Chapter 37
hapter 37
The discomfort was definitely real. Thea couldn't help but think back to yesterday when lan had originally agreed to meet but suddenly said she had something to take care of and left.
And looking at the comments section, it became clear that lan and Emmalie had a pretty good relationship for a while now.
So it was very likely that lan favored Emmalie becoming Nicolays wife. That's probably why she didn't like Thea and left carly.
Thea exited the post and thought about sending these rumors to Nicolas on WhatsApp.
But as her finger hovered over Nicolas avatar, Thea stopped herself and thought, "There's really no need to bother him with something like this
Meanwhile, Emmalie seized the opportunity from the recent buzz and announced she'd be taking on students at Aurelia University. Not only that, but she'd also be doing a solo performance there.
In no time, the hype around Aurelia University and Emmalie surged.
Seeing the timing of Emmalie's post. Thea started making some plans of her own.
The university president was going to be attending this event too. Maybe Thea could still get another chance. She had to try even if the odds weren't in her favor.
After all, with her little sister, Emmalie basking in the spotlight, Thea, as the older one, at least had to deliver a "grand gesture."
Nicolas rubbed his temples in the moving car to ease the throbbing headache. His mind was clouded with broken memories from the previous night. He couldn't help but ask, "Where's Thea? Still resting at the hotel?" Darwin answered truthfully, "Ms. Rowland just checked out and said she's headed to the welcome party for Emmalie at Aurelia University. Probably because of the university's partnership with the Virtuex Group Glancing at Nicolas through the rearview mirror, Darwin couldn't hold back the question. "Mr. Hendrix, are you going?" Nicolas looked up and replied, his gaze indifferent. "She can handle it well. I don't need to be there." Darwin hesitated for a second before finally speaking. "Mr. Hendrix, you rarely follow online gossip, so you might not know the rumor that you and Emmalic are engaged.
"A few business partners who've worked with the Hendrix Group for a while have subtly asked if it's true. Mr. Hendrix, do you need to clarify this matter?"
"An engagement with Emmalie?" Nicolas chuckled, a hint of mockery in his eyes.
Darwin wanted to tell him the rumors sounded very convincing online, but seeing Nicolas expression darken, he decided to
stay quiet.
Nicolas tapped his knee with his fingers, one beat at a time. "Ignore these rumors. In time, the truth will come out."
Darwin wanted to argue that while that might be true. But Thea, as Nicolas' actual fiancee, was probably feeling uncomfortable about it.
But before Darwin could respond, Nicolas shifted gears. "Fine Arrange for that university to hold a seat for me tonight." "Yes, sir, Darwin replied
What was supposed to be a welcome party had somehow turned into a fan meeting. Fans flooded into Aurelia University, and despite the limited space, many were content just standing from afar to catch a glimpse of Emmalie. Soon, Thea entered the campus. The staff, after hearing her name, gave her a somewhat complex look before leading her to the dressing room near the performance hall
"Thea" Emmalie called out. She was surrounded by top makeup artists and stylists and maintained her usual aura of being the center of attention
Emmalie's team had been specially prepared by Max to ensure she was flawless at every performance.
Emmalie lifted her intricate gown and walked over. She had purposely chosen to wear high heels today, over four inches. just to tower over Thea slightly
Now that they were alone. Emmalie didn't bother with the pretense. She smiled at Thea maliciously. "It must've been rough for you these past few days, huh? Realizing that no school wants to work with the Virtuex Group?"
Thea looked at her calmly, her voice steady. "So, it really was you
Emmalie covered her mouth and giggled. "I'm about to marry Nicolas. Marry into the Hendrix family, meaning that soon. everything that belongs to them will be mine.
"So, if I need to remove some insignificant employee from one of my future companies a little early, that's not too much to ask, right? But you know....
Emmalie pretended to adjust Thea's collar, her words dripping with cold malice. "If I were you, I wouldn't even have the face to stay with the Hendrix family
"I can't believe you're so shameless. No wonder they can't get rid of you. It's no fun if I don't use a little trick to make things uncomfortable for you."Belongs © to NôvelDrama.Org.
Thea didn't respond, her gaze drifting to the sheet music Emmalie would be performing. Then she said, her voice calm. "So it's that piece, huh.
Hearing that, Emmalie let out a laugh. She waved the music sheet in Thea's face, and then said indifferently, "Yeah, it's the one that your master wrote just for you back then.
"But what can I say? The family always adored me. So even if they knew this piece was written for you, what does it matter? As long as I ask, they'll hand it over to me.
"It's childish, really, but a lot of people seem to love it. Of course, they'd rather hear me play it. Not you.
"Is that so?" Thea raised an eyebrow, her voice soft. "But didn't the master say you could be his student, but under no circumstances were you allowed to perform this piece in public? Do you forget?"
For a split second, Emmalie's perfectly poised face twisted with rage. She was remembering the days when she couldn't match up to Thea
Back then, Thea had been a true prodigy, while Einmalic had merely been a product of wealth and resources piled on her. When the international maestro was choosing a student, he insisted on taking only Thea flatly. Enumalie had cried for three days straight and even we In the end, there was no choice. The Rowland family had pressured Thea to kneel and even went so far as to threaten to harm her hand to coerce the maestro into accepting Emmalie.
From that moment on, Thea knew that her journey with the piano was over.
Foolishly. Thea had once believed that giving Emmalie this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity would at least earn her some praise for being considerate.
Sure, they praised her. But when Emmalie fell ill from her hunger strike, Ivy's gaze turned cold and resentful once again.
I can't believe you're so selfish, Thea." Ivy said. "You could have studied anything else. Why did you have to fight with your sister over the piano? If you'd given in earlier, she wouldn't have suffered like this."
The maestro had been deeply disappointed in Thea, but he had still laid down a rule: the piece he composed for her could never be performed by Emmalie.
That didn't stop the Rowland family, though. They eventually found someone to rework the composition so Emmalie could play it. And it was that performance that skyrocketed her to fame.
Emmalie scoffed. "What, trying to get under my skin with that? Even if she liked you more back then, look at you now. Haven't you turned into exactly the kind of person she would despise? A plain, ordinary woman with nothing special"
Thea's face remained expressionless as she pointed at the music Even so, you still lost. You lost from the very beginning." Emmalie gritted her teeth, her face livid. Then she lifted her chin, glaring down at Thea. "We'll see who really lost after tonight"