Chapter 249 My Future Wife
Although their conversation was brief, it was clear to any discerning observer that Sebastian’s attitude toward Janessa and Madelyn was completely different.
Even though his expression remained indifferent throughout, his gaze hardly ever fell upon Janessa. Instead, it was filled with the sight of Madelyn in her dark blue flapper dress.
Especially when Madelyn made her appearance, there was a noticeable change in Sebastian’s demeanor, and it became much more animated. The stern expression on his face finally softened a bit.
Gerald naturally noticed the change in demeanor of this major benefactor. Overcome by curiosity, he couldn’t help but ask, “Mr. Lockhart, it seems like you and Madelyn are on good terms. May I ask if she’s your—”
Gerald’s words were abruptly cut off by a cold voice. “Fiancée,” Sebastian said.
Gerald was taken aback for a moment. “W–What?”
Sebastian simply stated, “Madelyn is my fiancée.”
This time, Gerald was genuinely flabbergasted. What? Is something wrong with my ears? It’s unbelievable that Madelyn, that unlearned and incompetent silly little girl, is actually the fiancée of the renowned CEO of Lockhart Group! In other words, there’s an eighty percent chance that Madelyn might become the future CEO of Lockhart Group! Gosh! The sheer amount of information is overwhelming!
“What’s wrong? Judging by your expression, could it be that my fiancée has been misbehaving at campus?” Sebastian asked at that moment, his tone somewhat resembling a parent’s.
When Gerald thought of Madelyn’s status, he didn’t dare to utter a single word against her.
Immediately, Gerald responded with a polite smile, “How could that be, Mr. Lockhart? Madelyn has always been very disciplined and strict with herself. Especially recently, her progress has been remarkable. As her professors, we couldn’t be more proud.”
“Oh? That’s good, then,” Sebastian said, his face expressionless, still as aloof as ever. Ha! I know exactly what kind of girl she is.
Meanwhile, Madelyn and Janessa were walking together on their way back to the hall.
The sweet smile on Madelyn’s face was simply unstoppable. At a single glance, her face was filled with pure bliss.
Janessa was a different story. Her expression darkened in an instant when she saw Madelyn’s elated expression and recalled how Sebastian had treated her earlier. At that moment, Janessa’s eyes revealed a sinister jealousy.
Madelyn glanced at Janessa out of the corner of her eye, feeling an inexplicable chill run down her spine.
Even though Janessa would occasionally cast surreptitious glances of envy at her on regular days, this time, it felt distinctly different.
It wasn’t just envy, not merely anger, but more so, it was pure malice.
When Madelyn actually turned toward Janessa, the latter was already wearing a beaming smile. “Madelyn, let’s give it our all for the performance later!” she said.
“Oh… All right, then,” Madelyn feigned a casual smile.
Following that, the two of them, each lost in their own thoughts, walked into the hall.
“Half an hour till showtime, everyone. Double-check your makeup and your costumes, and if you’re not familiar enough with your lines, go over them a few more times. We want to give our best performance when we hit the stage!” Yadiel urged from the side at that moment.
After hearing what was said, Madelyn and the other leading actors finally stopped their playful antics and began to take things seriously.
After a short while, the time was nearly right. Numerous spectators started to stream in, batch by batch. In less than a few minutes, the entire hall was packed to the brim, buzzing with excitement.
“Wow! There’s really a lot of people out there,” Jillian sneaked a peek through the backstage curtain, her heart pounding in anticipation.
“It’s kind of terrifying. I’ve never been this nervous, even when I was in brawls against hundreds,” muttered Tristan, feeling a bit uncertain in his heart.
Although Josiah was not as anxious as they were, he was still somewhat nervous. However, his prideful demeanor and taut expression concealed his true feelings.
Fortunately, Madelyn remained composed. At that moment, she boldly said, “Come on! Let’s all give it our best shot.”
As she spoke, she extended her fair hand in the air.
After Jillian had a look, she was the first to stack her hand on top. After that, Tristan also placed his hand on top. Josiah stopped being arrogant and cooperated with everyone else. Janessa naturally wanted to join in, and along with a few supporting roles, everyone’s hands formed a thick pile.
“In today’s competition, we must give it our all. Three, two, one,”
“Good luck!”
“Let’s go!”
Everyone shouted in unison, their voices strong and resonant. In an instant, everyone’s morale was significantly boosted.
At that moment, the music for the opening dance began to play outside.
There were so many big shots attending the event that day, so in order to show their appreciation for these esteemed guests, the campus had the students put together a grand dance performance.
Each girl on stage had changed into a vibrant gown, their faces delicately made up in vintage style. In their hands, they held fans reminiscent of the mid-twentieth century, their graceful figures leisurely dancing with various elegant movements. Everyone was in perfect harmony, their movements uniformly precise. It was a magnificent sight, brimming with traditional charm.
After a few minutes, the scene was filled with thunderous applause and a wave of cheers.
Just when everyone thought the opening act was over, the music abruptly shifted, pulsating with energy.
The stage was once again flooded with a group of young men and women. Each of them was dressed in dazzling street dance outfits that shimmered in the silver light, creating a spectacular sight.
As the music pulsed, the group of students danced with intense energy, effortlessly executing a range of complex moves. Waves of screams erupted from the audience, the atmosphere was supercharged by this electrifying opening dance.
A few minutes later, the opening act concluded. Brilliant fireworks erupted from the edge of the stage, captivating the audience. The applause thundered throughout the venue.
Following that, the host, dressed in a tastefully appropriate evening gown, gracefully took to the stage.
The competition had officially begun.
Madelyn was backstage, casually tuning into the bustle outside. As she adjusted her costume and hairstyle, she simultaneously rehearsed her lines, immersing herself in the character’s emotions.
Jillian was right beside her, but it was clear that their mindsets were distinctly different.
“What should I do, Madelyn? I’m still a bit nervous… What if I mess up my performance? Would you blame me?” Jillian asked with evident unease.
Madelyn immediately comforted her, saying, “Don’t worry. Aren’t you usually great at acting? Besides, even if the performance doesn’t go well, it’s not the end of the world. All we can do is our best.”
Jillian could only nod in agreement. After all, things had progressed to this point. There was no room left for regret.
At that moment, the host was already on stage, announcing, “Up next, the students from the Department of Finance will present the stage play ‘Goodbye, My Love!’ Let’s welcome them with a round of applause!”
“It’s our turn now.” Yadiel hurried over at this moment, anxiously saying, “Everyone, quickly get on stage, and remember to stay calm as usual.”
The group of them nodded in agreement and proceeded to ascend the stage.