Secret Admiration: Finding True Love After…

Chapter 599 A Bunch of Bad Apples

As Rachel poured out her heart, Chandler frowned and instinctively pulled away from her touch. Not even the edge of his shirt could be reached by her desperate grasp.

“Rachel, forming a team is supposed to be mutual. If Meryl doesn’t want to join, you can’t force her,” he stated firmly.

Rachel’s eyes widened in disbelief. “I’m forcing her?”

Chandler nodded, his expression unwavering. “If she doesn’t want to do something, and you’re pushing her to do it, that’s exactly what you’re doing.”

Rachel found herself at a loss for words, frustration bubbling up inside her. It was clear to her that Chandler favored Meryl; whatever Meryl did or said was always right in his eyes.

“Chandler, when are you going to help me break off my engagement with Felix?” Rachel pressed, her voice tinged with urgency.

After Chandler left with Meryl the night before, Rachel had to support Felix as they left together. She had been dropping hints all evening, subtly reminding him that it was her birthday.

She had mused, “Is it too much to ask for a gift? I mean, I’m his fiancée, right? He could at least get me a cake!”

“Oh, you want cake?” Felix replied, glancing down at her with a disinterested look. His casual tone sent chills down her spine. “Sure, but first, I’m curious…”

“What?”

“Can you show me what a woman’s insides look like?”

His face twisted into a sickly excited grin as he pulled out a knife from seemingly nowhere. Rachel’s heart dropped, her face draining of color. She was trapped in his car, unable to escape, her body shaking in fear as she curled up in the corner, praying he wouldn’t decide to act on his twisted thoughts.

That night, lying in bed, her dreams were haunted by gruesome images of intestines spilling everywhere. With a fiancé like Felix, who clearly had feelings for Meryl, Rachel couldn’t help but wish he would just latch onto her instead.

Chandler’s brow furrowed deeper. “I don’t have the standing to negotiate with the Powell family. If you want to break the engagement, you’ll have to approach them yourself.”

After all, they weren’t family; the only connection they had was through Andy. Although Chandler had supported Rachel’s education over the years, he knew that marriage was a different matter entirely. He couldn’t just step in and meddle. If the Powell family asked him what right he had to interfere in Rachel’s marriage, he would be at a loss for words.

“Can’t you just tell them we’ve known each other forever and that you’ve developed feelings for me?” Rachel suggested, desperation creeping into her voice.

Chandler’s expression turned icy. “That’s nonsense! Do you even realize what you’re saying?”

Rachel bit her lip, feeling a wave of hurt wash over her as she faced his anger.

“I’m a married man, Rachel! How could you even think to say something so outrageous?”

“I was just hypothesizing! Just to trick the Powell family into believing it,” Rachel shot back.

“Do you think the Powell family is that easily fooled? What kind of position do you think you’re putting yourself in? Do you want to be branded as the other woman?”

Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as Chandler’s words silenced her. Just then, Chandler’s phone rang, and he excused himself, saying he had to leave for a work matter.

With a heavy heart, Rachel stepped out of the auditorium, feeling defeated.

“Ms. Morgan, please wait!”

At the sound of her name, Rachel turned, puzzled. “Who are you?”

“Ms. Morgan, don’t you remember me? I voted for you during your performance just now,” Lydia said with a smile.

“Do you need something?” Rachel asked cautiously.

“Actually, breaking off your engagement with the Powell family isn’t as difficult as you might think,” Lydia replied, her tone casual.

Rachel’s defenses shot up. “Did you overhear me?”

Lydia shook her head. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop; I just happened to be passing by. You don’t have to worry, I mean no harm.”

Rachel narrowed her eyes, skepticism evident on her face. But as she scrutinized Lydia’s features, a flicker of recognition sparked within her.

“Are you related to Meryl?” she asked, curiosity piqued.

“We’re sisters, though we share a different mother. So, Ms. Morgan, do you have feelings for Chandler? Maybe I can help you out, and we can work on getting you out of that engagement with the Powell family.”

Lydia leaned in close, her voice barely above a whisper as she said something that made Rachel’s cheeks burn with embarrassment.

“You want me to drug Chandler?” Rachel gasped, her hands twisting together in a knot of anxiety. “That would make him furious, and besides…”

Lydia cut her off, her tone sharp and insistent. “Ms. Morgan, you understand the concept of burning bridges, don’t you?”

“Chandler is a man of great responsibility. Once you two are tangled up together, he won’t just walk away. If you’re a victim in this, he won’t blame you for it.”

Rachel fell silent, her mind racing with the implications of Lydia’s words.

“In a few days, the Paltrow family is hosting a celebration for their baby’s full moon. The Powell family will receive an invitation, and since Dante is friends with Chandler, he will definitely attend.”

“That’s the perfect opportunity. If Chandler happens to drink something tainted at the party, it will fall squarely on the Paltrow family’s shoulders. No one would suspect you.”

Rachel’s eyes narrowed as she processed this. “Why are you helping me?”

Lydia’s smile was sly, her expression dripping with malice. “Because I want you to be Chandler’s wife. I want to see Meryl suffer.”

Meanwhile, Meryl sat in the orchestra room, lost in thought. Harvey stepped in, breaking the silence. “The arrangement competition is just around the corner. What are you doing sitting here? Shouldn’t you be looking for a partner or at least some inspiration?”

To anyone else, Harvey might seem unapproachable, but in private, he was down-to-earth, almost friendly. Meryl sometimes felt like he was more of a friend than a mentor.

She rested her head on her crossed arms, staring blankly at the desk. “I’m a nobody. How am I supposed to find inspiration? Do you really believe someone who’s never composed a piece could come up with something good? I might as well go buy a lottery ticket; my chances of winning would probably be better.”

Harvey playfully tapped her on the head. “What kind of nonsense is that? You’re my student! How could you be that bad? Have you heard of Casey?”

Meryl’s head popped up like a gopher. “The famous cellist? The one with over a million followers online who held a concert at the Golden Hall in Vienna at such a young age?”

“Exactly! He’s my student, too–your senior, in fact. He couldn’t compose before, but now, every piece he plays is practically his own creation,” Harvey said, pride shining in his eyes.

Meryl blinked, her mind churning with possibilities.

Harvey continued, serious now, “Since you’re my student, I know you won’t be any worse!”

The competition required only a short demo, so perfection wasn’t necessary. With over half a month to go, there was plenty of time to gather inspiration before the actual event. Harvey recommended a few classical pieces, and for the next few days, Meryl immersed herself in the music, headphones on, letting the melodies wash over her.

She began to grasp the emotions the composers wanted to convey, jotting down notes and sketches whenever a tune popped into her head. As the days passed, Meryl found herself making significant progress.

Writing music wasn’t as daunting as she had imagined. The more she listened, the more melodies began to emerge in her mind, and she quickly learned to capture those fleeting moments of inspiration.