My Great Escape Led Me to You novel Chapter 199

A few people were whispering, “How can Emily Blair stay so calm?”

“What else can she do? If she panics now, everyone will know she pulled some strings to get here. All she can do is put on a front.”

Isabella Austin sneered inwardly.

Emily Blair—honestly, was there anyone in this room who actually liked her? Ridiculous.

Isabella lifted her head, her voice turning gentle. “Let’s not be so harsh. Emily has been working really hard.”

Someone shot back with a scornful laugh. “Oh, working hard, is she? Working hard at pulling favors, maybe. Tell me, is there a single person in this competition who hasn’t worked hard?”

Isabella’s brows knit together in a look of fragile sympathy. “Emily really does care about this competition. Yes, she hit a wrong note, and her piano wasn’t the best, but overall—”

That person interrupted with a mocking scoff, “Exactly. We all heard her miss that note. So why is she moving on to the semifinals?”

Their face turned cold, and they stared Isabella down. “Ms. Austin, I give you credit for winning first place in the preliminaries. I respect that. And I get that you’re kind-hearted, always trying to defend Emily. But this is different. Emily’s taking a spot that should belong to one of us. We’ve all spent months preparing for this, and now it’s being taken away by someone who cheated her way in.”

A troubled look flickered across Isabella’s face.

The same person continued, “Ms. Austin, if you insist on defending Emily Blair, don’t expect me to play nice.”

Isabella lowered her eyes, pressing her lips together, visibly torn and aggrieved.

“Isabella.”

Andrew Lane’s voice was low and warm, the kind of tone that sent a shiver of heat down her spine.

She looked up at him, eyes soft and pleading. “Andrew.”

He rested his hand lightly on her shoulder, giving it a reassuring pat.

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