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Julliard stood with a gentle smile and pulled out the chair for Sharon like a proper gentleman.
“You’re not late,” he said, “I’m just early.”
Sharon wasn’t used to this. She had never really dated. The man she’d spent the most time around was John, but they were more like family than anything else-so familiar that things like this, the unspoken courtesies between men and women, never even
crossed her mind.
Even when she was married to Carter, they rarely ate out together. And on the rare occasions they did, he never once thought to pull out her chair.
So now, faced with Julliard’s quiet attentiveness, she felt a bit… unprepared.
Waving the waiter over, Sharon looked at him. “Order whatever you like. Don’t hold back. This meal’s on me.”
Julliard smiled. “Alright.”
Not far away, two young women were watching the scene unfold. Disappointment flickered across both their faces.
“So he has a girlfriend after all… guess that’s the end of that.”
“Yeah… but honestly, they look perfect together.”
“Ugh. Why are all the handsome ones always taken?”
Sharon caught snippets of their conversation and couldn’t help but smile.
She had noticed them the moment she walked in-the way they kept glancing nervously in Julliard’s direction, whispering things like “You go,” “No, you go”-clearly debating who should approach him first for his number.
Her lashes fluttered as she lifted her gaze, landing softly on the man seated across from her, now focused on the menu.
If Carter was the kind of man who felt like a distant, untouchable moon, then Julliard was sunlight. Warm, easy, comforting.
He had a kind of gentleness that didn’t demand anything from you.
After selecting a few dishes, he looked up. “I’m done ordering.”
Sharon blinked, catching the names of the dishes he gave the waiter. Her brows lifted, surprised.
“You like these dishes too?”
Julliard’s smile deepened. “Yeah. Whenever I used to come here with Carter and Nate, we always ordered them. You like them too?”
She nodded. “That’s… quite the coincidence. They’re all my favorites.”
Something flickered behind his calm eyes. “Strange, though. Back when we’d all eat together, I never saw you order these. I always thought that you preferred lighter food.”
Her smile faded a touch. Memories flickered-old, sour ones.
“I was always thinking about Carter and Theo,” she said quietly. “Their stomachs aren’t great. Everything was tailored to them -lighter, bland food. I just… went along with it.”
Sitting here now, across from Julliard, she felt it even more-how right her divorce had been.
At least now, she could eat what she liked. Do what she wanted. She was no longer trapped in the constant loop of What’s best for the child? What’s easiest for my husband?
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She hadn’t thought about herself in… a long time.
Julliard’s gaze softened, landing on her with a quiet intensity. “Sharon… are you really able to let Theo go?”
Her fingers tightened unconsciously around the water glass. She lowered her gaze, hiding the shift in her expression.
“Without me breathing down his neck, maybe he’ll be even happier.”
Julliard let out a sigh.
“Sharon… he’s still a kid. He needs guidance, especially now. Carter’s buried in work. He barely has time for Theo. And Kelly…”
He hesitated, his voice deepening.
“She’s been taking Theo out every day. Playing nonstop until late. Last night… they stayed out so late, Theo didn’t even come home. He slept over at her place.”
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Sharon’s hand trembled. The water in her glass spilled over, splashing against her fingertips.
Julliard acted as if he hadn’t noticed her reaction. “Nate mentioned… from the sound of it, Madeline seems to want Carter to marry Kelly.”
He went on, “These days, it’s been Kelly taking care of Theo. Madeline seems pretty set on helping the two of them build a bond.
Sharon kept her head down, saying nothing.
Julliard hesitated, then softly apologized. “Sorry. Maybe I said too much.”
She slowly lifted her gaze. “No… it’s fine. Honestly, it’s not surprising. They’ve always liked Kelly. I’m used to it. It’s just… I didn’t expect Madeline to be so accepting of Kelly. I thought she’d want Carter to marry someone… well, someone from his own
circle.”
Julliard nodded slightly. “She probably thought that way at first. But the more she saw Kelly’s… qualities, the more her view
shifted.
“Plus, she’s worried. Whoever Carter marries will also become Theo’s stepmother. What if the kid doesn’t like her? What if she doesn’t treat him well?”
“From what Nate says, Madeline’s already pushing Carter to pick a date. She wants him to marry Kelly soon.”
Even though Sharon was already divorced from Carter, the absurdity of it still left a hollow echo in Sharon’s chest.
Madeline didn’t bother breaking them up before, but now she was eager to patch Carter and Kelly together.
Funny how that worked out.
The waiter arrived, setting the dishes neatly on the table.
It wasn’t until the plates were all down that Julliard finally said what he’d really come for.
“Sharon… honestly, there’s another reason I asked you out today.”
Sharon looked up. “What is it?”
Whenever Julliard contacted her, it was never pointless. He always brought valuable information.
His dark eyes met hers. “Sharon… do you know about ‘Star’?”
The second she heard it, Sharon understood. The answer was already there in his gaze.
“You know I’m Star.” She didn’t bother hiding it. “How did you find out?”
Julliard smiled slightly. “Someone asked me to investigate.”
Sharon didn’t even need to guess twice. “Carter?”
A hint of admiration flickered in his eyes. “That’s right. It was Carter. Kelly wants to hire Star as her exclusive composer. For three years. The offer is ten million.
“No restrictions on competitions. No restrictions on other commercial work. The only condition is, Star can’t be anyone else’s exclusive composer during the contract. Just Kelly’s.”
So, the person who had tried to hire Wendy with ten million… was Carter.
Honestly, when she first heard Wendy mention the offer, her heart had stirred.
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Ten million for three years. Anyone else wouldn’t think twice to take up the deal.
Carter was truly generous.
And from the way Julliard described it, the terms were more than fair. Freedom to perform, freedom to make money-no suffocating restrictions.
Except… Star never did public appearances.
The name itself was enough to draw attention. The more she was seen, the more attention it would pull toward Kelly. It was perfect for Kelly.
Carter was always thinking of Kelly, wasn’t he?
At the Biggs Group headquarters, Simon knocked anxiously on the office door before stepping in. His brows were furrowed.
“Mr. Biggs… no matter what conditions we offer, Star still refuses. Today, she didn’t even pick up the phone…”
Carter lifted his eyes. “Why?”
“She keeps saying… she’s not good at composing violin pieces. I told her that’s fine, that she could compose in her preferred style. But she wouldn’t budge. I even told her-name any price, any terms. Still, nothing works.”
Carter’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Those are just excuses. She simply… doesn’t want to take it.”
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“Mr. Biggs… should we start looking for another composer?” Simon asked carefully.
Carter said decisively, “No. Find out where Star is. I’ll talk to her myself.”
Simon stiffened, startled. “Yes, sir. I’ll get on it right away.”
In the studio, Sharon stood by the window, her fingers coaxing music from her violin.
It was a new piece that she had planned to use as the opening for her next concert.
The melody was gentle. It lingered in the air, weaving itself into the soft glow of sunlight spilling through the sheer curtains.
Standing there, framed by that light, she looked like a painting.
As the final note faded, a crisp sound broke the quiet. Applause.
She turned her head. Julliard stood at the doorway, smiling.
“Julliard… when did you get here?”
Before he could answer, Wendy spoke up from beside him. “He showed up just after you started playing. Told me not to
interrupt you.”
Sharon smiled. Last night, over dinner, Julliard had mentioned wanting to visit her studio.
Lately, she spent most of her days here, practicing. The location wasn’t exactly a secret. Soon enough, she’d have to open it up. for business anyway, so she agreed.
She just hadn’t expected him to show up so soon.
Julliard complimented, “It was beautiful.”
“Thank you.” Sharon turned to Wendy. “I’ve got some interviews lined up. Can you help handle them for now? I’ll show Julliard around first.”
Wendy nodded. “Sure. Go ahead.”
Sharon led Julliard through the space.
The studio had originally been leased by John before her divorce as part of their plan to build an independent team.
It was massive. Roughly eight hundred square meters spread across three floors-an auditorium, practice rooms, and offices.
She had only taken one floor for now, borrowing it temporarily from John. The rent and renovations alone were far beyond what her savings could cover. She was, essentially, running it on credit. She would pay it back later, somehow.
She walked him through her floor first, then the other two.
By the time the tour ended, they returned to where Wendy was waiting.
Julliard trailed behind her, eyes never leaving her figure. His gaze, always warm and composed, now carried something else- something burning quietly beneath the surface.
But Sharon didn’t notice.
Wendy handed her a stack of printed résumés.
“Sharon, these candidates look pretty solid. Take a look. Let me know who you want to interview.”
A concert couldn’t happen with just her and John. John had his own team, but she was starting from zero, alone.
Aside from Wendy, her manager, she needed to recruit a pianist and a few violinists for ensemble pieces. It wasn’t something she could delay.
Just as she began flipping through the résumés, Wendy’s phone rang.
She glanced at the caller ID, her brows knitting instantly. Without a word, she rejected the call. 17
A few seconds later, it rang again.
This time, she sighed and shut the phone off entirely.
Sharon glanced over. “Who was it?”
“Simon. Again.” Wendy rolled her eyes, clearly irritated. “I’ve already rejected him more times than I can count, but he just won’t give up. He calls every single day. I swear, I’m going to have to shut this number down.”
Sharon’s voice stayed calm. “It’s normal. Anything that involves Kelly… Carter will always treat it like top priority.”
Wendy snorted. “I’ll change my number tomorrow. Let’s see how long they keep trying after that.”
Before Sharon could reply, a soft knock came at the studio door.
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Wendy chuckled. “Probably someone here for the interview.”
But as she turned and caught sight of the two people stepping into the room, her smile froze.
The newcomers didn’t seem to notice the tension. They glanced around casually, examining the space.
“This studio’s pretty well done,” Kelly said. “A bit tucked away, but the surroundings are quiet. There’s even a lake out back…
It’s a nice place.”
Nate beamed, practically gloating. “Not any worse than your old studio, right? The landlord told me it used to be a music studio too. Seems perfect for you.”
For the first time in days, Kelly actually smiled. Ever since her old studio had been vandalized, she hadn’t cracked even the faintest grin. Now, though, her lips curved. 1
Seeing her smile, Nate puffed up with a ridiculous sense of accomplishment. “Alright, I’ll go talk to the landlord-”
Wendy finally couldn’t hold back. “Hey. Who the hell said you could just walk in here? You know trespassing is illegal, right?”
Nate turned, and the second his eyes landed on Wendy and Sharon, his face twisted in disbelief. “You?!”
Arms crossed, Wendy shot back, “That’s my line.”
Nate’s gaze flicked around the room and landed squarely on Julliard. His jaw practically hit the floor. “Julliard… what the hell are you doing here?!” 1
The moment Nate noticed Julliard, both Sharon and Wendy stiffened slightly. Neither had expected Nate to show up here.
If he figured out that Julliard had been feeding them information behind the scenes… well, there’d be no salvaging that friendship.
Not that Wendy cared much about Nate’s so-called “brotherhood” with Carter. Honestly, good riddance.
But she still hated the idea of Julliard getting caught in the crossfire. He was… a good guy.
Julliard’s eyes flickered, just about to speak, but Sharon cut him off. “Whatever reason you’re here for, Julliard is here for the
same.” (1
Nate blinked, then nodded, buying it completely. “Ah… you think so too, huh, Julliard? This place really is perfect for Kelly, isn’t
it?”
He turned to Kelly, smug. “Told you. Julliard always has the best intel.”
Sharon’s quick deflection worked. Nate didn’t notice a thing. After all, they’d only just talked about this studio with Julliard a few days ago.
Julliard glanced at Sharon, something unreadable flashing behind his calm expression. He said nothing.
Recovering fast, Nate squared his shoulders and shot Sharon a frosty look. “We’re taking this studio. I’ll pay the breach-of- contract fee. You’ve got three days to move out. Don’t make me get nasty.”
