphne sneered. “Serena, you’ll never escape the rumors about donation fraud and sleeping your way to the top. Your name’s already in the mud. You might keep Charles in your corner, but the Elliott family and the public are sharper than you think. The Elliott Group is only here now because of the show’s promise and the contestants’ real skill. Tricks won’t keep working for you. I’ll make sure I’m the one who gets the Elliott family’s support!”
Millie’s eyes softened with pity as she looked at Daphne. It was true that Daphne’s talent made her a strong competitor, but she failed to see the bigger picture.
A staff member called out, “Serena, it’s time for rehearsal.”
Gathering her things, Millie spared Daphne one last glance.
“You remember how I was sabotaged in both earlier rounds. Do you call that getting ahead by cheating?” With that, Millie walked onto the stage for rehearsal.
Some people simply couldn’t be reasoned with. If Daphne refused to change her mind, continuing the argument would be a waste of time.
Vivian was also present, of course. This time, however, she kept her distance and didn’t give Millie any trouble, which struck Millie as strange.
Instead, Vivian shot her a quick, smug look filled with disdain before disappearing backstage.
Once backstage, Vivian spotted Daphne sulking in the corner. She had no interest in Daphne’s mood. Normally, a few sharp comments about Serena would have slipped out, but after the recent blackmail scare, she kept quiet. She couldn’t be sure if anyone was secretly recording.
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