Secret Admiration: Finding True Love After...

Chapter 629 Expulsion

At the competition venue, a throng of reporters lay in wait, eager to snag interviews with Meryl, the double-award winner. She was the center of attention, and every journalist wanted their shot at the headline.

Chandler, however, cradled Meryl in his arms and quietly slipped out the back, leaving the reporters none the wiser about their absence. By the time anyone realized Meryl had vanished, she was already on her way to the hospital. Meryl had become the most enigmatic winner in the history of the awards.

Once they arrived and underwent a series of tests, the doctor reassured them that the baby’s vital signs were stable. But when Meryl excused herself to use the restroom, she noticed a bit of spotting. When she returned and informed the doctor, his demeanor shifted dramatically.

“We should keep you here for a few days for observation. It’s best to limit your movement,” he said firmly.

Chandler, hearing the word “observation,” immediately instructed Walter to head home and grab some clothes for them.

Chapter 629 Expulsion

Meryl insisted, “No, you need to work during the day, and you won’t sleep well here at night. Just go home. The doctor said the baby is fine. I’m just here for peace of mind.”

Chandler shook his head, unconvinced. “How can I relax knowing my wife and child are in the hospital? If I leave you here, am I even a man?”

As he spoke, he began rearranging the couch in the waiting area. “I’ll sleep here tonight, and if anything happens, just call me.”

Meryl found it hard to argue with him. After several hectic days focused on the competition, she finally felt her tension ease and quickly drifted off to sleep.

In the hallway, Chandler stepped out to make a phone call. He dialed Rachel’s number, his disappointment palpable.

“Chandler, what’s up?” Rachel answered almost immediately.

Rachel was wearing a nightgown, and it was just past dusk; Christopher had left her place not long ago. She had just emerged from the bathroom, her skin pallid from spending too much time in the shower. A stray glance caught the sight of a used condom in the wastebasket. Irritated, Rachel kicked the trashcan away.

Out of sight, out of mind.

Chandler said, his tone serious, “Let’s cut to the chase. I need you to apologize to Meryl for what happened today.”

Chapter 629 Expulsion

Rachel froze. In fact, her instincts had told her this wasn’t going to be a pleasant conversation.

“Chandler, I’ve already lost face in front of everyone. The online backlash is brutal. You’re not going to say anything to comfort me?”

“You brought this on yourself by copying Meryl and then pushing her aside. I’m honestly so disappointed in you!” Chandler’s voice was icy, filled with frustration. If it weren’t for the debt he owed Andy, he would have forced Rachel to confront her actions head-on instead of discussing it like this.

“Meryl’s in the hospital right now. I’ll send you the address. You can decide whether to come or not. But if you don’t sincerely apologize, I’m washing my hands of your affairs from now on. Don’t come looking for help when you get into trouble.”

With that, he ended the call.

Rachel, fuming, felt her chest rise and fall with anger. In a fit of rage, she swept all the skincare products off her vanity, sending them crashing to the floor with a loud clatter.

Just then, there was a knock at her door. “Rachel, are you in there? Mr. Green wants to see you.”

Wiping her tears, Rachel took a deep breath and changed into a fresh outfit before stepping out.

Chapter 629 Expulsion

They hadn’t managed to hide in time, and the embarrassment was palpable.

Rachel shot the girls a fierce glare before striding away.

Once she was out of earshot, the group of girls who’d been caught eavesdropping exchanged whispers. “What’s there to be smug about? She’s just a plagiarism cheat. And how dare she look at us like that?”

“Seriously! If Mr. Green is talking to her, things can’t be good. She might be getting kicked out any second.”

One of them blushed slightly and leaned in, lowering her voice. “By the way, did you guys hear any weird noises coming from her room earlier?”

“What kind of noises?” another asked, intrigued.

“You know… the kind that’s a bit embarrassing to mention,” the first girl replied, her cheeks flushing deeper.

The others exchanged curious glances. Then another girl chimed in, “Now that you mention it, I think I saw a guy sneaking over the wall from the music department while I was walking near the cafeteria about half an hour ago.”

The music hall, being a closed-off space, usually didn’t allow outsiders in, but the picturesque scenery drew many girls’ boyfriends, who would often hop the fence for a quiet rendezvous by the small lake. But bringing a guy back to the dorm for, well, less-than-innocent

Chapter 629 Expulsion

activities? That seemed a bit much!

“Oh my God, Rachel always seemed so uptight. Who knew she’d be so wild on the side? And she’s bringing guys into an all-girls dorm?”

“I heard her fiancé’s family is loaded. You’d think they’d at least spring for a hotel room or something.”

“Maybe they’re into this whole risky business?”

“Risky? Keeping us in the loop like we’re part of their little games? That’s just gross!”

Meanwhile, in orchestra president Vincent Green’s office, Rachel knocked and entered, surprised to find not just Vincent, but leaders from various sections of the orchestra present. As she stepped in, all eyes locked on her, filled with disdain and cold indifference.

“Mr. Green, you called for me?”

“Rachel, I’ll be blunt. We just had an emergency meeting, and the consensus is unanimous: you’re being dismissed.”

Rachel was taken aback.

“Pack your things tonight and prepare to move out.”

The online scandal surrounding her, while serious, had escalated beyond just the plagiarism issue. The real outrage came from her public confrontation with Meryl at the awards ceremony, which had ignited a firestorm of criticism against her.

Chapter 629 Expulsion

Given the orchestra’s zero tolerance for plagiarism, the decision was swift. Rachel had anticipated some fallout, but she never imagined it would happen so quickly, less than two hours after the incident.

Since she clearly wasn’t welcome anymore, she saw no reason to cling to the orchestra.

“Understood. I’ll move out as soon as possible.”

To her, the orchestra had always just been a job. She turned on her heel and left Vincent’s office without a backward glance or a word to anyone else.

The head of the violin section remarked, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose, “Considering everything, she should’ve at least offered an apology. Everyone here stayed late to deal with this, and she couldn’t even say sorry? Who brought her into this ensemble anyway?”

The HR manager raised a hand, a bit sheepish. “I brought her in. I thought her resume looked great, so…”

Vincent interjected, “In this line of work, the most important quality is patience. Talent is crucial, but integrity comes first.”

The HR manager nodded vigorously, anxiety creeping in. “Absolutely, you’re right!”