" The performances are over . It's time to begin anonymous voting , " Ms. Sarah said into the mic , addressing the audience in the auditorium . Although it was an internal dance club election , the school had invited the entire student body to ensure transparency . Votes would be cast anonymously on a digital system . As the numbers began jumping across the screen , Quinn's smile widened . She was certain she had it in the bag . But then- Elsa's name began climbing at an alarming rate . " No. no way ! " Quinn stared in disbelief . She had bought so many people's votes - how could Elsa possibly have this much support ? There had to be something shady going on ! Els watched the final tally stop . 368 votes P Onstage , the emcee bowed deeply to the crowd . " Apologies for the delay . We received an anonymous report accusing Elsa's team of cheating . " " Upon review , the claim was confirmed . Elsa's team is hereby disqualified . " The moment he finished , chaos broke out in the audience . Whispers buzzed through the crowd - everyone wanted to know what rule had been broken to cause such a last - minute ban . Elsa had no idea how things had spiraled like this . She ran to center stage and grabbed the mic from the emcee , her voice trembling . " Tell me why we're disqualified ! " " I demand a proper explanation ! " From the judging panel , someone scoffed . Their voice echoed from the speakers . " You really want me to spell it out ? You think we don't know what you did ? " " I have nothing to hide ! Give me a reason ! " Someone saw you giving something to the judge late at night ! " A gasp rippled through the crowd . +8 Pearls Chapter 8 Something's Definitely Off Even those unsure what had happened now had a target . The audience erupted with shouts , demanding Elsa confess and apologize . But Elsa had never done such a thing . Faced with a baseless accusation , she stood her ground . She shouted back at the crowd , " I never did that ! How dare you accuse me without proof ! " " Still denying it ? Then let's show the surveillance footage ! " Click- The screen lit up with a video of Elsa handing a stack of papers to the judge , who was sitting on the ground . The audience turned on her immediately . " That's so obvious ! She was bribing him ! " " Risky move - but if it worked , who would've questioned it ? " " She nearly got away with it … if no one caught her , she could've actually pulled it off ." Elsa couldn't believe it . The papers had been her team's registration documents . How had it become evidence of bribery ? " No … that's not what happened … " she whispered . But her throat suddenly filled with the taste of blood . She gagged , unable to speak further . * Commence memory trial . " The judge's gavel slammed down - and the courtroom screen lit up once again . The memory began . It was late at night . Rain poured outside the venue . Elsa hadn't brought an umbrella . She figured she'd wait for the storm to pass before heading home . To kill time , she sat curled up in the corner of the dance studio , mending her worn - out shoes , " Venue closes at eleven ! " a security guard called , waving his flashlight . Send Gifts 20 B