Chapter 222 The Truth

Back then, Dalton got into a car accident on his way to pick her up, and the guilt weighed heavily on Meryl. To cope with the sadness, she began playing the cello outside the hospital.

She never wanted to revisit her past with Dalton, and she certainly didn’t want to talk about it.

Without saying a word, Meryl shook off his hand and turned to leave.

Dalton watched her walk away, heartbroken.

He didn’t chase after her or try to stop her.

Deep down, he already knew the truth.

Anyone could learn to play an instrument, but the way a person expressed emotion through music was unique.

When Dalton heard that brief recording on his colleague’s phone, he was almost certain that the person he had heard years ago was Meryl.

The only thing holding him back was the hope that Lydia hadn’t deceived him.

Chapter 222 The Truth

When Meryl arrived backstage, the area was buzzing with people.

Chandler had made sure she had a private room away from the commotion.

After she placed her cello on the table, a staff member brought her a cup of water.

Meryl thanked them, but as she lifted the cup to her lips, something didn’t feel right.

There was a faint, strange scent in the water.

Thanks to her past training with a practitioner, Meryl had a keen sense of smell when it came to herbs.

She detected croton oil in the water, a potent substance that causes severe diarrhea.

Lowering the cup, Meryl left the dressing room, intending to find the staff member who had brought the water.

But as soon as she stepped out, she came face to face with Lydia.

Lydia’s gaze flicked to the untouched cup on the table, and her eyes darkened.

In that moment, everything clicked for Meryl.

“It was you, wasn’t it? Lydia, what are you trying to do?”

Chapter 222 The Truth

Lydia’s eyes filled with tears.

She had been following closely behind Dalton the entire time, and she had seen him stop Meryl, asking if she was the one who had played the cello.

Panic gripped her. She knew that Dalton’s suspicions were growing.

Meryl was about to take the stage, and with Dalton’s deep understanding of music, he would recognize the truth the moment she played.

He had always been obsessed with that mysterious cellist from years ago, and Lydia had only managed to win his affection by stepping into that role.

The fear of him discovering her deception was overwhelming. She had never felt such dread in her life.

That was why she had tried to stop Meryl from going on stage, but her plan had clearly failed.

Lydia clutched Meryl’s hand, her voice trembling and pleading. “Meryl, please, I’m begging you. Just this once. Let it go.”

Meryl frowned, her tone sharp. “What’s wrong with you and Dalton? Why are both of you acting so strangely? What have I done that you’re asking for mercy?”

“After Dalton’s accident, you swore you’d never play the cello again. So why are you suddenly performing at the annual event? Chapter 222 The Truth

Meryl, I’m begging you, don’t go on stage. If you agree, I’ll transfer the Stone family’s old house to you immediately!”

Lydia’s pitiful expression did nothing to soften Meryl, who responded with a cold, mocking smile.

“You don’t want me to perform? And what’s your reason for that?”

Lydia bit her lip, unwilling to reveal the truth, and Meryl’s sarcasm deepened.

“You’re completely irrational!”

She stepped back, intending to shut the room door.

But before she could, Lydia closed her eyes, tears streaming down her face. “It was me… I took your place all those years ago!”