This lie had disappointed her mentor, who then ended their lessons abruptly.
Now, facing each other again, Bianca felt overwhelmed with regret, feeling she had let Monica down.
After finishing a recent performance, Monica suggested a break for everyone. She set her violin aside and approached Bianca.
“You’ve been observing me closely, young lady,” Monica said softly. “Do you still have a love for the violin?”
Bianca bowed her head, nodding slightly without saying a word.
Stacey then took Bianca’s arm and addressed Monica, “Ms. Hughes, you’re correct. Bianca loves the violin. She’s been hoping for a chance to play for you, maybe even get some guidance.”
Monica glanced at Stacey with a hint of disapproval, then turned to Bianca with a gentle smile. “Okay, that sounds good to me.”
Bianca looked at the violin resting on the shelf by the pool. It had been a long time since she last played, and seeing her old instrument stirred deep emotions within her.
But she shook her head and dismissed the idea. “No, let’s not. It’s been too long. I’ve probably forgotten how to play,” she said quietly.
“Come on, just try it. There’s hardly anyone here. It won’t hurt,” Monica encouraged, her voice as supportive as it was years ago.
Bianca hesitated, but Stacey grabbed her arm and pulled her towards the violin. “Let’s go, Bianc. Ms. Hughes is right. This chance doesn’t come often. Don’t hold back,” Stacey urged.
“Stacey, let me go,” Bianca protested, frustrated by Stacey’s grip.
But Stacey persisted, placing Bianca’s hand on the violin. “Don’t be stubborn, Bianc. I’m thinking of you. You used to love playing the violin before your dad stopped you. You’ve been upset about it for years. I know you want to play again. Give it a try.”
Dave was about to step in when he saw Stacey’s firm grip, but before he could react, their struggle caused Bianca to fall into the pool.
With a splash, she hit the water.
“Oh no! Bianc! Someone help!” Stacey knelt by the pool, tears running down her face, though a faint smile revealed her true feelings. She was the one who had pushed Bianca into the water during their tussle.
Onlookers gasped as a mysterious figure quickly removed his coat and jumped into the pool.
Bianca surfaced, gasping for air, and was lifted out by someone. It was Dave who had come to her rescue. His hair was wet on his forehead, and his shirt stuck to his athletic frame.
He grabbed his jacket and draped it over Bianca, who was shivering slightly.
His hands, large and anxious, held her wet shoulders as he looked at her with concern. “Bianc, are you okay?”
Bianca blinked open her eyes to see Dave. She had watched him jump into the water without hesitation to rescue her. Now, soaked through, water dripped from his damp hair, but he seemed unaware of his own condition, his worry visible in his eyes.
“Were you scared? It’s okay now. I’m here with you,” he said softly, patting her head gently.
With a mix of emotions on her face, Bianca held back a laugh. “I’m actually a good swimmer. But I really appreciate you risking yourself to rescue me.”
Dave let out a sigh of relief and gently tapped her forehead. “Whether you can swim or not, I would have come to help you. But we haven’t had a chance to talk much. Let’s catch up later. I’d like to learn more about you.”
Just as Bianca was about to punch Dave playfully, he caught her hand in his. Knowing Bianca was okay filled him with relief.
In the calm moment that followed, Stacey hurried over to Bianca, looking worried. She squatted down and asked, “Bianc, are you okay? Dinner’s almost ready. It might not be wise to go in your current state. Maybe you should change and see a doctor. You don’t want to catch a cold.”
Stacey’s sudden concern made Bianca realize something.
Bianca suddenly realized this whole setup was a manipulative plan to remove her from the scene.
“Mr. Evans, did you see that? Someone’s pretending to be upset,” Bianca ignored Stacey and raised her eyebrows at Dave.
Dave chuckled, helping Bianca up and pulling her into a hug.
Stacey shot a sharp look at Bianca, but then she realized it and turned to Dave.
‘Was this man really named Evans?’
“Definitely. You should change your clothes to avoid catching a cold.”
“The city is quite far. I doubt they’ll make it in time…”
Stacey was pleased by the guests’ comments.
Just then, Petter walked over, looking concerned when he saw Bianca. “You can’t meet Old Mrs. Reed looking like this! Quickly change your clothes to avoid any embarrassment!”
Petter worried that Bianca might cause him embarrassment in front of the Reed family if she appeared disheveled.
Ignoring Petter’s presence, Bianca fixed her gaze on Stacey, her expression filled with disbelief. “Stacey, you purposely pushed me into the pool just now. If you wanted to get rid of me, there were better ways.”
Stacey had executed a sneaky move.
Quickly adopting a sorrowful look, Stacey pulled at Petter’s sleeve. “Petter, Bianca always regretted not being able to take violin lessons due to money problems. Today, she met Monica Hughes by chance, hoping for advice but felt too embarrassed to ask. I tried to help, but it led to an accident at the pool. I meant well, but she’s turned against me. Maybe I shouldn’t have bothered in the first place!”
After Petter had scolded Stacey earlier, she’d been ignored for days, nursing a grudge against Bianca.
Petter gave Stacey a brief glance.
Their plan was to remove Bianca and keep her from getting involved in Ashley’s marriage.
This was about the future plans of the Scott family.
Petter looked coldly at Stacey and then turned to Bianca. “Bianc, as I’ve said before, it wasn’t that I didn’t support your desire to learn the violin, but we couldn’t afford it back then. Our company was just starting out, and we had limited options. Everyone knows you’ve regretted it. While Stacey may have acted too quickly today, she did it for your own good. Don’t act immaturely. You understand what needs to be done. I’ll arrange for a cab to take you home.”
Bianca couldn’t help but feel ironic that her dad and stepmom painted her as the troublemaker while portraying themselves as innocent. When her dad had denied her violin lessons long ago, she hadn’t protested, understanding his hardships. So why was she being blamed now?
She had always been kind and reasonable, yet it seemed like none of that mattered anymore.