Wendy barked out a laugh. “Nasty? What, are you the landlord now? We signed a five-year lease. Just the renovations took us half a year. You think you can just waltz in here and claim it? Don’t be so shameless!”
Nate sneered. “Didn’t I just say? We’ll pay you the penalty. That money’s more than enough for you to rent something even
better.”
Wendy snapped back, “If it’s that easy to rent a better place, why don’t you go do that instead of stealing ours?” (13
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Nate folded his arms, face thick with arrogance. “Because Kelly likes this place. And that’s priceless. I’m telling you, her liking this studio is the best thing that’s ever happened to you. Hand it over, and I’ll even pay you that penalty like a gentleman.”
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“If you don’t know what’s good for you,” Nate sneered, “and if Carter steps in himself… it won’t end this nicely for you.”
Sharon’s voice was calm, almost indifferent. “First time I’ve seen someone try to steal something with this much confidence. But since you’ve made your position so clear… giving up this place isn’t entirely impossible.”
Wendy’s face shifted. “Sharon…”
Nate grinned, satisfied. “Smart girl.”
Sharon continued, “We signed a five-year lease on this studio. We spent months designing and renovating it. If you want it, you’ll pay for the rent, the renovation costs, and the breach penalty. And since I’m in the middle of preparing for a concert, having to find a new place now would disrupt rehearsals. Mental damages seem fair, don’t you think?”
Nate scowled, waving his hand impatiently. “Cut the crap. Just give me a number.”
Sharon pretended to think for a few seconds. “Alright. Since we know each other, I’ll keep it simple. Ten million.”
Nate nearly choked. “How much?!”
“Ten million,” she repeated without blinking. “You pay me that, and I’ll let you have the studio.”
Nate exploded. “Sharon, why don’t you just go rob a bank?! Ten million? You could buy this whole building for that!”
He’d expected her to open high. But not this high. Not straight into the stratosphere.
Sharon stayed perfectly calm. “Then go buy it. Buy it outright, and nobody will fight you for it.”
Nate’s face twisted in fury. The anger surged so fast, it drowned out all sense. “Fine. I’ll—”
A quiet voice cut in before he could finish.
“Nate,” Julliard said, “you’ve been burning through money on pointless things lately. You’re already overextended.”
It was like someone dumped a bucket of ice water over Nate’s head. The fire in his brain fizzled out instantly.
Ten million for this studio? Only an idiot would actually do that.
Nate glared. Sharon was absolutely vicious. She’d clearly baited him into saying it, hoping he’d fall for it.
Just like last time-at that stupid auction-where he’d overpaid for worthless junk he still couldn’t resell. The smear campaign he’d tried to run against Sharon backfired so badly, the internet labeled him a “parasite capitalist.” He’d bled even more money on PR trying to clean it up.
The stock price of the Hendricks Group still hadn’t recovered.
No. He didn’t have that kind of money anymore.
Nate shot Sharon one last murderous look. Thank God for Julliard. If he hadn’t stepped in, he’d have fallen right into her trap again.
Sharon was absolutely full of poison, he kept thinking.
He knew now-there was no way she’d back down today. No easy win.
Nate clenched his jaw. “You’ll regret this, Sharon.”
Then, without another glance, he turned to Kelly. “Kelly. Let’s go.”
Kelly cast Sharon a final glance, then silently followed him out.
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Julliard gave Sharon a slight nod before quietly trailing after them.
The second the door shut, Wendy spat, “So it was those two bastards who wanted our studio!”
Sharon’s lips curved faintly. “Same people who offered me an obscene amount of money to compose for them.”
Wendy groaned, pressing a hand to her forehead. “What is with these people? You divorced them. Why are they still haunting you like ghosts?” (1
Just then, a gentle knock came at the door.
A woman’s clear voice floated in from outside. “Excuse me… is this Jaron Studios?”
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Sharon and Wendy both turned toward the door. A young woman stood there, glancing nervously around the room.
Sharon walked over. “Yes, this is Jaron Studios. Are you here for the interview?”
The woman nodded, her expression slightly stiff. “My name’s Casey Windham. I’m here to apply for the pianist position.”
She handed over her resume as she spoke.
Sharon took it and skimmed through. To her surprise, Casey wasn’t just a pianist; she was an accomplished violinist as well. Piano Level 10, with an impressive list of awards from international competitions, many of which carried significant prestige.
Sharon nodded. “Would you mind playing something for us?”
Casey nodded back, walked over to the piano, adjusted the bench, and tested the keys briefly before beginning to play.
Her foundation was solid, and her technique was flawless. Her hands moved confidently across the keys.
But, something wavered. Maybe it was nerves, maybe something else.
Anote fell wrong.
A mistake like that wasn’t fatal, not for professionals. Recover quickly, and the audience might not even notice. But the sound jarred, abrupt and raw.
And then… silence.
Casey froze. Her hands trembled slightly as her face drained of color. “I… I’m sorry… I messed up…” Her voice was brittle, her gaze scattered and unfocused. Her eyes glistened. She looked like she was on the edge of breaking.
Sharon stepped closer, her voice low and gentle. “It’s alright. It’s just one note. Nothing serious. Take a breath. Play it again.”
Something in Sharon’s calm tone steadied Casey. She sat back down, placed her fingers on the keys, and this time, the melody flowed perfectly. No mistakes. Smooth and steady, almost beautiful enough to hold the room still.
Wendy clapped softly. “Casey, your piano skills are excellent. Why are you so nervous?”
It was obvious that Casey’s problem wasn’t technique. It was confidence.
Casey offered an awkward smile. “I… haven’t really touched a piano in five years. I’ve been out of the industry for too long. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to find my rhythm again.”
“Five years?” Sharon raised her brows. “If you don’t mind me asking… why didn’t you play for so long?”
Casey’s eyelashes fluttered like fragile wings. She lowered her gaze. “My boyfriend… he was in a car accident. He went blind. I’ve been taking care of him ever since.”
Sharon and Wendy exchanged a glance.
Wendy hesitated before speaking. “Casey, I’m sorry to hear that. But you know how this industry is. There’s a lot of traveling and touring. Your boyfriend… he probably still needs you, doesn’t he?”
“No, you’ve misunderstood,” Casey rushed to explain, shaking her head. “His sight was restored three years ago. It’s just that…
Her voice softened. “…it was me. I… I couldn’t let go. I stayed because I couldn’t leave him, not because he needed me.”
She lifted her head then, her expression clearer, more resolute. “But I promise. If you hire me, I won’t leave easily. I won’t quit halfway.”
Wendy still looked uncertain. “But… what if he needs you again? You know how this works. We can’t keep switching
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accompanists in the middle of a project.”
Before the words fully landed, Casey cut her off. “We’ve broken up.”
Both Sharon and Wendy were stunned. Neither spoke right away.
As if afraid they wouldn’t believe her, Casey hurried to add, “I mean it. We’re done. I won’t go back to him. We were together for
seven years. Five of them… I gave up everything to stay by his side. And then, just recently, I found out…”
Her lips curled into a bitter smile. “…he reconnected with the girl he’s always loved.”
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Casey continued her story. “Back then, he’d gone to extreme lengths to win her over. He did everything, no matter how reckless, irrational, and desperate. And then, the accident happened, and my boyfriend lost his sight. Overnight, his world went
dark.
“The girl he loved chose that exact moment to leave him. She packed her bags and left the country.
“Losing his vision and being abandoned broke him completely. He spiraled. Tried to take his own life.
“And me… I was there. I stayed. I took care of him, held him together, and encouraged him to keep living. That’s when we officially became a couple.
“Three years ago, after countless treatments, his vision returned. Last year, he fully took over his family’s company.
“And this year… the girl he loved came back.”
Casey laid everything bare-without embellishment, without self-pity. She hadn’t shared her story yo garner sympathy, but because she wanted Sharon and Wendy to know that she was serious.
She needed this job. She needed a new start.
She’d already wasted enough of her life. She wasn’t willing to waste another second.
These past few months, she’d sent out resume after resume. She had applied to every job she could find. Went to interview after
interview.
And every single door slammed shut in her face.
Eventually, one kind-hearted HR took her aside and whispered the truth.
She’d offended someone she shouldn’t have. No one in the entire Listoria City dared to hire her.
She knew exactly who was behind it. No need to guess.
She couldn’t stay in Listoria City anymore, which was how she ended up here-in Amstern City.
But even here… she knew. Her resume looked impressive on paper. Awards, certifications, credentials. But five years out of the industry? Her edge was long gone.
“Alright.” Sharon’s voice broke into her thoughts.
Casey’s head snapped up, eyes wide. “You mean… you’ll hire me?”
Sharon smiled and nodded. “Yeah.”
Wendy glanced at Sharon, lips parting like she wanted to object. But in the end, she sighed quietly and said nothing.
When they finalized the start date-next Monday-Casey practically glowed. Her eyes sparkled like they hadn’t in years.
After she left, Wendy finally voiced what had clearly been weighing on her.
“Sharon… that girl’s from Listoria City. She didn’t come all the way here unless someone made it impossible for her back home. “Wendy crossed her arms, frowning. “From the way she was desperate for the job, I’d bet anything it’s because of that scumbag
ex.” (1
Wendy’s instincts were rarely wrong. Years in this business had sharpened her intuition like a blade.
“Think about it. Her ex took over a family business. She breaks up with him, and suddenly, no one in Listoria will hire her? Please. It’s obvious.”
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Wendy sighed again. “Hiring her might drag us into it. That kind of guy… won’t just let her go. Ugh. Why are there so many trash men in the world? Good men are all the same. But trash? Trash comes in endless varieties.”
As much as she sympathized with Casey, Wendy knew how brutal reality could be. People like them-without powerful backgrounds-once targeted, had nowhere to run.
Sharon said, “I know. But I still want to give her a chance. Besides… this is Amstern City. Not Listoria City. This isn’t her ex’s turf.
Wendy studied her. “You… you see yourself in her, don’t you?”
A small smile tugged at Sharon’s lips. “Maybe. But I’m not running a charity. If she doesn’t meet my standards, she doesn’t get to stay. Simple as that.”
Wendy weighed that for a moment. Then said, “Fair enough.”
After all… as terrible as that ex was, could he really be worse than Carter or Nate? [1
One more flea on the dog wouldn’t make a difference now.
On Monday morning, Sharon had just dropped Matty off at kindergarten when her phone rang.
Wendy’s voice was panicked. “Sharon! Someone threw paint all over our studio!”
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Sharon was quiet for a few seconds before answering, “Got it. I’m heading over now.”
Inside Jaron Studios, the air was heavy.
Wendy stood there, staring at the splattered paint on the walls and the shattered instruments. Her expression was dark, like a storm barely contained.
Casey, who had just finished her onboarding paperwork, looked equally unsettled.
Her voice was low, hesitant, laced with guilt and hesitation. “Maybe… maybe I should just find another job.”
She’d been rejected everywhere lately. Finding this job had felt like stumbling onto dry land after nearly drowning. If she lost this one… the only thing left would be playing piano at restaurants or lounges just to survive.
She’d almost given up. Almost. Then Sharon and Wendy had appeared like a last lifeline.
And now this.
Paint thrown across the walls. Equipment smashed beyond recognition.
It wasn’t just vandalism. It was revenge.
Unconsciously, Casey’s thoughts drifted to her ex. He had no bottom line, no conscience. He was someone capable of anything.
Wendy exhaled, waving a hand. “Let’s wait till Sharon gets here. This might not be about you.”
Roughly half an hour later, Sharon arrived.
“The other two floors?” she asked.
Wendy replied, “Paint on the exterior walls and doors, but nothing smashed inside. Only our floor… they trashed everything.”
Sharon nodded. There was not a flicker of surprise, nor a hint of anger on her face.
“So,” she said, “they’re here for me.”
Casey hesitated, wringing her hands. “Sharon… could it be… because of me?”
