Chapter 1082:
Seeing the flush of anger on Dennis’s face, Rylie stepped forward to mediate. “It’s only a misunderstanding,” she repeated, hoping to defuse the tension.
She addressed Dominic first. “Professor Holden, I have no intention of joining the Royal Academy of Arts. I was invited here merely as a temporary examiner and planned to head back to Evergreen University this afternoon.”
She turned toward Dennis and the professors gathered behind him, who were urging her to stay. “I’m studying at Evergreen University under Professor Holden’s guidance. That doesn’t prevent me from visiting occasionally to offer musical advice. There will be more opportunities later.”
Though disappointed, Dennis found Rylie’s explanation clear and impossible to dispute—especially with her own mentor having come such a long way in person.
He exhaled softly and placed a hand on Rylie’s shoulder. “All right, I understand. But make sure to visit whenever you can.”
“I will, Dennis,” she replied with a warm smile.
Dominic’s expression softened slightly, though he still cast a wary glance at Dennis before telling Rylie, “We need to leave now. No more delays.”
The longer they lingered, the more anxious he grew that someone might whisk his prized student away.
Rylie spoke up. “I left a few things in Dennis’s office. I’ll retrieve them and come right back.”
T𝗁𝗼u𝗌𝘢𝘯𝗱ѕ o𝘧 𝗿𝖾a𝗱𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝘰𝘯 g𝗮𝗅ո𝗼𝘃elѕ.𝖼о𝘮
Walton immediately stepped in. “I’ll come along. Professor Holden can wait at the entrance.”
“All right,” Rylie agreed.
Only then did Dominic truly relax. As he guided the remaining students toward the entrance, he unexpectedly ran into Connor and Letty storming out from the opposite side of the grove, still locked in a heated argument.
Letty gripped Connor’s arm tightly. “I’ve already sacrificed too much for you. Now that everything’s fallen apart, there’s no way out for me. You have to get me into Evergreen University—otherwise I won’t even be able to face my father. And if my future is destroyed, I won’t go down alone.”
He snapped, “Fine. I know people at Evergreen. If I’ve given you my word, I’ll make it happen.”
Connor was still simmering with anger when he turned and spotted the very person he’d just mentioned: his uncle.
He stood frozen, utterly unprepared for the sudden appearance of his uncle at the Royal Academy of Arts.
Dominic had already noticed Connor from a distance. Watching him tangled up with a faculty member, suit wrinkled and stance thoroughly undignified, Dominic’s brows drew together. “Connor? What are you doing here?”
Connor reacted at once, brushing Letty aside and hurriedly smoothing his jacket. He rushed forward wearing a carefully crafted expression—half wronged, half aggrieved. “Uncle Dominic! What a surprise. You couldn’t have come at a better time. I was just about to look for you.”
Dominic’s brows knit. His memory of this distant relative was faint at best, limited to the impression of an unruly, untrustworthy young man.
Seeing him in this state only deepened Dominic’s irritation. “You were looking for me? Why? And who is she?” His eyes moved to the pale woman standing behind Connor.
.
.
.