3
The Vance siblings were clearly here to start a war, and I wondered if the producers had put them up to it. The live–stream audien-
ce was eating it up.
“Yeah, I couldn’t find anything online about Liam’s family.”
“I saw some deep–dive posts saying his family is pretty average. Explains why he had to play the victim card to get famous and
make money.”
My brow furrowed slightly. Liam saw it and subtly pressed his hand on my arm. “Aria, just let it go. You don’t want to piss off the
fans.”
While we waited for the other contestants, Adam and Zoe kept up their attack, a machine gun of rapid–fire boasts.
“The youth dance championship, you know what that is? Oh, right, I forgot you probably don’t dance. You wouldn’t have a clue.”
“Honestly, winning the national title is just okay. My real goal is to win an international competition within five years.”
The comments poured in:
“Of course Adam’s sister is amazing too. Talent runs in the family.”
“A dance champion! The irony, compared to a certain someone who got a top spot and can’t do anything.”
“His sister isn’t even saying anything. Guess that family really is all looks and no substance.”
Zoe was getting more and more smug. I suddenly turned to my brother. “Go get me a bottle of water.”
Liam, ever the obedient little brother, nodded and went to find a staff member.
The second he was out of earshot, I turned my dead–eyed gaze back to them.
“Adam, was it?” I started, my voice flat. “Your sister is a dance champion. What about you? What are your credentials? Any titles?
Chapter 1
08:29
The second he was out of earshot, I turned my dead–eyed gaze back to them.
“Adam, was it?” I started, my voice flat. “Your sister is a dance champion. What about you? What are your credentials? Any titles? Awards?” I pulled out my phone and tapped open a search bar. “The only thing I can find about you online is a 12th–place finish on a reality show. For someone who loves to brag so much, if you had anything else, I’m sure you would have plastered it all over the internet by now.”
Adam’s face went stiff.
then turned to Zoe. “The national youth dance championship? Which one? What division? What was the scale of the event? Beca
use as far as I know, there are at least twenty ‘youth dance competitions‘ held in this country every year, and more than half of them are less prestigious than your brother’s 12th–place finish.”
Zoe was speechless.
