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Chapter 17
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A Dance of Substitutes with Mr. Vanderbilt Chapter 18
Justine was pleased with their reaction. Whatever heartache or shock these two had experienced, it could not possibly compare to the weight of pain Aurora had suffered.She nodded affably at them and started toward the entrance.Eleanor hurried after her. "Julia! Come back!"She slipped, but Felix caught her before she could fall and hurt herself.Justine heard the commotion but pressed on, not sparing them a single glance. She was about to leave the living room when…Ash stormed in from outside, his expression dark.Their eyes met. He was on the verge of erupting in rage when he noticed the tear stains and the redness in her eyes.His chest tightened.Justine kept walking as if she hadn't noticed him, brushing past him without a glance.Ash grabbed her shoulder, forcing her to face him. His grip was strong enough to crush bone, but she simply glared at him.God, he was in that stupid suit and tie again. She was getting so sick of it."You're the one who wanted a divorce, Ju
A Dance of Substitutes with Mr. Vanderbilt Chapter 19
"She's not looking back, Ash," Felix remarked slowly.Ash was stunned. He hesitated before asking, "Didn't she come to ask both of you to intervene and stop our divorce?""No. It wasn't a plea—it was an announcement. She said she's never going to see us again." Felix waved tiredly. "You've been terrible to her from the beginning until now, so congratulations. She no longer cares about you."From now on, you're free to marry whoever you like. Eleanor and I won't meddle in this affair anymore."It was an open secret: the old Thierry couple despised the Vanderbilts for their role in Julia's death. That disdain extended to Ash, their own grandchild.But Ash was the one they hated the least. He was all they had left of Julia.How could they hate him as much as they wanted when they had loved his mother so deeply?Felix chose not to tell Ash the truth about Justine's love for him. Being someone's inferior substitute was undignified.And Ash was critically, fatally proud.Since the t
A Dance of Substitutes with Mr. Vanderbilt Chapter 20
The Thierry family drama became headline news.Justine hadn't bothered to be discreet. Even those unfamiliar with sign language could tell she had been arguing with the two most important members of the Thierry family… and it had ended with Eleanor in the hospital.Carina let out a belly laugh and immediately informed Jenny.Jenny was just as thrilled.Felix and Eleanor were Justine's only shields and protectors. Sending one of them to the hospital over a health scare?! Justine might as well have shot herself in the foot."Thank you, God, for these endless blessings! Who knew my return to Novaris would spark all of this?!" Jenny chuckled with glee. "First the divorce, and now she gets into a fight with that old hag?! Man, if only my luck were better… If only she had died right then and there!"Eleanor had always hated Jenny. The feeling was mutual—Jenny had long wished for Eleanor's death.Now, both of her enemies were down."This is your best chance, Jenny! You have to make hi
A Dance of Substitutes with Mr. Vanderbilt Chapter 21
Tomorrow, the ballet company would depart for a brand-new tour overseas. It would last three months. It was time for goodbyes—and many of them made their longing clear. "I'll get you some souvenirs, Jean!""Me too! Tell me what you like!"Justine smiled sweetly and signed, "I like… seeing all of you perform to the best of your abilities… as well as returning home safely."The troupe erupted again. Justine had to coax them into the car. Iris was pretty drunk, so Justine had someone from the establishment drive them home. "Ah, you're coming along! I'll drive you home!" Iris slurred. Justine waved. The direction of her hotel was at odds with where the rest of the company was heading. Iris shoved a name card into Justine's hands. "This… This is my best friend's number! I've talked to her."Justine thought Iris must have been drunk out of her wits. She had told the woman she would be leaving Sol—she could not take up that job.To Justine's surprise, Iris raised her voice. "
A Dance of Substitutes with Mr. Vanderbilt Chapter 22
Ash's mood had been in the gutters since he left the hospital, yet he could not pinpoint the reason. His rage refused to subside. He just wanted to see Justine in person as soon as possible.Locating her was not difficult. Soon, he learned about her party with her ballet company at the garden restaurant. Coincidentally, Jenny had called, expressing how much she missed him.He quietly instructed his staff to reserve a table at the restaurant and invited Jenny to join him. Knowing the group would be using the largest table in the venue, he chose a table where he could observe them without Justine noticing.That night, he saw a side of Justine he had never encountered before. She had always been so demure with him—smiling, yet quiet. But with these people? She laughed heartily, her joy unrestrained. Those male dancers all seemed enamored with her! Each of them wanted to be near her—especially the one who ended up dancing with her. As they waltzed together, that guy wore a gri
A Dance of Substitutes with Mr. Vanderbilt Chapter 23
Ash asked abruptly, "You're leaving Sol?"He had overheard Iris' conversations.Justine didn't turn around. Instead, she simply flipped him off.Being mute had its advantages—one could be more concise in expressing themselves.On some level, Justine was relieved that she was heading to the residence tomorrow. She wouldn't have to see his stupid face until the end of their buffering period.After Justine finally left, Jenny came running over."Ashie, are you okay?" she asked, wincing at the faint fingerprint on his cheek. "I can't believe she's still acting like everyone owes her something! She's the one at fault! God, she hasn't changed at all!"Jenny reached out to touch his face, but he dodged her hand."I'm driving you back to the hospital," he said flatly.He turned and walked toward his car.Jenny's hand was still suspended in the air when she called out in her most girlish voice, "Ashie!"Ash was in a daze. It was the first time Justine had ever hit him. Justine, of al
A Dance of Substitutes with Mr. Vanderbilt Chapter 24
Leon started playing some easy-listening music.A faint fragrance filled the car."There isn't any public transportation near the residence, so if you ever need anything, let me know. I'll drive. But if I happen to be away…" Leon glanced at her. "Do you drive?"Justine shook her head and decided to be honest with her therapist."I tried to learn when I was 18, but for some reason, every time I got into the driver's seat, I became terrified. I never got over it," she signed.Ares, though, had been a natural. He had passed all of his tests with perfect scores right away.Then, he had promised her that he would always be her driver, taking her wherever she wanted, even if she couldn't do it herself.Leon nodded in understanding."Well, I guess I have a new job on my resume now!" He grinned. "Chauffeur for one of my biggest clients."She chuckled and signed, "I'll buy you lunch."-It took two hours to get there.Justine had read the brochure before, but she remained skeptical
A Dance of Substitutes with Mr. Vanderbilt Chapter 25
"Ugh, here's the truth: Sweetheart's sister stepped in before the two could marry. She charmed Ash's grandparents so thoroughly that they took her side, forcing Ash to marry her instead of Sweetheart. They then sent the real fiancee out of the country under the pretense of 'studying abroad'.""I can never understand how shameless some people can be," another voice said. "I heard Ash was so disgusted by her, he wouldn't even hold her hand!""Well, divine retribution's an even bigger bitch. Ash ended up taking control of his family's company and now he's getting his real darling back. Good riddance!"Twitter exploded with hashtags like #TrueLoveNeverDies, #Vanderbilt, and countless derogatory slurs directed at Justine.Edited pictures of her were shared, many juxtaposed with images of Jenny, the true object of Ash's affection.Justine was portrayed as a stereotypical witch, while Jenny looked almost ethereal in comparison.People, trapped in their lookism, devoured the narrative. T
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