Chapter 3 - An Offer with Strings
Julian Sterling didn't just applaud; he stood in front of Lily and knelt down on the hardwood floor.
"I have spent forty years looking for a child like you," Julian said softly. "You have a gift from God, Lily Parker."
He turned to Emily, who was kneeling beside her daughter, holding her close. "Are you her mother?"
"Yes, sir," Emily said nervously. "I'm so sorry for the intrusion, Mrs. Whitmore—"
"Forget Mrs. Whitmore," Julian interrupted firmly. "I am the director of the Sterling Conservatory of Music. I want to offer your daughter a full, lifetime scholarship to my institution, effective tomorrow morning."
Gasp went through the ballroom. Getting a child into the Sterling Conservatory was nearly impossible; billionaires threw millions at Julian just to get an audition for their children.
However, Victoria Whitmore stepped forward, her eyes narrowing with calculated greed. She realized instantly what having a child prodigy associated with her house could do for her social standing.
"Julian, let's not be hasty," Victoria smiled, smoothly placing a hand on Emily's shoulder. "Emily is my personal employee, and Lily discovered her talent right here on my Steinway. I am prepared to sponsor Lily myself—under the condition that she performs exclusively at Whitmore family galas and foundation events."
Emily felt a knot tie in her stomach. Victoria didn't want to help Lily; she wanted to own her. She wanted to turn a five-year-old girl into a social accessory to parade in front of her wealthy friends.
May you like
"She is five years old, Mrs. Whitmore," Emily spoke up, her voice surprisingly steady. "She isn't a show pony. She plays because she loves it."
Victoria’s smile turned razor-sharp. "Emily, remember where you are. You have forty-three dollars to your name and live in a temporary shelter. Without this job and my goodwill, you won't even be able to feed her next week, let alone buy her a piano."
