Chapter 4 Enemies Meet Again

The stuff that went down at noon didn't really mess with Nancy's mood. By the afternoon, she was right on time at Starglow Art School, and there was Howard, already waiting for her at the entrance.

"Ms. Taylor, I've been looking forward to your arrival," Howard said with a smile.

Nancy replied, "You're too kind, Mr. Miller. You've been in touch with me for a while now, and I couldn't turn down your kind invitation. But just so you know, if I don't teach well, you can't blame me."

Howard chuckled, "Ms. Taylor, you're too modest. You're a student of Mike Harris. If you can't teach well, then no one in the world can."

Mike Harris was a big deal, an internationally renowned pianist who barely took on any students.

Howard had always wanted to get Mike to visit Starglow Art School, but it never worked out. Mike had fame and fortune and wasn't interested in a place like Starglow Art School, which didn't have international recognition. Trying to lure him with money was a no-go.

After some polite chit-chat at the entrance, Nancy followed Howard into Starglow Art School.

As the top art center in Harmony City, the office building of Starglow Art School was as fancy as a palace, and the teachers there were all from prestigious backgrounds, each with an air of sophistication.

Nancy followed Howard into the office, where two people were already sitting on the sofa. They were old acquaintances of Nancy.

"What are you doing here?" Lillian asked, surprised.

Nancy shot back, "This isn't your home. If you can come, so can I."

Seeing Nancy's calm demeanor, Lillian felt a surge of frustration but, with others present, she could only glare at Nancy.

"Mom," Jennifer grabbed Lillian's hand and said, "Nancy must be here for an interview. She just got back to the country and probably needs a job. Don't be so harsh."

In Jennifer's mind, Nancy must have had a tough time without the Davis family's help over the past few years, which made sense for her to be job hunting now. She didn't believe Nancy could be working here. After all, Nancy hadn't even graduated from college and wasn't even qualified to be a cleaner here.

Lillian snorted, "What qualifications does she have to work here?"

Howard frowned at them and asked, "Who are you? Why are you in my office?"

It was then that Lillian and Jennifer noticed Howard standing nearby. They guessed he must be the person in charge of Starglow Art School and immediately put on ingratiating smiles.

Lillian quickly approached him and greeted, "You must be Mr. Miller. My mother-in-law was an old friend of your father's. She knew you when you were just a kid. Jennifer, greet Mr. Miller."

"Hello, Mr. Miller," Jennifer said.

Nancy sneered, "So you're here to claim kinship."

Lillian retorted, "What are you talking about?"

Howard interrupted her, "Alright, everyone, please calm down. Let's sit over here for a while."

The secretary brought water and snacks, and the four of them sat on the sofa, facing each other.

Howard first looked at Lillian and asked, "You are from the Davis family, right?"

Lillian replied, "Yes, it's impressive that you remember, Mr. Miller. Since your father moved to Novaria, our families have had little contact. We should keep in touch more often and not let the old relationships fade. What do you think?"

Her words seemed sincere, but Howard only felt a cold laugh inside. The Miller family had provided a lot of help when the Davis family was developing. But after his father moved abroad, the Davis family disappeared and never set foot in the Miller Villa again.

Howard kept his cool and asked, "You're right. So, what brings you here today?"

Lillian smiled and said, "Mr. Miller, this is my daughter, Jennifer Davis. She just graduated from Phoenix City Music University with a major in piano. I heard you're looking for a piano teacher. What do you think of her?"

Jennifer sat gracefully on the sofa. When Howard looked her way, she flashed a shy smile and said, "Mr. Miller, I was the top of my class in piano. Teaching kids would be no problem. How about I perform for you now?"

Howard shook his head. "That's impressive, but Mrs. Davis, I'm sorry. We've already found a piano teacher."

Lillian was taken aback and asked, "Who is this outstanding pianist that has earned your favor, Mr. Miller?"

Howard replied, "It's Ms. Taylor here. She's a student of Mr. Harris. Not only is she excellent at playing the piano, but she's also outstanding in other areas."

Lillian and Jennifer were floored. They thought Nancy was here job hunting, but it turned out she had already been hired for the piano teacher position Jennifer wanted. They wondered if Nancy had pulled some strings with Penelope.

Lillian rolled her eyes and scoffed, "Who's Mr. Harris? Never heard of him."

Nancy burst out laughing, and even Howard had to stifle a chuckle.

"Wait," Jennifer suddenly caught on and asked, "Mr. Harris, do you mean Mike Harris?"

"Yes, the international piano master Mike. You're studying piano, and you don't even know him?" Howard said slowly.

Of course, Jennifer knew. She had dreamed of studying with Mike, but no one could get her into his circle. She couldn't fathom how Nancy managed it.

Jennifer felt a pang of disappointment. She was convinced Nancy must have used some shady tactics to get this opportunity.

Jennifer said, "Nancy, I didn't expect you to be Mr. Harris's student. It seems you've been doing well these past few years, meeting someone who could help your career. But we didn't know that and were still worried about you."

Lillian, who hadn't grasped who Mike was, got angry after hearing Jennifer's words and snapped, "So that's why you haven't had any news these years. You were out there doing disgraceful things. Nancy, do you want to ruin the Davis family's reputation?"

Nancy shot back, "Ma'am, my last name is Taylor. I have nothing to do with the Davis family."

Howard, losing patience, said, "Enough, Mrs. Davis. You've been shouting in my office since you came in and being rude to the teacher I hired. I've tolerated it long enough. Now that I've hired a piano teacher, please leave."

Lillian, still not ready to give up, reminded, "Mr. Miller, my mother-in-law..."

Howard cut her off, "Mrs. Davis, your mother-in-law's relationship with my father is their business. Now, Starglow Art School is under my control. To be honest, your daughter's current level is not enough to teach here. She should practice more and try again in a few years."

Though Howard's words were polite, Lillian and Jennifer felt humiliated, especially with Nancy there. It was like a slap in their faces.

"Please leave," Nancy said with a mocking smile.

Lillian's and Jennifer's faces turned grim, but they didn't dare lose their temper. They could only glare at Nancy before leaving.

Howard looked at Nancy apologetically and said, "Ms. Taylor, I'm sorry you had to go through that."

Nancy shrugged. "It's nothing. I should thank you for standing up for me, Mr. Miller. Let's talk about work now."

"Alright, let me tell you..."