The Bargain Undercover

Unsolid Evidence

Eliana didn’t expect that answer. “Why?”

“It’s not solid evidence.” Xander’s words were casually cruel. “You could have asked her to help you exchange your shoes.”

“I didn’t,” Eliana denied it immediately.

“You can’t prove that.” Xander’s tone was still flat.

Eliana realized that Xander didn’t believe her at all. She quickly explained, “She’s just an average Corps de Ballet with no threat to me. I’m not framing her. Why would I?”

Xander looked deep into her eyes. “I wouldn’t know.”

Eliana understood now. In Xander’s eyes, she would hurt anyone who touched her cake in any way.

She couldn’t deny that he was right to some extent, but this time, Lyla started it first.

She didn’t dodge Xander’s incredulous gaze, defending herself, “I’m not, Director Lane. If you give her enough pressure, I’m sure she will admit everything.”

“I can’t do that.”

“Why not? Please, Director Lane. I don’t know when she’ll set me up again. I don’t want to mess up my performance.”

“Then you stay vigilant.” Xander’s response was cold.

“I can’t stay vigilant 24/7 forever.” Eliana was indignant. “If I fell onstage, Millwich Ballet Theatre would be ashamed, too.”

Xander frowned. “I see. Then I won’t give you solo again.”

Eliana was stunned. “I didn’t mean that...”

“Eliana, listen,” Xander cut in coldly. “I’m the Artist Director of the company. I can’t accuse any of my staff with unsolid evidence.”

Though aggrieved, Eliana knew she should stop when she noticed the suppressed impatience in Xander’s voice.

She lowered her eyes, trying to hide her upset. “I’m sorry, Director Lane. I’m just scared.”

She had been naive. The relationship between Xander and her was just transactional with no personal emotion included. Why was she expecting Xander to believe her words? Even if he did, as the Artist Director, he would of course put his interests first, and would never make trouble for himself with unsolid evidence just for her sake.

Xander raised his chin, indicating the door. “I called you a cab.”

Eliana forced a smile. “Good night, Director Lane.”

Xander didn’t respond. As soon as she stepped out of the villa, he closed the door behind her.

The snow had ceased. The whole city slumbered, leaving her alone under the dark sky, breathing in harmony with the stars.

***

Beep. Beep. Beep.

The three consecutive sharp beeps indicated that the passcode was wrong. Lyla frowned in confusion, and then reached out her hand to try again...

“That’s my locker.” A female voice sounded, so close to her.

Lyla almost leaped out of her skin.

In that one second, Eliana, standing right behind Lyla, saw the true color that had always been hidden under her disguise: wrathful, fearful, and hateful.

However, turning around and seeing Eliana, Lyla immediately put her elegant face back on. “Oh, sorry. Our lockers are right next to each other, so I mistook yours for mine.”

“No worries.” Eliana didn’t expose her lie.

She thought about it after she calmed down last night, and she knew Xander was right about one thing: she would need better evidence to accuse Lyla, which she might not be able to get today.

So, she’d better bide her chance while staying cautious for now.

Eliana stood in front of her locker and put in her passcode, her shadow covering the locker door completely. Lyla couldn’t open her locker just now because she changed the passcode this morning, not intending to let Lyla see it this time.

It was four hours before the second Nutcracker show. On the night of Christmas, the hallway backstage was full of colorful lights and greetings among dancers. Alex was walking toward the male’s changing room when he heard someone calling out his name.

He turned around, and when he saw Eliana, a smile bloomed on his face. “Hey, Ellie!”

“Remember I said I’d make up for you?” Eliana asked him, her cat eyes curved into a sweet smile.

Alex’s eyes lit up. ”Do you always fulfill your promises so fast?”

“Yes. I’m that kind of person. I’m going to grab dinner, and if you join me, I’ll treat you.”

“My honor, Ms. Carey.” Alex accepted her invitation without hesitation.

Before going onstage, Eliana always had a high-protein smoothie from Sunrise Market for dinner, keeping herself light and energetic.

