Chapter 5 - The Stolen Identity
The heavy black SUV aggressively pulled into the VIP parking lot of the prestigious Grand Lakes Music Conservatory.
I stared at the massive brick building that held the absolute entirety of my lifelong musical dreams.
The rigid carbon-fiber brace on my right hand felt like a freezing block of solid ice gripping my tender skin.
The medic handed me a bottle of incredibly strong painkillers and sincerely wished me the absolute best of luck.
Judge Vance escorted me quickly through the private rear entrance usually reserved exclusively for the elite judges.
We marched swiftly down the dimly lit concrete hallway toward the main backstage preparation area.
I could hear the beautiful, haunting sound of a grand piano echoing from the stage as another hopeful contestant performed.
When we turned the final corner, my heavy heart plummeted directly into the bottom of my stomach.
My fake mother and father were standing at the registration desk, arguing aggressively with the head stage manager.
"Emily is severely mentally ill, and she violently broke her own hand this morning during a psychotic episode," my mother lied smoothly.
She slapped a forged medical document onto the desk, demanding they legally withdraw me from the entire competition.
"As her legal guardians, we are formally transferring her performance slot to her incredibly talented brother, Ryan," my father added quickly.
I watched in sheer disgust as Ryan stood there wearing a rented tuxedo, proudly holding his own classical sheet music.
They had planned to steal my massive inheritance and give the prestigious scholarship directly to their golden child.
The stage manager looked highly confused and reached for a black pen to sign the official transfer paperwork.
"Do not sign a single legal document," Judge Vance's booming voice echoed forcefully down the concrete hallway.
My fake parents spun around, their arrogant faces instantly turning pale with utter terror as they saw us approaching.
"Security, arrest that dangerous man immediately for kidnapping our poor, sick daughter!" my mother shrieked hysterically.
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Two massive security guards immediately stepped forward and grabbed Judge Vance roughly by both of his arms.
Ryan smiled wickedly at me and proudly held up Contestant Number 23, the vital paper he had maliciously stolen from my pocket.
