Chapter 128 A Quarrel on the Stage
"Wow!"
There was a hubbub of voices from the audience!
The host's hand trembled as he held the microphone. His excitement could not be contained. "You never deny whatever she says? Ne...ver?"
Lloyd chuckled, still gazing at Ebony.
The host took a deep breath and looked over. "Miss Gibson, may I ask about your relationship with Mr. Vasquez?"
Ebony held up the microphone and replied calmly, "I'm his sworn brother."
The host was stunned.
Lloyd was stunned.
And so was the audience.
As everyone fell silent, Ebony added, "Yeah, he often gets bullied, and I back him up. I help him get the prizes, drink for him at parties, and take care of him without complaint for so long. I deserve to be his sworn bother, don't I?"
Everyone looked blankly at Ebony.
Their eyes were fixed on her.
After quite a while, Lloyd let out a breath and said blandly, "Go on with the process."
The host came to his senses and stammered, trying to ask Lloyd to take his seat.
Suddenly, the chief director's instructions came out of his headset. "Arrange for Lloyd to sit in the judging seat. We've spent five million dollars inviting him. The shots of the guest's seat are too few. In the judging seat, he'll be constantly in front of the camera!"
A bit embarrassed, the host turned off the microphone and whispered into the headset, "Director, is it really a good idea? The instructors' seats are specially made. We're unable to add another seat."
The chief director said, "We can add one to the referrers' seats. Since he was invited by Ebony, we'll let them sit together. Keep the conversation going for a while. I'll arrange a seat for him."
At that, the host turned on the microphone and continued to chat with Lloyd.
Lloyd cooperated as if he wasn't aware of anything.
Five minutes later, the seat was set, and the host invited Lloyd to take the seat next to Ebony's.
Belinda couldn't help but hold up her microphone and ask, "Isn't the guest's seat over there?"
The host explained timely, "Actually, Mr. Vasquez is here not only to be Miss Gibson's cheering guest. He is also an honorary judge and award presenter of this program! So, his seat is over there!"
He made up his identity on the spot.
They had spent five million dollars after all!
It would be a waste of money if they didn't add some identities to him and make the best use of him!
God knew how pitiful the chief director was when he asked for the budget. He nearly kneeled at the door to their big boss's office!
Lloyd unhurriedly took his seat, and the host announced the beginning of the public performance.
While the first female group appeared on stage to perform, Ebony quietly moved a little closer to Lloyd.
Lloyd noticed it but said nothing.
Ebony didn't dare to make big movements. Instead, she tactfully tugged at Lloyd's clothes.
Only then did Lloyd look over indifferently.
Ebony asked directly, "Do they pay you extra for serving as the honorary judge and award presenter?"
Lloyd hadn't expected that.
He pulled his clothes back and replied indifferently, "No."
Ebony looked at his side face for a long time before muttering, "Are you mad?"
Lloyd sneered and asked, "You can tell that?"
Ebony nodded her head pitifully.
Lloyd asked, "Do you know why?"
"Yes."
Ebony said, dejectedly, "You want to be the elder brother."
Lloyd was speechless.
Ebony pouted. "I know you are older than me and should be the elder brother, but so many people are watching. What's the harm of letting me brag about myself? You see, both Victor and Belinda are on the stage. I'll lose face if I admit in front of them that I am the younger brother!"
Lloyd didn't know what to say.
Once again, Ebony tugged at his clothes and pleaded in a small voice, "Mr. Vasquez, don't be mad..."
Lloyd simply let her pull at him.
After a while, Ebony still hadn't given up.
Lloyd relented.
Using the platform as a cover, he held her hand and said, "Watch the show."
Sensing that his anger had subsided, Ebony quickly drew her hand back and turned to watch the performance.
Lloyd was speechless.
Like the first public performance, when a group finished their performance, the instructors and referrers would give their comments.
After that, the audience began to vote.
The scores from the instructors and the audience would be added together, and the performers would have their final scores.
Most of the performances in the morning were fine.
Victor's team made a big mistake.
During this dance, two trainees stepped on each other when they competed for the central position.
After the performance, the two trainees cried at the same time. One of them accused the other of stealing her position.
The other claimed that she had practiced the moves of the center for five days. The former said something to the instructor the night before, and the instructor replaced her yesterday. She was not convinced.
They quarreled on the stage.
For a moment, all the cameras were directed to Victor.
Holding the microphone, Victor said coldly to the former center, "I replaced you not because someone told on you. Actually, I found a problem with your dance moves after watching your performance."
The trainee was blunt to question him on the spot, "There was a problem with me. What about her? I practiced as the lead dancer for five days and at least memorized the moves. And her? She took the central position in emergency and could not keep up with the moves. Then the four of us were required to reduce our moves to suit her. Is it fair to us? The five days of practice are for nothing?"
Victor suddenly got up and sulked, "If you don't obey me, why did you join my team in the first place? I discussed it with the dance teacher before making the decision. It was for the best stage effect! If you have a problem with that, you could have talked to me in private. Do you have to cause trouble on the stage? Have you considered the other team members' feelings?"
That trainee was rendered speechless, but grievances built up in her. She covered her mouth and dissolved into tears.
Victor sat down and said to the host, "Go ahead with the next group."
Holding the microphone, the host was about to go on with the process.
Ebony suddenly asked, "Your name is Deloras Whitlow, right?"
The trainee, who was choking with sobs, froze and looked at Ebony with tears all over her face.
Ebony checked out her profile. After a moment of silence, she said, "You were the street dance champion of Hadon and the tap dance champion of Bauhmore. You've practiced dance for nine years, pocketing 12 provincial awards and six city-wide awards. Last year, you were admitted to the No. 1 Dance School of Hadon as the top scorer in the exam. This is a dazzling resume, but do you know why you were replaced?"
Deloras froze and stared at her blankly.
Victor had a bad feeling, frowned, and looked at Belinda.
Belinda's face fell.
Ebony said nonchalantly, "You were replaced because of your poor family background."
Ebony chuckled. "Next to you, the trainee who took your place is named Crysta Nugent, right? She is Miss Bowman's niece. So, Deloras, do you still think you shouldn't have been replaced?"