Chapter 423

Chapter 423 Commotion Backstage Although she wasn’t in the mood to watch, Tessa nodded in response.

The orchestra members knew but couldn’t say anything more. They then went off to prepare for their performance.

When everyone had left, Tessa wiped her tears from the corners of her eyes before rousing herself up to find out the reason for her violin strings to snap.

However, it was a fruitless endeavor, as she had no knowledge when it came to something like this.

It was at this time that Scott entered the lounge.

“Let me take a look.” Scott had his hand out while standing in front of Tessa.

Slightly taken aback, she managed to nod before wordlessly passing her violin to him.

Scott took the violin and started examining the violin in his hands. He placed one of the strings under a light and made his observation. “The strings seem to have been cut by something external; the area where the strings snapped is smooth.”

When he uttered those words, everyone immediately gathered around them.

With a frown, they questioned Scott, “Mr. Scott, are you sure someone maliciously caused this?”

“I’m sure,” he answered with confidence in his tone.

All at once, the crowd went into an uproar.

“My God, just who would be this unethical so as to maliciously damage someone else’s violin?!”

“But the only ones backstage here are part of our orchestra. Could it be an inside job?”

“Are you saying that someone from our ensemble ruined the violin? God, that’s just terrible. Was it done out of jealousy toward Tessa?”

Just when the discussion was turning heated, Hathaway’s voice—that carried an authoritative tone—

came from the back of the crowd.

“What do you mean by jealousy toward Tessa?”

“Miss Hathaway.” The crowd immediately made way for Hathaway upon noticing her.

Hathaway glanced at the girls before asking, “What were you talking about just now?”

This question was actually directed at Scott and Tessa.

Before Tessa could get a word in, Scott immediately replied, “Miss Hathaway, I believe that Miss Reinhart’s violin strings were cut by someone with a malicious intent.”

Hathaway’s face grew dark upon Scott’s words. Immediately, she stepped forward and grabbed the violin in Scott’s hand before examining it. True enough, she reached the same conclusion as her expression turned into one of anger.

“Investigate this. I will find out who’s the fool daring enough to pull off this kind of foul play!”

Hearing this, Kathleen—who was standing at the side—turned slightly nervous.

The crowd held their breath when they noticed just how angry Hathaway was. The assistant heeded her order and immediately went to investigate the matter.

Fortunately, the emcee came into the lounge and broke the tension in the air by rushing for the next performance. “Mr. Brooks, Kathleen, your performance is coming up in 2 minutes. Please get into position.”

Scott nodded before offering words of comfort to Tessa. “Since your mentor has already ordered someone to investigate the matter, I’m sure that we’ll find out about it soon. Kathleen and I will take our leave here to prepare for our performance. We’ll come back to you after we’re done.”

Still standing at the side, Kathleen harbored a surge of resentment toward Tessa as Scott had never treated her the way he treated Tessa before.

However, Tessa did not notice the resentment in Kathleen’s eyes. Instead, she urged for Scott to leave.

“I’m fine. You two should hurry and make preparations. It’s almost time for your performance.”

When she was done, the emcee came in once more to urge them as well.

Scott nodded before turning back to Kathleen to leave the lounge with her.

Just before Scott turned to face Kathleen, Kathleen reined her emotions in and kept her expression in check. She then flashed a smile. “Mommy, it’ll be my turn soon. Will you come watch?”

In truth, Kathleen did not want her mother to be with Tessa. Sometimes, she even had the feeling that her mother was becoming Tessa’s mother instead.

This was because Kathleen had observed her mother’s treatment of Tessa was gradually becoming better. At times, even more so than her own daughter.

Though Hathaway was unaware of what her daughter was thinking, she did not reject her daughter’s request.

With a wave of her hand, Hathaway replied, “Just go ahead and perform. I’ll head on over later.”

Kathleen was slightly disappointed but could not delay the schedule any longer as the emcee came rushing the performers again.

“Alright, Mommy. Remember to come watch my performance.”

Saying that, Kathleen and Scott left the area.

With the two out of the way, Hathaway waved her hand as a gesture for the other members to leave as well.

Soon after, the others left them alone.

Only Tessa was left where she sat while hugging her violin, as she remained depressed over the incident.