As the host finished his words, enthusiastic apuse erupted from the audience.


    “That’s fantastic! | voted for Ashley, and my vote is in there!”


    “So is mine. | didn’t hesitate for a moment and directly voted for Ashley!”


    “Look, this is the well-deserved first ce. The supporters for Ashley are much more than for Jessica!”


    In the livestream,ments flooded.


    [Congrattions, Ashley! First ce in the Grand Finals! You''re well-deserved!]


    [Did you guys see that? Ashley alone got over 300 votes, almost ten times more than the second ce. She got andslide


    victory!]


    [Incredible. This vote number is truly amazing. Ashley got more than half the votes all by herself!]


    [But why are there people actually voting for Jessica? That’s unreasonable!]


    [In my opinion, the program team should cancel Jessica''s qualification. She and Jeremy bribed the judges.]


    [It wouldn’t matter even if they don’t cancel it. Jessica’s still getting crushed by Ashley. Ashley''s votes are way ahead of hers!]


    At the venue, the staff went on stage to present Ashley with a trophy and certificate.


    Confetti and golden powder showered down from the ceiling, creating a festive atmosphere throughout the venue.


    Miranda was joyful and reached out to catch some streamers, offering sincere congrattions, “Congrattions, Ashley! | knew |


    was right about you. You surely deserve the first ce with your talent!”


    Ashley smiled as she replied, “Thank you.”


    Other contestants around them also extended their congrattions to Ashley, acknowledging her victory wholeheartedly.


    Meanwhile, Jessica stood still and looked at Ashley with malice and


    12:31


    Chapter 30 hostility.


    ‘Da mn it. That bi tch still managed to take the first ce. It should have been mine. The one whom Megan epts as a student


    also should have been me. But now Ashley sn atched away all this!’ Jessica thought.


    After the award presentation, the host turned towards Megan, saying, “Ms. Rice, the floor is yours.”


    Megan took the microphone, but instead of immediately addressing the matter of epting a student, she looked at Ashley on


    stage and asked, “May | ask, who did you learn your dance from?”


    Ashley truthfully responded, “I learned it from my grandma.”


    Ashley grew up in an orphanage and waster adopted by her grandparents.


    7


    Her grandma loved dancing and was skilled at it. When she noticed. Ashley’s talent in dancing, she began teaching her from a


    young age.


    As Ashley''s grandma aged, she yed dance videos from her youth for Ashley to watch.


    Ashley’s grandma maintained her passion for dancing throughout her life, even refraining from having children to preserve her


    figure. Ashley’s grandpa unconditionally supported his wife’s decision, and they loved each other deeply throughout their lives.


    Ashley’s dance foundation was thusid by her grandma’s guidance and teachings.


    Megan seemed to have guessed something and asked excitedly, “Is your grandmother’s surname Sawyer?”


    Ashley was momentarily surprised but nodded. “Yes.”


    Megan smiled slightly and looked at Ashley with more admiration. “ording to the show’s rules, the grand finale winner will


    be my student, receiving personal instruction from me in dance. Ashley, are you willing to be my student?”


    Upon hearing this question, the audience looked at Ashley.


    They thought Ashley would surely agree.


    After all, given Megan’s status, everyone learning dance would want to be her student.


    upter 30


    The host also looked towards Ashley. He poised the microphone near his mouth, ready to congratte the two on their teacher-


    student


    rtionship.


    However, in the next moment, Ashley shook her head apologetically. “I’m sorry, Ms. Rice. | cannot agree to be your student.”


    Her words left the audience in stunned silence for several seconds. The once lively venue suddenly became quiet, followed by a


    collective


    confusion.


    Everyone was surprised.


    Ashley actually refused Megan!


    She didn’t want to be Megan’s student!


    The online viewers were equally astonished, almost suspecting they were mishearing things.


    [Well, Ms. Rice tried to take on a student multiple times and got rejected. Now, she tries to take on Ashley and gets rejected


    again. Poor Ms. Rice...]


    [Feel sorry for Ms. Rice.]


    [Ashley, what are you doing? Why refuse? Don’t be so ungrateful!]


    [Ashley is too arrogant. How dare she refuse Megan?]


    At the venue, the host was so surprised that he almost bit his tongue. He hurriedly asked, “Ashley, did you refuse to be Ms.


    Rice''s student?”This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    Ashley remainedposed. “Yes.”


    The host was so shocked that he almost choked on his saliva. ‘Ashley seems a bit too audacious, rejecting such an offer right


    after winning first. ce,’ he thought.


    Upon hearing Ashley’s refusal, Miranda became extremely anxious. She tugged at Ashley''s sleeve and whispered, “Ashley, what


    if you offend Ms. Rice? What ifizens start criticizing you? Hurry up and change your statement. Say you''re willing to be Ms.


    Rice''s student!”


    Ashleyfortingly patted her hand, also whispering, “I really can’t be her student.”


    Miranda became so worried that she broke into a sweat after hearing what Ashley said.


    Not far away, Jessica, upon hearing Ashley’s rejection of Megan, first paused in surprise, then burst into mockingughter.


    “This b itch really hasn’t seen the world. She doesn’t know what’s good for her. How dare she refuse Megan? If she offends


    Megan, she won''t have an easy time in the future, especially in the dance circle. Ashley, you’ve brought this upon yourself. Get


    ready to be suppressed by Megan!’ Jessica said inwardly.


    The host turned to Megan, anticipating how embarrassed and angry she might be. When considering how to remedy the


    situation, he saw Megan look at Ashley with a smile and good graces.


    Megan chuckled and spoke extremely affectionately. “Ashley, you rejected me again.”


    Hearing this, the host looked shocked. He widened his eyes, slowly processing the situation. “Ms. Rice, are you saying...”


    Megan nodded, looking at Ashley with love and admiration in her eyes. mentioned before that | have someone in mind who


    excels in every aspect. Several times, | wanted to take her as my student, but she refused. That person is Ashley.”


    The host, the audience, and the online viewers were all dumbfounded.


    “|