hapter 138
Rather than questioning Ruth, the person in charge, Wendy went straight to Serena. Her words implied that Serena had meddled and caused her to be turned away.
Serena approached her calmly. “Do you honestly think I have the authority to decide who gets into Lama Orchestra? If that’s the case, you might want to reconsider trying so hard to join and work under me. Besides, after hearing that performance, do you really still believe you’re qualified?”
Standing nearby, Ruth couldn’t help but chuckle “Serena is absolutely right. Our orchestra is recruiting, but not Wendy.”
Hearing that, Wendy’s expression shifted between pale and flushed. But with Zach standing beside her, she didn’t dare lash out directly. Instead, she let out a soft whimper and clung to
Zach’s hand.
“It’s all because of my background. I can’t compare to someone who has been immersed in music since childhood. Zach, let’s just leave. My dreams don’t matter.”
As she spoke, she wiped away a tear, looking utterly pitiful.
Ruth, who had no patience for such fake innocence, glanced at her with disdain.
Zach hadn’t expected Serena to truly think Wendy was unworthy of joining the orchestra. However, he still wanted to help Wendy fulfill her dream. “How much would it take for her to join the orchestra?”
“How much?” Ruth was utterly shocked.
She exchanged a glance with Serena before raising one finger. “For Luna Orchestra, one spot costs 100 million dollars.”
Zach was momentarily taken aback by the price, and Wendy’s eyes also widened in shock. That was an astronomical sum.
However, if she could join Luna Orchestra, the Foster family would no longer look down on her as a nobody from the countryside. She knew Zach couldn’t come up with that much money right away, so she bit her lip and forced herself to apologize to Serena.
“Serena, I was wrong before. I apologize to you and your friends. Please don’t demand such an outrageous amount from Zach, okay?”
Disdain flickered across Ruth’s face. Just moments ago, Wendy had been acting all high and mighty, but the second she heard the exorbitant price, she immediately started fawning. That kind of two–faced act was truly pathetic!
Ruth was now even more determined to keep Wendy out.
Serena, on the other hand, didn’t even spare Wendy a glance as she brushed past her. “Get your own spot. I’m not your mom. Why would I beg for a discount for you?”
“100 million dollars. Take it or leave it,” Ruth said coolly before heading backstage.
Wendy stood rooted to the spot, and her face was drained of color. Just as she had thought, Serena’s friends were just as despicable as Serena herself. They took pleasure in humiliating
her.
Biting her lip, she forced out a few tears. “Zach, is Serena still mad at you? Is that why she keeps going against us? How about I try explaining things to her again? If I just clarify our relationship, she’ll surely-”
“That’s enough!” Zach’s expression darkened as he shoved Wendy’s arm away. “Stop dragging Serena into everything. If you’re so desperate to join the orchestra, then focus on improving your violin skills instead of spouting nonsense.”
With that, he turned away, but the thought of Serena treating him with such coldness sent a sharp pain through his chest. Without another word, he followed after Serena, leaving Wendy standing there alone.
Zach hurried out of the hotel entrance, only to catch a fleeting glimpse of Serena’s departing figure as she got into the car. He called out, “Rena…”
Out of breath, he came to a halt. His hair was ruffled wildly by the wind.
Inside the car, as Serena fastened her seatbelt, she caught sight of Zach standing on the steps. She hadn’t expected him to come after her instead of comforting Wendy.
However, Zach’s choices had nothing to do with her.
