Chapter 4

After packing my things, I checked my phone.

A torrent of abuse had flooded in.

Hashtags calling for me to leave the music industry reached the top spot, amassing over 300 million views.

The top post was from a music critic with over a million followers.

"A judge like Samuel, who lacks any professional ethics, is a disgrace to the industry. He interrupted a contestant's performance just to grab attention, ruining the future of a young prodigy. I call on all concert halls, talent agencies, and music academies to boycott him."

The comments section quickly filled with words of agreement.

"Is someone like this fit to be a judge? How powerful are his connections?"

"I heard he's a nobody who climbed his way to the top by selling himself."

"I've suspected the competition was rigged all along."

"I stand with Jason! I stand with Ms. Gere!"

My agency issued a statement, not to support me but to suspend all cooperation with me until the investigation results were in.

Although their words were nice, the message was obvious. They had left me to fend for myself.

Louis didn't answer my calls. Instead, he sent me a message. "I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do."

David had someone pass along a message. "Sam, don't be rash. Just apologize and get this over with. You're still young."

I didn't reply.

I came across a video that Jason had posted the night before.

He was sitting at the piano, his eyes red and swollen and his voice choked with emotion. "I don't blame Mr. Litt. He might have been too tired, or he might have misheard. My mom taught me to be forgiving.

"I spent two years composing that piece, pouring my heart and soul into it. It hurts when people think it isn't mine, but I will prove myself through my future works."

The comments flooded the screen.

"Don't cry, Jason! We believe in you!"

"A kind person is the strongest."

"You're so well-mannered."

I almost laughed out loud.

Two years of hard work?

Dad endured 15 years to achieve that.

I turned off my phone.

It was time to settle the score tomorrow.

…

The next day, reporters crowded the entrance of Herton Hotel's third-floor banquet hall by 2:30 pm.

Wearing a hat and a face mask, I entered through the staff passage and found a seat in the corner.

At 3:00 pm, Emma and her family walked onto the stage.

Emma was dressed in a tailored suit, her expression solemn, while Mason wore a dark-colored suit, his eyes slightly red. Jason, dressed in a white shirt, kept his head down.

Emma was the first to speak.

She stood before the microphone for a while before bowing.

"First of all, I want to apologize to everyone who has been following this matter. I trusted this circle too much, and because of that, Jason has suffered."

Someone shouted, "Ms. Gere, you did nothing wrong!"

Emma raised her hand to signal for quiet, her voice low. "Jason has loved music since he was a kid. He began learning the piano at four, performed in public at eight, and composed his first piece at the age of twelve.

"He spent two years honing 'Nocturne'. Every note is the product of his hard work. Every key change was born from moments of inspiration during countless nights playing the piano. As his mother, I'm so proud of him."

Her eyes glistened with tears as she spoke.

Applause erupted from the audience.

Mason took the microphone, his voice filled with anger. "As a father, it breaks my heart to see my son humiliated in front of a national audience. Samuel is a man, too. One day, he'll have a kid of his own. How would he feel if his child were treated this way? I only want justice for Jason."

Then, he turned to look at Jason.

They rested their hands on each other's shoulders, patting one another.

Jason sighed, then forced a bitter smile. "I don't hate Mr. Litt. Everyone, please stop insulting him. He might have his reasons."

Someone shouted, "Jason, you're too kind! Your family sure raised you well!"

I sat in the corner, watching their performance. Every expression, every line, and every pause was as carefully planned as if it had been practiced over and over again.

They weren't holding a press conference.

They were shooting a movie.

And I was the villain in their story.

The host took the stage.

"Next, a member from the Musicians' Association will announce the disciplinary action against Samuel Litt."

A middle-aged man wearing glasses stood up, unfolding a sheet of paper.

"After our evaluation committee reviewed the situation, we have decided to revoke Samuel's status as a judge for the International Piano Competition and revoke his award as the 'Outstanding Young Musician of the Year'. Additionally, we suggest that music academies and organizations stop working with him.

"At the same time, we call upon Mr. Litt to admit he was wrong and issue a public apology."

The applause seemed to go on forever.

Everyone stood up, except me.

I slowly took off my hat and mask, revealing myself.

"Wait."

My voice wasn't loud, yet the sound system carried my words.

A sudden hush fell over the venue. The crowd turned toward me in unison.

On stage, Emma's expression changed, Mason's tears stopped instantly, and Jason's smile froze on his face.

With countless cameras pointed at me, I approached the stage, one step at a time.

"You wanted justice, right? I'll give it to you."