Chapter 32: Is Clara Having an Affair with Master Vance?

When Clara heard Lin Yao's words, her heart jolted, but she maintained a mask of absolute calm.

She looked Lin Yao directly in the eye, her voice steady and firm. "Lin Yao, I don't know what you think you saw, but there is nothing inappropriate between Master Vance and me. Last night, he simply discussed the details of the endorsement deal with me. That’s all."

Lin Yao clearly didn't believe her, a mocking sneer curling her lips. "Oh? Is that so? Then why did Master Vance seek

you

out privately? There are so many talented dancers in this troupe—why you?"

Clara felt a wave of exhaustion. She knew that no matter how she explained it, Lin Yao would never listen.

"If you have questions about Master Vance’s choices, you can ask him yourself. I am under no obligation to explain anything to you."

Lin Yao’s expression shifted, clearly not expecting such a sharp, defiant retort.

She let out a cold snort and turned to leave the studio, but not before tossing a final warning over her shoulder: "Don't think that just because you have Master Vance’s favor, you can walk all over everyone in this troupe!"

The situation did not settle with her silence.

Over the next few days, the atmosphere in the troupe became incredibly tense.

Clara could feel the eyes of the other dancers on her, filled with strange, judgmental emotions. Some even began to distance themselves from her.

Her friend Xia saw this and was sick with worry.

She found Clara and urged her, "Clara, you can't stay silent forever. Those rumors are only going to get more ridiculous. You have to find a way to clarify things."

Clara smiled faintly and shook her head. "Clarify? How? Those people won't listen to my explanation. They only want to believe what they’ve already decided is true."

Xia sighed and patted Clara on the shoulder. "But you can't just let them misunderstand you like this. Why don't you... go to Master Vance? Let him step in and explain?"

Clara fell silent for a moment, then finally shook her head. "I don't want to make a scene. Besides, Master Vance... might not be willing to interfere in such trivial matters."

She had endured until now precisely because she wanted Alistair to see her being bullied; there was no way she would proactively tell him.

Furthermore, these people had no idea she was the Eldest Miss of the Jian family. With their social status, they could never touch a circle like the Jians'.

Otherwise, if they knew, they wouldn't have the courage to even look at her twice.

Xia wanted to say more, but seeing the exhaustion on Clara’s face, she eventually swallowed her words.

A few days later, news suddenly broke: the Vance Group was about to hold a massive brand launch event, and Clara would attend as the official spokesperson.

This news sent the troupe into a frenzy of bitterness.

Lin Yao confronted Clara again, her tone dripping with hostility. "You certainly have your ways, Clara! Getting the Vance endorsement so quickly and becoming the focus of the launch. What exactly did you do to get this?"

Clara, tired of the cycle, said coldly, "Lin Yao, if you have a problem with me, go to Sister Li or Master Vance. I am not obligated to answer your questions."

Enraged by Clara's attitude, Lin Yao suddenly seized her wrist, her voice turning shrill. "Don't think you can be so arrogant just because you have Master Vance backing you! I’m telling you, you aren't the one in charge here!"

Clara frowned and forcefully shook off Lin Yao’s hand. "Lin Yao, conduct yourself with dignity. I don't want to fight with you, but if you continue this unreasonable harassment, I will go directly to Sister Li."

Lin Yao’s face went pale, startled by Clara’s sudden strength. She grit her teeth but finally said nothing, storming away.

A few days later, the Vance Group brand launch proceeded as scheduled.

As the spokesperson, Clara appeared at the venue dressed in an elegant gown.

Her appearance immediately captured the attention of the media. Flashbulbs went off incessantly, and reporters swarmed her with questions.

"Miss Jian, how did you become the spokesperson for the Vance Group?"

"Miss Jian, there are rumors that you and Master Vance are quite close. Is this true?"

"Miss Jian, what do you have to say about the rumors swirling in your dance troupe?"

Facing the barrage of questions, Clara maintained a graceful smile, her tone calm and steady. "Thank you for your interest. I became the spokesperson because of my professional ability and the troupe's recommendation. As for the rumors, I don't believe they merit a response. I trust that time and facts will prove everything."

Her answers were poised and cool; she neither dodged the questions nor gave the media any room for sensationalism. Seeing this, the reporters stopped pressing and shifted their focus to the event itself.

After the launch ended, Clara was preparing to leave when Alistair Vance suddenly appeared before her.

"Little sister's performance was excellent today. If your brother knew, his tail would be wagging in the clouds," Alistair said with a smile, his eyes showing genuine admiration.

Clara gave a polite nod. "Thank you for the praise, Master Vance. I was just doing my job."

Alistair looked at her and asked suddenly, "I heard about what’s been happening at the troupe lately. Are you alright?"

Clara was startled, then smiled faintly. "Thank you for your concern. I’m fine. Rumors are inevitable, and I will handle it."

Alistair arched an eyebrow, seemingly unsatisfied with her answer.

He took a step closer, his voice dropping low, carrying an undeniable authority. "Clara, you are the Eldest Miss of the Jian family. There is no need for you to suffer in a place like that. If you don't want to stay at the troupe, I can arrange for you to enter the upper management of the Vance Group, or any company under the Jian family umbrella."

Clara looked up at him, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.

She gently shook her head, her voice firm. "Thank you for the offer, Master Vance. But I choose to stay because I love dancing, not to run away from something. I will resolve those rumors in my own way."

Alistair fell silent for a moment, then let out a short laugh, his tone slightly helpless. "You’re still so stubborn. Fine, since you’ve decided, I won't force you. Just remember—if you ever change your mind, you can come to me anytime."

After leaving the launch, Clara returned to the dance troupe.

The moment she entered the studio, she sensed something was wrong.

Lin Yao and several other dancers were huddling together, whispering. When they saw her, they stopped immediately, their eyes full of blatant hostility.

Clara ignored them and walked straight to her locker to change for practice.

However, when she opened the locker, she found it in total disarray—the ribbons of her dance shoes had been cut, and her practice clothes were doused in ink.

Her fingers trembled slightly, a surge of fury rising within her, but she quickly suppressed it.

Clara took a deep breath, turned to face Lin Yao, and spoke with a calm but terrifying authority. "Lin Yao, you did this, didn't you?"

Lin Yao let out a cold, defiant laugh. "What if I did? You think just because you have Master Vance backing you, you can do whatever you want? I'm telling you, this troupe doesn't belong to you alone!"