Always Been Yours (Tessa and Nicholas) novel Chapter 421

Chapter 421 Tessa’s Performance
“Why are you hiding here on your own?”
When Tessa opened her eyes, she found Scott—with a glass of wine in his hand—sitting on the sofa next to her. Behind him was Kathleen, who was wearing a long face.
Tessa pretended not to have seen Kathleen’s displeased look and replied, “I can better enjoy the music since it’s quiet here.”
After all, for Kathleen to continue being eccentric even after Tessa had already expressed clearly that she had a loving boyfriend, there was no longer any need to concede to her anymore.
She wouldn’t stop staying friends with Scott just because of someone like Kathleen.
And so, Scott and Tessa engaged in a conversation regarding music.
Scott explained to Tessa about each of the performers on stage as well as their signature songs.
“If you have the chance, you should try watching all these musicians’ performances when you have the time. Especially the ones performed by our senior, Bird. I’ve always learned a lot every time I watch his performances.”
Scott concluded at the end of his explanation.
Tessa thought about it before mentally noting down the name Bird. She thought that if she ever found the time, then she would watch this senior’s performances.
In the time the two continued to chat pleasantly, Kathleen had tried to forcefully join the conversation, but to no avail.
For this reason, she grew discontent with Tessa with her eyes becoming sinister by the minute.
Suddenly, someone around Hathaway spoke up, saying, “Hathaway, I heard you’ve gotten a beloved disciple recently, and that their talent is astonishing. Why didn’t you arrange for them to perform on stage tonight?”
“I’ve never said she would not be performing. I was planning to let you guys finish your performances before letting her out to play.”
After Hathaway finished explaining herself, she glanced around the area to look for Tessa.
Their talks weren’t loud but were audible enough that Tessa and Scott could pick up on the conversation.
Scott smiled. “Go ahead. It’s your turn to perform now.”
With a nod, Tessa then stood up and walked over to her mentor’s side.
“Miss Hathaway.”
“You heard what they said, right? Do well in your performance. Don’t make me lose face as your mentor.” Saying that, Hathaway patted Tessa on her shoulders as a form of encouragement.
Tessa nodded and smiled before going backstage.
After a few minutes, Tessa—who was wearing stiletto heels—came onstage with her violin. Her walking posture was elegant while she held onto the hem of her dress with one hand.
The audience became silent the moment Tessa appeared onstage.
After she bowed to the audience, she placed the violin on her shoulder and got ready to start her performance.
However, she had not expected the violin’s tight strings to snap just after playing three bars. The beautiful melody immediately fell through.
The audience was in an uproar after witnessing the snapped violin strings.
Even Tessa was taken aback by this situation.
After all, this violin was given to her by Nicholas. It was impossible for the strings to snap so easily.
The guests offstage were also discussing what just happened.
“What’s going on? How did the strings snap? Don’t tell me she went onstage without checking her instrument?”
“Arguably, it is not easy for the violin strings to snap so easily. There must be something going on behind the scenes.”
“Regardless, I think Hathaway’s beloved disciple’s performance was not meant to be on this night.”
“What a pity. I’ve heard talks of how talented Hathaway’s beloved disciple was in the prior celebration hosted by Vienna Conservatory. Here I thought I can finally hear for myself if the rumors are true.”
“Shame. Truly a shame.”
As she listened to the constant lamentations of the audience, a smile formed on Kathleen’s face.
Yet, Scott did not notice the peculiar expression Kathleen was showing.
Instead, he had wanted to go onstage and try to salvage the situation. However, he was shocked to the core just after taking one step forward.
It turned out that Tessa had also heard the audience’s lamentations. She wasn’t willing to have her opportunity to perform onstage ruined just like this.
And so, she forcefully composed herself.
Just because there was only one string left on her violin, it did not mean that the show wouldn’t go on.
With such thoughts, she ignored the audience and went into position, ready to perform again.
“What is she doing? Is she still planning to continue the performance with those broken violin strings?”
“That can’t be right. Playing the violin with only one string is difficult!”
“She must be confident with it since she has made such a decision. I ask for you all to be quiet now, lest it affects my appreciation of the number.”