Chapter 175

Evelyn Laurent's water sleeve dance reached its climax.

She spun gracefully, the flowing sleeves tracing elegant arcs through the air.

Then—

Her right foot landed on a loose floorboard.

A sharp crack echoed across the stage.

Evelyn lost her balance instantly.

Gasps erupted from the audience.

"Watch out!"

Her nearest dance partner cried out in alarm.

Evelyn's eyes flashed with determination.

She shifted her weight swiftly, braced her right hand against the floor, and executed a flawless side flip to safety.

But her two companions weren't as fortunate.

"Aah—"

Their screams pierced the air as they crashed onto the collapsing stage.

Dr. Gregory Evans shot up from his seat.

"What happened?!"

His face darkened with fury.

Evelyn rushed to the damaged section.

She grabbed both girls' wrists and hauled them up with a firm tug.

"Are you hurt?"

The shaken dancers shook their heads.

"Just... startled..."

University officials swarmed the scene.

Stagehands scrambled to inspect the damage.

The performance came to an abrupt halt.

In the audience, Victoria Langley clutched her husband's hand.

Her nails dug into his palm.

The four Langley brothers tensed simultaneously.

Ethan Sullivan's gaze turned glacial.

The intensity of his stare sent chills through nearby spectators.

Dr. Evans double-checked each student's condition.

"That was far too dangerous..."

He wiped cold sweat from his brow.

At the opposite end of the auditorium, Sophia Lowell bit her lip in disappointment.

"She didn't fall..."

Her resentful glare remained fixed on Evelyn.

The stage was quickly repaired.

The show resumed.

But tension still hung thick in the air.