Chapter 3

At Evelyn's words, Dad's expression darkened.

Professor Coleman just had to step closer and continue fanning the flames.

"Mr. Burch, Evelyn is absolutely right! Not only did Nadine steal the sheet music, but she also stayed inside for 20 minutes. Who knows what despicable methods she used to seduce Emery in there!

"In the music world, the standard punishment for plagiarism is to cripple her hands. That'll put an end to her parading around."

Hearing this, Dad turned around and raised his hand to slap me once more.

But I didn't let him succeed this time. I sidestepped to dodge and grabbed hold of his wrist.

"Dad, before you start swinging, you'd better figure out what's really going on."

Dad looked at me in disbelief, seemingly shocked by my defiance.

"Unbelievable! This is outright rebellion, you ungrateful brat! As if plagiarizing and disgracing yourself weren't enough, now you dare to raise a hand against your father?

"Figure out what's going on? The situation is that you shamelessly plagiarized Evelyn's composition and tried to steal the man that rightfully belongs to her!"

Eyes glinting with cruelty, Dad turned and roared at the bodyguards behind him, "Hold her down! Since she's so fond of taking the devious path and stealing other people's work with those hands, then break them! Let's see how she plays the piano after that!"

Mom watched coldly from the sidelines and even chimed in, "She needs to be taught a lesson, lest she uses those good looks of hers to go out and ruin our family's reputation!"

This was favoritism and viciousness in their most extreme forms.

In my previous life, it was precisely these methods that they used to break my spirit and drive me into madness.

The two bodyguards stationed at the door moved at the command and stepped forward to grab me.

"Hold it."

I stepped back and drew a folding knife from my pocket. The blade glinted coldly under the crystal chandelier. "Try laying a hand on me, and I'll make sure blood gets drawn today.

"A person with nothing to lose fears no one with everything to keep. You've already backed me into a corner anyway, so I'll happily take a few of you down with me."

I toyed idly with the blade as my gaze swept over Mom, Dad, Evelyn, and Professor Coleman.

The entire room fell deathly silent.

Everyone was taken aback by the sheer menace I exuded.

Mom even shrieked in fright and shielded Evelyn behind her. "W-What do you think you're doing? Are you going to commit murder now too?"

Dad was also shaking with fury. "You've truly gone mad! I'll have you committed to a mental institution!"

"A mental institution?" I sneered. "Sounds like a fine place. But before I go, we need to settle the score first."

I pointed the tip of the knife at the stack of "evidence" on Professor Coleman's table.

"Professor Coleman, you accuse me of plagiarizing Evelyn. The evidence is this sheet music, correct?"

Professor Coleman swallowed hard, forcing herself to maintain a bold front.

"That's right! Isn't this enough?"

"Then I'd like to ask—since you all say I'm a worthless fool who can barely read sheet music, how exactly was I able to stay in there for 20 minutes with nothing but these rough drafts?

"Unless Evelyn's title of 'genius composer' is nothing but an empty name, and her performance is actually inferior to a complete beginner like me?"

I paused, my gaze blazing like torches.

"Or is it that you colluded with Evelyn in advance to plant this sheet music into my bag, then waited for me to come out so you could pin the blame squarely on me?"

Professor Coleman turned pale in the face before shrieking out of sheer desperation, "Don't you dare slander us with your baseless accusations! Evelyn's excellence is evident for all to see. Why would she even need to frame you?

"The sheet music was found right inside that ratty canvas bag of yours. You were caught red-handed with stolen goods, yet you keep denying it to the bitter end."

The more frantic she became, the calmer I remained.

"Oh, calm down, Professor Coleman. If you can't be certain about the sheet music, can you at least be certain that I actually performed on that stage?"

At these words, Evelyn felt her heart lurch as an inexplicable sense of dread washed over her.

Forcing herself to stay composed, she said, "Nadine, just give it up. Your name is clearly written on the performance list, right after mine. So, how could you possibly not have performed?

"I practiced playing on the piano every day until my fingertips bled to compose Starry Night Fantasia. Not only did you steal it to seduce Emery, but now you also want to turn around and frame me? Do you have no conscience at all?"

"Is that so?" I put away the folding knife and looked straight at her. "Then why don't we just request to review tonight's footage right now? I'm also very curious to see exactly how I 'plagiarized' you."