Save Myself from Desperation

The number “10” was clearly written on the dry erase paddle.

As soon as Megan showed her dry erase paddle, the audience was shocked.

“410 points?”

“Did | read it right? Ms. Rice gave her ten points?”

“It's a full mark! Ms. Rice actually gave Ashley a full mark!”

In addition to the audience, even the host was astonished and quickly raised the microphone.

“My friends, this is the first full mark in our two competitions! It’s also the only one! Congratulations to Ashley!”

Ashley showed a graceful smile. “Thank you, Ms. Rice.”

Megan smiled in response and looked more excited than Ashley.

The host asked, “Ms. Rice, can you tell us why you gave Ashley such at high score?”

Megan raised her microphone and looked in Ashley’s direction.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“| believe I’m not the only one who can see that Ashley's performance is very consistent with the theme ‘White and Ashley has very strong dance skills. She can do some difficult moves perfectly with ease. It is no exaggeration to say that she is better than | did back then.”

Megan's words caused a heated discussion among the audience.

Even the viewers who watched the livestream commented crazily.

[Wow, Ms. Rice thinks so highly of Ashley!]

[Everyone knows that Ms. Rice was known for winning first in the National Dance Competition. At that time, she was known as the most talented modern dancer. No one has been able to surpass her in so many years.]

[Ms. Rice only gave Jessica nine points, while she gave Ashley ten points. It seems Ms. Rice extremely recognizes Ashley’s performance!]

[Ms. Rice is indeed more professional than the other four judges. How

could the four judges give such low points?]

[I've downloaded Ashley's dance and will play it on a loop!]

After listening to Megan’s comments, Ashley carried herself gracefully and said sincerely, “Thank you for your comment.” Megan nodded and looked at Ashley with a hint of expectation in her

eyes.

The host stood on the stage, facing the audience. “Now, all twenty contestants have finished their performances. Let’s invite them to the stage together. We're going to have the first winner in today’s semi-final based on the judges’ scores!”

Twenty contestants took the stage one after another.

Jessica glanced at Ashley on the stage, with strong jealousy and resentment hidden deep in her eyes.

“How could that bi tch dance so well... Jessica cursed in her mind.

The host said, “The total scores of each contestant will now be announced. Please look at the big screen!”

As the tense drum music sounded, the total scores of each contestant were shown on the big screen.

When it was time to show Jessica’s score, she looked at the big screen. nervously and wrung her hands, waiting for the result anxiously.

Finally, the screen displayed that her score was 46.8 points.

The host said excitedly, “Congratulations to Jessica for getting 46.8 points! It is the highest score so far!”

Jessica smiled and immediately looked at Ashley.

Jessica cared more about Ashley's score than hers.

“Please don’t let Ashley surpass me!’ Jessica prayed inwardly.

Next, Ashley's total score would be announced.

Unlike Jessica, who was nervous, Ashley looked very composed.

As the big screen was scrolling, it kept the audience in

suspense.

Finally, the result showed the total score was 46.9 points.

The host took a closer look to make sure he was not dazzled before he announced it loudly.

“Congratulations to Ashley for getting 46.9 points! She’s the one with the highest total score among all the contestants! In other words,

congratulations to Ashley for reaching first place in this competition!”

His words caused an outburst of applause in the audience.

The online viewers in the livestream were also giving exclamations of praise in the comments section.

[Wow, Ashley won first place!]

[She deserves it!]

[Dear me! Have you seen it? She is only 0.1 points higher than Jessica. That is so close!]

[To be honest, Ashley's performance is indeed better than Jessica’s this time. Ms. Rice even gave Ashley a full mark.] [Congratulations to Ashley! I’m starting to look forward to her performance in the finals!]

Hearing the result; Jessica could no longer keep her kind expression, and her face became a little gloomy.

She thought, ‘Dam n it. That b itch actually took first place! Why did Megan give Ashley a full mark?”

Frankie and Jeremy even congratulated her in advance for winning first. place, but now it was like a slap in the face. Jessica felt embarrassed and clenched her fists with resentment.

She thought it was fortunate that this was just a semi-final. The finals. would be in a week. She swore she would get first place in the finals and become Megan’s student no matter what it took.

Frankie and Jeremy looked at each other backstage and frowned in a sulk.

‘Seriously? The winner is not Jessica but Ashley! How could this be?’ Jeremy thought in disbelief.

Anger surged in his heart. He wondered, ‘Ashley must have done it on purpose! Why does she s natch everything Jessica wants?”

Seeing Jessica return backstage in frustration, Jeremy felt sorry for her. “Jessica, don’t be discouraged. It was Ashley’s sheer luck that made her take first place!”

Frankie also comforted her. “Jessica, cheer up. | believe you will get first place in the finals.”

Jessica had tears in her eyes, sad and tenacious. “Frankie and Jeremy, thank you for supporting me. | will try my best in the finals! But | still feel happy for Ashley to win first place in the semi-final. | just didn’t expect her to be so good at dancing.” Jeremy sighed, “My dear sister, why are you still caring about Ashley? She has long wanted to disown our family. She is no longer a member of our family!”

“Jeremy...” Jessica pretended to have a worried look on her face but was actually gloating in her mind.

She thought, ‘Ashley, what's the point even though you got first place in the semi-final? You still can’t get anything from the Ramos family.’

While the three of them were talking, Megan came backstage.

Jessica was surprised and immediately walked over excitedly. “Ms. Rice, why did you come backstage? How can | help you?” Megan glanced at her and smiled politely, “No need, thank you.”

Jessica felt Megan’s cold attitude and frowned.

Megan came backstage to look for Ashley but didn’t see her after looking around. In the end, she went to a staff member and asked, “Excuse me, did you see Ashley?”

The staff member thought for a moment. “Ashley? She went directly back to the locker room to change clothes and left after receiving a call.”

Megan smiled helplessly, not expecting Ashley to leave so soon.

Jessica watched Megan in the distance and could tell she was looking for someone, but Jessica didn’t hear who she was looking for.

Jessica frowned and wondered, ‘Is Megan looking for Ashley? No, that’s impossible. Ashley had been living outside since childhood and knew nothing. How could she be favored by Megan?”

After Ashley left the competition site and changed her clothes, her phone

rang, and she answered it. “Hello.”

Valentin’s husky and deep voice sounded on the phone, sending a thrill all over her. “Ashley, congratulations.”

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