Chapter 140

Chapter 140:

Still, any guest Marcus personally invited would belong to the top tier of the music world. Performing with someone of his status could set a career in motion.

With a forced patience, Paola added, “Marcus said he invited a close friend, and this seat is theirs. If you really want the front row that badly, we can trade. I’ll be backstage soon anyway p>

Rylie’s fingers tapped gently on the armrest, a faint smile curling at the edge of her lips. “If it’s meant for his guest, then this is exactly where I should be sitting p>

Paola’s eyes flickered at Rylie’s words. A question formed in her mind—had Marcus really invited Rylie as a special guest?

Isabella snapped, “Alright, Miss Owen, we all remember how you caused a scene at the last auction. I’ll admit, you have some taste, but Marcus only invites top-tier musicians. Are you one of them p>

Rylie smirked. “I could be p>

Isabella rolled her eyes and scoffed. “I studied music formally. I know all the top musicians, except for the mysterious X. Aria. And you, Miss Owen—I’ve never heard of you p>

Paola quietly agreed. X. Aria had lived abroad for years and was known only through his music. It didn’t seem likely that Rylie had any ties to someone like that. Paola didn’t doubt Rylie had some talent, but as a special guest? That was hard to believe.

She lowered her gaze and spoke softly, “Rylie, today is Marcus’ solo concert. I want everything to go perfectly, please p>

The people nearby began to look at Rylie with disapproval. Baila frowned. “Miss Owen, Paola is your cousin, so maybe you think you can push her around. But today isn’t the day. Don’t embarrass the Owen family p>

Rylie nodded. “Alright p>

She stood, then glanced around. “But if I don’t sit in front, I won’t have a seat p>

Paola smiled gently. “Then take mine. I’ll stand beside you p>

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Isabella muttered under her breath, “So Marcus didn’t even give her a ticket? She’s in the standing area p>

Baila added, “Not every Owen likes this girl who suddenly popped up. She’s nowhere near Paola’s level p>

Another woman chimed in, “Paola is also a guest of Marcus. She can’t be standing at the back—what does that look like? Since Rylie has a standing ticket, she should stand. She’s still an Owen, after all. How can she take someone else’s seat p>

Rylie had seen through these little tricks before—with Stacey, with others. Back then, she’d stayed quiet for the sake of family, and it only made things worse. She wasn’t going to make the same mistake twice.

Just as she reached for her phone to call Marcus over to deal with them, a deep, lazy voice interrupted. “Sorry I’m late p>

The voice was familiar. Rylie turned, stunned, as the spotlight caught a tall figure walking in. Brad’s once pale skin now glowed with health. His sharp features, high nose bridge, and faint smile made him stand out effortlessly.

He walked straight toward her. “Why didn’t you sit? You got here before me.” He sat down on the VIP sofa next to her and looked up with a light smile. Then, he scooted to one side and patted the narrow space left. “What are you standing for? I bought a standing ticket. Don’t tell me you’re going back on your word and won’t let me sit p>