The Inescapable Celibate Heir Chapter 195: Unable to Endure

Maggie's face flushed with anger as she glared at the manager. 

"You guys are so irresponsible! You should've reminded us earlier," she snapped, turning away, avoiding eye contact with Willow and the others. 

Her friends, feeling guilty, trailed behind her with their heads down.

The manager, outwardly nodding and bowing, was cursing her in his mind. 

'With so many customers, how am I supposed to know which group you're with? The poster outside clearly states everything. If you can't find your way, that's on you, not us. Dealing with customers like this is such bad luck!'

Halfway through their exit, a sophisticated woman in a white coat walked in. 

She wore matching high heels, her makeup was flawless, and her well-maintained face carried an air of arrogance mixed with a dancer's grace. 

When Maggie saw her, she ran over, tugging at her sleeve and whining, "Mom, you finally made it. If you hadn't come, I would have been bullied to death."

Dena smiled as she tucked a stray lock of hair behind Maggie's ear and asked gently, "Who bullied my precious daughter? I'm sorry I'm late; I had a meeting this afternoon. Where's your boyfriend Paul? Why didn't he help you?"

Maggie pouted and pointed at Sophie and Willow. "It was them. Not only did they try to take our banquet hall, but they also insulted me. Paul had to work late today, but he's on his way." 

Dena's gaze followed Maggie's finger and landed on Sophie and her friends. Her expression darkened. 

So, it was Diana's two students. She suddenly remembered the poster at the entrance; it seemed they were also celebrating a birthday today. 

Everyone here was part of the Aerion dance community, and Dena was considered a senior figure. Sophie and Willow smiled and nodded in greeting, and Dena returned the gesture with a slight nod. 

However, she noticed a young girl nearby who looked familiar. Just as she was trying to recall where she had seen her, Lily walked in.

"Hello, Ms. Baldwin," Lily greeted Dena first, then handed Maggie a beautifully wrapped gift box. "Maggie, happy birthday."

Maggie happily accepted the gift. "Thank you, Lily!"

Lily followed them but couldn't help glancing back at Victoria. 

Dena noticed and asked, "Lily, do you know that girl in the purple dress? Is she a dancer too?"

Lily hesitated before replying, "Yes, Ms. Baldwin. Her name is Victoria Hamilton, a freshman at our school. As far as I know, she's indeed one of Diana's new students, and Willow and Sophie are her seniors." 

"Last Thanksgiving, she performed a classical dance and won the vote, even beating me." Lily's voice slowed, feeling a bit embarrassed to have lost to someone who hadn't been dancing for long.

Dena stopped in her tracks and looked sternly at Lily. "Lily, have you been slacking off in your dance practice while studying abroad? How could you lose to one of Diana's new students? She doesn't look like someone who's been dancing since childhood." 

Although Dena's fame and status in the dance world didn't match Diana's, she was still a seasoned dancer with decades of experience. 

She could tell at a glance that Victoria had only been dancing for about three years, lacking the aura of someone who had trained from a young age.

Maggie also turned to look curiously, then scoffed, "I don't think she's that great. She can't be better than Lily." 

"Besides, it was just a school event, not a professional stage. The votes might not have been fair. Mom, don't blame Lily. It's my birthday today; everyone should be happy." 

Dena smiled and tapped Maggie's forehead affectionately. "Alright, we'll do as you say today."

After a few steps, Dena paused again. She thought for a moment, deciding not to miss this opportunity. She wanted to see if Diana's new student truly had the talent to outshine her prized student, Lily. 

With a senior's demeanor, she walked over to Sophie and Willow, head held high. 

"Willow, Sophie, happy birthday. Is this the new student Diana took on? We're all part of the Aerion dance community. Why is she keeping her student hidden?"

Willow politely replied, "Thank you, Ms. Baldwin. Yes, she is our teacher's new student." 

As a junior, she had to be courteous and respectful when speaking to Dena.

Maggie sneered from the side, "I heard she's in the drama department, not even the dance department. Is she so bad at dancing that the dance department wouldn't take her? Didn't Diana say her last student would be exceptionally talented? Looks like her words don't mean much. People only praise her because she married well." 

Dena, who had divorced her husband to pursue her dance career, had raised Maggie on her own. 

In contrast, her rival Diana had married Aerion's wealthiest man, who fully supported her career. 

This made Dena particularly jealous, and she often belittled Diana at home. Maggie's words reflected this influence.

As Maggie began to belittle Victoria, Victoria didn't feel angry. But when she maliciously insulted Diana, Victoria couldn't stand it. 

She stepped forward and said, "My teacher has won the Aerion Most Popular Dancer Award three times and swept all the major awards in the Aerion dance world in her youth, collecting every gold medal. I wonder what awards you've won. Do you think you're qualified to judge her?" 

Victoria didn't want to reveal that Diana was her mother at this moment, so she referred to her as her teacher.