Chapter 403

Victoria couldn’t suppress the rising tide of dread. Was it really her coming back?

But that couldn’t be.

She remembered clearly—she had made sure she would never return.

Yet, the haunting melody drifting through the halls sent chills down Victoria’s spine.

It hadn’t been Victoria whom the Montgomery family had originally sought. It had been Cassandra.

Blinded by envy, Victoria had orchestrated the perfect deception, stealing Cassandra’s identity and ensuring she would never learn the truth.

But Alexander had eventually uncovered the switch. Victoria had feigned ignorance, claiming she’d only met a girl like Cassandra at an orphanage years ago, unable to recall what had become of her.

In truth, that girl had been in the same orphanage as Victoria.

Her scheming had driven Cassandra away, adopted by another family before Alexander could ever find his real sister.

Alexander had brought Victoria into the Montgomery family, where she played the part of the amnesiac heiress flawlessly.

Over time, Victoria had almost convinced herself she was the true Montgomery heir.

Now, hearing that melody again, her blood ran cold.

The piece had been composed by Harrison to comfort the orphanage children—a secret only they knew.

Back then, none of the other children could play the piano except Cassandra, the real Montgomery heiress.

Harrison had adored her, praising her talent endlessly, always wishing for her to find a wealthy family.

Victoria had seethed with jealousy.

She, too, had dreamed of being adopted into luxury. But every time an opportunity arose, Harrison would only recommend Cassandra, leaving Victoria forgotten.

That bitterness had festered until she stole Cassandra’s life.

Later, she learned Cassandra’s adoptive family wasn’t rich—they had taken her in only because they couldn’t have children of their own.

For years, Victoria had reveled in her stolen wealth.

At first, she had lived in constant fear, terrified the Montgomerys would discover the truth and cast her out.

But as time passed, her worries faded. She began to believe she’d gotten away with it.

Now, hearing that melody—every note, every pause, exactly as she remembered—her breath caught.

It was her. Cassandra had returned.

Panicked, Victoria bolted through the halls, her hands trembling as she flung open doors, searching desperately.

The thought of the real heiress being found filled her with terror. It would ruin everything.

She had to protect her place in the Montgomery family. No matter what.

Upstairs, in a quiet classroom, Evelyn stopped playing and sighed. “I can’t remember much… just these few notes.”

When she was adopted as a child, she had fallen gravely ill, and most of her memories of the orphanage had faded.

But this melody—this one piece—remained sharp in her mind.

“It sounds like a lullaby. You played it beautifully. That’s a strong foundation,” Donovan said.

“What you need now is practice. Pick one piece to master. If Anthony tries to cause trouble, you’ll be ready.”

Evelyn nodded gratefully. “Thank you, Mr. Prescott.”

After a few more instructions, Donovan left her to practice alone.

Apart from this lullaby, Evelyn only knew the pieces Christopher had taught her.

Donovan had given her a few more to work on. But for now, this was all she had.