However, that was still too boring a dinner. In Sunrise Market, there were a few seats by the window. She and Alex were sitting side by side while she couldn’t help but glance at the chocolate bars on the shelf behind her.

Alex was stirring the beef and vegetables in his salad bowl. Seeing Eliana’s face, he almost laughed. “Are you sure one smoothie is enough for you?”

Seeing the knowing smile on his face, Eliana licked her lips and looked back at her smoothie reluctantly. “No, but I’m very strict to myself.”

With that, she took a big sip of her smoothie, gulping down her desire for something crunchy and unhealthy.

Alex finally laughed out, “Well, it will pay off soon. I’m pretty sure you’ll be promoted after this Christmas season.”

He thought it would be an exciting topic for Eliana, however, she lowered her head, saying nothing.

Alex was surprised. “Ellie, is everything OK?”

“Alex, actually, I’m not sure about that.” Eliana sounded upset. “I... I could have messed up onstage last night.”

Alex widened his eyes. “What happened? Tell me.”

So, she told him about what Lyla had done.

Alex’s brows furrowed tighter and tighter as he listened to the whole story. “That’s so vicious of her. Are you sure it was her?”

“Yes. I saw her opening my locker and exchanging my pointe shoes. Three times already.” Eliana deliberately hid her filming part, wanting Alex to think of her as a defenseless victim, too frightened and strengthless to fight back at all.

That would make him want to protect her more.

“You should talk to Director Lane,” Alex suggested.

“But I have no evidence, and that’s why I want to ask a favor from you.” Eliana’s eyes were covered with a layer of worry. “Can you help me keep an eye on her? If you see her doing anything suspicious, film it and let me know.”

“Sure, sure.” Alex nodded without thinking about it. “I’ll help as much as I can.”

To be honest, Eliana was a bit shocked that Alex just believed what she said so easily. She subconsciously confirmed with him, “Alex, you believe me, right?”

Alex looked confused. “What are you talking about, Ellie? Of course I believe you.”

Eliana was relieved to hear this.

Good. It was easier than she had thought.

Alex was so much simpler than Xander. He just believed whatever he wanted to believe, and now, what he wanted to believe was Eliana.

Eliana couldn’t stay vigilant all day every day to protect herself. She needed companions, and Alex could be a helpful one.

“I didn’t expect Lyla to be that vicious, though.” Alex said, “She’s always elegant and doesn’t talk much.”

Eliana wasn’t surprised. People wore masks, hiding their real selves underneath. “Well, I guess the fierce competition here really changes people.”

"I just don’t get it. I remember she said her parents bought her a house a few months ago, right? She’s from a rich family. She got money, a house, and a car. What’s the point of her pushing herself this hard?”

Alex didn’t get it, but Eliana did. She finished her last sip of smoothie and shrugged. “Life could be much easier if everyone was as easygoing as you.”

She meant it, and she sometimes even felt jealous of Alex. Alex came from a harmonious and decent family, and lucky for him, his career path was much smoother than most of the dancers in this industry. Without undergoing many bumps in life, he was optimistic and simple, and tended to think everyone else as simple as him.

However, that was not the case.

Those who had been struggling to survive like Eliana could never be simple.

That was why she could get Lyla. Although she didn’t know what Lyla’s struggle was, probably different from hers, they must be similar in some way.

Eliana was thinking about this when her phone buzzed, and a text message from “Lora Carey” popped up.

She picked up her phone.

Her mom replied to her “Merry Christmas Eve” from the day before.

[You too, sweetheart.]

Eliana was about to put down her phone when another message came, still from her mom. [Are you coming home for dinner tonight?]

She hesitated for a while and then started to type.

It was the holiday season. Maybe she should pick a day to visit her mom. It had been a while since they met last time.

[Not tonight, but next Monday I’m off...]

‘Why would I waste time on her?’ A thought occurred to Eliana before she had finished her sentence.

She didn’t need to sympathize with her mom. A mom who wanted to kill her daughter didn’t deserve her daughter’s love.

Thinking of this, Eliana deleted everything she had typed and replied with a few cold words, [I’m busy. Maybe next time.]