He Wouldn't Claim Me — Another Man Did-Chapter 23 - 21: Opportunity

Shane Sterling’s gaze shifted between the two women.

Isla Prescott hadn’t known he was in the car. When she suddenly met his gaze, his face as bold and flashy as the car’s paint job, she froze.

"I don’t have time to fight." Annabelle Leighton glanced at her watch, yanked open the car door, and spoke to Shane Sterling in the driver’s seat. "The engine’s fixed, right? Hurry up and get out. I’m going to be late!"

Shane Sterling slowly got out of the car.

Annabelle Leighton was in a real hurry. She squeezed past Shane Sterling, slid into the car, and slammed the door. With a ROAR of its engine, the Maserati sped off into the distance.

Isla Prescott watched the pink sports car turn at the intersection and suddenly snapped back to reality. ’She hadn’t even finished what she was saying!’

"What? Disappointed you didn’t get to fight?" Shane Sterling raised his hand and snapped his fingers in front of Isla Prescott’s face, drawing her attention. "I’m a black belt in Taekwondo. If you’re up for it, I don’t mind sparring with you."

"I wasn’t trying to start a fight."

"You seemed pretty aggressive. It was intimidating."

"I was just..."

"Just what?"

’She just wanted to fight for a fair chance. But it was useless arguing about it with Shane Sterling. Even though he was Annabelle Leighton’s boyfriend, she couldn’t just take her frustrations out on him.’

"It’s nothing." Isla Prescott looked at Shane Sterling. "Aren’t you leaving with Miss Leighton?"

"I was just dropping off the car."

"Then how are you getting back?"

Shane Sterling looked at her as if he’d just heard a joke. "Are you worried I won’t be able to get back?"

’That was true. He probably had at least three drivers. She didn’t need to waste her time worrying about him.’

"Well, I’m off work now. Goodbye, Sean."

Shane Sterling glanced at the main entrance of the Meritopia Dance Academy, then reached out and stopped her. "You work here?"

"Mhm, I just started."

A subtle emotion flickered across his brow. Isla Prescott caught it, but before she could ponder its meaning, a crowd of people began pouring out of the dance academy, their workday finished.

"Isabelle, you coming?" someone called out to her.

Everyone at the dance academy knew that Shane Sterling and Annabelle Leighton were dating. Not wanting to cause any misunderstandings, Isla Prescott took a step back, hastily said goodbye to Shane, and ran off with the main group toward the subway station.

For the time being, Isla Prescott was still living in the school dorms. Renting an apartment cost money, so she planned to stay there for the two months leading up to her official graduation.

She had just gotten back to the school when she received a call from her mother, Susan Dudley. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"Isabelle, how’s the new job at the dance academy? Are you settling in okay?"

"It’s great. I’m settling in just fine."

Susan Dudley was relieved to hear that. They both reminded each other to take care of themselves and chatted for a few more moments before hanging up.

Isla Prescott put down her phone. Thinking about the opportunity Annabelle Leighton had ruined, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret.

The next day, Isla Prescott went to see Wendy Bell as soon as she got to work.

’She had thought about it all night. Even if she couldn’t be the lead dancer for the anniversary performance, it would be enough to just get a spot as a backup dancer, even on the fringes. As long as she could get on stage, there was still hope.’

After Isla Prescott explained what she wanted, Wendy Bell smiled and patted her on the shoulder.

"Isabelle, it’s rare to see such enthusiasm. Tell you what, let’s not fight with Annabelle Leighton over the anniversary performance. Next month, the company is participating in the Thirteenth ’Spring of Dance’ International Dance Performance. They’re casting the dancers for it now. Come with me tonight to meet the company’s leadership. If you make a good impression, you might get a chance."

Isla Prescott felt incredibly lucky to have an immediate supervisor like Wendy Bell, who was willing to give her one opportunity after another.

"Thank you, Colonel White! I’ll do my best!"