Reborn, She's Back for Revenge novel Chapter 137

Fiona was all smiles and full of enthusiasm, leaving Edith completely at a loss for how to react. She couldn’t help but notice how the wrinkles on Fiona’s face multiplied with every cheerful grin.

[Host has received the genuine fondness of an elder. Reward: one Anti–Wrinkle Pill.]

“Why did I have to focus on Mrs. Larson’s wrinkles?‘ Edith groaned inwardly. This pill might as well have been designed just for Fiona. Still, handing over an Anti–Wrinkle Pill the first time they met would be way too weird.

Just as Edith was still grumbling inside, the car they called finally pulled up.

“Larry, Mrs. Larson, I’m heading back to the hotel now,” she said quickly. Without waiting for a response, she practically bolted into the car, eager to escape the situation.

Fiona looked reluctant to let go of the moment. She turned to Larry and said, “Larry, you have to invite that girl over to our house for dinner sometime. Oh, and what’s her name?”

“Her name’s Edith,” Larry replied, grinning from ear to ear that Fiona liked someone so important to him. He was just about to say more when he caught sight of someone else coming out. “Grandma, look. Ms. Cornell is coming out.”

Fiona stepped forward right away, her aged eyes misting with emotion. “Joselyn, it’s truly been seven or eight years since we last met, hasn’t it?”

Joselyn, herself of mixed heritage with blue eyes, approached and gently took Fiona’s hand. “Our last meeting was such a rushed farewell. I would never have predicted that Dwight would…”

Back in those days, the three of them–Fiona, Joselyn, and Dwight–had gone abroad together for their studies. They’d watched each other grow from youth to old age, forever woven into each other’s

lives.

As the years went by, Joselyn grew reluctant to fly and chose to stay overseas.

It wasn’t until Dwight’s illness became critical that she forced herself to make the journey home. determined to bid her old friend a final farewell, no matter what it took. They all piled into the car and headed straight for the hospital.

Dwight spent most of his days in a deep sleep, and by the time they arrived, he was lying in bed, eyes shut tight. The once–vibrant man now looked so frail. Since it wasn’t visiting hours, Joselyn wasn’t allowed inside.

“It’s getting late. Let’s grab dinner first,” Fiona said with a forced smile. “Dwight usually wakes up

around eight or nine in the evening. We can go in and talk to him then.”

Joselyn shook her head. “One of my old students insisted on taking me out to dinner as soon as he heard I was back, and I already promised I’d go.

Mr

“I’ll be in Bonrea for four or five days, so there’s plenty of time for us to catch up later. For now, I should head to my student’s dinner.”

Joselyn had been teaching piano ever since she was eighteen. Once her reputation went worldwide, she stopped teaching at schools and focused on tutoring students privately.

Every one of her students, from different countries, became a top talent in the piano world. Wherever she went, there were always students eager to invite her out for a meal.

For the last eight years, though, she’d barely set foot outside her home, so it had been a really long time since she’d dined with any of her students.

When Joselyn had barely stepped out of the car at the gate of the restaurant, a man in his forties hurried over, looking positively thrilled. “Ms. Cornell, I finally get to see you again.”

“Harvey, last time I saw you–what, eight or nine years ago? You definitely had a lot more hair,” Joselyn remarked dryly. “A pianist’s music matters most, but you really shouldn’t neglect your looks.”

Harvey’s smile froze. His teacher hadn’t changed at all–still brutally honest, always telling it like it is. Good thing no one else was around, or he’d have died of embarrassment.

“Ms. Cornell, you haven’t lost your sense of humor, have you?” Harvey quickly regained his composure. “Please, after you.”

Joselyn walked in with her characteristic poise. Hallie, Karen, and June were sitting by the window. As soon as they saw Joselyn, all three of them practically jumped to their feet, jaws dropping in total

disbelief.

June, especially, was stunned, She’d spent years playing piano, with Joselyn as her ultimate idol. Joselyn was the reason June had ever stuck with the piano,

All this time in the music scene, she’d never once imagined she’d actually stand face–to–face with Joselyn, whom she’d worshipped since she was a little girl.

June’s hands actually shook a little as she walked over, nerves buzzing through her. Hallie was just as floored. Joselyn wasn’t just some famous pianist–she was a legend, and her arrangements were all

classic. Hallie was too nervous to even react.

“Hallie, straighten your back, smile, but don’t look desperate. Head over and say hi to Joselyn,” Karen

murmured next to her. “She’s one of the secret judges for the competition. If you grab her attention now, that first prize is as good as yours.”

Hallie took a deep breath and made her way over.

By then, June had already approached Joselyn, doing her best to look composed. “Ms. Cornell, it’s an honor. I’m June, also a pianist and a friend of Mr. Raine. It’s such a pleasure to meet you.” She offered her hand, and Joselyn shook it briefly.

Hallie quickly stepped up. “Ms. Cornell, hello. I’m Hallie. I’ve been learning piano ever since I was little, and I’m here in Bonrea to compete in the National Piano Competition. If you have any advice for me, I’d be so grateful.”

As soon as she finished, Joselyn’s eyebrows drew together in a faint frown. All Joselyn wanted was a quiet dinner with an old student she hadn’t seen in years. She didn’t expect to see all these strangers. She gave Harvey a cool, measured look.

Just that one glance told Harvey everything–she was not pleased. He felt a stab of annoyance at himself. He thought he should have given Joselyn a heads–up about all this. At that moment, both of them were stuck in this awkward mess.

He looked over at June, standing off to the side, and let out a silent sigh..

He owed her a favor, and there was no backing out now–this was just how he had to pay it back. Once tonight was over, he’d owe his teacher a big apology.

June didn’t pick up Joselyn’s sour mood. She’d always heard stories that Joselyn was notoriously temperamental–her moods could swing in a flash, and people around her were constantly caught in the crossfire. So, Joselyn’s frosty, unsmiling face didn’t make June uneasy at all.

June put on her most enthusiastic grin. “Ms. Cornell, this restaurant has some great specialty dishes. Come on, let’s enjoy the dinner together.”

Joselyn might not have been in the best of spirits, but she still knew how to be polite. She quietly took. her seat at the place of honor.

Hallie was seated next to Joselyn and, eager to make a good impression, reached over to offer her a piece. “Ms. Cornell, would you like to try this foie gras?”

Joselyn’s frown deepened. “Sorry, but I’m extremely particular about cleanliness.”

Hallie protested softly, looking a bit hurt. “I didn’t use my fork and knife to touch the food.”

The slice of foie gras sat untouched at the bottom of Joselyn’s plate. Joselyn said coolly, “Harvey,

have the waiter bring me a clean set of dishes.” Harvey hurried off to take care of it.

E

Hallie was embarrassed, and Karen didn’t look much happier. Still, Karen secretly felt a sense of relief. Harvey was a superstar in the piano world–most would give anything just to meet him.

But now, even he was being bossed around by Joselyn, totally at her mercy. She thought, ‘If someone like him could be pushed around, then it is obvious that Joselyn’s status in the industry is unmatched.

‘That’s just how Joselyn is. There’s no point in getting hung up over it.‘ As long as it helped Hallie reach the very top, Karen was ready to swallow her pride and do whatever she had to.