Chapter 2

After reprimanding Evonne, I immediately swiped my card to seal the deal.

I had had my eye on this particular piano since last April, but every time I had money, I ended up using it to cover Evonne's expenses. Also because of her, I had not touched a piano in ages, and my Grade 9 piano skills wasted away.

Seeing me sitting in front of the piano I had just bought, Evonne's expression darkened. "Chase Shannon, who taught you to use such tactics to get my attention? Don't you find it disgusting?"

I shot her a glance. Pressing down on the piano keys, I started effortlessly playing a piece called "Romeo and Juliet" by Tchaikovsky, all while smirking at her.

Evonne, never having seen me this cold toward her before, instantly crumbled. "Fine! Keep up with your despicable tricks! Let's see if I fall for them!" she shouted.

"Let's go, Ange. I'll talk to Mr. Gadsby about getting you a piano." Evonne dragged Angelo out of the music store. She probably thought that our music teacher, Jules Gadsby, would still listen to her. She seemed to have conveniently forgotten that I was the one who hired Mr. Gadsby.

To show Evonne my sincerity, I gave up my competition spot and arranged for her to study under Mr. Gadsby. Yet, she immediately turned around and gave that opportunity to Angelo, even openly taking him to the lessons.

On top of all that, Evonne mocked me, "Do you think I succeeded because of your sacrifices, Chase? Don't insult my efforts with your self-righteousness.”

I hadn't gotten angry after hearing this. Instead, I grinned and coaxed her, then went to Mr. Gadsby to pave the way for her.

After finishing "Romeo and Juliet" on the piano, I informed Mr. Gadsby to revoke all of Evonne's privileges. I looked forward to seeing how much her "hard work" would pay off. I wanted to see how much her efforts were worth.

When classes breaked for lunch at noon, Evonne and Angelo, drenched in sweat, blocked my way. Evonne looked humiliated. "Send the piano over and I'll forgive you this time," she demanded.

I was so irritated that I could not help but scoff. Had Mr. Gadsby's cold responses made her delusional?

Evonne looked even more humiliated upon hearing my response. "Don't ever use such disgusting tactics ever again. Ange is a pure man, and seeing you do what you do too often will change him."

Screw me… I must've been blind in my previous life to ever think Evonne's disgusting face could be even remotely compared to my ideal woman.

"Evonne, do you see that dog outside? When it gets food, it bows in thanks. As for you, you're worse than a dog. Not only do you demand food, but you complain about it being cold, then throw it in the face of the person who fed you."

Evonne frowned. "Chase Shannon, this is your last chance."

"Bah! If it's such a good chance, why don't you give it to your father? He might even bow in gratitude," I replied with a scoff.

Evonne clenched her fists. "Fine, I'll wait for you to come crawling and begging at my feet."

Hearing this, I could not help but curse her in my heart, thinking I had been truly pathetic in my past life. Any moment Evonne showed even the slightest hint of a frown, I would instantly get on my knees and beg to please her. That was why she still thought she could control me.

As our schoolmates returned to the classroom with their meals, my family housekeeper Mary Cervantes squeezed through the crowd with a cheerful smile, bringing our lunch.

"This is yours." Mrs. Cervantes tossed a lunch box at me. She then turned around and fawned over the pair with two neatly presented boxes. "Mr. Zambrano, here's your pork ribs and popcorn chicken. And Ms. Shannon, your truffle pasta."

Looking into my lunchbox, I found only bland, boiled broccoli and some meat scraps. In my previous life, I thought it was my favoritism that made Mrs. Cervantes so attentive to the two of them. It was only at the end that I discovered she was not only Angelo's biological mother, she was also Evonne's father's mistress. She was the one who had stolen confidential documents from my mother's study and helped Evonne to bring down my family's business.

This time, she would never have such an opportunity again.

"Mrs. Cervantes, why is my meal so pathetic?" I slammed my silverware down on the table.

Mrs. Cervantes said in a lecturing tone, "Mr. Shannon, you're always so irritable. That's why you should eat more light foods. You indulge too much, and it's made your complexion dull. I just want to nourish you back to health. How could you be so unappreciative and throw your temper at me?"

Angelo looked displeased. "Chase, I know you look down on us working-class folks, but you shouldn't insult your elders."

"An elder? Does a mere housekeeper working for my family deserve to be called my elder? Do you think a turkey will turn into a peacock just by raising its tail?"

"Chase Shannon, you've gone too far!" Angelo's cheeks flushed with anger.

Seeing this, Evonne immediately shielded him and glared at me. "Chase, apologize to Ange immediately."