The Extra Who Shouldn't Exist novel Chapter 117

Chapter 117: Chapter 117 : A deal

The music swelled, lively and elegant, as Ethan and Alden each had one of Alex’s arms slung over their shoulders, dragging him toward the dance floor like he was a prisoner being escorted to execution.

"You bastard, how dare you come with her. I will show you the dance of the devil," Ethan grinned devilishly.

Alex grumbled, squirming, heels digging into the polished floor. "This is kidnapping."

Just as they were a few steps away from the edge of the dance circle, three figures stepped into their path with perfect timing—like a boss fight had just been triggered.

Seraphina Starlight crossed her arms with a deceptively sweet smile. Beside her stood Ophelia Sinclair, calm but with eyes sharp as daggers, and Ava Green, whose expression teetered between thunderclouds and adorable frustration.

Seraphina’s voice was saccharine as she raised a brow at Ethan.

"So instead of dancing with me, you’d rather drag him to the floor, huh, Mr. Hero?"

Ethan froze.

Ophelia stepped forward with a half-smile and gave Alex a look of faux understanding.

"Junior, you’re free to go."

"Ah—thank you!" Alex seized the opportunity, slipping out of Ethan and Alden’s grip faster than a bar of soap in a shower. "Don’t mind me, I’ll just—disappear."

Ava, meanwhile, glared at Alden with arms folded and cheeks puffed out in a pout. Her narrowed eyes sparkled with an emotion somewhere between betrayal and mock indignation.

Seeing that, Alden blinked and tilted his head.

"...Are you trying to convince me that you’re a hamster?"

Before he could even process what he said, Ava’s hand whipped out and smacked him square on the back of the head.

WHAP!

"ACK—?!" Alden reeled. "H-How are your hands that soft and that strong?!"

"Grrrr." Ava turned away with a huff, but the redness in her cheeks betrayed her embarrassment.

Alex, meanwhile, slowly backed away from the chaos, chuckling to himself.

"Well, I’ll leave you guys to sort this... beautiful mess out."

He glanced at Ethan with a sly smirk.

"But Mr. Hero... isn’t your situation getting a little precarious? I mean, you came in with three partners."

Ethan’s smile stiffened.

Alex continued, voice almost a whisper.

"Maria seems like the understanding type—she’s over at the table, minding her own business. But what about these two?" He tilted his head toward Ophelia and Seraphina, whose friendly expressions were... quickly dissolving.

Ethan’s eyes widened.

"Don’t you dare—"

Too late.

Ophelia and Seraphina turned toward each other, expressions sharpening like blades.

"I’m going first," Seraphina said, a dangerous gleam in her eye.

"In your dreams," Ophelia replied coolly.

"Ladies, please!" Ethan stepped between them, hands raised like a desperate mediator. "Let’s all calm down. I have... enough hands to dance with everyone, right?!"

Alex, already slipping away from the battlefield, waved cheekily.

"Enjoy yourselves, guys!"

As the chaos escalated behind him, he made his way back toward the refreshment tables, humming a victory tune.

But fate wasn’t done messing with him.

Two figures suddenly stepped in front of him, blocking his path like gatekeepers.

He stopped with a sigh, already exhausted.

"...What now?"

It was Charlotte—and right beside her, looking like he’d rather be anywhere else, was Lorenzo.

"Char," Alex said, tilting his head with mock surprise. "Seems you’ve found yourself a fine partner for the evening. I won’t get in your way. Please, go enjoy the dance."

He stepped to the side, gesturing like a gracious host.

They stepped in front of him again.

"...Seriously?" Alex muttered.

Charlotte merely smiled, radiant and unreadable. Lorenzo, on the other hand, was sweating buckets.

Alex’s tone sharpened.

"Step aside, or do you want me to make your life even more complicated?"

He stared directly at Lorenzo.

"Remind me again—what was your name?"

Lorenzo’s mouth twitched.

He doesn’t even remember my name?! the poor boy screamed internally.

Charlotte’s smile widened. "Actually," she said, "Lorenzo wanted to talk to you about that."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what exactly does he want to talk about?"

Charlotte didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she glanced toward an empty table nearby—most couples had already gone off to dance.

"Let’s talk over there."

Alex hesitated. "...And why should I?"

Charlotte sighed, her confident demeanor giving way to slight frustration.

"So you already knew."

Alex tilted his head with a faint smirk.

"Who do you think threw that pizza at your face?"

Charlotte let out a laugh, quiet and brief. "Of course. No matter how idiotic you act, your mind’s always sharp as a blade."

Alex took it as the compliment it was and grinned. "I try."

Charlotte stepped toward the table. "Let’s sit. I’ll explain. And before you refuse, I promise—it’ll benefit you too."

Alex stood still for a moment, thoughtful.

Then he said with a smirk, "Okay. If it’s about benefits, I already got the things I want." He looked directly at both Lorenzo and Charlotte, his eyes glinting with layered meaning.

Both of them tensed at his words. Lorenzo’s hands twitched slightly, while Charlotte’s smile dimmed for the briefest of moments.

Without another word, the three of them made their way to a vacant table in the corner, away from the main crowd.

The music of the ballroom faded into a distant hum as they sat down, tension thickening the air between them.

Almost immediately, Lorenzo lowered his head, his voice trembling.

"Forgive me. I’ll never do it again. Please... help me. I can’t endure any more of the bullying."

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