Chapter 581 She’s Like a Light in the Darkness

“Meryl told you to give this to me, but she didn’t say anything else?”

“No, nothing.”

Felix stared at the pink lollipop Philip handed him, frowning.

“Does she think I’m some kind of child to be appeased?”

Though his words were dismissive, Felix still took the lollipop and toyed with it in his hand.

“Maybe Ms. Stone just wanted to share something sweet with you. Or perhaps she sees you as a friend? It’s normal for friends to exchange gestures like that, isn’t it?” Philip speculated.

After all, the two of them had been clashing frequently over differing perspectives.

To Philip, Meryl offering the candy seemed like a gesture of reconciliation.

“I think Ms. Stone is quite admirable. When you were so sick you could barely hold on, even though she’d argued with you just days before, the moment I asked for her help, she came right away to treat you. That’s the kind of friend worth keeping!”

Felix remained silent, his grip tightening slightly around the pink lollipop. “Do you know what I like most about her?”

Philip blinked, caught off guard.

Felix’s gaze shifted toward the window, a faint smile curling his lips.

“She’s like a ray of light piercing through the darkness, making you want to move closer without even realizing it.”

Felix’s injuries were severe, and over the next two days, Meryl juggled her orchestra practice with an hour or two each day dedicated to his treatment.

The two maintained a professional doctor–patient dynamic.

Felix proved to be an ideal patient, enduring treatments without a single complaint and cooperating fully with her instructions.

Meryl had once promised Felix that she would help him walk again, and she intended to keep that promise.

His recovery progressed rapidly, especially with the addition of therapeutic massages.

Two weeks later, Felix could even stand with support. In time, it seemed certain his legs would heal completely.

During that same period, under Harvey’s guidance, Meryl’s cello skills improved by leaps and bounds. A great teacher, as it turned out, was truly transformative.

With the orchestra’s internal auditions just around the corner, Harvey submitted Meryl’s application on her behalf.

Christine, exiting the vice conductor’s office, scanned the list of competitors. Her eyes narrowed when she spotted Meryl’s name.

Christine sneered. “A little nepotism, huh? And she dares to compete? Doesn’t she have any shame?”

Rumors had been circulating in the orchestra suggesting Meryl had used Chandler’s influence to coerce Harvey into taking her on as a student.

Busy with practice, Meryl had no time to deal with such petty gossip. But lately, the rumors had grown louder, and the way others looked at her began to shift.

Meryl had a good idea of where the rumors were coming from. It was either Rachel or Christine.

A chance encounter with Rachel in the cafeteria made it clear she wasn’t the source. Rachel was gossiping with someone at a neighboring table, looking just as surprised to hear the story as anyone else.

That left Christine.

Christine ran into Meryl in the break room and blocked her path with a raised hand.

“People like you, bribing Mr. Harvey to take you on as a student with your filthy money, don’t deserve to be in this orchestra. You’re a stain on our pure sanctuary of art!”

Her two sycophants chimed in.

“Exactly. Mr. Harvey might tolerate you, but this orchestra doesn’t need someone like you.”

Meryl’s cold gaze swept over the trio, her disdain unmistakable.

She smiled and said, “What I love most is seeing people like you, hating me with every fiber of your being, but completely powerless to do anything about it.”