And near the corridor stood Eleanor Hayes with her security director.
Vanessa was crying.
Mom looked furious.
Dad had finally arrived and was already demanding that everyone calm down.
Eleanor held a tablet.
“Security footage confirms that the instrument was destroyed intentionally.”
Vanessa shook her head.
“I was angry. I didn’t mean to—”
Eleanor pressed play.
There was Vanessa on the screen.
Holding my violin.
Her voice was perfectly clear.
“Maybe now your stupid little concert is over.”
Then came the sound of wood breaking.
Once.
Then again.
Nobody spoke.
Dad stared at the screen.
Mom whispered,
“Vanessa…”
Eleanor closed the video.
“Meridian Ventures is withdrawing its investment offer effective immediately.”
Vanessa screamed.
“No!”
Then she turned toward me.
“Fix this!”
For a moment, I almost couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
“You want me to fix what you did?”
“You can tell her you forgive me!”
“I do forgive you.”
