Klaus stood there, his fists clenched and his chest rising with heavy breaths, glaring at Janine. He was still boiling with anger from everything that had happened.He didn’t know how to take back control, but his harsh words had hit their mark. He wanted to tear her down completely, to remind her of her worthlessness, her place beneath him."You think you can fool everyone, don't you, Janine?" Klaus sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "You think you’re some kind of talented musician, some prodigy? Ha!" His laugh was harsh, mocking, and echoed off the walls. "You’re nothing more than a joke, just like all the other women who play their little violins for men in Drakemont."As he spoke, his gaze shifted to Asher, his eyes burning with a twisted sense of superiority. "In Drakemont, only men have the honor of being respected musicians," he spat. "The women who think they can play, they end up in the brothels, don’t they? Striking their guitars while their bodies are sold for c

Julian leaned in, his voice a low, venomous whisper as he began to lay out his plan.“Here’s how it begins, Juliet,” he murmured, his breath brushing against her ear. “At the anniversary celebration, all eyes will be on Asher. He thinks this is his stage, his moment of triumph. But we…” his voice grew darker, “we’ll turn it into his downfall.”He paused, letting the words settle before continuing. “My father and the Left Chancellor had a private meeting last week,” Julian added, his tone laced with intrigue. “I overheard enough to know they’ve decided it’s time to deal with Asher. The 100th anniversary? It’s more than just a celebration. It’s the stage for their plan.”Juliet’s eyes widened, and a sly grin spread across her face. The thought of powerful figures plotting Asher’s ruin filled her with newfound confidence. “So, they’re finally going to do it?” she asked, her voice tinged with eager anticipation.Julian nodded, his expression unreadable. “They haven’t shared the details

Janine’s first note on the violin hit the air, sharp and clear, stopping all conversation.Then, as the music continued, something deeper emerged—a song that seemed to come straight from her heart. Her bow moved smoothly over the strings, and her voice joined in, strong and clear.Her voice wasn’t just singing—it was telling a story of struggle and strength, of hurt and survival. Each word she sang felt like it carried a part of her journey, filling the room with something real and powerful.Each word and note from Janine seemed to hit the crowd harder than the last, changing their minds about her in real time.The room was still, everyone watching in awe, some with tears in their eyes. Her voice soared higher, filled with so much emotion, it was impossible to ignore. It wasn’t just a song—it was Janine standing tall, showing the world who she truly was.Juliet, hidden in the background, felt the weight of Janine’s performance. It hit her like a punch, making her uncomfortable as she

The sun shone through the windows, lighting up the small but nice room with a soft, golden glow. Janine gently tucked the blanket around Helen, Klaus’s sick mother. Even though the maids were nearby, she always chose to look after Helen herself. It gave her a bit of calm in her messy life. Her mind spun as she thought about the night ahead. Asher had promised to pick her up for the big ceremony, saying she deserved to shine after all she'd been through. His words stuck with her, giving her hope. "Don't be late, Janine," he had told her the night before, his voice steady. "This night will change everything." She let out a sigh, trying to stay focused as she gently wiped Helen’s hands with a damp cloth. A faint sound made her pause, and she looked down to see Helen’s eyes fluttering open. The older woman barely moved, but her lips parted, and a weak, raspy voice broke the stillness. “Janine…” Helen’s voice was soft but clear enough to stop Janine in her tracks. She froze. “Helen?

Robert’s voice cracked with a blend of frustration and sorrow. He stood there, staring at Klaus, as though searching for some shred of humanity that once existed in his son. "You saved this family, Klaus," Robert began in a steady tone, "I won’t deny that. But that doesn’t make you a hero. "It just makes you someone who did what needed to be done. What we all should have done together. You acted alone, and you acted like you were doing us a favor." Klaus’s face twisted with anger and his fists clenched at his sides. "What the hell do you know about favors, old man?" His words spat out like venom. "Do you think I wanted to do this alone? You think I enjoyed watching this family crumble while you hid behind your excuses and your sick wife?" Robert took a step forward. "No, Klaus. I know you didn’t want to do it alone. But you didn’t have to make the rest of us feel like burdens. When a family faces struggles, we should stand together. We help each other. It’s not about being gratefu