My Great Escape Led Me to You novel Chapter 201

Emily Blair glanced at Isabella Austin, then at the two men flanking her like a pair of silent guardians.

Andrew Lane and Alex White had always been at odds, their friendship fraying at the edges ever since Isabella entered the picture. When they stood together, the tension between them was almost visible—a barely contained storm. Yet, with Isabella in the middle, their rivalry seemed to fade, replaced by a fragile truce.

Both men hovered close, each adopting a distinctly protective stance. But their gazes betrayed little warmth. Andrew’s dark eyes were cool and unreadable, giving nothing away. Alex, on the other hand, made no effort to hide his displeasure. The playful spark that usually lit up his fox-like eyes was nowhere to be found; in its place was a cold, unyielding stare.

Emily couldn’t be bothered with their theatrics. She looked away and let her attention drift elsewhere.

The preliminary round had dragged on for nearly six hours, and by the end of it, Emily was starving—her stomach practically caving in on itself. Thankfully, the organizers had arranged meals for both contestants and judges, saving Emily the trouble of finding food herself.

The dining area was set up in the hotel’s restaurant. All the competitors had to do was show their badges at the counter, and they’d receive a complimentary meal—something that would normally cost a small fortune at a place like this.

When Emily arrived, the restaurant was already packed. She scanned the buzzing room; most of the faces belonged to fellow participants in the Starlight Piano Competition.

The first round had started at ten that morning. Six hours later, lunch was a distant memory for most, and the only people left in the restaurant were the musicians, with a few scattered hotel guests here and there.

Most of the competitors had found their friends and gathered in small clusters, eating and chatting amid the din. Emily was the lone exception—she stood out, eating alone, drawing the occasional glance from the crowd.

Unperturbed, she wove through the tables, her gaze fixed straight ahead.

The restaurant’s entrance was wide open, with floor-to-ceiling glass walls letting in the afternoon light. Emily barely noticed the trio entering until they were right in front of her.

She hesitated for a split second, then turned on her heel and headed in the opposite direction.

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