Elizabeth Wilson slid the folder across the desk to Emily Blair, speaking as she did.

Flipping through the papers, Emily gave them a quick glance before lowering her head to sign her name.

"He's not planning to visit today, is he?"

Leaning against the edge of the table, Elizabeth shrugged. "So, what should we do? Drag him there ourselves?"

Emily let out a soft laugh. "Come on, this isn't some crime drama. Kidnapping? That sounds a bit too sinister for a civilized society, don't you think?"

Elizabeth grinned, catching the joke herself. "Well, then what are we supposed to do?"

Emily finished signing, handed the folder back, and replied, "Alex White will go. Just not today."

Elizabeth straightened up, suddenly attentive. "What makes you say that?"

Emily paused, considering. "It's just a feeling."

"Otherwise, why do you think Alex came with me to the hospital today? It can't just be curiosity," she said.

Elizabeth nodded in agreement. "You've got a point. Still, if he finds out you're just using him to get back at Isabella Austin, he'll be furious."

Emily just chuckled. "So what? It's only fair-an eye for an eye. I remember exactly what he and Isabella did before."

She added, almost arrogantly, "Even if I'm using him, he should count himself lucky." Elizabeth couldn't help but admire her, giving her a thumbs up.

"Oh, by the way," Elizabeth remembered, "the piano competition semifinals are the day after tomorrow. Are you still going?"

Emily laughed softly. "Why wouldn't I? Of course I am."

With Rose Ward out of the picture, she was curious to see who Isabella would turn to for piano compositions now.

On the day of the semifinals, the crowd was noticeably thinner-most of those present had already been eliminated during the preliminary round.

By a twist of fate, Emily found herself sharing the same competition hall as Isabella again.

The rules for the semifinals were nearly identical to the prelims: the participants were divided among several halls, but while ten contestants could advance from each group in the first round, only three from each hall would earn a spot in the finals.

In the finals, there would be no more divisions. Every remaining pianist from the entire Eldoria region would compete together in a single hall, and the top three would be selected to represent the region at the international competition.

Emily entered the venue, glancing around. Scattered contestants sat alone, lost in their own preparations. No one paid her any attention as she quietly took a seat in a corner with a clear view of the room.

Isabella claimed a spot in the very center of the front row. From Emily's vantage point, she could only see Isabella's profile.

Emily watched her for a moment before lowering her gaze to reply to some messages on her phone.

Between answering work emails, she became aware of someone watching her. She

looked up, just in time to catch Isabella glancing back at her.

Emily smiled. Isabella's expression froze for a split second. Then, like a proud

peacock, she lifted her chin and turned away.

Emily stifled a laugh and went back to her phone.

With fewer contestants this round, everything moved much faster than in the preliminaries. In just two hours, the performances were over, and everyone waited for the judges' scores and the results.

Emily hadn't expected Isabella's performance to be so lackluster this time. The piece was smooth enough, but it lacked any real spark.

Overall, Isabella's playing had lost much of the brilliance she'd shown in the first round.