After I Vanished, He Finally Realized What He Lost

Chapter 9

The same piece of music was played, but each musician brought their own unique style to it. Both Jarren and Linus captivated the audience in the first half, showcasing their skill. But as the second half unfolded, Linus began to show signs of fatigue. His performance, once powerful, started to waver, the rhythm shaky. Finally, he hit a wrong note.

I wasn't surprised by Linus's decline. Over the years, he'd come to see himself as a natural prodigy, and as a result, his training had noticeably decreased. After Themis entered the picture, he became more impatient whenever I suggested he refine his skills. Instead, he spent his time playing with his little friend or using his large, insured hands to help her craft gifts, indulging her with genuine affection. Today's outcome was a direct result of his choices.

As the performance ended, Linus looked defeated, his face clouded with anger. The final vote revealed that Jarren had triumphed by a landslide. The audience erupted into boos, aimed squarely at Linus.

"Still calling yourself a once-in-a-century genius? That title seems like nothing more than empty words!"

"With skills like that, how dare he challenge our Mr. Morgan? If he's not embarrassed, I feel ashamed for him!"

Linus's eyes burned with fury, unwilling to accept defeat. He gritted his teeth and spat, "A bunch of tasteless fools! Do you really think you're so great?"

His gaze shifted to me, looking for some form of comfort. I didn't give him the satisfaction. I simply turned away and walked off the stage with Jarren.

Though Linus lost the competition, the fallout only grew worse. Since their match wasn't an official performance, numerous spectators had live-streamed or uploaded videos of the event. The entire internet watched as Linus's moment of failure played out.

The artistic legend he had spent years building now lay in ruins. Combined with his recent scandals, his commercial value hit rock bottom. Many of his clients publicly severed their contracts with him. Meanwhile, Jarren's star was on the rise, attracting clients eager to work with him. As his manager, I was bombarded with calls, feeling a mix of pride and lingering regret.

That evening, when I returned to the apartment, I found Linus slumped drunkenly in the bushes outside. As I approached, he staggered to his feet, trying to close the distance between us. Instinctively, I took a step back. Linus froze, despair written all over his face.

"Now even you look down on me, don't you?" he asked.

"No," I replied, my voice steady. "I just don't want to be involved with you anymore." I turned to walk past him and into the building.

But he grabbed my wrist, his grip warm and desperate, the heat seeping into my skin. His voice trembled as he spoke, choked with emotion.

"Naia, I was wrong. The way I treated you... It came from those people, always saying I only reached this position because of you."

"I just couldn't accept it," he continued, his sobs breaking through. "I couldn't understand why they wouldn't acknowledge my abilities. Why they always had to give you the credit!"

"I've always loved you," he sobbed, "and I never imagined I would marry another woman."

His words hit me like a cold wave, but all I felt was emptiness. Was this really the truth behind his actions all along? Or was this just another layer of his manipulation?