Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Just as Sophie was about to speak again, a group of security guards suddenly burst onto the scene. Leading them was Freya.
Freya’s eyes locked onto Sophie, a sneer curling her lips. “That’s her. She plagiarized my sister’s piece. What are you all waiting for? Get her out of here.”
Since Sophie was still in her teens, her heart raced at the scene unfolding. She was shaken, but she quickly composed herself, locking eyes with Freya with a steely gaze. “How can you accuse me of stealing your sister’s music? That composition is mine.”
Freya smirked and stepped onto the stage with the grace of someone who owned it. Her tone dripped with mockery. “Oh, just because you claim it’s your composition makes it yours, then? My family invested in this concert, so of course, I had the privilege of seeing the sealed submissions like many judges. No one could have tampered with them.”
Sophie snapped, “I don’t know how you managed to get your hands on it, but you know perfectly well it wasn’t composed by your sister.”
Freya answered in a steady tone, “Then explain why she would need to steal your music. With all the resources my family has, we could hire a brilliant composer without batting an eye. Why would we ever need to steal yours?”
Freya’s logic struck a chord with the others, and many found her reasoning hard to argue against. Rola’s family had always been known for their ruthless ways. Even if they cheated openly, no one would dare speak out against them. So, why would they need to steal from Sophie?
Sophie clenched her fists, anger sparking in her eyes. “Why did she steal from me? It’s because we had a dispute, and she wanted payback.”
Freya laughed again, a mocking glint in her gaze. “Oh, really? So, we wanted revenge? If that were true, why would we go about it in such a roundabout way? Is it still not clear to you? Fine, let me spell it out. Your grandfather is from the Nixon family, the biggest investor here. We wouldn’t dare cross you. So, all this, including that earlier video spread, was nothing but a ploy by you to gain fame. But you didn’t expect us to stand up for ourselves, right? Although your family is the biggest investor, we are not afraid to hold our ground.”
Freya’s words shifted the narrative, painting Rola as the victim. From her words, it seemed as though Sophie had bullied them.
Rola lacked the cunning of Freya. She often acted recklessly, charging ahead without a second thought.
Sophie’s face turned pale at the accusation. She wanted to defend herself, but Freya quickly cut her off. “Isn’t the Nixon family the biggest investor here? Surely, you must have some connection to them?”
Leila gritted her teeth and replied, “That has nothing to do with this.”
Freya chuckled, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “How could it not? No one dares to offend the Nixon family or stir up trouble in their presence.”
The crowd began to murmur amongst themselves.
“So there is more to this story. If that’s true, Sophie clearly has some issues.”
“How can the children of the biggest investor even compete? It hardly seems fair to the others. Besides, Rola’s family wouldn’t dare challenge the Nixon family, let alone steal Sophie’s music.”
“If Sophie truly hails from the Nixon family, I find it hard to believe they wouldn’t strike back if she was bullied.”
“I felt sympathy for her a moment ago, but she is so young and already so calculating.”
Harsh whispers swirled around Sophie, causing her to tremble with anxiety.
Freya approached Sophie, her fingers brushing against her shoulder with a disapproving click of her tongue. “See? This is what happens when you cross us. You need to understand who you can’t afford to offend in the future.”
“Is that so?” A cold, cutting voice sliced through the air. The sound of rapid clicks echoed as high heels approached.
Leila strode toward them with purpose.
Sophie felt herself being pulled away from Freya, and instinctively, she hugged Leila, savoring the familiar warmth and comforting scent of her mother.
Sophie’s eyes glistened with unshed tears as she fought back emotion. “Mom.”
Leila stroked Sophie’s head, her expression softening as she gazed down at her daughter. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I’m a little late today,” she said.
Sophie shook her head vigorously, her eyes wide. Leila hadn’t been late at all.
With a steely gaze, Leila lifted her head, directing her cold stare at Freya. “Thank you for the lesson you just imparted to my daughter, Freya. Now, let me return your words to you. In the future, you should be more mindful of whom you can’t afford to offend.”
Seeing Leila’s radiant face, Freya couldn’t help but remember that Clayton had chosen Leila over her. He had turned her down for Leila, a woman who had given birth to three children.
In a fit of desperation, Freya had threatened Clayton with the shipment, but he had responded calmly, his stance unwavering, “Compared to Leila, that doesn’t matter. If you think causing me trouble will make you feel better, then go ahead.”
Of course, Freya couldn’t follow through. It wasn’t a matter of fear. She had the capability to act, just like her father. Creating minor chaos at the port to disrupt the Morgan family’s shipments was child’s play for her. However, she knew offending the Morgan family wouldn’t bode well for her. Her father was a shrewd businessman. When it came down to profit or family, he would choose profit without a second thought.
Freya’s unwillingness to accept this reality was like a thorn in her side. She had cried to Clayton, her voice trembling with emotion, “But she doesn’t love you. She doesn’t care about you!”