Sharon shook her head. “No. If it were about you, Wendy and I would’ve gotten calls first-warnings not to hire you. But this? Only our floor got hit. That’s not a coincidence. It’s deliberate. They’re targeting me.”
And really, there wasn’t much mystery about who it was.
Nate and Kelly had been here just days ago.
The crude, heavy-handed style? It fit Nate perfectly.
Wendy scowled. “But why smash only our floor and leave the rest untouched?”
“Simple,” Sharon said coolly. “Because they still want the studio. If they destroy the whole place, it’s useless to them too.”
Wendy cursed under her breath. “What is wrong with Kelly? You’re divorced from Carter. Done. Over. And she’s still coming after us like she’s got nothing better to do. Is she stupid, or just pretending to be?”
She let out a cold laugh. “Or maybe… they’re just desperate to make sure Carter never forgets you.” 1
Sharon walked to the security panel. “Did you check the surveillance?”
Wendy’s face stiffened. “Checked. The cameras were destroyed.”
“That’s fine.” Sharon turned toward a far corner of the room, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “The ones inside are still working.
Wendy blinked, “Inside? Since when did we have cameras in here?”
Sharon pulled out her phone, tapping into a surveillance app. “The day Nate and Kelly came sniffing around. I bought a few pinhole cameras and set them up.”
Wendy stared. “You… you expected this?”
Sharon’s gaze stayed calm. “Of course. We pushed Nate to his breaking point that day. There’s no way someone like him wouldn’t retaliate.”
Wendy exhaled hard. “God, Nate… that pig brain. I swear, there’s nothing useful between his ears.” (1)
Together, they watched the footage.
Four people. All masked and dressed in generic work clothes. Their faces were impossible to make out.
Wendy frowned deeper the longer she stared.
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“They’re wrapped up from head to toe,” Wendy muttered, frowning at the screen. “Even if we hand this footage over to the police, there’s no way they’ll track them down.”
Sharon remained perfectly calm. “They covered their tracks, sure. But with the police’s resources, finding them won’t be that difficult.”
She paused, then pointed at one figure on the screen. “Wendy… look closely. Doesn’t this one move a little like Nate?”
Wendy leaned in, studying the footage. After a moment, she nodded slowly. “You know what… yeah. Especially the way he walks. That ridiculous strut-it’s him, no doubt.”
No matter how well someone disguised themselves, little habits-subconscious movements-always slipped through. And someone like Nate, born into money, sloppy and arrogant, carried a dozen bad habits in his bones.
Wendy snorted. “But seriously… why would he come himself? Isn’t it enough to just hire people?”
Sharon was unfazed. “Maybe… he just wanted the satisfaction of smashing it himself.”
“Yeah, that tracks,” Wendy sighed. “You’ve been making his life hell lately. Got him locked up for a few days, too. He probably hates your guts right now.”
It made perfect sense. Nate showing up to trash the studio himself wasn’t exactly out of character.
Just then, the audio from the hidden camera flared up. Nate’s unmistakable voice barked through the speakers, furious and
harsh.
“Smash it! Don’t hold back! Wreck everything! Don’t leave a single thing standing!”
Wendy’s jaw dropped. “Wow.”
Anyone who’d ever met Nate would recognize that voice in a heartbeat.
Wendy shook her head in disbelief. “I take it back. I’ve seriously overestimated his IQ. Like… you destroy the cameras, cover your face, and forget to shut your damn mouth?”
She glanced at Sharon. “So… what’s the plan?”
Sharon’s lips curved into something between a smile and a sneer. “Honestly, I’m starting to feel bad for Kelly and Carter. Having a teammate like Nate must be exhausting.
“Post the footage. Upload it. Let the internet do the rest. Netizens these days are all wannabe Sherlocks. They live for these kinds of brain teasers. They’ll expose the culprits in no time.”
Wendy’s eyes lit up. “Ohhh. That’s brilliant!”
Neither of them bothered to lower their voices, Casey stood off to the side, taking it all in. She wasn’t dumb. She’d more or less pieced together what was going on.
So… they’d pissed off someone powerful too. But unlike her, they weren’t running. They were standing their ground and fighting back.
For the first time in a long while, something stirred in Casey’s heart.
Maybe… maybe following these two wouldn’t be boring after all.
The moment Sharon’s post hit the internet, it exploded. Within an hour, it was trending at the top of the hot search.
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Naturally, Nate saw it.
When he did, he burst out laughing, “Hah! She’s asking the internet for clues? Seriously? Good luck with that. The cameras are gone! She’s got nothing!”
Feeling smug, he scrolled through the photos of Sharon’s trashed studio, grinning wider with each one.
Yeah… this felt good. Real good. After all the crap she’d put him through lately, this was cathartic.
Just as he was basking in his own brilliance, his phone rang.
Glancing at the caller ID, his grin widened. “Carter! What’s up? Found Star yet?”
But the voice on the other end was ice.
Carter said, “Go to Sharon right now and ask her what it’ll take to remove her post.”
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Chapter 400
Nate froze. “Why should I go to Sharon? Let her keep trending-what’s it got to do with us?”
Carter let out a frustrated laugh. “Nate… you really think just because you covered your face, no one’s gonna recognize you? That video’s audio is crystal clear. Your friends will know your voice anywhere. Even the mall clerks you frequent will recognize your
voice.”
Nate sat bolt upright. “Video? What video?”
“The surveillance footage,” Carter said.
Nate blinked, stunned. “What?”
All he’d seen was the trending post-photos of Sharon’s trashed studio. He figured it was just her fishing for clues. No way could she pull anything from that. The cameras were destroyed.
Carter repeated, “A surveillance video.”
Nate blurted out without thinking, “That’s impossible! I wrecked those cameras myself!”
The second it left his mouth, he realized his mistake. His tone faltered. “I… Carter, look, Kelly’s studio got trashed. I was just… getting revenge for her, that’s all…”
His voice grew smaller. He sounded weak and guilty.
No matter how much bravado he showed, he still didn’t have the guts to be reckless in front of Carter. Sharon was still Carter’s ex-wife and the mother of his son.
A long, heavy silence followed.
Then Carter spoke, “Sharon has an interior feed. It didn’t catch your face. But your voice was captured clear as day. I intercepted that video for now. But given how much attention she draws online, it won’t stay buried for long. This is the last time I’ll clean up after you. You’re on your own from now on.” 1
Without waiting for a response, Carter hung up.
But by that night, the video was out.
Nate, oblivious, sat at home scrolling through pictures of the wrecked studio, pleased with himself. As far as he knew, he’d covered his tracks. No way anyone would pin this on him.
Except-two hours in, the internet had already ripped him to shreds.
Someone recognized his watch. Someone else analyzed his shoes and belt. A third pointed out the ring on his hand-an identical one he’d flexed on Instagram just weeks ago.
Screenshots from his social media flooded the comments. Even an anonymous netizen with too much free time dug through his entire post history.
Within hours, Nate was exposed completely.
And finally, panic began to creep in.
Wendy stared at her phone, jaw slack. “Holy crap. These netizens… are monsters. They ID’d Nate this fast?!”
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Chapter 400
Sharon, flipping through sheet music, paused. “They’re good. Really good. I figured they’d find him eventually… but not this
fast.”
Wendy’s eyes lit up with that razor-sharp manager’s instinct. A slow grin spread across her face. “Ohhh shit-wait a minute. You hired trolls, didn’t you? You absolute genius. That’s fucking brilliant.”
Sharon didn’t even blink. “Just giving him a taste of his own medicine. Played his game by his own rules.”
Wendy smacked her palm on the table. “Hell yeah. That’s how it should be! So… what now? What do we do next?”
Sharon met her gaze. “Next… we pick a nicer car to drive.”
In his office, Carter’s phone rang nonstop. He ignored every single call.
Standing at the window, he stared out at the city skyline. A dull ache gnawed at his stomach.
It had been a long time since he’d felt that pain.
A soft knock broke the silence.
His secretary, Peggy, stepped inside. “Mr. Biggs… there’s someone here asking to see you-”
“Didn’t I say,” his voice sliced through the air, flat and sharp, “I’m not seeing anyone today?”
Chapter 401
“Even me, Carter?” Kelly entered gracefully, holding a thermal flask in her hand.
Carter’s gaze darkened slightly. “Kelly, what are you doing here?”
“I heard your stomach’s been acting up again,” she said gently. “I came to bring you some medicinal food.”
Some of the chill faded from Carter’s handsome, aloof features.
“You didn’t have to go through the trouble.”
Kelly smiled faintly and opened the thermal container. “Theo mentioned that your stomach problems were always managed with Sharon’s medicinal cooking. I’ve also spent some time learning from Mr. Malcolm. He taught me the recipes and techniques.”
Her eyes shimmered with softness as she looked at him, brimming with tender affection. “Carter, from now on, I can prepare medicinal meals for both you and Theo.”
If Sharon could do it, so could she.
Kelly didn’t believe she was any less capable than Sharon.
But Carter’s gaze remained calm and deep, like a still lake. “Kelly, what matters most is that you focus on your recovery. You don’t need to concern yourself with these things.”
Kelly was taken aback and bit her lip without thinking.
Ever since Carter divorced Sharon, his attitude toward her had grown noticeably colder.
He still came when she needed him, yes-but the warmth, the favoritism he once showed, had faded.
She took a deep breath and forced a smile. “Carter, do you still remember that time in the back garden? I was practicing a piece by Star called ‘First Love’. You said you’d never heard anything so beautiful…
“I didn’t know it was your birthday that day. If I had, I would’ve played another piece just for you.”
The memory stirred something in him. His eyes flickered with emotion.
“That was before I knew you were the one who saved Nate,” he said. 1
Kelly chuckled. “Nate said he wanted me to meet his best friend. I still remember the shock when I saw you.”
Those days had been their purest and most carefree.
Even someone as guarded as Carter couldn’t hide the trace of wistfulness in his eyes.
Catching that fleeting expression, Kelly lowered her voice. “Carter, about the incident at my studio-the one with the vandalism -have you found out who was behind it?”
Carter responded calmly, “Yes. It was orchestrated by a few of your haters who paid others to do it.”
She studied his expression. “And… weren’t some of them also Sharon’s fans?”
He remained silent for a beat. “Yes.”
A faint, wordless smile curved Kelly’s lips. “Carter, do you still believe this has nothing to do with Sharon?”
His expression was unreadable, neither anger nor affection visible.
“There’s no evidence that links her to it.” 1
“But it was her fans who did it, wasn’t it?”
His dark eyes were deep and inscrutable. “Kelly, you know as well as I do-speculation isn’t proof,”
She met his gaze squarely. “So what, then? We just let the real culprit walk free?”
His throat moved in a silent swallow, but he said nothing.
Her long lashes trembled, and a hint of tears welled up in her eyes.
“Carter, I understand. She’s your ex-wife and Theo’s mother. It’s only natural you’d defend her.
If it were just the usual insults, I wouldn’t have said a word.”
But then she suddenly looked up at him. The gentleness in her eyes, once devoid of any edge, now burned with fierce intensity.
“Carter, you know what I’ve endured. Even in the years I was ill, I never gave up on performing, on competing, For the violin, I’ve been willing to give up everything, even my life.
“But I will never allow anyone to insult the thing I love most.” 1
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Chapter 402
A flicker of emotion stirred in Carter’s eyes.
Kelly continued, “I don’t want you to retaliate against Sharon, nor do I want you to cause her any trouble. Right now, all I want is to hold a successful concert and fulfill a long-cherished dream.”
She paused, then looked at him quietly, her gaze carrying unspoken depths.
“And… I just hope you and Nate are happy.”
At exactly eight o’clock that evening, Sharon and John arrived at the Maestro Warner’s Music Exchange.
It had been a while since Sharon last saw John.
Now, as she looked at him, she noticed a heavy shadow clouding his usually calm expression.
