Chapter 489

The morning sun cast long shadows as Evelyn Carter stepped onto the campus grounds, an inexplicable sense of foreboding settling in her chest.

Her fingers tightened around her bag strap as intuition whispered warnings of impending trouble.

The cab ride to the university had been uneventful, yet her nerves remained taut. Elizabeth Hartwell approached with purposeful strides. "Evelyn, could you reach Danielle Spencer?"

"Danielle?" Evelyn's brows furrowed. "We haven't spoken since discovering she filed that anonymous complaint against me. What's happened?"

"The disciplinary committee uncovered multiple violations in her record." Elizabeth adjusted her glasses. "Between the damage from her false report and previous infractions - including posting private photos of her roommate online - the decision's been made to expel her. We need her signature on the paperwork, but she's vanished."

Expulsion? The severity of the punishment caught Evelyn off guard. She'd anticipated perhaps probation or academic penalties.

Elizabeth continued, voice firm, "The evidence against her is incontrovertible. This wasn't a decision made lightly."

Evelyn exhaled sharply, realizing how little she'd truly known about the girl she once considered a friend. "I haven't heard from her. Doubt she'd reach out to me now."

"Understood. We've notified campus security. If you hear anything, contact me immediately."

As Elizabeth departed, Evelyn turned toward the music building, her footsteps echoing in the empty corridor. The practice room door creaked as she pushed it open.

The grand piano stood silent, its polished surface reflecting fragmented memories of duets played with Danielle. Those moments now felt like scenes from someone else's life.

A derisive laugh shattered the quiet. "Still fantasizing about becoming a concert pianist? Dreaming of joining maestro Armstrong's ensemble?" Victoria Sinclair leaned against the doorframe, lips curled. "Someone of your mediocre talent could never measure up."

Evelyn's fingers hovered above the keys. "You speak as if you could."

"Because I choose not to." Victoria's eyes narrowed. "Do you honestly believe Victoria Sinclair couldn't if she wanted?"

Evelyn studied the girl before her, searching for traces of the childhood bully she barely remembered. Illness had stolen most memories from her orphanage days - save for a single children's song the matron had taught them.

Victoria alone knew the secret meaning behind that melody, knowledge she guarded fiercely. As long as that truth remained hidden, Evelyn would never reclaim her rightful place among the Montgomerys.

"Funny," Evelyn mused, "I recall hearing you auditioned for Armstrong last spring. Didn't he call your interpretation 'amateurish'?"

Victoria's cheeks flushed crimson. She'd meant to intimidate, not have her failures thrown back at her. "Even if true, you'll never surpass me. Private tutors since age five, masterclasses with world-renowned pianists - you're just a hobbyist with delusions of grandeur."

Evelyn's laughter rang clear. "If I'm such an amateur, why do I frighten you so?"

That familiar, infuriating smile transported Victoria back to their childhood - to days when the orphanage matron praised Evelyn's natural talent, predicting greatness while Victoria struggled through scales.

The old jealousy burned fresh as she stormed away, the piano's first haunting notes chasing her down the hall.