Clayton merely smiled, a flicker of hope lighting his eyes. “I can wait. She will be with me soon. If you don’t believe it, just wait and see.”
The memories replayed in Freya’s mind, each one a dagger to her heart. In truth, she didn’t love Clayton deeply. When she first heard of him, it was mere curiosity that piqued her interest-nothing more than a fleeting fascination. She simply struggled to accept the bitter truth that she had lost to Leila.
Freya dug her nails into her palms, the sharp pain snapping her back to reality. She sneered at Leila, who remained unruffled. “Oh, planning to use your power to silence us? Go ahead. After all, we can’t compete with the Nixon family.”
After saying that, Freya let out a heavy sigh, her eyes dropping like heavy curtains, as if they had been bullied into submission.
Freya’s family had built a reputation for their iron-fisted dominance in the area. It was astonishing to see them appear so meek and subdued at this moment.
Freya’s actions stunned the audience, leaving many to wonder if her words held any truth. Perhaps she was telling the truth. Challenging the Nixon family was a risk no one was willing to take.
After hearing Freya’s misleading words, the idea that Rola had stolen Sophie’s composition seemed laughable. Despite Rola’s family’s lack of decency, stealing someone’s work at such a dignified event was utterly disgraceful.
Many cast disdainful glances toward Leila and Sophie.
Below the stage, Elma wrung her hands, riddled with anxiety. “This is utter nonsense! They’re all lying. It’s obvious Sophie wrote it. How can they not see that?” she exclaimed.
Beside her, Calvin maintained his composure, gently squeezing her hand to soothe her nerves. “Don’t worry. Mom and Sophie can handle this. The more worked up you get, the less you can help.”
Elma pouted, her frustration palpable. “It infuriates me, seeing them gang up on Sophie like this.”
Calvin’s eyes hardened with determination. “That’s exactly why I must grow stronger. If I am powerful enough, I can protect you, Sophie, and our mom from ever being mistreated again.”
Suddenly, a voice from the crowd cut through the murmurs. “Sophie, get off the stage!”
The initial call sparked a chorus of agreement. Soon, the hostility escalated as some began hurling objects onto the stage.
As Sophie watched the chaos below, she tightly clutched Leila’s hand, her nerves palpable. “Mom, they look so terrible,” she murmured, her voice quivering.
Leila, ever poised, responded, “People often see only what they wish to see. The truth is of little consequence to them. We need to seize this moment to set things straight, or rumors will follow you everywhere.” Having been through similar ordeals, Leila was determined to shield Sophie from such experiences.
A warmth spread through Sophie, comforting her. Freya, growing impatient, snapped, “Hurry up and remove them! The next contestant is waiting.” The security guards exchanged unsure glances, not daring to intervene.
Earlier, Leila had made a strategic call to Ewing before taking the stage, who likely had a word with the competition organizers, causing the guards to tread carefully.
Irritated, Freya questioned, “What’s the hold-up? Get them off the stage now!”
Leila, unfazed and with a sly smile, countered, “Are you so eager to have us removed because you fear we might reveal evidence?”
Freya scoffed, lifting her chin defiantly. “Evidence? I’d love to see what you’ve got.”
Freya was confident. She had already taken steps to destroy any incriminating surveillance footage and fingerprints, emboldening her actions against Leila. A slight smile touched Leila’s lips as she observed Freya’s brimming confidence. Turning her gaze toward the backstage, she called out crisply, “Come out.” At Leila’s command, Rola emerged.
Gone was Rola’s previous haughtiness. Now, she regarded Leila with palpable fear, as if seeing a specter. Freya, catching the shift in Rola’s demeanor, felt her smile stiffen and a chill spread through her.
Without allowing Freya time to intervene, Leila strode forward and grasped Rola’s arm, pulling her closer.
Leila declared firmly, “Maybe I lack concrete evidence, but I do have a witness. There’s no need for endless debate. Let’s hear it straight from the person involved.” Leila fixed her eyes on Rola, stressing each syllable. “Tell everyone the truth about who really wrote that piece.”
Sensing the tide turning, Freya blurted out in desperation, “Rola, why are you siding with her? Have you lost your mind?”
Rola avoided Freya’s gaze, her voice faltering. “I…” Sophie observed the scene, her expression clouded with confusion. She doubted Rola would tell the truth. That seemed highly unlikely.
Yet, in the next moment, Rola spoke up. “Actually, it belongs to Sophie. I took her piece.”
Rola’s admission dropped like a bomb, sending shockwaves through the crowd. A hush fell over everyone for a brief moment.
Freya lost it. She dashed over and seized Rola by the shoulders. Had fewer eyes been on them, Freya might have slapped Rola.
Freya shook Rola’s shoulders. “Rola, are you threatened or something? Speak up. Did they somehow mistreat you? It must be the case. Why else would you side with them? Don’t be afraid. I’m here to support you.”