“John,” she asked softly, “is something bothering you?”
Just as John opened his mouth to respond, a tall, imposing figure suddenly stepped in front of Sharon.
“Sharon, I want to talk to you.”
Before she could reply, John moved forward and stood protectively in front of her, his eyes wary as he glared at Carter.
“Carter, what do you think you’re doing?”
Carter glanced at John coolly, his demeanor showing complete disregard.
“If you’ve got time to meddle in others’ affairs, maybe focus on cleaning up your own mess first.”
John’s handsome face stiffened.
Sharon looked at him, puzzled. “John, what’s going on?”
His voice was strangely hoarse. “It’s nothing.” 1
She was about to press further when Carter’s crisp, cold voice cut in.
“I want to talk about the studio. And about Nate.”
Sharon’s eyes flickered. “John, wait here for me. I’ll be back soon.”
“But-“John looked at her, concern written all over his face.
Sharon gave him a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry. He won’t do anything to me.”
She and John had grown up together. To her, he was more like a big brother than anything else.
Before her mother passed away, John had promised to take good care of her.
Later on, he had brought up marriage more than once, but Sharon never took it seriously.
There was no romantic feeling between them-not on her part, and not on his either.
He simply believed that marrying her was the only way he could truly protect her.
To avoid drawing attention, Carter brought Sharon to a private lounge.
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On the table inside lay a document.
Sharon glanced at it casually. It was a lease transfer agreement.
She thought he had come to discuss Nate.
But to her surprise, it had nothing to do with Nate. It was about Kelly’s studio.
Putting romance above friendship. Classic.
Carter handed her the contract. “Sign it.” 1
Sharon took the document.
Just as she’d guessed, he wanted her to give up her studio to Kelly. In return, he was offering her two million in compensation, paid in a single lump sum.
By any standard, it was a generous offer.
However…
“Since you already know about the studio,” Sharon said coolly, “then I assume Nate and Kelly have also told you the compensation amount I asked for.”
Carter’s tone darkened. “Sharon, you know that’s impossible.”
She sighed with mock regret. “Then there’s nothing more to discuss.”
Carter narrowed his pitch-black eyes, a dangerous glint flashing through them.
“Sign it. And take Nate’s name off the trending topics. As for what you did to Kelly’s studio, I’m willing to let that slide. I’ll still pay the compensation.” 1
Sharon raised a brow. “What happened to Kelly’s studio?”
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Chapter 403
Carter’s penetrating gaze settled on Sharon, carrying an oppressive weight that was hard to ignore.
“You didn’t know?”
“Of course not,” Sharon replied calmly. “Do you really think I can predict the future?”
Carter found no trace of guilt on her face.
If she truly didn’t know, then she was either telling the truth or a remarkably good actress.
His voice remained cool and steady. “According to my investigation, the ones who attacked Kelly’s studio were your fans.”
“So what?” Sharon replied.
Carter accused, “Doesn’t that mean you were the one behind it?” 1
Sharon chuckled. “If I did it, I wouldn’t have a problem admitting it. Yes means yes, no means no. As much as I’d love to do something like that, I’ve been busy preparing for my concert. I don’t have time to waste on irrelevant people.”
Carter said flatly, “Whether you did it or not, two million in compensation is more than fair.”
“Fair?” Sharon lifted her eyes to meet his, her gaze sharp and unwavering. “My concert is right around the corner. I have to find a new studio, renovate it, and rebuild everything from scratch.
Your time matters, but mine doesn’t?”
His tone turned colder. “Blame your fans. They’re the ones who destroyed Kelly’s studio.”
Sharon understood exactly what he meant.
Even if she hadn’t done it herself, she still bore responsibility. After all, those people were her fans. And from where Carter stood, she was far from innocent.
She and Kelly had never gotten along. In the eyes of both Carter and Nate, she had “bullied” Kelly right in front of them.
So, throwing paint on Kelly’s studio? It wouldn’t be out of character.
Sharon calmly placed the contract back on the table. “If you want the studio, then stick to the amount I gave you- ten million. You pay, I hand over the keys.”
Carter’s face turned icy. “Sharon, you’re being greedy. Take the compensation while I’m still offering it. Be smart.”
“And if I refuse?”
A cold smile touched Carter’s lips, though his eyes glinted with a chilling light.
“If I’m not mistaken, the studio isn’t in your name. It belongs to John, doesn’t it?”
Sharon’s expression shifted. Wariness flashed through her eyes as she stared at him. “What are you planning? Carter, whatever it is, take it out on me!”
His gaze swept across her tense face, and the coldness in his eyes deepened.
In that moment, for reasons he couldn’t quite explain, Carter suddenly understood why, despite Sharon once being everything he thought he wanted, he had grown bored of her.
“Not once,” he said, “have you ever stood up for me the way you’re standing up for John right now.”
Sharon frowned slightly, confused by the sudden shift.
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She said coldly, “There are plenty of people lining up to defend you. Do you really need mine?”
Carter’s lips curled into a mocking smirk as he looked at her frosty expression.
“And here I thought you were some perfectly programmed robot–always calm, never angry, completely emotionless. But it turns out… you do have feelings. Just not for me.”
For the longest time, Sharon had ticked every box in his mind: the perfect wife.
She was gentle, thoughtful, and endlessly understanding.
It didn’t matter if he wasn’t by her side when she gave birth. It didn’t matter if he never answered her calls when she needed
him. She never got angry.
Instead, she’d always say gently, “It’s okay. Go take care of your work.”
As if… she never needed him at all.
Chapter 404
People often said that marriage takes away a person’s freedom.
But not for Carter.
He could do whatever he pleased, whenever he pleased-completely unaffected by his marital status.
On the contrary, having such a competent wife gave him peace of mind. With no burdens to worry about at home, he could pour all his energy into building his career.
He had always thought this was ideal.
Although… from time to time, he did feel like something was missing.
But he never cared enough to figure out what.
Sharon looked at Carter strangely.
“Carter, are you so bored with your perfect little life that you’re now craving some excitement?
Do you want me to slap you a few more times so you can finally experience what my temper feels like?” 1
Could Carter have some twisted preference? Did he actually enjoy being yelled at, hit, or humiliated?
If that was the case, then she really wasn’t his type at all.
No wonder he found Kelly-who always seemed to stir up trouble-so irresistible. They were a perfect match.
Carter snapped out of his thoughts, his expression returning to its usual calm indifference. “I’ll give you three days to think it
over.”
“No need.” Sharon’s tone was even colder than his. “I refuse.”
“There’s no need to be so hasty.” Carter looked her in the eye. “Sharon, even if you don’t care about yourself, you should at least think about the people around you.”
Sharon chuckled. “You’re willing to throw money and resources at Kelly like it’s nothing, but when it comes to ten million in compensation, suddenly you hesitate?”.
She met his eyes directly, the smile fading from her face.
“Or have you gotten used to picking on easy targets? And once you realized it was me, you couldn’t even be bothered to offer the money-figuring threats would be more effective?
“Unfortunately, I don’t respond well to threats. So either pay up, or… let’s see who wins.”
With that, Sharon turned and walked away.
She and Carter were never going to see eye to eye. Better to spend her time warning John to stay alert. 1
By the time she returned to the exchange event, the hall was already filled with people.
Sharon noticed a crowd had formed around John, many of them engaged in conversation with him.
He was also a graduate of Bell University. Though he wasn’t a member of the Hall of Fame, he had ranked among the top of his
class.
Then again, with so many students at Bell University, only ten each year ever made it into the Hall of Fame.
When he spotted Sharon returning, John waved her over with a smile.
“Sharon, come here. Let me introduce you to some brilliant musicians.”
Sharon walked over and politely greeted the people gathered around him.
Someone quickly recognized her. “Hey, aren’t you the violinist who went viral online a while back? I saw your video. Your technique is amazing!”
“Sharon,” another person said, “our company is planning a musical exchange between domestic and international artists. With your skill, defeating the foreign participants shouldn’t be a problem. Would you be interested? The prize money is quite generous.”
“Sharon, you’re both a charity ambassador and a renowned violinist. You’d be the perfect face for our new product. Would you consider endorsing it?”
As soon as people realized who she was, their eyes lit up. One by one, they began to surround her.
Music exchange events weren’t just about the music, they were also opportunities for business collaborations.
After all, no matter how talented a musician was, they still had to make a living. No one could survive on passion alone.
Sharon was just about to respond when a chilly voice sounded behind her.
“Well, well, look who it is. If it isn’t our beautiful and brilliant violinist with a middle school education?”
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Chapter 405
Everyone froze for a moment, then turned to look.
Nate stood not far away, a faint, mocking smile tugging at his lips. 1
“A middle school graduate who spent five years as a housewife, and now she’s being hailed as a genius beauty and violin prodigy? Is that all it takes to be called a ‘genius’ these days?
“Wow… the power of the internet really is something else. Even an airhead can be packaged into a goddess. Netizens these days sure are easy to fool.”
At his words, curious murmurs rippled through the crowd. Several people turned to Sharon with startled expressions.
“Middle school education?”
“Five years as a housewife?”
“Seriously? I saw her performance online. She seemed pretty skilled.”
Nate caught the whispers and lifted his chin proudly.
“Come on. Half the singers out there auto-tune their live performances. What can a single edited video prove?” (1
Gasps of surprise spread across the room.
“So the video was doctored? That’s not acceptable. The candidates we’re inviting will be competing against international performers! It’ll be a live broadcast-we can’t afford to embarrass ourselves in front of the world.”
John’s face darkened instantly.
He fixed a cold glare on Nate. “Nate, do you not think it’s disgraceful to slander a woman in public like this? Do you even know Sharon? On what basis do you claim she only graduated from middle school?”
He paused, then looked around the room, his voice ringing with calm authority.
“Let me formally introduce Sharon McKinzie to you all. She is my junior at Bell University. We graduated from the same conservatory. Her mother is none other than Shayla McKinzie, who was also my mentor.”
At the mention of Shayla’s name, the crowd’s reaction shifted instantly. Their expressions softened, their interest piqued.
“What? She’s Shayla’s daughter?”
“Shayla is a legend in our music world! If Sharon is her daughter, there’s no doubt she’s the real deal.”
“She even graduated from Bell University? Impressive!”
Just like that, Nate’s claims about “middle school education” and “housewife” were conveniently forgotten by the crowd.
Nate hadn’t expected that Sharon’s identity alone could so easily reverse public opinion.
His expression twisted with frustration. “Everyone knows you’re close to Sharon, of course you’re going to defend her! You say she’s from Bell University, but where’s the proof? And don’t even think about flashing some Photoshopped certificate. People aren’t that gullible!”
John was never one for verbal sparring, and Sharon’s academic background was indeed a sensitive issue.
Although she did have the diploma, explanations weren’t always enough—especially with people like Nate, who pick fights for sport and love digging for flaws.
It only took a few rumors to plant seeds of doubt, and with Sharon’s rising fame, she was an easy target.
John understood that the higher you climb, the harder you fall.
It was one of the reasons Sharon had never revealed that she was Shayla’s daughter.
Just then, her cool, unhurried voice rang out.
“Nate, you’re neither a judge nor a jury. You have no right to demand anything from me. And if you have time to shout nonsense, perhaps you should spend it turning yourself in. There might still be a chance for leniency.”
With that, she dismissed him entirely.
There was no point in arguing with someone like Nate. It would only waste time and energy.
Just as Carter stepped out, his eyes fell on Sharon, standing amidst the crowd, smiling as she exchanged pleasantries.
There was a quiet confidence about her, poised and graceful, untouched by the chaos around her.
It was… a side of her he had never seen before.
Chapter 406
Carter had never taken Sharon to events like this.
He had always assumed she wasn’t suited for such occasions. The way she embarrassed herself at Theo’s birthday banquet had only confirmed his belief. 1
But now, he realized he had been wrong again.
