Chapter 64

Things didn't go the way Stella had hoped. She was still going through her notes, trying to organize her thoughts on the sheet music, when her phone rang out of nowhere—an unfamiliar number. She paused for a second but answered anyway. "Hello, who's this?" A flustered male voice came through. "Ms. Johnson? I'm Ethan's assistant. Mr. Brooks just had a recurrence of his old illness and was rushed to the hospital. He won't be able to make it to the competition tomorrow." A sudden flare-up? Of all times, it had to happen now? It was too much of a coincidence—way too targeted. The pen slipped from her fingers and hit the floor with a soft clatter. She gave a cold laugh and replied with obvious sarcasm, "Wow, what perfect timing for his condition to act up." The man didn't respond to her tone. He just mechanically repeated, "We're hoping to clear Mr. Brooks's name too. He was fine this morning, and then suddenly he collapsed..." Right. As if he wasn't faking it. Suddenly collapsing? That sou