Never refuse a gift when fate hands it to you.

After exchanging quick goodbyes with her friends and giving Samantha some final reminders, Amy made her way toward the grand concert hall.

The moment she stepped inside, the truth became painfully clear—this entire spectacle was orchestrated for one person only: Victoria. A private performance funded entirely for her benefit. Every detail, every note, existed solely to elevate Victoria's status while the rest were mere background players.

Amy wasn't surprised. With Blackwood Enterprises and Prescott Industries bankrolling the event, of course they'd turn Victoria into the evening's radiant centerpiece.

Just as Amy scanned the crowd for Victoria, a panicked shout sliced through the air. "Ms. Langley's injured!" Backstage dissolved into instant pandemonium.

Amy quickly pieced together what happened—during the final rehearsal bow, one of the female pianists had accidentally trodden on Victoria's gown, causing her to trip and scrape her knee.

Nathan's glare could have frozen lava. His voice dripped with venom. "That was intentional, wasn't it? You've been sabotaging Victoria all morning with your constant mistakes, forcing her to repeat sections endlessly. Don't pretend you're not targeting her—everyone knows Victoria's delicate condition!"

The pianist gaped at him, horrified. "That's absurd! Ms. Langley was the one struggling this morning—it had nothing to do with me! She demanded perfection, so we kept rehearsing!"

Nathan dismissed her protests with a scoff. "Victoria's dedication doesn't justify your bullying!"

"I wasn't—I swear I wasn't making things difficult! Why would I even target Ms. Langley?"

Nathan's lips curled into a sneer. "Still lying? Everyone's seen how you throw yourself at Alexander whenever he's here, shamelessly flirting right under Victoria's nose. Chasing another woman's man in broad daylight—have you no dignity?"

Then, a voice like tempered steel cut through the chaos.

"Explain this."

Nathan whirled around, instantly transforming into an eager lapdog. He launched into an exaggerated retelling, painting the pianist as some villainous mastermind who'd committed unspeakable crimes against Victoria.

"Alexander, look—Victoria's leg is still bleeding!"

Pale and trembling, Victoria attempted to intervene. "Alexander, really, it's nothing... It was just an accident. She didn't mean—"

Nathan's eyes brimmed with performative sympathy as he stared at Victoria's injury. "You're too forgiving for your own good, Victoria. There was ample space, yet she 'accidentally' stepped on your gown? If that's not deliberate, what is?"

Without hesitation, Alexander swept Victoria into his arms. His verdict was absolute. "Find a replacement pianist."

The pianist's face drained of color. Tears welled in her eyes. "Mr. Blackwood, please—I swear it was an accident! Just give me one more chance!"

Alexander's gaze could have shattered diamonds. "Move. I won't ask twice."

Someone immediately yanked her aside, clearing a path as Alexander carried Victoria away.

Once they'd gone, a stagehand muttered to the devastated pianist, "It's just one gig. You'll get others. But cross Mr. Blackwood, and you'll never work in this city again."

Tears streamed down her cheeks. "I competed for four months to win this role—four months! And now it's over... I swear, I never harmed Ms. Langley. Who'd be stupid enough to provoke her?"

The stagehand lowered his voice. "I believe you. But remember when you offered Mr. Blackwood that drink last week? Maybe that's what set them off."

"I was just being courteous! I even brought one for Ms. Langley! There was nothing—"

"I know. But when they decide you're a threat, logic doesn't matter. Just rotten luck."

The concert hadn't even begun, yet the selected pianist—chosen from hundreds of hopefuls—was already being replaced. The whispers spreading through the hall carried both pity and warning.