Not only was she calm and composed, but she also carried herself with remarkable ease and grace.
At that moment, Kelly approached Carter, intending to ask about the studio.
But before she could speak, she noticed that Carter hadn’t even registered her presence. His eyes remained fixed on Sharon.
A flicker of jealousy and resentment flashed across Kelly’s face.
Just then, a tall, handsome foreign man walked up to Sharon with a bright smile.
“Sharon! You’re here!”
Sharon turned and, upon seeing Felipe, smiled warmly in return.
“Felipe, it’s good to see you again.
She had already decided to join Felipe’s translation team, and their relationship had grown considerably closer as a result.
Felipe made no attempt to hide his admiration. “Sharon, I’m on good terms with Maestro Warner. Come, I’ll introduce you.”
Pursuing a woman he admired meant giving her the best opportunities possible.
Sharon hesitated for a brief moment.
John had clearly noticed Felipe’s interest in Sharon. Under normal circumstances, he might have tried to stop her. But this time, he didn’t. Instead, he said, “Sharon, this is a rare chance. Go.”
John knew that with Sharon’s talent, she was never meant to be ordinary. And with people like Carter and Nate actively suppressing her, it hadn’t been easy for her to get this far.
In the future, even if she became successful, she might still face pressure from the Kalen family. Which meant every opportunity she seized today would become the leverage she needed to protect herself tomorrow.
Unless, of course, she was willing to stay mediocre forever.
But that was impossible. She was like a blazing star in the night sky-never meant to be average.
Sharon nodded lightly. “Alright. I’ll go then.”
As she walked away, John silently clenched his fists. He would keep improving, too-until he could be her strongest shield. Until no one could ever hurt her again.
Thinking of what Cole and the Kalen family had done, a glint of icy determination flashed in John’s eyes.
Right now, he was still too weak. He had no power, no means to stand up to Cole or the Kalen family.
But after what they’d done to Sharon, he wouldn’t let them off that easily.
Sharon had been cast out of the Kalen family because of a scandal that exploded on the night of her birthday banquet.
She had inexplicably ended up in bed with Victoria’s fiancé, Cole.
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Chapter 406
Sharon had told him she had no feelings for Cole and didn’t even like him. Nothing had happened between them that night.
She had explained herself, but no one believed her.
Richard, furious and humiliated by her actions, slapped Sharon across the face in front of everyone and demanded she apologize.
Then, in the same breath, he decided to swap the engagement-Sharon would marry Cole instead.
Naturally, Sharon refused.
So Richard gave her two choices: marry Cole, or leave the Kalen family.
Sharon chose to leave.
Shortly after, her mother passed away.
That period of her life had been a blur-dark, painful, and disorienting.
John couldn’t bear to see her suffer like that. He had tried to reason with the Kalen family, hoping to clear things up.
But he never got to see them.
Instead, he overheard Cole chatting casually with a friend.
And that was when the truth came out. Everything had been a setup, carefully orchestrated by Cole himself.
Cole had said, “She barely had a foothold in the Kalen family before they forced her into marriage. That way, she’ll never threaten Victoria’s position.”
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Chapter 407
“Who could possibly respect a woman who seduced her own sister’s fiancé?”
“Richard feels guilty toward Victoria,” someone else added. “That’s why he’s giving her more company shares.”
Cole’s group of friends laughed among themselves.
“Jenna’s just a bumpkin raised in the countryside. Why not send some random guy to flirt with her? Did you have to sacrifice yourself for this?” 1
Cole responded lazily, “You think I didn’t try? I paid for a few ridiculously handsome male escorts-each one a pro at picking up women. I even gave them luxury cars and designer watches to pose as rich guys. But Sharon didn’t even glance at them.
“Those guys followed her around for over a week and couldn’t even get her phone number.
In the end, she got annoyed and called the cops, dragging the entire Kalen family into the mess.
“So what could I do? I had to handle it myself. But this whole ploy can never reach the Kalen family’s ears.”
One friend scoffed, “She may have grown up in the sticks, but her standards sure are high.”
Another chimed in, “Cole, aren’t you worried that messing around with that country girl will ruin your chances with Victoria?”
Cole went quiet for a few seconds. When he finally spoke again, his tone no longer carried the usual smugness.
“As long as Victoria’s happy… it doesn’t matter if we end up together or not.” 1
That was the last straw for John.
He stormed out of his hiding place and lunged at Cole, throwing the first punch and grappling him to the ground.
To use such vile tactics against Sharon-how could Cole be so heartless?
Victoria’s happiness mattered, but what about Sharon’s? Was she somehow less deserving?
And besides, Victoria already had everything. She was already happy. How could someone justify building that happiness on another person’s suffering?
In the end, John never got justice for Sharon. Instead, he ended up behind bars for assault.
After all, he’d laid hands on the precious heir to the Malcolm family. Of course, there was a price to pay. 1
John never told Sharon the truth. He simply said he was going away for further studies.
Later, he dug deep into the Malcolm family’s background. The more he uncovered, the more he realized how insurmountable the gap between them truly was.
Getting revenge for Sharon felt like an impossible dream.
But he didn’t give up. Instead, he etched it into his heart.
One day, given time and power, he would make every single person who wronged Sharon pay.
Meanwhile, Felipe was preparing to take Sharon to meet Maestro Warner, only to find that the maestro was no longer in the banquet hall.
Felipe glanced around, then turned to Sharon. “Sharon, wait here for a moment. I’ll go look for him.”
Sharon nodded. “Alright, go ahead.”
Chapter 407
No sooner had Felipe walked off than two foreign men, both in their thirties, approached her.
Their eyes swept over Sharon with barely disguised awe.
There was no denying it-Felipe had excellent taste.
Not only were her features striking, but she also carried an air of elegance and poise that set her apart.
They’d noticed her the moment she entered the hall.
One of the men asked in German, “Miss, are you here as Felipe’s companion?”
The other chimed in, “You’re stunning. Would you care to join us for a chat?”
Sharon typically ignored blatant pick-up attempts like this. She neither looked at them nor responded.
But the two men weren’t discouraged by her indifference. They continued circling her, showering her with praise-one moment complimenting her beauty, the next comparing her to some famous actress back home.
Sharon’s patience was wearing thin. Just as she opened her mouth to speak, a grating voice came from behind her.
“Gentlemen, she’s not very educated. She can’t understand German.”
It was Nate again, exactly the last person she wanted to deal with.
Chapter 408
The two men froze for a moment, then turned to look at Nate.
“And you are…?”
Nate responded in fluent German, “I’m an old acquaintance of hers. Whatever you want to ask, just tell me. I can translate for
you.”
One of the men glanced hesitantly at Sharon. “You’re saying… she doesn’t understand German?”
Nate nodded. “Exactly. She only has a middle school education and can barely manage French, let alone German. Haven’t you noticed? No matter what you say to her, she just ignores you. That’s because she doesn’t understand a word. She only got into this music exchange event by clinging to a man.”
The two men exchanged glances, their eyes lighting up with amusement.
“Clinging to a man? You mean she’s here…?”
Nate gave them a knowing look. “Exactly. She’s here hunting for a sugar daddy. Her last benefactor dropped her, and now she’s desperate to find the next one.”
At that, the men began to look at Sharon with a more lecherous glint in their eyes.
One of them said in German, “Ask her how much she charges for a full-time arrangement.”
Nate turned and deliberately raised his voice, making sure everyone around could hear.
“Since you’re so uneducated and clearly don’t understand German, let me kindly translate for you.”
With an exaggerated expression, he sneered, “They said you’re really beautiful. Aren’t you going to say thank you?”
Sharon stared at him as if she were looking at a performing clown. (1
Although the two foreign men spoke German, they understood a bit of English. Hearing Nate’s “translation,” they exchanged glances and let out mocking laughter.
“So this is the standard now for Warner’s music exchange? Even pretty vases can sneak in to hunt for sugar daddies,” one of the
men said.
Nate chuckled sleazily and added, “This gentleman would like to know if he could… explore the meaning of life with you, if you
know what I mean.” 1
The onlookers, realizing that Sharon couldn’t even speak German, all looked on in surprise.
After all, Maestro Warner was from Yuicuador, where they spoke German. While he was fluent in multiple languages, speaking German at his own event was a sign of respect.
If Sharon didn’t even know German, how had she managed to get into such a prestigious event?
Many attendees here were multilingual. Their mocking gazes now fell squarely on Sharon.
They began discussing her openly in German, making no effort to lower their voices.
After all, she couldn’t understand them, right?
Sharon glanced at Nate, then at the two foreign men.
Without a word, she turned around, picked up a glass of wine from a passing waiter’s tray, and flung it directly in Nate’s face.
Then she spoke, her tone calm and commanding, as she addressed them in fluent, pitch-perfect French.
“Sugar daddy? Gold digger? Then tell me, who was my last patron?
Her face darkened
“Nate, if you can’t produce solid evidence right here and now, I’ll sue you for slander and defamation.”
Nate opened his mouth, about to speak, but Sharon cut him off coldly.
She pulled out her phone. “I’ve recorded everything you just said. Every single word of your insults. If you don’ at the police station, I suggest everyone here who just slandered me offers a public apology. Otherwise, I’ll taki law allows,”
And this time, she spoke in flawless German
The two foreign men stood frozen in shock
“She… she speaks German?!”
“Wait, what? Didn’t he say she couldn’t even speak French?”
hapter 409
The people who had mocked Sharon just moments ago now stood frozen, their faces flushing red and then turning pale in rapid succession. Their expressions were nothing short of spectacular.
“Sharon.”
A soft, delicate voice suddenly broke through the awkward silence.
No one had noticed when Kelly had arrived, but now she stood just behind the crowd, her tone gentle and composed.
“Whatever’s going on, perhaps it’s better handled after the music exchange ends. It’s not every day that Maestro Warner comes to Amstern City for a music event. Let’s not waste such a rare opportunity on petty arguments.
“After all, we’re hosts here. Let’s not ruin the atmosphere for our guests or disrupt the purpose of this gathering.
“It was all just a bit of harmless fun, wasn’t it?” (1)
Her words prompted a wave of murmured agreement.
“Yes, just a joke. No need to take it so seriously.”
“This is a music exchange, not a place for personal drama. If you’ve got issues, settle them outside. Don’t interfere with the
music.”
“Let bygones be bygones. There’s no need to make such a big deal out of it. It wouldn’t do anyone any good.”
After all, many of them had joined in the mockery alongside Nate. If Sharon really demanded apologies, they would have to step
forward too.
And who wanted that kind of public humiliation?
Watching the situation unfold, Kelly’s lips curled into a faint, almost imperceptible smile.
How naïve. Did Sharon truly not understand the simple truth that law doesn’t punish the masses?
If she had only asked Nate and the two foreigners to apologize, perhaps the others would have stayed silent. But now she was demanding everyone involved take responsibility?
If that wasn’t foolishness, what was?
Sharon turned and looked directly at Kelly. Her voice rang out with clarity.
“They say birds of a feather flock together. Nate’s morals are warped, and it’s no surprise he keeps company with a homewrecker like you, Kelly.”
Kelly’s eyes widened in shock. “You… don’t spout nonsense!”
“I’m not,” Sharon replied, raising her voice for all to hear. “Shall we ask Carter whether it was because of you that he divorced me? I’ve still got the contract we signed. I’d be happy to share it with everyone here.”
She smiled as her eyes locked with Kelly’s increasingly panicked ones.
“Oh, and just to be clear, I’m talking about Carter Biggs of Amstern City, the CEO of Biggs Group. I’m sure no one here hasn’t heard of him?
“Of course, if you think I’m defaming you, Kelly, you’re welcome to call the cops. I’ll gladly cooperate.”
Cold sweat streamed down Kelly’s back.
She had only meant to kick Sharon while she was down, tossing out a few choice remarks. But Sharon had immediately turned
1/2
the spotlight on her-and worse, she actually had evidence.
