Chapter 4

"SMASH!"

A sickening, heavy crash echoed through the empty dressing room.

Wood splinters flew everywhere.

The strings snapped with a sharp hiss.

"The Siren’s Lament"—a masterpiece that had survived centuries of history and was treasured by legendary musicians.

In an instant, it was shattered into pieces.

Reduced to a pile of worthless scrap wood.

I stood up abruptly.

My pupils dilated.

My heart felt like it was being squeezed to death by an invisible hand.

That wasn't just a violin.

It was a treasure of the musical world.

The soulmate I had dreamed of playing for countless days and nights.

"Bianca, are you insane?!"

I grit my teeth, my voice trembling violently.

Looking at the mess on the floor.

Bianca’s eyes suddenly turned red.

Heavy tears rolled down her cheeks.

She threw herself onto the floor.

Covering her face, she began to wail hysterically.

"Valerie, I know you hate me for taking this violin."

"But how could you smash it?!"

"Julian spent a fortune at the auction for this!"

"How could you be so cruel?!"

I watched her pathetic acting with cold detachment.

I felt utterly disgusted.

Right then.

The dressing room door was kicked open with a loud bang.

Julian’s cousin, Tyler Vance, rushed in with several burly bodyguards.

He immediately saw Bianca crying on the floor.

And the shattered pieces of wood.

Tyler’s face darkened instantly.

He stormed over.

Pointing a finger right at my face, he roared.

"Valerie, are you out of your mind?!"

"Julian was nice enough to let you work in his company, and you dare to bully Bianca?!"

"You even smashed such an expensive violin!"

"Can you even afford to pay for this, you worthless gold digger?!"