Chapter 9 - The Confession
Chloe stood just outside the circle of federal agents, her hands crossed loosely over the front of her black leotard. Her expression was completely devoid of the panic or rage she had displayed earlier. Instead, she looked calm, almost bored, as she slowly walked into the brightly lit studio.
"You really think you won, don't you?" Chloe asked, her voice ringing out clearly in the spacious room. She didn't look at Coach Vance; her eyes were locked entirely on Zoe.
"Chloe, step back behind the yellow line," one of the federal agents warned, placing a hand near his duty belt.
"It's fine, Officer," Chloe said smoothly, flashing a polite, disarming smile that looked entirely rehearsed. "I’m the one who called you guys in the first place."
Zoe’s jaw dropped. "What? You called the FBI?"
"Somebody had to clean house," Chloe replied, walking past the blue gym mats as if she owned the entire building. "My father is on the federal board of trade. When Mr. Sterling started using Apex Elite to launder his real estate funds, my family’s investments were put at risk. I was just doing a little corporate restructuring."
Coach Vance scoffed bitterly, shaking her head. "Restructuring? You doctored Maya’s score sheet, Chloe. You terrorized a scholarship student just to secure a solo you didn't even earn."
"Oh, please, Coach," Chloe rolled her eyes with dramatic annoyance. "Maya’s technique is mediocre at best. She belongs in the corps, not center stage. I earned my spot because I’m the best dancer this academy has produced in a decade. Sterling was just a useful idiot who funded my private coaching sessions."
Maya stepped out from behind Zoe, her tear-stained face hardening into an expression of quiet, dignified strength. She walked right up to Chloe, standing just inches away.
"You didn't earn anything, Chloe," Maya said clearly, her voice steady and resonant. "You bought your scores, you manipulated your friends, and you stepped on everyone who got in your way. But talent isn't something you can buy with a trust fund."
Chloe’s eyes flashed with sudden, venomous hatred. The mask of polite indifference cracked completely. "You think you're special, don't you, Maya? You think because your mother used to dance here, the world owes you a principal role?"
Before Chloe could lunge forward, a federal agent stepped between them, grabbing Chloe firmly by the upper arm.
"Alright, that’s enough," the agent said sternly. "Miss Sterling—or whatever your relation is—you’re coming with us for questioning regarding corporate conspiracy."
Chloe sneered, jerking her arm away from the agent’s grasp. "Don't touch me! You can't arrest me, my dad is—"
Her words were cut short as a second federal agent walked in through the doors, holding up a heavy tablet computer. He walked directly up to the lead agent and whispered something in his ear, handing over the device.
The lead agent’s expression darkened. He looked up from the tablet and fixed his eyes directly on Coach Vance.
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"Actually, Agent Miller," the second agent spoke loudly, "we have a warrant for someone else, too."
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