The music exchange was an elite event, filled with accomplished musicians from around the world.
If word got out, it would shatter her carefully curated reputation.
In that moment, Kelly bitterly regretted ever opening her mouth.
Instead of putting Sharon down, she had handed her the perfect opening.
“Sharon, what’s going on?”
A worried voice called out. Felipe had just returned to the hall, only to see Sharon surrounded by a crowd.
He frowned and quickly made his way toward her.
Following behind him were Maestro Warner and Carter.
The commotion had drawn even more onlookers.
Without another word, Sharon calmly pressed play on her phone’s recording.
Moments ago, Nate had shamelessly twisted the truth and tried to deny everything. But now, his voice echoed clearly through the hall, every word damning.
No need for back-and-forth accusations. Let the facts speak for themselves.
As the recording reached the part where Sharon spoke fluent German in response, a flicker of surprise crossed Carter’s eyes.
His brow lifted slightly as he turned toward her.
She spoke German? And not just a few words. She spoke it fluently.
Chapter 410
If Sharon’s fluency in Spanish could be attributed to the private tutors Theo had hired-lessons she might have passively absorbed alongside him-then her command of German was far more difficult to explain.
✪ 22 2 2
After all, Theo had only studied French, Spanish, and Mandarin. German wasn’t part of his curriculum.
So where had she learned it?
And it wasn’t just basic conversational German-her grammar and pronunciation were both impeccable.
Even if Carter didn’t want to admit it, he had to concede: no one could speak a foreign language so flawlessly without significant real-world experience using it.
He stared at Sharon, who didn’t spare him even a glance as she continued playing the recording.
It wasn’t until Kelly finally spoke that Carter shifted his attention away. His dark eyes, deep as a still well, flicked toward Kelly with a look that was neither kind nor warm.
Her expression stiffened.
Didn’t Sharon only record the part involving Nate?
Why was her own voice included too?
When the recording ended, silence fell over the room like a heavy curtain.
Everyone wore a different expression, but most of them didn’t look pleased.
Just moments ago, they had been bold enough to accuse Sharon of being petty and overly sensitive.
But now, hearing the full truth laid bare, even they couldn’t help but feel ashamed.
Maestro Warner finally broke the silence. He looked around, gaze sharp.
“Anyone who just spoke ill of Sharon, apologize to her. Right now. Otherwise, you will no longer be welcome at my music exchange events.”
The implication was clear: future opportunities to collaborate with Maestro Warner would be off the table.
No one dared act tough anymore.
The two foreign men who had cornered Sharon were the first to respond. Seeing the shift in atmosphere, they immediately stepped forward.
“Sharon, we sincerely apologize. We only approached you earlier because we found you incredibly beautiful and wanted to exchange contact information.
“As for what followed… we were led astray by others. We acted out of turn. We truly regret our behavior.”
Sharon shot them a cold glance and said nothing.
The way they had looked at her earlier had been filled with sleazy undertones. She’d encountered plenty of men like them before. She knew engaging only encouraged them to cross more lines.
Once those two took the lead, the rest followed suit. Everyone who had spoken against her began lining up to offer apologies.
Sharon stood still, silent and composed, making no effort to appear magnanimous.
She didn’t stop them. She accepted every apology with poise and dignity.
1/2
She wanted them all, including Carter, to understand one thing: She wasn’t some soft target they could squeeze at will. She was no one’s pushover.
Felipe’s deep-set eyes never left her. A faint, approving smile curved at his lips, admiration glinting in his gaze.
Carter noticed the way Felipe looked at Sharon.
His brows drew together unconsciously.
After all, her recording had mentioned his name. Did Felipe not realize she was his wife? The mother of his child?
A strange, irritable pressure welled up in Carter’s chest.
Once the apologies were made, the crowd scattered as quickly as they could, eager to disappear.
They had already lost enough face for one night. No one wanted to linger any longer.
Finally, Sharon turned her gaze to the one person who hadn’t uttered a single word: Nate.
His expression was twisted with resentment and unwillingness. He stood with a stony face, clearly refusing to apologize.
As far as he was concerned, he was just here with Kelly. Whether or not he ever attended another one of these so-called music exchanges didn’t matter.
But Carter could see right through him.
His voice dropped, low and cold. “Nate.”
Nate stiffened, instinctively turning toward him.
Carter’s expression was icy, his gaze dark and oppressive.
Nate’s breath hitched. Just as he was about to speak-
Chapter 411
Before Nate could speak, Sharon suddenly cut him off.
“Save your breath, Nate. Even if you were to apologize, I wouldn’t accept it. Some things can’t be washed away with a simple ‘ sorry.””
Nate sneered. “You said it yourself. Don’t go regretting it later.”
Sharon smiled faintly. “Don’t worry, I won’t. But what a pity.”
Nate frowned. “Pity? What do you mean?”
She replied calmly, “If you’d turned yourself in earlier, maybe you could’ve gotten a more lenient sentence. But now… that chance is gone.”
Nate scoffed, ready to mock her for bluffing, but then he noticed her gaze shift toward the entrance.
A team of uniformed officers strode into the hall and stopped directly in front of him.
“Nate Hendricks, we’ve received a report alleging your involvement in unlawful entry and intentional property damage. Please come with us to assist in the investigation.”
Startled, Nate instinctively protested, “There must be some mistake. I didn’t do anything!”
The officers didn’t budge. Seeing his reluctance, they immediately stepped forward to surround him.
“Sir, we ask for your full cooperation.”
Realizing resistance would only end in public humiliation-or worse, being forcibly restrained-Nate finally fell silent.
And he didn’t have to guess who’d reported him.
He shot Sharon a venomous glare. “You’ll see, Sharon. The more smug you are today, the more pathetic you’ll be in the days to come.”
His arrest stirred a bit of commotion, but since Nate wasn’t a figure from the music world, the exchange soon returned to normal.
Watching him being escorted away, Kelly grew frantic. 1
“Carter, Nate was just taken by the police. Shouldn’t we help him?”
Carter barely spared a glance. His expression remained cold, his tone even colder.
“He brought it on himself.”
“But-”
He cut her off, his eyes landing on her with an unreadable intensity.
“He’s been far too arrogant for his own good. It’s time someone taught him a lesson.”
Kelly inhaled sharply, momentarily speechless.
Even if Carter hadn’t cared about Nate trashing Sharon’s studio-believing it was done on her behalf-the words Nate had just said in public had clearly crossed a line.
Sharon was Carter’s ex-wife. To humiliate her like that in front of everyone… was to slap him in the face as well.
Kelly silently cursed Nate for his stupidity.
1/2
Sharon, meanwhile, had long since stopped paying attention to the pair. She turned her focus to Maestro Warner instead.
“Maestro Warner, I’m truly sorry for the disruption.”
She had just opened her mouth to apologize when the master raised his hand, cutting her off.
“I know who you are.”
Sharon blinked, caught off guard.
“I saw one of your videos before coming to Amster City,” Warner continued. “You’re very gifted. Among all my students over the years, only two or three might rival your potential.”
Such high praise was enough to stir something deep in Sharon’s heart.
A flicker of emotion shone in her eyes.
But then Warner’s tone shifted.
“Then again, I shouldn’t be surprised. You are Shayla’s daughter. Talent like yours doesn’t lie. But…” He let the word hang, his sharp gaze raking over her, glinting with thinly veiled disappointment, before finishing, “You’re nothing like her. Your mother lived for music. You?”
His voice trailed off.
“You gave up music for family far too easily. And no matter how talented you are, that alone disqualifies you from my expectations. Who’s to say you won’t abandon music again the moment something else comes up?”
Chapter 412
Sharon was left utterly speechless by Maestro Warner’s words. She couldn’t even argue, because he was right.
She lowered her gaze and spoke earnestly, “You’re absolutely right, Maestro Warner. I was the one who gave up… and it was only after walking away that I realized how wrong I’d been to do so. But I’ve learned my lesson. I can promise you I’ll never give up so easily again. Please… could you give me another chance?”
But Warner’s response remained calm and distant.
“Sharon, I already gave you that chance. It was you who let it slip away. This is not the kind of place you come to only when it’s convenient for you, like a hobby you pick up and drop at will.”
Sharon’s eyes shifted slightly. “You gave me a chance? When was that?”
Warner’s gaze deepened as he replied, “Some time ago. I recognized your talent and arranged a meeting to speak with you.”
Then, with a slight turn of his head, he glanced over at Carter. “Your husband came in your place. He told me you were focused on your family and declined the offer on your behalf.”
Sharon’s eyes flew to Carter, disbelief written all over her face.
“You met with Maestro Warner… instead of me?”
Carter’s eyes flickered, and he instinctively looked away.
With that look, Sharon understood everything.
He had turned down Maestro Warner on her behalf, without ever telling her.
But now wasn’t the time to confront him.
She quickly turned back to Warner, her voice laced with urgency.
“I’m sorry, Maestro Warner. I truly had no idea. Please, would you consider-”
But Warner lifted a hand, gently cutting her off.
“I’m an old man now. I don’t have the energy I once did. A long time ago, I made a decision: I would take on just one final
student.”
His gaze shifted once more, this time resting on Kelly with a kindly smile.
“Kelly is my final student.”
Kelly, hearing her name, gave a modest smile. “Master.”
Warner nodded at her with approval.
“Kelly may not possess your level of natural talent, but her passion for music far surpasses yours.
She’s fought through a serious illness, yet never once gave up on music. Over the years, I’ve taken in many students with extraordinary talent. But what use is talent without perseverance?”
He let out a quiet sigh.
“I admit, I’ve made mistakes. In the past, I passed over several hardworking students because I didn’t think they had enough potential. But now, they’ve made a name for themselves in their own fields, achieving things I never imagined.
“Meanwhile, many of my gifted students either abandoned music for marriage and family… Or believed they were too talented to need hard work, only to lose to those less gifted but more dedicated. And once they fell, they never got back up.”
Chapter 412
He paused, then added with a soft but firm tone, “That’s why I’ve chosen to make a change with my final student.”
The sharpness in Warner’s presence faded, replaced by a gentler, more benevolent air.
Sharon opened her mouth, wanting desperately to plead her case, but the words caught in her throat.
She understood now. Opportunities like this only came once. If you missed it… it was gone.
Maybe just yesterday, Maestro Warner had still been open to taking in one last student-someone with extraordinary talent.
But today, after seeing and hearing all that he had… he changed his mind.
And besides, he had already chosen.
The light in Sharon’s eyes dimmed noticeably.
Just then, the long-silent Felipe finally spoke up.
“Maestro Warner, Sharon truly didn’t know about your invitation. Had she known it came from you, she would never have declined.”
By now, Warner more or less understood the full story.
He smiled gently and shook his head. “I’m sorry. I’ve made my decision. I won’t be taking in any more students.”
Felipe wasn’t ready to give up.
“Sharon is incredibly gifted, and her love for music is still alive. Even if you don’t take her in as a student, would you consider offering guidance to a lost musician who’s finally found her way back?”
Chapter 413
Maestro Warner gave Felipe a long, meaningful look. “You don’t usually speak up for others like this.”
Felipe’s deep blue eyes held a gentle, ocean-like calm. “Because she’s worth it.”
In that moment, not only Maestro Warner but even Sharon herself was moved.
Warner’s gaze lingered on Felipe with quiet intensity. “Felipe, you’re still young. Don’t let emotions cloud your judgment.”
Felipe smiled. “This isn’t sentimentality, Maestro Warner. I’m speaking purely on merit. If you truly understood Sharon, you wouldn’t let her go so easily. Think of it as me owing you a favor. How about that?”
Warner let out a resigned chuckle. “You rascal…”
Sharon turned to Felipe. “Felipe, thank you for speaking up for me. But there’s no need.
