?<strong>Chapter 1017:</strong>


    He’d never been particrly close to his mother growing up. She had been more of a distant figure than a source offort. But after his illness, she suddenly came all the way from Orkset and stayed by his side, attentive and warm, taking a conspicuous interest in his rtionship with Aliza.


    And for a while, he let himself believe it meant something. That perhaps, after all these years, she hade to offer him the maternal love he had always longed for. He didn’t want to question it. Didn’t want to probe too deeply and risk shattering that fragile illusion of family he had just begun to embrace.


    At the same time, his own assumptions had worked against him. He’d convinced himself he could never feel anything for someone like Carrie—believing it so firmly that he never bothered to examine the truth beneath that belief.


    And now, as incident after incident tugged at the seams of the narrative he’d been handed, Kristopher could no longer deny that the situation was far moreplex than he had ever imagined.


    If he truly wanted answers—if he wanted the truth—he would have to uncover it himself.


    The moment Arion and Carrie arrived at the Music Association, they were met with a flurry of attention. Several instructors and members quickly gathered around them, all eager to greet them.


    In recent months, the Morrison family had shifted much of their focus toward Carrie. Arion—often regarded as the least promising of the Morrison sons—had been assigned as her personal bodyguard.


    Though he often appeared aimless, Arion did hold an official role within the Music Association. He wasn’t without responsibilities. When events like performances or evaluations arose, he was in charge of managing them.


    Amid themotion, Carrie offered a polite smile and turned to Arion. “I’ll head to the practice room and work on my piece. You take care of whatever you need to do. When I’m done, juste find me.” The Music Association, currently under the Morrison family’s influence, still adhered to a certain formality.


    After a brief pause, Arion nodded. “Alright. But if anything happens, you call me right away.”


    “Got it,” Carrie replied with a small nod before turning toward the corridor that led to the practice rooms.


    She had originally nned to consult with Kendall regarding her performance piece—one she hadposed herself.


    Your next adventure is at g  al n ovels . con


    As a member of the Association, technical skill wasn’t enough. Composition was just as important.


    But when she arrived at Kendall’s office, she was informed that he wasn’t in today—off attending to othermitments. The instructors at the Music Association didn’t follow rigid schedules, and someone of Kendall’s stature certainly wasn’t bound to routine.


    Carrie regretted not calling ahead. If it were only about practice, she could’ve easily stayed home and worked in peace.


    But since she was already here, she decided to make the most of her time and headed to her private practice room.


    This particr room had been designated exclusively for members of the Morrison family. No one else had ess, and only Morrison members held the key.


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