Chapter 521

The girl's skeptical gaze burned into Evelyn, but she chose not to elaborate further.

Her cello case weighed heavily against her shoulder as she entered the rehearsal space. Spotting an unoccupied chair near the back, she made her way toward it.

"Really committing to this charade, aren't you?" Cassandra Brown scoffed, crossing her arms. "Just because Mr. Herty's away doesn't give you license to waltz in here using his name. This isn't some amateur ensemble - standards matter here."

Ethan Miller stepped forward, his voice calm. "Easy there, Cassandra. What's the harm in letting her sit? That seat's been empty all morning."

"Whose side are you on, Ethan?" Cassandra snapped. "Don't tell me you're falling for this pretty face like some lovesick puppy."

Ethan glanced at Evelyn with thoughtful eyes. "She doesn't strike me as dishonest. Besides, the truth will come out when Mr. Herty returns from his conference."

His attention lingered on the distinctive bracelet adorning Evelyn's wrist - the official orchestra access pass that granted entry to restricted areas. Its presence confirmed at least one truth: Evelyn belonged here.

The weekend rehearsal buzzed with energy, musicians practicing freely without instructors present. The cello section was running through a complex piece for next week's performance.

Evelyn listened intently, noting each player's distinctive interpretation. The skill level here surpassed anything she'd encountered before. Coming to this orchestra had clearly been the right decision.

Wanting to familiarize herself with the building, she quietly excused herself from the rehearsal room. Cassandra's lips curled in triumph as she watched Evelyn leave.

"Pathetic amateur," Cassandra muttered under her breath, confident her intimidation tactics had worked. No one could threaten her position as principal cellist - least of all some newcomer.

After stopping by the campus store for supplies, Evelyn returned to her dorm to organize her belongings. Night fell unnoticed as she worked, her stomach eventually reminding her she hadn't eaten.

Venturing out into the darkened campus, she struggled to navigate the unfamiliar layout. Just as she considered asking for directions, a sudden metallic clang shattered the silence.

The noise startled her - this section of campus stood deserted at night, the daytime bustle replaced by an eerie stillness broken only by the whispering wind.

Her pulse quickened as she scanned the shadows, fists clenched at her sides. Then she saw it - the glint of steel in the flowerbed where she'd just walked. A gun lay where none had been moments before.

Her blood turned to ice.

Every instinct screamed at her to leave, but her legs refused to cooperate. Taking steadying breaths, she finally willed herself to move when a new sound froze her in place.

From the dense shrubbery came a man's mocking chuckle, the sound raising goosebumps along her arms. She could feel his predatory gaze locked onto her back.

Evelyn resisted the urge to turn around. As a newcomer, playing ignorant seemed the safest course.

"Running away so soon?" the voice taunted. "Seems you've forgotten our little arrangement."