“As Maestro Warner said, there are many paths in life. Being chosen by him would’ve been one path, but seeking my own opportunities is another. Not every path suits every person. As long as you stay on the right one, they all lead to the same destination.”
Warner gave her a surprised glance.
He’d heard her education level was modest, yet these words carried insight far beyond what he expected. 1
Though she possessed exceptional talent, he had felt she wasn’t using it in the right way-perhaps even wasting it on calculating how to marry well.
And clearly, her methods were effective. Even someone as sharp as Felipe had been charmed by her.
If Felipe was willing to trade a personal favor, it would be hard for Warner to refuse-especially since the request wasn’t to take her on as a student, just to offer occasional guidance.
But Sharon’s decision to turn down the offer brought back a measure of respect in Warner’s eyes.
From the beginning, Sharon had sensed that Warner didn’t like her.
Though he remained impartial and had insisted that those who insulted her apologize, and though he spoke courteously, some things-like disdain-simply couldn’t be hidden.
She was grateful to Felipe for standing up for her. But by now, it no longer mattered.
Maestro Warner and Felipe soon left to discuss other matters.
Sharon turned to Carter, her voice cold. “I have something to say to you-alone.”
Without waiting for a response, she strode out of the banquet hall.
Carter gave Kelly a brief word before following after her.
Watching them leave, Kelly made no move to stop them. Instead, the corners of her lips curled into a subtle, victorious smile.
If not for Carter’s help, she wouldn’t have won Warner’s favor so quickly. She might never have become his student.
And now, she had accomplished something she once didn’t even dare dream of.
Had Sharon not wasted her own talent and walked away from the opportunity, she wouldn’t have been the contrast that made Kelly’s perseverance shine. 1
The thought filled Kelly with a giddy sense of satisfaction.
So what if Sharon played the violin beautifully? In the end, she’d only paved the way for Kelly’s success.
Sharon’s speech had sounded noble–that all paths lead to the same destination. But could a self-made journey ever compare to one led by a master?
Now that she was Warner’s student, it would take her two years at most to become a world-renowned musician.
And Sharon? Who knew which back alley she’d disappear into?
The night was cool and still. The moonlight cast a soft silver veil.
In the quiet of the rear garden, Sharon suddenly stopped in her tracks. Without warning, she turned and slapped Carter hard across the face.
Chapter 414
Yet before Sharon’s hand could land on Carter’s face, her wrist was caught in a firm grip.
Carter’s chiseled features flickered in and out of the shadows beneath the dim moonlight.
“You’ve slapped me enough times already. That’s enough.”
His grip was iron-unyielding, impossible to break free from.
Sharon lifted her eyes to look at Carter, her gaze brimming with a hatred and disgust deeper than ever before.
“It was you, wasn’t it? You took the opportunity that was meant for me and gave it to Kelly.” Her voice trembled with fury.
“If I’m not mistaken, not only did you turn down Maestro Warner on my behalf, you even brought Kelly to meet him, didn’t you?
“You probably told him I wasn’t well-educated, that I’d been a housewife for years, and would need to take care of a family in the future. So why not give the chance to Kelly instead?
“She’s hardworking, driven, and never gave up despite her illness. Giving the opportunity to me would just be a waste, isn’t that right?”
Her tone was questioning, but her expression was full of certainty.
What was left to doubt?
Her wedding, her necklace-now even the opportunity she had fought for was handed away in the same fashion.
Looking directly into Carter’s eyes, she demanded, “Carter, why is it that everything that’s rightfully mine… you can just casually give to Kelly without a second thought?
“What unspeakable crime did I commit against her? Did I slaughter her family? Defile her ancestors’ graves? Do I owe her some unpayable karmic debt from a past life?
“Who the hell gave you the right to make these decisions for me?”
He remained silent for a few moments, then finally spoke, “Kelly’s condition might not improve. She… needs this chance more
than you do.”
Smack!
Her free hand struck him hard across the face.
She was so furious her fingers trembled. The blow wasn’t even that painful, but the fury behind it burned.
She stared him down with a chilling smile.
“What’s next?” she asked. “Give up my studio? Hand over my violin? Let’s see…. what else do I have that you can offer her?”
Her voice sharpened with bitter sarcasm.
“Oh, I’ve got it. Next, you’ll come for my life. After all, she’s terminally ill and doesn’t have much time left, while I’m perfectly healthy.”
Her eyes gleamed like blades under the moonlight.
“So why not kill me now, before I have time to defend myself? Take my life. Otherwise, when her condition worsens again, you’ll blame me for cursing her!”
The moon reflected in her eyes, casting a sheen of unshed tears.
She hadn’t cried in a long time. Ever since she decided to divorce Carter, she had vowed never to shed another tear for him.
But in this moment, when once again something that was rightfully hers had been stolen by him, her emotions finally broke
loose.
Carter froze, taken aback by the tears welling in her eyes.
On instinct, he reached out to wipe them away.
Sharon turned her head sharply, avoiding his touch.
She closed her eyes briefly, refusing to let a single tear fall. Then she drew in several deep breaths, forcing her emotions down.
When she opened her eyes again, the tears were gone. Her gaze clear and steady once more.
She had lost control.
And for what? She already knew the kind of man he was.
What was there to be angry about?
And yet, the moment she discovered the truth, her fury had overridden all logic.
She had fought tooth and nail for just a sliver of opportunity, only for him to play the benevolent saint and offer it to Kelly on a silver platter.
She could still see Kelly’s smug, provoking smile as she left earlier.
Sharon’s voice turned ice-cold. “Carter, if there were a knife in front of me right now, I would not hesitate to drive it straight into your chest.”
Chapter 415
Chapter 415
Carter’s dark eyes were unreadable. “Are you sure?”
“What, you think I’m bluffing?” Sharon retorted.
“There’s a fruit knife in the banquet hall. You’re welcome to try.”
Sharon let out a laugh, but there wasn’t a trace of warmth in her eyes. “Trying to provoke me into attacking you in public so you can have me thrown in jail?”
Carter met her gaze, which was full of undisguised hatred. “You’re overthinking it. I just wanted to give you a chance to get your revenge.”
Sharon scoffed coldly. “And what? Stabbing you would somehow make up for everything I’ve lost? Since when is life that fair? Don’t you think that’s letting you off too easy?”
She hadn’t slapped him in front of Maestro Warner only because she didn’t want to give people any ammunition.
In that kind of setting, no matter who was right or wrong, the moment she raised her hand, she’d become the one at fault.
To ruin her own reputation over a man like him was utterly not worth it.
Perhaps realizing his own guilt, Carter remained silent for a long moment before finally saying, “I’ll make it up to you.” 1
“Make it up to me?” Sharon looked at him as if he had just told the most ridiculous joke in the world. “With what? That so- called ‘generous’ two million you threw at me like charity?”
At this point, just looking at him made her sick.
She took a few steps back and turned to leave.
Carter stood frozen, silently watching her retreating figure, unmoving for a long time. 1
A soft knock came at the office door. Simon stepped in. “Mr. Biggs, we’ve located Star. Would you like to go in person?”
He had been investigating Star for several days, and today, there was finally a breakthrough.
After reaching out to one of Star’s friends last time, the contact had immediately deactivated their number. Tracing the number led to an ID that had nothing to do with the case-clearly a cover.
Simon deduced that it was a burner phone, used solely for external communication. Once they realized their identity had been compromised and didn’t want further contact, they simply cut all ties.
This misdirection had delayed the investigation for quite some time. Eventually, Simon resorted to hiring a hacker to trace the phone’s location using technical means.
Carter happened to be free at the moment and nodded in agreement. “Take me there.”
At the studio, Sharon and Wendy were compiling an inventory of the damaged equipment.
“Most of the instruments in the practice room are beyond repair. We’ll need to replace everything.
The floor’s covered in paint. It’ll need to be redone. Curtains, windows, walls… all of it.”
Anyone who had ever gone through renovations knew how exhausting and complex the process could be. And now, thanks to Nate, they were right back to square one.
The walls of the studio still bore the blood-red paint graffiti. They hadn’t even had time to clean it.
A shadow clouded Sharon’s expression.
“Wendy, start looking for a new studio as soon as possible.”
Wendy looked at her. “You’re really going to hand this place over to Kelly?”
Sharon replied calmly, “Carter is involved now. I’m not worried about him coming after me. I’m more worried he’ll go after John. Right now, the lease is in his name.”
Wendy also knew the whole story-how Carter had rejected Maestro Warner’s offer on Sharon’s behalf and handed the opportunity to Kelly, who had now become Warner’s final student.
Wendy cursed under her breath.
“That scheming, two-faced snake. She’s the kind of disgusting that takes disgusting to a whole new level-steals everything she can get her hands on.
“And Maestro Warner? The older he gets, the worse his judgment becomes. Taking that conniving, pretentious bitch as his student? Doesn’t he care about ruining his legacy?”
Chapter 416
Sharon said, “With Kelly’s ‘terminal illness’ and her relentless determination as bonus points, it’s hard for anyone with a shred of compassion not to be moved.”
Wendy frowned. “But she’s faking it!”
Sharon’s tone remained steady. “Unfortunately, Maestro Warner doesn’t know that.”
Wendy still couldn’t swallow her anger.
“Then he’s just a confused old man who can’t tell right from wrong. He actually thinks Kelly is better than you? Just wait. He’s going to regret it sooner or later. Sharon, we have to put everything we’ve got into this concert. Let’s hit Kelly and Maestro Warner right where it hurts!”
Sharon had already cooled down from her initial fury and frustration.
“It’s fine. This just proves that Maestro Warner and I aren’t cut from the same cloth. He may be a world-class maestro, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s the right mentor for us.”
Wendy nodded. “You don’t need anyone to guide you, Sharon. You’re not lacking in talent or direction. All you’ve ever needed is an opportunity.”
Sharon said, “Still, I owe Felipe a thank-you. He got me the invitation and even introduced me to Maestro Warner. He’s helped
me a lot.”
Wendy grinned. “Felipe, huh? He’s clearly into you. Maybe you should give it some thought?”
She winked playfully. “Even if you don’t want to get married, a little romance couldn’t hurt, right?”
Sharon shook her head with a smile. “I’m not thinking about relationships right now. I just want to focus on building my career.
Wendy had only been teasing and didn’t press the issue after hearing her response. She glanced around the studio she had personally decorated, and her voice was filled with regret. “So we’re really going to lose this place?”
Sharon replied, “Whether we keep it or not, we need to be prepared. Better to have a backup plan than be caught off guard. If Kelly really does manage to take this studio, and we don’t have another space to rehearse, it could delay the entire concert. Especially now that Carter’s involved…”
Before she could finish, a knock sounded at the door.
Because of the lingering smell of paint, the door had been left open. A tall, sharply dressed man in a tailored suit stepped gracefully inside.
“This is the place?” he asked, glancing at the man following behind him.
Simon smiled slightly. “Yes. The last trace led us right here.”
Carter gave a soft grunt of acknowledgment and strode forward under Simon’s guidance,
Sharon had her back to the door and hadn’t noticed the movement behind her.
She continued speaking to Wendy, “Ask Casey to come in tomorrow. The other two floors are still functional, so she can start familiarizing herself with the concert program. Oh, and the venue for the concert… It’s already booked, right?”
Wendy nodded. “The contract’s been signed ages ago. Don’t you trust my efficiency?”
Before she could say more, Sharon noticed her expression shift into something strange.
स
“Wendy? What’s wrong?”
Wendy stared past her, silent.
Feeling something was off, Sharon turned around.
Carter’s cold, handsome face came into view.
“Carter?” Her expression immediately turned frosty. “What are you doing here?”
Carter didn’t answer. Instead, he glanced at Simon.
Simon let his gaze rest briefly on both Wendy and Sharon before nodding lightly in confirmation.
For the past few days, he had been investigating everything related to “Star.”
