Chapter 130
Chapter 130
Violet
"If you can deliver a stunning performance at this dinner, your name will appear on the radar of those who truly have a say in the industry. This isn't just a performance—it's a springboard for you to reach a higher platform and continue pursuing your violin dreams. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
I clutched the sheet music tightly, my eyes starting to sting with emotion.
"Thank you, Mr. Sheldon. I know how rare this opportunity is. I won't let you down."
"Don't thank me yet, and don't get ahead of yourself." Owen straightened up and delivered a cold dose of reality without mercy. "This piece is extremely difficult. Your current level is nowhere near the perfection I demand. Starting today, I'll personally supervise your training. In addition to the orchestra's regular rehearsals, you must practice an extra hour every single day. No excuses."
"No problem." I agreed without hesitation.
Walking out of the office, the early winter sunlight streamed through the corridor windows and warmed my skin.
Clutching that weighty sheet music, I felt every drop of blood in my body boiling with excitement.
I pulled out my phone, eager to share the good news with Julian.
[Julian, I got the opening solo for the Waldorf charity gala next Saturday! Owen said there will be major figures from the classical music world attending. This is the closest I've ever been to my dream!]
It should be afternoon in London now.
Less than a minute after I sent the message, my phone buzzed.
Julian: [Congratulations, Violet. I knew you could do it.]
Through the screen, I could almost see him sitting in a high-end London conference room, wearing an impeccably tailored suit, his deep gray eyes filled with gentle warmth.
Julian: [Focus on rehearsals these next few days, but don't exhaust yourself. When I get back from this trip, I'll take you to that French restaurant you love to celebrate properly.]
Reading his message, I couldn't suppress the smile spreading across my face.
I touched the diamond bracelet on my wrist—the one he'd fastened there himself this morning. The cool metal had already warmed to my body temperature.
[Sounds good. Take care of yourself in London too. I hope your work goes well.]
Tucking my phone away, I hurried back to the dorm.
Lily was already changed and waiting for me.
"Let's go! My treat today." I waved the sheet music, in high spirits. "To celebrate getting the solo spot."
"We have to eat somewhere good! I want that new Italian place in Midtown Manhattan. I'm ordering the most expensive black truffle pasta!" Lily hooked her arm through mine excitedly.
We took a cab to the upscale Italian restaurant.
The atmosphere was elegant, the lighting dim, with the sound of a cello flowing softly through the air.
We'd just sat down by the window and ordered when a familiar, obnoxiously loud laugh rang out from the restaurant entrance.
I instinctively turned my head.
Sienna swept in wearing a flashy sequined halter dress with a luxurious fur coat draped over it, surrounded by her ever-present entourage of girlfriends.
A server respectfully led them to a spacious booth in the center of the restaurant.
Manhattan really was too small.
I turned back to my table, sipping my lemon water, determined to ignore her.
But Sienna clearly wasn't going to pass up any opportunity to stir up trouble.
She'd barely sat down when she caught sight of me from the corner of her eye.
She whispered something to the girl beside her, then stood up and walked straight toward our table in her high heels.
"Wow, look who it is." Sienna stopped beside our table, arms crossed, looking down at me with a sharp, sour sneer. "The pauper principal actually has spare cash to eat at a place like this? Don't tell me it's allowance money from that Sugar Daddy of yours who's too ashamed to show his face?"
Lily immediately set down her water glass, her face turning cold. "Sienna, did you forget to brush your teeth this morning? Your mouth reeks!"
I pressed my hand on Lily's arm, signaling her not to lose her cool.
I looked up at Sienna, my expression calm. "Sienna, if you came here looking for a fight, I'd advise you to save your energy. I'm in a great mood today and I don't feel like arguing with you."
"Great mood?" Sienna laughed as if she'd heard the funniest joke. "Oh right, I heard you got the solo spot for the Waldorf charity gala today. No wonder you're feeling so confident."
She leaned down slightly, moving closer, her eyes full of malicious mockery and contempt.
"But Violet, aren't you celebrating a bit too soon?" Sienna lowered her voice, dripping with superiority. "Do you really think landing one solo means you can squeeze into high society? That it'll cover up the fact that you're a broke student working side jobs to pay for living expenses?"
I frowned slightly, staring at her coldly.
Sienna straightened up, adjusting her fur coat, her smugness completely undisguised. "I'll be at next Saturday's gala too. But you and I? We're not the same."
She looked at me like I was some cheap commodity.
"I don't have to do anything. I just need to put on a haute couture gown, wear my family's jewelry, and walk in as an invited guest with my family, sitting in the VIP section sipping champagne. And you? "
Sienna let out a derisive laugh, her voice low but each word cutting deep.
"You'll be standing on stage like some performing street artist for us to watch. The opportunity you fought tooth and nail for? To us, it's nothing more than entertainment for the evening. Violet, that's the difference between us. You'll always be nothing but a commoner who can't rise above her station."
Her words were like a poisoned blade aimed precisely at my most sensitive class wound.
If this had been before, her speech might have cut me to pieces. I might even have felt shame and inferiority.
But now, watching her face twisted with vanity, I felt barely a ripple inside.
The confidence Julian had given me, along with my love for the violin, had long since forged me an impenetrable armor.
I picked up my lemon water, took a leisurely sip, set it down, and looked up to meet her gaze with perfect calm.
"You're right, Sienna." I leaned back in my chair, my voice completely even. "I'll be on stage playing violin. But I'm there because of my own ability, because of fifteen years of dedicated practice. Mr. Sheldon and the association recognize my talent, which is why I get to stand there."
I watched her expression freeze instantly and continued. "And you? What do you have besides bragging about the invitation your parents gave you? Without your family backing you, you wouldn't even qualify to walk through those doors."
"You—!" Sienna's face turned livid, her features contorting with rage.
"And you've got something wrong." I stared her down without backing off. "Music is meant to be appreciated, not used to divide classes. When I play that first note on stage, everyone in the room—including you—will have to sit there quietly and listen to me perform. That's where my confidence comes from."