Against Cruelty, She Grew Strong (by Anastasia Glover) novel Chapter 213

Chapter 213 The Thief

Tatiana’s voice suddenly turned sharp, catching everyone off guard. They instinctively looked toward Bianca, waiting for her answer.

Bianca was frozen, a cold sweat breaking out on her forehead. She wanted to rip this meddling woman apart.

“Ms. Lowell, do you have anything to say?”

“I…” Bianca couldn’t answer. Suspicion began to flicker in the eyes around her.

Just then, Harpie spoke up, his tone challenging. “Just because you say I can’t sing it, doesn’t mean I can’t. What’s that supposed to mean? Are you looking down on me?”

His words successfully shifted the focus.

Bianca immediately chimed in, “Yes, that’s what I think too. I have confidence in Harpie’s voice. With practice, he can definitely match it, which is why I didn’t change it. Besides, I believe some works need that clash of inspiration, not endless revisions. Rather than making it overly ordinary and perfect, retaining its unique flaws might lead to unexpected results.”

Harpie’s intervention, coupled with her seamless explanation, successfully dispelled everyone’s doubts.

But unfortunately for them, the moment Harpie spoke, Tatiana gave up. The other score she had prepared wasn’t for someone like him. Her collaboration with HJ Entertainment was over. She had wanted to maintain some semblance of civility, but it was too late.

Tavin immediately interjected, “Do you have any further questions? If not, we need to continue the meeting.”

Anna was furious but helpless. She was about to urge Tatiana to leave when Tatiana said something strange.

“Just a few more minutes of your time.”

Tatiana walked over to the main computer, logged into an external app, and after a few clicks, played a short video.

A sweet piano melody flowed out.

A young child sat on the floor, playing a custom–made miniature keyboard. Chubby fingers pressed the keys accurately. The piece was flawless, smooth.

What stunned everyone was the tune… wasn’t it Ms. Lowell’s song?

1/3

Chapter 213 The Thief.

+8 Pearls

The atmosphere turned awkward. Especially when they noticed the upload date below the video: the day before Ms. Lowell had presented her score. If they went by chronological order…

Bianca’s face went white. She swayed on her feet but stubbornly tried to explain, “Maybe I accidentally posted it online, and someone saw it…”

“Where did you post it, Ms. Lowell? Perhaps you could find it for us.”

Tavin sensed trouble and jumped in. “This video could casily be dubbed. A child that age couldn’t possibly play…”

“She is my daughter. If Tavin doesn’t believe it, I can have her perform for you all right now.”

There was nothing more to say.

Tatiana’s voice remained calm throughout, as if recounting a trivial matter, not the furious rage of someone whose hard work had been stolen.

“As for the issues I raised earlier, they weren’t Ms. Lowell’s fault, they were mine. Because this piece was only a first draft, unrevised. If it were for Harpie’s voice, this section needs to be changed like this.”

She clicked the mouse, and another score appeared on the screen–a handwritten revision. It addressed all the problems she had pointed out.

The professionals in the room could see the vast difference immediately. Even the non–experts quickly understood, because Tatiana played another video. The same little girl, but this performance was clearly more perfect, more passionate, and a better fit for Harpie’s style.

The difference in quality was undeniable.

“Fortunately, I have a habit of documenting my child’s growth. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have known a thief was lurking.”

Only then did Tatiana’s voice take on a mocking edge. Who was the thief? Everyone knew. Even Harpie couldn’t help but curse Bianca’s stupidity under his breath.

Bianca swayed again but refused to admit it. “I did write this.”

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