Chapter 276: Will Not Turn Back Again

The observing instructors, orchestra directors, and veteran members all saw through Nora's true character.

No matter how gifted she was, with such twisted values and ingratitude, she absolutely could not remain in the core team.

That day after rehearsal ended, the orchestra immediately suspended all of Nora's rehearsal privileges, demanding a thorough investigation into her motives while awaiting disciplinary notice.

Everyone assumed this was simply a newcomer's unbalanced mentality—jealousy of seniors leading to impulsive slander.

Only Aria knew clearly that things were definitely not that simple.

Ordinary newcomer jealousy wouldn't carry such targeted malice.

She vaguely sensed that Nora and Lucas must share some unknown connection.

To thoroughly uncover the truth and eliminate endless future harassment, Aria proactively contacted Becky.

After the families had settled their grievances and the Moore family took Lucas back home, she and Becky had barely communicated, only keeping each other's contact information.

Becky would definitely know this person's relationship with Lucas.

When the call connected, Aria skipped pleasantries and directly inquired about Nora's origins.

After hearing the full story of Nora's public defamation and targeted revenge, Becky instantly understood and didn't hide anything, revealing the complete truth.

"Aria, I'll be straight with you. Nora is Lucas's die-hard fan and his longtime devoted follower."

"During Lucas's time back home, he frequently shared his musical creative process online. Nora has been fanatically devoted to him, extremely worshipful, convinced Lucas is the most talented and most wronged person."

"When Lucas's scandal broke and he was forced to return home bearing disgrace, while domestic netizens debated his faults, only Nora maintained from beginning to end that Lucas was the victim. She's always felt indignant on his behalf, believing you were ungrateful, stole his credit, and ruined his future."

"She deliberately applied to your orchestra this time not to pursue her dreams, but specifically to avenge Lucas."

The truth finally came to light.

After listening, Aria felt no surprise, only exhaustion.

She had genuinely thought that after that dignified dinner half a year ago, with both families settling everything and Lucas returning home, all grievances should have completely ended.

She thought they would never interfere with each other again, each living well.

But she never imagined that though Lucas had returned home, loyal followers remained, willingly fighting injustice on his behalf.

To completely resolve this matter, she still needed to contact Lucas.

Aria directly pulled up the long-dormant number from her contacts.

The moment the call connected, a hoarse, low voice tinged with decadent exhaustion came through.

Half a year later, this was their first phone call since their complete rupture.

Lucas clearly still had her number saved. Hearing her call, he instantly tensed, his tone carrying surprise and disbelief.

Under strict supervision at home with restricted freedom, he lived daily in endless regret and longing, suffering day and night.

He had countless times reviewed their old photos, countless times regretted his past actions.

He even fantasized that if he could have one chance to start over, to hear her voice again, to speak one more sentence with her, he would be completely satisfied.

And this unexpected call became the only light in his gray, decadent life.

Before Aria could speak, Lucas had already eagerly initiated, his tone humble and urgent.

"Aria? Is that you? You finally called me. Have you finally thought it through? Have you finally stopped hating me? Are you willing to give me another chance?"

"I've really changed now. I'll never be irrationally suspicious again. I know I was completely wrong. I've regretted it for half a year straight. Every single day I think of you. Can we... start over?"

His voice carried suppressed choking, humble yet urgent—still the familiar self-moved obsession.

Even after half a year, he still hadn't completely awakened.

He still believed that as long as he admitted fault and reformed himself, Aria would turn back, would give him a chance to start over.

On this end, Aria's expression remained calm, her eyes devoid of ripples.

Hearing his humble pleading, her heart felt not the slightest stirring.

Without waiting for him to continue entangling, she directly stated her purpose.

"Lucas, I'm calling not to forgive you, much less to reconcile. I'm only telling you one thing: your devoted follower Nora deliberately applied to my orchestra, infiltrated the core vocal section, used her newcomer status to lie in wait, and maliciously targeted me."

"I'm calling today to tell you that half a year ago we completely settled everything. All your sacrifices and contributions were entirely results of your own obsessive selfishness and have nothing whatsoever to do with me."

"From now on, any of your fans or followers who harass or defame me in your name—I'll pursue every case through official channels to the fullest extent."

These words directly shattered all of Lucas's fantasies and expectations from the past half year.

Lucas completely froze, his heart feeling as if gripped tightly by a hand, nearly suffocating.

He had endured half a year of torment and loneliness, sustained by a slim thread of hope, believing that as long as he reformed, he would eventually get a chance for her to turn back.

But this call completely pronounced his death sentence.

He finally fully understood.

Aria had truly let go.

All his regrets were worthless in her eyes.

Lucas's voice trembled as he attempted one last feeble salvage.

"Aria... is there really not even the slightest chance? I've really changed, I truly know I was wrong, I really..."

Aria didn't wait for him to finish, coldly interrupting without any softening in her tone.

"No. There's nothing more to say. This is my last call to you. From now on, don't contact or disturb me in any way."

As her words fell, Aria hung up without the slightest hesitation.

The moment the busy signal sounded, Lucas, far away in his home country, completely collapsed powerlessly into his chair.

All light in his eyes completely extinguished, leaving only boundless regret and despair.

He finally understood completely.

In this lifetime, he had truly lost Aria forever.

After hanging up, Aria casually deleted all of Lucas's contact information.

That same day, the orchestra also publicly announced Nora's final disciplinary action.

The orchestra determined her character was corrupt, her slander malicious, her defamation of seniors deliberate, and her disruption of team order intolerable—directly revoking her position, permanently blacklisting her from the orchestra, never to be hired.

All instructors and students, learning the complete story, unanimously approved the disciplinary decision.

No matter how talented Nora was, with such twisted motives and corrupt character, she would never deserve to stand on stage!