And at the top of that list was Wendy, the one who had been communicating with him.
Wendy’s social circle was relatively simple, so digging into her background hadn’t been difficult.
Chapter 417
Tracking down Wendy and then connecting her to Sharon hadn’t been all that difficult.
Sensing Sharon’s guarded gaze, Simon cleared his throat lightly. “Sharon, we’re here… to find Star.”
A flicker of change passed through Sharon’s expression.
If Carter had managed to find this place, it meant only one thing-he knew she was Star.
Carter cast a glance at Wendy. “Wendy, could we have the room?”
Wendy silently looked at Sharon for direction. Sharon gave a slight nod.
Understanding, Wendy turned and left with Simon.
Once they were gone, Carter stepped forward, closing the distance between them. His dark, fathomless eyes fixed on her as though scrutinizing every inch.
“So… you’re Star.”
Only now did he realize how little he truly knew about Sharon. 1
In the five years of their marriage, she had never worked. Whether she had a job or not had never mattered to him, so much so that he’d never once bothered to ask about her past.
What he hadn’t expected was that not only could she play the violin and speak fluent Spanish and German, she was also the enigmatic, nationally acclaimed composer known only as Star.
Sharon already knew why Carter had come. She cut straight to the point. “I won’t be Kelly’s personal composer. You’d better
find someone else.”
Carter looked at her. “Why?” 1
She was prepared for the question and didn’t even flinch. “Are you seriously asking that?”
With his resources, it was only a matter of time before he uncovered her identity.
Carter’s voice was deep and steady. “If this is about compensation, name your price. I’ll meet any condition.”
Sharon gave a faint smile. “I would’ve thought that once you knew who I was, you’d stop trying to involve me. After all, any smart man wouldn’t want his ex-wife working with his current girlfriend.”
There was a faint edge of mockery in her voice.
“I didn’t expect you to come to me personally, just to pave the way for Kelly.”
Every time she thought perhaps Carter didn’t care about Kelly as much as it seemed, he would do something to remind her just how wrong she was.
“Carter,” she continued, “you should understand that I refused for two reasons. First, because I don’t want to be exposed to the public. Second, because I won’t let my name be used to create buzz for Kelly. 1
“If you’re determined to promote her, there are countless ways to do it. You don’t need to step on me just to lift her up, do you?”
Carter’s eyes darkened. “If you’re worried about public backlash, I’ll hire a top PR team to handle it. If you don’t want to appear in person, I’ll arrange everything behind the scenes. If you have any other concerns, just tell me.”
“I have only one request,” Sharon said coldly. “Leave now. And don’t ever show up in front of me again.”
Sunlight poured through the half-lowered blinds, casting shifting shadows across his sculpted features.
“Are you refusing because of me?” he asked quietly.
Sharon’s patience had worn thin.
“If you already know, why bother asking? But even if it weren’t you coming to me, I still wouldn’t take this job. Your presence just makes me even more unwilling,”
Carter looked at her steadily. “Sharon, you should know, I always get what I want.”
Chapter 418
Sharon’s expression cooled. “And what if I say no?”
Carter replied calmly, “You’re Theo’s mother. I don’t want to force you, nor do I wish to make things ugly.”
Sharon let out a laugh, her tone laced with disbelief. “Is that a threat? You admit I’m Theo’s mother, yet you still expect me to work for Kelly-as her personal composer? For your mistress?”
“I’ve said it before. There’s nothing between Kelly and me. She’s not my mistress.”
Was that really the point?
The issue wasn’t whether Kelly was his lover or not. The issue was that Sharon refused and had no desire to be Kelly’s exclusive
composer.
Furious, Sharon snorted.
“You gave her the opportunity that should’ve been mine. You want me to hand over my studio to her. 1
And now, you want me to work for her as a personal composer? Carter, you really have a talent for bleeding me dry, don’t you?”
Carter’s gaze remained dark and still. “I’ll give you time to think. Give me an answer when you’re ready.”
Sharon didn’t hesitate. “No need. My answer is no.”
He stared at her in silence, eyes cool and unreadable, yet somehow unsettling.
After a long pause, he finally spoke again. “If you agree now, the terms are yours to name. Next time we talk… it might not be so
generous.”
Sharon gave a soft, disdainful laugh, her refusal more than clear.
Seeing this, Carter said nothing more. He turned and walked away.
She stood motionless, her expression blank as she watched him leave.
Let her work under Kelly for three years? Spend every day watching them flaunt their affection?
If that were the case, what had been the point of the divorce?
And on top of that, she’d have to tolerate Kelly’s endless demands and arrangements?
She would have to be out of her mind to agree to such terms.
After leaving Sharon’s studio, Carter suddenly asked, “That was the same studio Nate trashed, wasn’t it?”
He hadn’t forgotten the chaos in that room-the destroyed instruments, the vandalized walls.
Simon was caught slightly off guard by the question, then quickly nodded. “Yes, and also the studio Kelly wants.”
Ever since Kelly returned to the country, she always had something going on.
Simon was either busy dealing with her affairs or on his way to report them.
Meanwhile, Sharon, Carter’s wife at the time, barely made any requests at all. Even when she did need something, she usually contacted Simon directly for help.
In the beginning, Simon would report everything back to Carter. But as time went on-and as her requests remained minimal
Chapter 418
and reasonable-Carter eventually told him not to bother reporting at all.
Whether that was because he didn’t see Sharon as an outsider and trusted her too much,
or because he simply didn’t care at all… was anyone’s guess.
This sudden question caught Simon so off guard that he paused for a moment.
Carter pressed his lips together, silent once more.
He only knew that Kelly had finally found a studio she really liked, and by sheer coincidence, it happened to be Sharon’s.
The compensation he’d offered Sharon had already been quite generous. But for John, two million wasn’t much. 1
After all, with the upcoming music festival, that amount was insignificant in comparison.
Originally, Carter had planned to offer five million in compensation. No matter what, Sharon had been his wife and was the mother of his child. He wasn’t stingy to that extent.
As long as Sharon had shown even the slightest willingness to compromise, money wouldn’t have been an issue.
But unfortunately, she was far too stubborn to bend
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The negotiation between Carter and Sharon had ended in bitter silence.
After that, with Sharon uncovering what had happened with Maestro Warner, the possibility of a proper negotiation between them essentially vanished.
And now-
The revelation that Star was Sharon.
Not just Carter-even Simon found himself at a loss.
As he drove, Simon broke the silence.
“Since Sharon is Star, I doubt she’ll agree to compose for Kelly. Should we consider finding someone else?”
Carter’s lips parted slightly. “Star…”
He repeated the name under his breath, his dark eyes unfathomable, lost in thoughts unknown even to himself.
Simon waited for a response. But the silence stretched too long. He tried again.
“Mr. Biggs, shall we start looking for another composer for Kelly?”
Carter finally came back to himself.
“No need,” he said, his voice calm and certain. “She’ll agree.”
The next morning, Sharon had just dropped Matty off at kindergarten when her phone rang. It was Wendy.
“Sharon, have you seen the news? John’s trending right now!”
Sharon was still behind the wheel and hadn’t had the chance to check anything.
“What happened to John?” she asked.
“Someone’s leaked dirt on him. I’m trying to handle it with emergency PR, but it’s not working. The other side seems to have what they’re calling ‘hard evidence.”” Wendy’s voice was tight with urgency. “Feels like they’re waiting for the buzz to peak before releasing the worst of it.”
John had recently risen to fame beyond the music world. With his striking looks and extraordinary talent, he had gained a
massive female fan base.
While not quite an A-list celebrity, he was easily on par with any top-tier name in the entertainment industry.
“Where is he now?” Sharon asked.
“I told him to stay inside the apartment. He’s canceled all appearances today.”
Sharon turned the wheel. “I’ll head over and take a look.”
By the time she arrived at the building, a crowd had already gathered outside.
Low voices buzzed through the air.
“I heard John knocked up some woman and ran off. Didn’t even want to take responsibility.”
“Yeah, apparently the woman’s been mentally unstable ever since. Her parents ran into him the other day, and now they’ve
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come knocking.”
Sharon followed the collective gaze toward the center of the crowd.
Amiddle-aged couple had John by the collar, faces contorted with fury.
Behind them stood a young woman in her twenties, cradling a child who looked to be around three or four. She glanced at John timidly.
“Honey,” she said softly, “Look at our child. Just once.’
John pushed her away without emotion. “That child’s not mine. You’ve got the wrong man.”
At that, the older woman snapped.
“You monster!” she screamed. “If you hadn’t assaulted my daughter back then, how would she have gotten pregnant?! You promised to marry her. That’s the only reason we didn’t report you!
“And now you want to turn your back and pretend none of it happened? No way. Either you give us an explanation today, or I’ll make sure the whole world knows what kind of beast you really are!”
She turned to the crowd, tears streaming down her face as she howled, “Everyone, look! This is John Westin, the guy who took advantage of my daughter, talked her out of going to the police, left her pregnant, and ran off without a word!
“Take his picture! Post it online! Let every girl out there see what kind of predator he is, so no one else gets fooled like my daughter did!”
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Chapter 420
Such a scandalous and dramatic scene quickly drew a crowd.
Onlookers began pulling out their phones to record the commotion.
Seeing this, a faint crease formed between Sharon’s brows.
Wendy was still some distance away, and it would take her a while to get here.
This woman couldn’t be allowed to keep making a scene.
Without hesitation, Sharon called the police.
The authorities arrived shortly and dispersed the troublemakers.
But within an hour, videos of the incident had already made their way online, spreading like wildfire.
Now, the entire internet was condemning John, calling him an irresponsible scumbag who should be thrown in jail.
Fame came at a price-once someone was in the spotlight, privacy ceased to exist.
It had happened to Sharon. Now, it was happening to John.
Several young female pianists in the music scene also stepped forward, claiming John had taken advantage of them under the guise of offering musical guidance.
They described how, drawn in by his talent and good looks, they were manipulated and emotionally exploited.
Instead of going to the police, they ended up as his so-called “girlfriends.”
When John grew tired of them, he simply broke things off.
The steady stream of allegations only added fuel to the fire, making the rumors seem all the more plausible.
In no time, John had become public enemy number one.
The entire classical music world was stunned.
After all, John had won numerous international competitions and accolades. His talent was undeniable. But his character… left
much to be desired.
Initially, some of his sponsors had remained neutral, observing the situation quietly.
But after seeing both accusations and supposed “hard evidence” flooding the internet, they began issuing public termination
statements.
Their stance was effectively the final nail in the coffin-an implicit admission of John’s guilt.
In his apartment, Wendy scrolled through the latest news updates, seething with rage.
“That ungrateful little snake! After everything John did for her, she turns around and bites him? What a bitch!”
She couldn’t even hold back her language.
Back when John worked at a bar, he had passed by a private room and heard someone calling for help.
He kicked the door open and found a man assaulting a young woman.
As he stepped in to help, the man fled.
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John hadn’t gone after him. He was too focused on the injured girl.
But when she regained consciousness, she accused John of being the assailant.
This had all happened around the time Sharon had just returned to the Kalen family. She hadn’t known about any of it.
Sharon asked, “Did you call the police?”
Wendy nodded. “We did. After their investigation, the police concluded John wasn’t involved. But that woman kept clinging to him, insisting he take responsibility.”
It didn’t surprise Sharon that John would step in to help. He wasn’t good with words, but beneath his aloof exterior was a warm
heart.
“What happened afterward?” Sharon asked.
Wendy sighed. “Your mom eventually found out. She gave the woman a large sum of money and told her to leave. It had been years. Why she suddenly showed up again and came after John now is beyond me.”
Sharon thought for a moment. “If we release the police report, would that help ease public outrage?”
Wendy shook her head. “She was the one who filed the report. She twisted the story so much, even the police couldn’t do anything. By the time she reported it, days had already passed. It was too late to gather proper evidence.
