Chapter 532

Evelyn turned to storm off in fury.

Leonard let out a mocking scoff. "How old are you really? A grown woman still running to daddy when things don't go your way? Maybe you should just crawl back under his wing permanently if you're going to act this childish."

Cassandra's eyes burned with rage, her entire frame shaking with barely contained anger.

The cutting words froze Evelyn in place, torn between leaving and staying.

Blinded by fury, Cassandra lunged forward, hand raised to strike.

Evelyn caught the wrist mid-air, her gaze turning icy.

"I came here to study under Mr. Herty, not to entertain your tantrums. This orchestra isn't your personal playground. Consider this your only warning - stay away from me. Next time, you won't walk away so easily."

Every practice room was equipped with high-definition surveillance. Any physical altercation would be clearly documented.

Cassandra bit her lip hard.

Violence was strictly prohibited in the orchestra. Any physical confrontation meant severe consequences. Not even her father, the deputy conductor, could overlook such blatant evidence without compromising his authority.

Cassandra lowered her hand with visible effort. "Just wait until Mr. Herty returns from his trip. I can't wait to see you get thrown out!"

The orchestra had zero tolerance for dead weight.

New members required a mentor's guidance and approval before earning performance privileges.

Without an instructor, even if Evelyn had connections to get in, she'd remain perpetually stuck as an apprentice.

Cassandra flopped onto her chair, preparing to practice her violin when Leonard suddenly entered.

All eyes brightened at his unexpected appearance.

Cassandra sprang to her feet, eyes gleaming. "Mr. Herty! We don't have a masterclass scheduled today, do we?"

As the orchestra's brightest star, Leonard commanded attention wherever he went.

Given his prestigious status, he rarely attended regular rehearsals.

He only appeared for significant state events, making his presence now particularly noteworthy.

Leonard's gaze swept across the room before settling on Evelyn.

"I'm here for my new apprentice."

"Apprentice?"

Leonard gestured impatiently. "Stop dawdling. Come greet your new teacher properly!"

Cassandra and her two companions stood frozen.

Their jaws dropped comically wide, as if trying to catch invisible flies.

"Mr. Herty...you're taking her as your student?"

Leonard turned to Cassandra. "I've been watching this remarkable talent for some time. Better claim her before another master snatches her away."

He called out again, sharper this time. "Evelyn! Stop wasting my time."

Evelyn approached with her cello. "Mr. Herty."

Cassandra's mind reeled.

Leonard had placed Evelyn on an impossibly high pedestal.

More shockingly, his wording suggested Evelyn hadn't sought him out - he'd actively chosen her.

Among all the musicians vying for Leonard's attention, countless had begged to become his students only to be rejected. Yet here he was, selecting Evelyn as his final protégé.

"Why can't that honor be mine?" Cassandra seethed inwardly.

For three consecutive years, she'd personally visited Leonard's residence. Even with her father's influence as deputy conductor, Leonard had remained unmoved!