Chapter 127
Instead of asking Elowen, Bella looked straight at Gwyneth–like she was saying Gwyneth planned behind her back to leave her out. Gwyneth
walked toward her, calm and slow.
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She said, “If you really think I can decide who joins Luna Orchestra, then maybe you shouldn’t try to join. After my performance, do you still think you are good enough?”
Next to her, Elowen couldn’t help but softly laugh. “Gwyneth is right. We are hiring–but not someone like you, Bella.”
Bella’s face went red, but with Zachary next to her, she didn’t dare confront anyone directly. Instead, she held his hand tight, tears coming to her
eyes.
“It’s because of my background. I could never compare to those rich girls,” Bella sniffled. “Zachary, let’s just go. My dreams don’t really matter anyway.”
Bella couldn’t stop herself from wiping her tears, acting very pitiful. Elowen, who hated fake innocence like this, looked at her with disgust. Zachary was surprised–he didn’t think Gwyneth actually believed Bella wasn’t good enough for the orchestra.
But he wanted to help Bella get what she wanted. “Name your price,” Zachary said. “How much to get her in the orchestra?”
Elowen was stunned. She looked at Gwyneth and said, “One spot in my orchestra means 30 million.”
A flash of surprise went across Zachary’s face, and Bella’s eyes got a little bigger. That was way too much. But if she could just join, then Zachary’s family would stop calling her town girl.
She knew Zachary couldn’t raise that much money right now. Biting her lip and fighting tears, she whispered, “Gwyneth, I’m really sorry about everything I did to you and your friends.”
Bella begged, “Please don’t ask Zachary for so much money, okay?”
Elowen’s face showed she hated it. Just now, Bella had acted so proud, but when she heard the price, she started begging with no dignity at all. It made Elowen more sure: she would never hire Bella.
Gwyneth brushed past Bella without looking at her. “Get your own seat sorted. I’m not your mother–don’t expect me to ask for a discount for you.”
“30 million or leave,” Elowen said and headed backstage.
Bella stayed frozen. She thought, ‘Gwyneth’s friends are just like her mean girls who love to laugh at me.
She fake cried a little. “Zachary, do you think Gwyneth is still mad at you? Is that why she’s always against us? Maybe I should talk to her again. If I explain us clearly, I bet she’ll-”
“Stop,” Zachary said sharply, shaking off Bella’s arm roughly. “Stop blaming Gwyneth for everything. If you really want to join the orchestra, then work on your skills instead of talking nonsense.”
That thought about Gwyneth targeting them made Zachary feel a sharp pain in his heart. He followed her, leaving Bella standing there all alone.
At the hotel entrance, Zachary hurried out just in time to see Gwyneth walk into the car. “Gwennie!” he called out, catching his breath, the wind messing up his hair.
Inside the car, as Gwyneth fastened her seatbelt, she saw Zachary standing on the steps. She thought, ‘He actually ran after me instead of helping Bella? Whatever Zachary decides has nothing to do with me.‘
She looked away and turned to the handsome man next to her. “Harrison, why are you here today?”
“I got invited. Just filling in,” Harrison said shortly.
Gwyneth was surprised. But since they were allies, she didn’t ask more. Instead, she told the driver to go back home first; she needed some music gear she brought before.
Zachary didn’t ask her questions as they drove silently back. In front of Harrison, Gwyneth didn’t hide her musical skills–she opened the cases, picked what she needed, and was about to tell the servants to load it all in the car.
Harrison gently caught her arm and stopped her. “The cables are cut.”
Gwyneth gasped in surprise. When she looked closer, she saw the two cables at the bottom had already been cut.
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3:09 PM
Chapter 127
Gwyneth’s face fell, and her shoulders slumped. If she had to buy new professional gear, it probably wouldn’t arrive in time for Elowen’s show.
Harrison looked at her and said calmly, “Let’s leave for now.”
Even if they fixed the cables, it would still take time–probably not ready tonight. Gwyneth knew that. With a heavy heart, she followed Harrison
out.
Back at Teloria Apartment, Gwyneth went to her room and started looking for some music gear–quickly but quietly. She couldn’t let her family find out she loved music.
The doorbell suddenly rang. She looked at the screen and saw Clyde outside. ‘What is Clyde doing here now?‘ she wondered.
Confused, Gwyneth got up and opened the door. There was Clyde, with all the music gear she needed neatly in front of him, with some workers ready to help set it up.
She even saw a high–quality piano. Her heart warmed, and her fingers tensed a little. She realized, ‘Harrison recognized me–he even remembered the exact models of my music gear.
‘Even the piano was probably picked by pros. I didn’t say anything, but Harrison already took care of everything for me.’
Seeing her quiet, Clyde explained, “This is the best piano nearby. If it’s not good enough, I’ll pick a different one tomorrow.”
I love it,” Gwyneth said happily. She didn’t want another. She moved aside so Clyde and the workers could bring in the gear and set it up.
She stood at the door for a moment. The door across from hers slowly opened. Harrison, just showered and with his jacket off, leaned lazily against the frame, looking relaxed.
“Will these do?” Harrison asked casually, like finding these rare pieces of gear was easy.
Gwyneth looked at him with big thanks in her eyes. “That’s way too much! I only had old stuff, but you brought me new, better ones.”
“I haven’t done much, but you just keep helping me. If you have time, let me treat you to dinner as a thank you.” As he spoke, a rare warmth appeared in his usually reserved eyes.
He was about to say more when his phone rang loudly–probably a work call. With a tired sigh, he messed up his hair and said, “Next time.”
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