Chapter 571

After saying farewell to Alexander, Evelyn made her way back to her dormitory.

She dropped her bag carelessly on the bed before grabbing her violin case. The music room beckoned.

As she stepped into the hallway, an unexpected figure blocked her path.

Cassandra Brown stood with her arms crossed, a smirk playing on her lips. Her cold eyes raked over Evelyn with undisguised contempt.

"Well, well," Cassandra drawled. "I saw that fancy car drop you off earlier. Figures you'd need connections to worm your way into this orchestra. How else could someone like you get Leonard Herty as a mentor?"

Evelyn brushed past without a word, pushing open the music room door.

But Cassandra wasn't finished. She followed close behind, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.

With a mocking laugh, Cassandra continued, "Don't think that pretty face will keep you here forever, Evelyn. This isn't some beauty pageant - we value actual talent, not whatever tricks you used to seduce your way in."

The truth was, Evelyn had shown remarkable improvement in just days.

Beyond regular rehearsals, Leonard had been giving her private lessons daily.

Even during group sessions, instructors couldn't stop praising her natural affinity for the violin.

Word had spread quickly about Leonard taking on a protégé. Orchestra members from other sections came to glimpse the much-talked-about newcomer.

Evelyn found herself constantly watched. Yet she remained composed, as if the attention meant nothing.

To Cassandra, this calm was infuriating.

"She's loving every second of this," Cassandra thought bitterly. "She's just playing hard to get to make them more curious."

Before Evelyn's arrival, Cassandra had been the undisputed star. Every major solo had been hers.

Now whispers suggested Cassandra's reign might be ending. The thought made her blood boil.

She was the principal cellist! This newcomer meant nothing.

Yet beneath her anger, unease grew. In mere weeks, Evelyn had earned undeniable praise. The future suddenly seemed uncertain.

Cassandra raised her voice, ensuring everyone heard.

"Someone like you joining us is an insult! So tell us, which sugar daddy bought your way in? Don't be shy - share with the class!"

A crowd gathered instantly. Cassandra's accusation sent shockwaves through them.

"Could it be true?" someone whispered.

"I did see a man drop her off in a rare sports car this morning," another added.

"God, she acts so humble but there's clearly more to her."

The whispers swelled, fingers pointing at Evelyn.

Just then, Isabella Morgan walked by with her violin.

She'd changed from the stylish outfit Evelyn bought her last night back into her usual dress.

Seeing Evelyn cornered, Isabella frowned and shot Cassandra a withering look.

As she passed Evelyn, Isabella muttered, "Pathetic. Letting trash like that walk all over you? Alexander would be ashamed."

Then Isabella turned her full attention to Cassandra.

"You're the principal cellist, correct?" Her voice cut like ice. "With all your experience, you don't recognize Alexander Whitmore? The man who dropped her off is her husband - CEO of Titan Capital Group."

The revelation struck like lightning. The crowd gasped collectively, eyes widening in shock.

Even those outside business circles knew Alexander Whitmore's name.

That Evelyn was married to one of the nation's most powerful men seemed impossible.

Cassandra stared at Evelyn, her face frozen in stunned disbelief.