TimeNovelChapter 499
Karl had no interest in discussing the subject further. He cut in, "Instead of wasting ttalking to me, why don't
you look into that woman's background? Find out whether she approached Grandpa on purpose.”
At that, Sherman let it go and didn't push back any further.
Backstage, Stella's phone rang. It was Mr. Burton.
"Stella, so many old friends showed up today. Things are a bit hectic on my end, so I'm afraid | can't cby to
see you. Just stick to the performance schedule we agreed on. After it's over, I'll introduce you to the old timers,"
he said, his voice barely rising above the lively chatter in the background.
"Don't worry about us, I'll take care of everything here," Stella assured him before hanging up and checking the
time.
She quickly started organizing the group. "Anthony, you'll open with a solo."
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
Anthony was well-known-even if the elderly guests didn't recognize him, having him start the show would set the
right tone for this charity concert.
But instead of replying, Anthony just stared off into space, lost in thought. Lately, he'd seemed out of sorts,
making mistakes even during rehearsals-something he'd never done before. Was he still hung up on what
happened last time?
As Stella mulled it over, Candida returned. This time, Stella had included Candida in the setlist. Both she and
Anthony played violin, as did Marvin. Too many similar performances could easily tire the audience, so Stella
wanted Candida to bridge the pieces with a piano interlude. Mr. Burton had agreed to the suggestion and
encouraged her to take charge.
It might have been a small concert for seniors, but for Stella, it was her first real public performance and she was
determined for it to go well.
Noticing something off about Candida's expression, Stella asked, "Candida, what's wrong? Did something
happen?"
Candida hesitated before answering honestly, "I think I just saw my ex-boyfriend."
"Your ex?" Stella echoed.
Candida nodded. "A bunch of people arrived just now | saw him among them. My ex-boyfriend."
Abby, who'd been listening, looked
Are you sure it was b
most of the guests tod?? |
are
d to be seniors, aren't they?"
"His nis Karl Burton," Candida replied. "Do you think he might be related to Mr. Burton?"
When she firsNearned Mr. Burton's last name, the idea never crossed her mind. After all, there were plenty of
people named Burton in the world Besides, from what Stella and Abby had told her, Mr. Burtonwas just an aging
doctor who wanted to tréat slocal retirees to a concert before he retired. He'd even spent most of his life
savings to rent such a fancy venue.
But seeing Karl just now had made her wonder Karl cfrom an influential family. If she hadn't stood by his
side through thick and his parents never would have
accepted her. Given his band,
could there really be a connection to Mr. Burton?
Stella and Abby exchanged glances.
“I've helped Mr. Burton for so long,” Stella said, “but I've never once met any of his
family."
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