But how could Lauren possibly let Rosita go?


    Right now, Rosita was the only person she could count on.


    Lauren went to Lunar Heights Estate to look for Rosita but was stopped at the gate and refused entry.


    Left with no choice, she decided to try the film set instead.


    But on her way there, Lauren suddenly fainted.


    The concerned cab driver brought her back to the hospital.


    When she woke up, a nurse told her someone had already paid her hospital bill.


    Lauren asked, "Who helped me?"


    "No idea, but they left a phone number."


    Lauren stared at the number for a while, hesitated, and finally dialed.


    The call connected. Lauren asked, "Who is this?"


    A voice distorted by an electronic filter came through, neither male nor female. "Ms. Lynn, you don''t need to know who I am. I''m calling because you have something I want."


    Lauren gave a bitterugh. "I''m a pariah these days, and I''m dying of cancer. What could possibly be left for you to scheme over?"


    "There''s something only you can do."


    Lauren frowned. "What do you want from me?"


    Rosita never imagined that the famous "traditional arts" coach her boss had arranged would turn out to be Gwendolyn White.


    When she saw Gwendolyn White, Rosita nearly lost herposure.


    Gwendolyn, however, didn''t seem surprised at all. She just wrinkled her nose in mild distaste. "Let me be clear: I''m strict. If you can''t handle a little hardship, quit now and stop wasting my time."


    Bill, who''d known Gwendolyn for years, smiled. He was used to her blunt ways and sharp tongue. "Mrs. Winslow, Rosita is a hard worker. Please take good care of her."


    Gwendolyn shot Rosita a nce. "I''m only teaching for a week. If she can''t learn it by then, it''s not my problem."


    "Of course, but I''m sure Rosita will manage!"


    Rosita was annoyed but kept her gentle smile in ce.


    On the first day, Gwendolyn rapped her knuckles more than once for sloppy fingerwork.


    Rosita simmered with anger, convinced Gwendolyn was taking personal revenge.


    To be fair, Gwendolyn was, but Rosita''s poor performance was also undeniable.


    "That''s enough for today. My daughter''s here to pick me up," Gwendolyn announced, grabbing her purse and heading out.


    Outside, Briony was waiting by the car.


    Rosita nced over, locking eyes with Briony through the tall ss windows- separated by several yards.


    Her arms tightened protectively around her instrument, resentment clouding her gaze.


    Briony looked back, face cold and expressionless, as if she were staring at something already dead.


    Gwendolyn approached, taking Briony''s hand. "My chest is killing me I spent the whole day resisting the urge to strangle that wretched woman!"


    Briony looked at her godmother, ignoring the outburst with a small, amused smile. "Don''t get so worked up, Mom. You''ll just get more wrinkles."


    Gwendolyn huffed. "I honestly don''t know what her agency was thinking. She has no talent and her heart''s not in it. I spent hours on the simplest pentatonic scales, and she couldn''t y a single one right!"


    She sighed. "She''spletely wrong for this part heard this show is supposed to promote traditional arts, and it''s one of the biggest. investments in serious dramately. The rest of the cast are all seasoned pros-why on earth did they cast Rósita as the lead? It''s absurd!"


    "It hasn''t aired yet," Briony replied coolly, opening the car door.


    "Anything could happen. Let''s go. It''s Friday-we''ll pick up Little Nina, then head home to Skybreeze Retreat."


    That night, at eight o''clock.


    Stewart returned home, only to find Jeannie and Irwin waiting for him.