Chapter 296

Just as Emily Blair expected, the online discussion threads about the Starlight Piano Competition were completely dominated by Isabella Austin’s fans. Not a single post mentioned Vivian Martin or even questioned the outcome. Instead, the threads were flooded with glowing praise for Isabella-her performance, her looks, her
impeccable sense of style.
Every post featured carefully edited photos taken by Isabella’s devoted followers. In each snapshot, she looked almost ethereal, flawless from every angle.
A few clueless newcomers tried to ask about the results of the final round, but Isabella’s fans brushed them off with vague, evasive answers, quickly steering the conversation back to their idol.
It was all just a little too perfect.
Emily tried searching with different keywords, hoping to find something more substantial. After several attempts, she finally stumbled across a few scattered posts discussing the incident between Vivian Martin and Isabella Austin. Most of these were from random bystanders, simply curious about what had happened at the final, asking if Isabella had really plagiarized. There were just a handful of these posts, and none offered any real answers.
She put her phone away, her suspicions confirmed.
Andrew Lane had intervened, no doubt. It didn’t surprise her in the least—she’d seen all these tactics before, in another life.
Just as she’d once told herself, even when Andrew Lane knew exactly what Isabella Austin had done, he still stood behind her, cleaning up her messes and paving her way to the top of the piano world.
But could they really keep everyone silent forever?
Emily recalled the number of followers on Isabella’s social media account the day before—and noticed that the count had already dropped. She had anticipated this. Most of the audience at the Starlight Piano Competition final were Isabella’s fans, which was precisely why Emily had chosen that moment to reveal the truth.
She knew that even if the fans refused to believe it at first, they would be forced to reconsider their blind loyalty. Some would quietly unfollow, unwilling to keep supporting someone whose reputation had been tainted. After all, Isabella’s attempts to clear her name were feeble at best.
Sure, a few die-hard fans rushed to her defense, but the majority fell silent, watching and waiting. It was hard to turn on someone you’d idolized for so long, to suddenly call her a fraud and hurl insults at her. But if Isabella wanted to win them back, she’d have to address the scandal openly and honestly.
The next morning, Emily woke to find a new housekeeper in her hospital room, hired by Andrew Lane.
She tried to send the woman away, but the housekeeper said nothing. She quietly gathered up last night’s empty containers, replaced them with fresh ones, and set a beautifully arranged, nutritious breakfast on the nightstand. The aroma drifted through the room.
Emily stared, expressionless.
“Ms. Blair,” the woman said kindly, “you haven’t washed up yet, have you? I noticed you’re having trouble moving around, so I’ve brought your toothbrush and a basin of water. You can freshen up right here in bed.”
As she spoke, the housekeeper brought over a cup filled with water, the basin, and a toothbrush already prepared with toothpaste.
Emily didn’t respond. She glanced around the room, craning her neck to peer into the small bathroom attached to her private hospital room.
“Looking for Ms. George?” the housekeeper asked gently.
Emily met her gaze, saying nothing.
“She just stepped out for a bit. Said she had something to take care of, but she’ll be back soon.”
The housekeeper handed her the toothbrush and water. “Let’s get you freshened up first, Ms. Blair. And try to eat breakfast while it’s still warm.”
This time, Emily didn’t refuse. She knew Andrew Lane would insist on hiring someone to look after her, whether she liked it or not.
After she’d washed up and finished her breakfast, it was just past nine o’clock-the time when the official results of the Starlight Piano Competition finals would be announced.
Because of her condition, Emily couldn’t attend the ceremony in person. Instead, it was Arianna George who would bring her the news.
Isabella Austin had taken first place.