Chapter 664


    “Y-You…” Eric mumbled, not quite knowing what to say. He prided himself on being worldly-wise, but


    even he had never gone so red in the face before. “Will Mr. Shaw being too?”


    “It’s only the preliminary rounds,” Ashlyn scoffed, her gaze cold and distant.


    Eric’s expression immediately darkened. What Ashlyn had meant was that something as insignificant


    as the preliminary rounds didn’t warrant the presence of both her and Richard.


    “Yes, yes,” Eric replied. “You’re right…”


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    Oh, my goodness. Me and my big mouth! I should’ve kept it shut instead of asking such dumb


    questions. D*mn it!


    In fact, never in Eric’s wildest dreams did he think that Richard’s godsister would turn out to be the


    famous Madeline Saunders.


    He couldn’t help but think of the Chapman family again, a memory that left him shaking his head


    dejectedly.


    My luck has been on a downward spiral ever since I got involved with the Chapman family. I really


    ought to keep my distance from them!


    A whileter, the receptionist from before politely handed Ashlyn a judge’s card. “My sincerest


    apologies, Ms. Saunders. I didn’t mean to offend you earlier. I hope you can forgive me.”


    There wasn’t anyone in the music industry who didn’t want to get to know Madeline Saunders, yet the


    receptionist was blind to have made things difficult for her. The feeling of regret began to sink in fast.


    As the receptionist was a lowly employee in the theater, it had taken her a great deal of bootlicking to


    clinch the task of issuing passes to the contestants.


    s, she never expected that she’d mess with the wrong person.


    Madeline Saunders is someone I absolutely couldn’t afford to offend.


    Meanwhile, Gabriel was about to apany Ashlyn into the theater when thetter saw the


    Chapmans waltzing in with Hera.


    As soon as the sharp-eyed Sisley saw Ashlyn, a look of disdain appeared on her face.


    Hera had dreaded bumping into Ashlyn, and now that she did, she felt even more awful.


    After all, she hadn’t told anyone in her family that Ashlyn was none other than Madeline Saunders.


    Unsurprisingly, Lydia, the wife of the second eldest son of the Chapman family, had also noticed


    Ashlyn. “Wow, I guess any Tom, Dick, and Harry are allowed to participate in thispetition. Do


    people not know that this is a prestigious, internationalpetition meant only for the world’s best


    pianists? Why are there still deluded individuals who think they’re in the same league as the


    professionals? It’s all so ridiculous!”


    Anthony’s brother, Benjamin Chapman, also had a scowl on his face. “How annoying! It’s such a killjoy


    to run into a jinx!”


    It was clear that the Chapmans hated Ashlyn with a vengeance, and anyone could tell that they were


    mocking her.


    The crowd, however, was silent as they gaped at the Chapman family.


    Goodness gracious, has this family gone stark raving mad? Or do they not know the real identity of


    Madeline Saunders?


    People like Eric were still reeling from the p in the face, so naturally, they couldn’t wait to see how


    Ashlyn would deal with the Chapmans.


    As such, no one even bothered to warn them.


    Knowing that their family had produced generations of schrs and aplished pianists, the


    Chapmans continued to act all high and mighty.


    Hera was the only exception, her face hot and flushed as she looked on in dread.


    Unfortunately, she had no guts to tell her family the truth and had no choice but to make her way to the


    registration counter.


    To everyone’s surprise, Ashlyn merely shot a cold nce at the Chapmans.


    She barely acknowledged them and seemedpletely unfazed by their words.


    The next moment, Ashlyn strode into the theater with Gabriel apanying her.


    A look of contempt returned to Sisley’s face. “Isn’t she just another contestant? What gives her the right


    to have Mr. Watson apany her?” she scoffed, as though it was beneath her to talk about Ashlyn.


    “Haha. Some people are so shameless that they’d use their good looks and youth to get ahead in life!”


    Again, everyone was stunned by Sisley’s words.


    Wow! She’s brave! Then again, who wouldn’t want to apany Madeline Saunders? As much as we


    want to, we aren’t good enough to be seen with her!


    The truth was, Ashlyn couldn’t be bothered to deal with the entric Chapman family.


    They might look refined and sophisticated on the outside, but deep down, they were all selfish brutes


    who’d resort to any means to gain personal benefits.


    Bob was the best proof of that.


    He remained in the hospital till this day while Anthony ended up in prison.


    As it turned out, Anthony had acted so rashly and hurt his father because Sisley had been sowing


    discord relentlessly.