Chapter 256
Irene was staring at Robin from the back, her lips curling in a smile as she was almost certain what
Robin was up to now.
While the other personnel were timing their clocks, Irene waited at the break room, where a man
approached her.
“Are you an instructor?”
Irene shook her head. “No.”
“A fellow judge, then?” He continued–he was one of the judges as well. Like most male dancers, he
was slim and exceedingly well–groomed, with his hair combed meticulously. The getup did not seem to
make him shady, however, thanks to his sunny disposition.
Irene was just about to answer when she spotted Robin nearby, and quickly pretended to look guilty as
she whispered, “I’m a judge, but I’m actually acting as a stand–in.”
“Oh! I was just wondering that I’ve not seen you before, since I’ve been judging most competitions and
met most of the other judges. You’re not exactly a familiar face.‘
Irene hung her head low. “Actually, this is my first time, so I don’t know much about anything.”
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt“It’s fine. You can sit beside me later,” the man offered warmly.
“Okay,” Irene replied softly and meekly. “Thank you.”
The man chuckled. “Oh, you don’t have to be that worried–you just have to watch if the contestants are
doing well, if their movements adhere to the rules. Just ask me if you’re not sure about something. I’m
sure I can be of help.”
Nearby, Robin was making a show of checking the contestant’s dresses to disguise her eavesdropping.
Irene naturally knew that Robin was doing that, and so started to whisper shadily as if afraid that others
would hear.
At the same time, Irene leaned towards the man to pretend to be sneaky, though she spoke just loud
enough so that Robin could hear. “I mentioned that I’m a stand–in, right? I actually don’t know a thing
about dance, let alone be a judge. Please keep this a secret–only you know about this, but I don’t even
know how to dance myself.“,
The man appeared perplexed.
She became a judge even though she didn’t know anything? That was a little too much, wasn’t it not?
“But you…” He couldn’t find the right words.
“Please, you have to keep this a secret.”
Irene still looked very worried that she would be exposed, and the man actually understood why.
Seeing her vulnerable look eventually convinced him. “Alright. Your secret’s safe with me.”
“Thank you.”
The man grinned. “Well, I have to help a woman as beautiful as you. That said, I think you have the
figure of a good dancer. Even though starting young is ideal, you can take up dancing now as an
exercise and maintain your body shape. I can be your instructor if you’re interested.”
Irene smiled. “I’m afraid I can’t spare the time–I’m married, and things can get busy with my child.”
The man did a double take–he certainly didn’t expect Irene to be married with children!
“You don’t look that old to me… You said you already have a child?”
Irene said, “I’m not that young, actually.
The man appeared disappointed for a moment, but soon smiled. “I couldn’t tell. Anyone who didn’t
know better would take you for a university student… Well, I’m guessing you’re an employee at some
company, since you weren’t involved in dance?”
Irene shook her head. “I’m a doctor, actually.”
The man was once again surprised. “What’s your specialty?”
“I’m a surgeon,” Irene replied simply.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmThe man’s eyes widened. Her figure was so dainty that she didn’t appear to be the type who wielded a
scalpel, not to mention that all surgeons needed a strong heart and stomach.
A lady who appeared as delicate as her certainly had no business being a surgeon.
“Then, what could be your strengths-”
Before he could finish, one of the helpers entered and told them that the event was starting.
The man had to stop, and helped Irene get her score cards. He even taught her how to use. it. “The
contestant will take to the stage in rounds, and each pair would have a number tag. Just give a tick to
the pairs whom you think have done well.”
“Thank you.” Irene smiled.
The contestants quickly filed into the stage and took their positions.
The lights overhead flashed as the music started, signaling the start of the competition.
On the sidelines, the cameramen would capture perfect snapshots of the contestants, while their
parents watched from the seats above, keeping a close eye on their own children.
Passionate jazz, bombastic latin and alluring cha–cha–as the rounds proceeded, the thrill of the
competition peaked. The cheers for the contestants were thunderous.
Nonetheless, the host suddenly announced before the last round, “Ladies and gentlemen, although the
competition has proceeded to the last round, we must apologize as the results of the competition will
not be counted…”