Chapter 101

The man's retreating figure towered over the petite girl trailing behind him. Their height difference created an almost comical contrast.

Natalia crouched on the pavement, tears streaming down her face. Her precious ukulele lay in ruins before her.

She'd hoped her dramatic weeping would summon back the handsome stranger who'd wiped her tears earlier. But no knight in shining armor came to her rescue.

When she finally looked up, all she saw was Dominic's broad back disappearing into the distance.

'Why is he leaving? Doesn't he care about my suffering?'

Scrambling to her feet, Natalia dashed after him. "Sir! Please wait!"

Dominic paused, turning with an amused smirk. "Yes? Can I help you?"

Natalia blinked in confusion. 'His smile looks the same, but his eyes feel so much colder now.'

"Um...I wanted to return your handkerchief." She extended the fabric with trembling fingers, waiting breathlessly for him to ask for her contact details.

"Keep it." Dominic's lips curled in distaste. "Consider it a gift."

Natalia's cheeks flushed pink. Her heart raced wildly.

'He's giving it to me? This is designer silk! What could this mean?'

As romantic scenarios played through her mind, Dominic delivered his crushing verdict. "It's tainted now. I don't want anything touched by a liar's tears."

Natalia froze.

'Liar? Me?' Panic set in as she stammered, "Sir, you've got the wrong idea—"

Dominic cut her off with a chilling smile. "Really? You didn't play that ukulele, yet you took credit. You damaged it yourself to frame someone. And now these crocodile tears? 'Liar' is putting it kindly."

Natalia's mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. Her fairytale prince had turned into her worst nightmare.

As Dominic walked away, Lucas approached with a businesslike expression. "Miss, we've appraised your instrument. The compensation will be three thousand dollars. Please provide your account details."

Natalia's face twisted in fury. "Three thousand? It's worth fifteen! I won't accept a penny less!"

Lucas remained impassive. "Then we'll need to see the receipt. Otherwise, we'll settle this in court."

The word 'court' made Natalia flinch. A lawsuit was the last thing a fresh graduate needed.

Grudgingly, she rattled off her bank details, seething with resentment. In her mind, Evelyn was to blame for everything.

'This isn't over between us.'

Inside the car, Evelyn focused on her phone, ignoring the tension.

Nathaniel's icy voice cut through the silence. "Quite the musician, Evelyn." The sarcasm dripped from every word.