Chapter 850
Victoria’s brows furrowed. “Knives? Johanna, you were reckless. I’ve heard Oscar has loved fighting since he was a boy. He’s vicious and ruthless, with more than a few lives on his hands.
“To stop him from causing further trouble, the Blakely family sent him to a military camp in Marcentine. But instead of reforming him, it only made him deadlier. After retiring, he crippled and maimed countless rich
heirs.
“If he hadn’t held back and killed Thomas… what then?”
Johanna’s girlish coyness vanished. Her expression hardened.
“If Thomas had truly been beaten to death or crippled by Oscar, then that was his fate. Survival belongs to the strong. If he couldn’t withstand it, then he was destined to be eliminated. And those who fall behind… are not
worth a second glance.”
That was what
bound Johanna and Victoria as friends-they both revered strength at their core.
To Victoria, men were merely tools to achieve her ambition. To Johanna, men who failed to meet her standard
were nothing but dispensable. 1
Victoria studied her. “So, how good was he?”
Johanna recalled the scene of Thomas stepping in to save her. A faint smile curved her lips. “Thomas is…
remarkable.”
“Don’t forget to compensate Oscar,” Victoria reminded her.
“I know.”
They chatted a little longer before Johanna left.
Half an hour later, her assistant delivered her violin. In the quiet of the back garden, Johanna began to play Firs
Love.
When the final note faded, she looked up. “Thomas, is this the sound you remember?”
Thomas frowned, thoughtful. “There’s a resemblance, yes, but…
Her heart inexplicably tightened. “But what?”
1/
Chapter 859
His gaze fell on her, tinged with barely concealed disappointment.
DUITUD
“Her violin skill was extraordinary, better than Kelly’s. At your current level, you haven’t yet reached hers. In fact… you may not even match Kelly. Perhaps… I truly misidentified you.”
From childhood, Johanna had been admired, envied, and exalted. Never once had she been looked at with such
disappointment.
Her pride flared.
“Maybe I’m just rusty. I haven’t practiced in years. Give me a few days to find my rhythm again, then I’ll play
for you once more.” 2
Thomas agreed without hesitation.
After parting with him, Johanna threw herself into relentless practice. Day and night, she played until her fingers burned. She even refused Victoria’s invitations, unwilling to accept a reality where she trailed behind
Kelly. 1
When Victoria finally sought her out, she was startled to see Johanna’s swollen, reddened fingers.
“Johanna, you’ve always hated pain. Why would you do this to yourself?”
Johanna brushed it off, withdrawing her hand. “I need Thomas to see that I’m better than Kelly.”
“But-
“There are no buts. I’ve nothing better to do lately anyway. Enough talk, Victoria. Tell me which parts I can
improve on.”
Resigned, Victoria complied, correcting her technique.
It was nearly impossible to raise one’s overall skill in so short a time, but perfecting a single piece-that was different. With guidance from a professional violinist like Victoria, Johanna’s progress was rapid.
And so, time passed.
With Johanna’s talent, mastering one piece was well within reach.
2/
Chapter 850
+35 BONUS
Victoria realized it had been a while since she’d seen Johanna. Curiosity stirred in her chest. She wondered just
how far things had advanced between Johanna and Thomas.
