Chapter 965 You Don’t Know Me
Richelle didn’t expect that her threat would fall flat as Vernon merely sneered as he taunted, ”Why should I be afraid? This is a scandal within your band, to begin with. So, even if word of this got out, it would only add to my already bad reputation. However, the Sofia Symphony has more to lose. So, I would advise you to let this go.”
Although his words were appalling, she couldn’t find fault in his logic. Unfortunately, he was right; to him, it would only make his ill reputation worse, but it would leave a terrible mark on their orchestra.
Out of wits, she could only reluctantly leave empty-handed.
Back at the band, Sofia immediately called her to the office when she knew that she had returned. But, then, she requested Tessa’s presence almost in the same breath, hoping against all hope that Richelle had somehow gotten Vernon to return the music score.
Sofia’s face was austere as she fixed her steely eyes on Richelle, and Tessa was also watching her intently. ”What did he say when you went to look for him?”
Richelle didn’t dare to hide anything under their interrogative glares and told them about her conversation with Vernon.
”That’s roughly it, and he doesn’t want me to look for him again after this.”
How can there be such a shameless person in this world?! Sofia thought, fuming mad.
At the same time, she felt that he was provoking her.
At the end of the day, Richelle had made it clear that this was her demand, but he even had the audacity to turn the tables on her.
Tessa was equally disgruntled, and there was no way she would ever give up on her own score just like that.
Right then, an idea came into her mind, and she tilted her head, saying, ”Miss Sofia, I would like to meet this Vernon in person.”
Sofia agreed once she saw the determined look on Tessa’s face.
”Okay, I’ll ask someone to contact him.”
On the same afternoon, they met Vernon in a private club.
When Vernon entered the private room, he was surprised to see Sofia on the couch as he didn’t think she would handle this in person. But then, his eyes fell on Tessa next to her, and they lit up, pleasantly surprised at the sight of her.
Clearly, this was the owner of that sheet music.
”I would never imagine Miss Sofia coming forward personally for this matter. I’m terrified, really.”
Despite what he said, there was not a single shard of fear. If anything, his eyes made it apparent that he was far from afraid.
In his opinion, the more famous the people involved, the more unlikely they would be willing to drag the matter to court. Therefore, the current situation was more favorable for him.
Although Sofia had never personally met him, she had far more experience with plenty of dregs in the music industry, so she read him like a book and said stoically, ”The music you stole is composed by my student for her husband. You couldn’t be more off the mark if you think I’m going to let you off because I cared about my status!”
When Tessa heard Sofia’s proclamation, she was very touched as she knew how badly it would affect Sofia’s status if things got out of hand. Hence, she soothed, ”Don’t be mad, Miss Sofia. Let me handle this.”
Sofia looked at her and finally agreed, ”Okay, I’ll let you handle it.”
She planned to deal with it herself once Tessa couldn’t handle it. No matter what, she wouldn’t let someone like Vernon take credit for her student’s hard work.
After assuring Sofia, Tessa turned to size up Vernon. He looked in his thirties and, despite wearing a black suit, looked like a brute and exuded none of the poise and elegance a musician should possess.
Once she was satisfied with her observation, she lowered her eyes as her face turned stony and said emotionlessly, ”Mr. Vernon, we’re all musicians. Setting everything aside, you should have the most basic respect for professionalism in music, shouldn’t you?”
”Professionalism? Are you honestly talking to me about this? This just tells me that you don’t know me very well, Miss.”
Vernon cast her a look of amusement as though he had heard the best joke of the decade. Tessa’s face turned glum at his jeers and apparent disdain for her.
”Even so, your current behavior is an insult to your identity as a musician.”
”So, what? Furthermore, Richelle was the one who gave me the sheet music. I didn’t steal or snatch it from anyone. How is that an insult to my identity?”
He shot her a derisive look at the end of his remark. The look in his eyes was basically a neon sign saying, ‘so what can you do about it?’
Tessa immediately understood what he was getting at. Finally, she was so worked up that ire was written across her face, and she raised her voice angrily, ”Aren’t you afraid that I’ll sue you for plagiarism?”
”Go ahead and do it if you have what it takes!”
