Chapter 3

Before long, word spread like wildfire through the city.

Everyone said Edward was a true gentleman. Even after breaking off the engagement, he kept doting on his fiancée's cousin.

Meanwhile, they called me nothing but jealous and mean.

Rosie was so upset she started crying. "My lady, Mr. Grant is really going too far! Since when did we ever have to put up with this?"

Trimming my orchid, I sliced off a dead branch as she spoke.

"Reputation is nothing but smoke and mirrors," I said, keeping my voice cool and steady.

"The higher you climb, the harder you crash."

*****

Three days later, Princess Amelia threw a lavish garden party.

It was the prime spot for all the noble ladies of the city to compete for attention, and it was my first time showing my face in public since breaking off the engagement.

Stepping into the garden, I immediately spotted Edward and Lydia at the heart of the crowd, with everyone fawning over them.

Lydia was decked out in full splendor today, her hair pinned up with a jeweled hair ornament that sparkled with every movement, and she wore a gown of iridescent brocade that shimmered in the sunlight.

The fabric had just been sent as tribute; every inch was worth a fortune.

In contrast, I wore a plain white dress, with nothing but a simple jade bracelet on my wrist and no other ornament to speak of.

Everyone's eyes on me were filled with a mix of sympathy and barely hidden schadenfreude.

"Well, if it isn't Ms. Sinclair," someone sneered, their tone thick with mockery.

One of Lydia's usual friends—a noble lady with a snarky edge—chimed in, "Heard you've been laying low at home, Ms. Sinclair. What, finally got bored and decided to come out and mingle with us?"

I shot her an uninterested look and didn't even bother to reply.

Edward caught sight of me, and something unreadable flickered in his gaze.

He stepped up, voice low and sharp. "Why are you here? This isn't the place for your drama."

"Lydia's performing for Princess Amelia today. If you dare stir up any trouble, I won't let you off easy," Edward warned.

I raised an eyebrow. "Mr. Grant, aren't you overstepping a bit? Is this garden owned by the Grants now?"

Lydia timidly tugged at Edward's sleeve.

"Ed, don't blame Charlotte. She just wanted to join the festivities," Lydia said, her voice soft and sweet.

Then she turned to me, flashing an innocent smile.

"Charlotte, I've just learned a new piece. I hope you'll give me some advice," Lydia said, her voice dripping with false sweetness.

I caught the calculation in her eyes and sneered inwardly.

In my last life, it was at this very garden party that Lydia became famous in the city with her performance.

But that music? I spent three nights without sleep rearranging it for him.

She stole it and made it her claim to fame.

Edward used to say to me, "Charlotte, you're already well-known for your talent. You don't need this bit of glory. Lydia's had a tough life. She's like a lost soul, just drifting through. She needs a little recognition to hold onto."

I was so foolish back then. I actually agreed to it.

Now, she was pulling the same stunt all over again.

Lydia took her seat at the cello, her delicate hands dancing across the strings as music rippled through the air.

It was indeed the piece I'd written.

But her playing was clearly inexperienced, and several passages sounded stiff and unnatural.

Even so, it was enough to wow everyone present who had no clue about music.

When the piece ended, the applause thundered through the garden.

Amelia herself looked genuinely impressed. "Ms. Swan, this piece is so beautiful. You're really talented."

Lydia rose gracefully, curtsying with a shy smile. "Thank you for your praise, Princess Amelis. I'm happy you like it."

Edward stood off to the side, his face full of smug pride, shooting me a challenging look.

It was as if he were saying, "See? Even without you, Lydia can still dazzle everyone."

I walked forward slowly, a mocking smile curling at the corner of my lips.

"Ms. Swan, your performance was quite impressive, though there was one passage where you seemed to make a mistake," I said, my tone cool and laced with sarcasm.

Lydia's smile faltered, but she forced it anyway. "Charlotte, what are you saying? I... I just got inspired and came up with this piece last night..."

"Inspired, huh?" I cut her off, my eyes cold and sharp.

"This piece is called 'The Swan Courtship'. If you really knew how to play it, the third part should shift to a brighter melody," I said, my tone icy.

"But you skipped the key change and turned a majestic swan looking for its mate into a sad chicken clucking around by itself."

People started snickering all around.

Lydia's face turned beet red, her eyes brimming with tears.

Edward snapped, his anger boiling over, "Charlotte! Don't talk nonsense if you don't know anything. Lydia learned from the top teacher in town.

"Admit it, you're just jealous. Lydia's got way more talent than you ever will."

I just scoffed and walked right up to the cello, taking my seat.

"If you think I'm bluffing, just watch," I said.

I lifted her hand, fingers poised above the strings, then let them fall with practiced ease.

The same melody poured from her fingertips, but the vibe was worlds apart—sharp, commanding, and impossible to ignore.

When the music surged, it was like a stampede of wild horses; when it softened, it flowed smooth as a mountain stream.

That third section Lydia had stumbled through? In my hands, it was seamless and flawless.

When the last note faded, the entire garden was dead silent.

Even the birds perched in the trees seemed mesmerized, refusing to fly away, as if the melody had cast a spell on them.

Amelia suddenly sprang to her feet, her eyes shining with amazement.

"Wow, this is the true 'Swan Courtship'!" she exclaimed, her voice ringing with admiration.

I stood up, my eyes cold as I stared down at Lydia, pale as a ghost, and Edward, frozen in shock.

"Ms. Swan, stolen things never fit right in your hands," I said, my tone icy.

"And Mr. Grant, if your eyes are useless, why not donate them to someone?" My voice dripped with sarcasm.

Edward just stared at me, like he'd never seen me before.

Suddenly, Lydia's eyes rolled back and she dropped like a stone.

"Lydia!" Edward cried out, lunging forward to catch Lydia before she hit the ground.

He spun around, his face twisted with fury, and shouted at me, "Charlotte! If Lydia ends up hurt because of you, I swear I'll drag the entire Sinclair family down with her."