Chapter 5

Nicholas staggered, unsteady on his feet. "What did you say? What happened to Brielle?"

"The car she was in had some kind of failure, lost control, and drove straight into the river! Rescue teams are already on the scene!"

"Nicholas, what's wrong?" Melanie, buzzing with excitement, came backstage and linked her arm with his. "Did you see how well I did? The judges were all praising me!"

A ringing filled Nicholas's ears; he couldn't hear what Melanie was saying.

His face pale, he pulled his arm away and grabbed his assistant's collar. "What the hell happened!"

He had never lost…