Chapter 255

In that split second, memories flashed: Rose’s deliberate smile, her calculated backward steps, those near-falls at the stage edge she always recovered from, the two times she’d slapped Alaricka’s hand away…

Rose… did this on purpose.

Bang—

The metal frame crashed down with an earth-shattering roar.

Gasps erupted in waves from the audience.

Alarieka’s face drained of color. White-hot pain exploded from her ankle, radiating through her body, pinning her to the floor. She clenched her jaw, cold sweat beading her forehead.

She sucked in sharp breaths, forcing herself upright to examine her ankle.

As expected—the frame had struck it directly. Likely broken. She dared not move, clutching her thigh fabric like a lifeline while breathing through the agony.

But the crushing weight remained. No matter how she tried to ignore it, the pain surged back relentlessly.

Across the wreckage, she saw Kieran carefully helping Rose up, his hands lingering protectively on her shoulders. His usually sharp eyes softened with tenderness and worry as he murmured reassurances.

Rose was unharmed—merely disheveled.

Kieran had shielded her perfectly. Not a scratch marred her skin where he’d taken the impact.

She gave him a grateful smile, then threw herself into his arms, clinging to his waist.

Kieran bent his head, whispering comforts into her ear.

Alarieka shut her eyes, enduring the searing pain in silence.

Judges and spectators rushed onto the stage.

Most crowded around Kieran and Rose with anxious concern. Only Ms. Wyatt barked orders, directing people to lift the metal frame off Alarieka.

The metal frame was barely moved aside when Paloma rushed over. She half-knelt beside her, hands gripping her shoulders anxiously. “Alarieka, are you hurt? Where does it hurt?”

Even with the frame removed, excruciating pain shot through Alarieka’s ankle. Gasping, she managed, “My ankle… feels broken. Can’t move it.” Her gaze dropped to the swollen, purple joint twisted at an unnatural angle—clearly fractured. Agony radiated from the injury.

Paloma’s brow furrowed as she pulled out her phone. “Don’t move a broken bone. I’m calling 911. Hospital first.”

Alarieka drew a shaky breath. “Okay. Thanks, Ms. Wyatt.”

As she clenched her eyes shut, hushed whispers and scornful remarks swirled around her:

“Serves her right for targeting Rose. Deserves getting crushed. Nobody should help her.”

“Enough. She’s lying injured.”

“So what? Not Rose’s fault. Rose already explained—no intentional plagiarism. Yet she kept hounding Rose.”

“Exactly! If she hadn’t terrified Rose, Rose wouldn’t have hit the frame. If Rose hadn’t bumped it, the frame wouldn’t have fallen. She brought this on herself. Thank goodness Mr. Argent saved Rose!”

“Plus, Rose almost fell off the stage because of her fright! It’s a three-foot drop!”

Alaricka’s eyes snapped open, her frosty gaze sweeping over the speakers.

They flinched into momentary silence, then bristled with indignation. “How dare she glare at us? Rose hasn’t even cursed her yet!”

“Show some decency. She did run to help Rose, and now she’s injured.”

The first speaker scowled at the objection. “That was Alaricka’s duty!”

Suddenly, a low voice cut through: “I saw Roschelle shove Alaricka’s hand away. Twice.”

Dead silence followed.

A scoff broke it. “Alarieka only pretended to help because people were watching. Without witnesses? She’d have stood by coldly.”

The defender of Alarieka faltered, lips moving soundlessly.

Paloma’s voice turned icy. “Quiet! This isn’t a gossip den!”

Seeing the tide turn in Alaricka’s favor, Roschelle hurried over, voice dripping with concern. “Alarieka… I know you rushed to save me.”

Alarieka met her with a cold stare. Roschelle fidgeted under the gaze.

“But… you weren’t strong enough. I couldn’t get a proper hold before you let go.”

Chapter 256