On the other end of the phone, Wendy gritted her teeth.


    Back then, she hadn''t been able to learn an instrument because she couldn''t afford it. But now, she had won Zach''s love and had money!


    It was just that there wasn''t much in her own ount.


    Not wanting to appear weak in front of Kade, she bit the bullet and took out Zach''s supplementary card. "No matter how much you charge, I can afford it."


    "That''s good. I''ll start preparing for the next lesson right away." Kade beamed with joy and sent Wendy the inted price along with her bank details.


    Not long after, the payment came through.


    Seeing the string of zeros in her ount, Kade grinned from ear to ear. "Rich families really do keep their sugar babies well-fed! With you as my personal cash cow, I can enjoy myself for a while!"


    Once she squeezed enough money out of Wendy, she would aim for an even better orchestra than Luna Orchestra.


    Meanwhile, Wendy had no idea of Kade''s devious n.


    She nced at the time-Zach should being home for dinner soon. She quickly changed into a sweet, innocent dress and headed to the parking lot to pick


    him up.


    ...


    Serena had arrived at the parking lot and just parked her car, feeling exhausted. The past few days had been packed-working all day andposing at night. She was nearly drained. She was determined to get a full night''s sleep today.


    Just as she stepped out of her car, another car door opened at the same time. Then, she heard a high-pitched voice.


    "Zach! What''s that in your hand? Is it a violin for me?"


    What bad luck. Even in broad daylight, she had to run into this nuisance?


    Serena felt a headacheing on. She lifted her gaze-only to see Zach stepping out of the car next to hers, holding a violin case.


    Their eyes met.


    Only then did Wendy notice Serena. She hurried to Zach''s side and then turned to face Serena.


    "What a coincidence, Serena! I didn''t expect to run into you during the day too. We must have such a special connection."


    She clung to Zach''s arm and eagerly eyed the violin case.


    "Zach, so this is why you left early this morning? You went to buy me a violin? This brand''s custom models are so expensive! Did you get it as a reward for my recent improvements?"


    Wendy''s excitement was uncontroble. It was such an expensive violin. Yet, he had just gone out and bought it for her like that!


    Feeling triumphant, she cast a pitying smile at Serena.


    "Oh, sorry, Serena, I got carried away. I almost forgot, you''re the one who taught me to y in the first ce. And yet, Zach only bought me such a fine violin-"


    "It''s not for you."


    Zach''s sudden words hit Wendy like a bucket of ice water, making her freeze. "Not for me? Then..."


    Zach handed the violin case to Serena. "It''s for you."


    Wendy''s face visibly drained of color.


    Was Zach still pining for Serena?


    She was the one who had never given up on the violin. Serena had long since stopped ying—so why was Zach still thinking about her?


    Filled with jealousy and hatred, Wendy red at Serena. But Serena didn''t even take the violin.


    "This low-grade piece? You should just give it to Wendy. I deserve better."


    With that, she brushed past Zach without a second nce.


    A sharp pain stabbed through Zach''s chest. He wanted to chase after her.