CHAPTER 1652: CHAPTER 1366: SWAPPING THE REAL FOR THE FAKE

When the theater manager announced the name of the final distinguished guest, Viktor, in a fit of panic, couldn’t help but take two deep drags on his cigar, trying to calm his pounding heart. He then crushed the cigar in his hand, extinguishing it forcefully against the side.

A whiff of fleshly fragrance wafted through the air.

"Ah!" Yvonne, caught in the midst of a heart-pounding moment, couldn’t help but let out a pig-squealing shriek after having been used as an ashtray by his boss.

On the other end of the phone, the theater manager was also startled by the pig-like scream but still hurriedly asked, "Mr. Viktor, what should we do now?!"

He wanted Viktor to make a decision!

Should they invite the Yegor Orchestra back, or frankly inform the guests of the truth!

Holding the phone, Viktor looked stern, but his extremely shrewd eyes were darting around.

To get where he is today, Viktor relied on cunning and ruthlessness!

Coupled with a daringly opportunistic heart!

Sometimes, what seemed impossible or even recklessly ambitious to many, Viktor dared to do and succeeded many times.

This time, a bold idea popped into Viktor’s mind again.

After a moment of hesitation, Viktor’s eyes finally lit up.

He made a decision!

"Make sure to entertain the guests well on your end, do not neglect them! They want to hear the Yegor Orchestra, so we will give them a perfect performance!" Viktor said with an indisputable voice.

On the other side, the theater manager was stunned, hurriedly asking, "Are you saying we should go and invite the Yegor team back now?"

Apparently, in front of so many bigwigs, Mr. Viktor has finally softened up.

The theater manager couldn’t help but let out a silent sigh of relief, finding it the most prudent solution for him.

"No!"

The next second, Viktor decisively rejected his idea.

"Our Sharvey Band will go over immediately, and we will perform tonight!" Viktor stated his decision, "Luke, Yegor’s beloved student, will conduct tonight’s performance!"

Viktor’s words shocked the theater manager.

"T-this is fraud, Mr. Viktor! And in front of that crowd of bigwigs! You, you..." The theater manager was already horrified, unable to fathom how Viktor dared to do so.

People explicitly wanted to see the Yegor Orchestra’s performance; is this a bait and switch?

"What fraud!" Viktor sharply retorted over the phone, "I ask you, is Luke not a student of Yegor, and are there not people from Yegor’s orchestra on my side?"

"This performance is merely missing Yegor himself!"

But the key is, they might be there specifically to see Yegor!

The theater manager couldn’t help wanting to say.

But Viktor didn’t give him the chance, continuing.

"Before the performance, if someone wishes to see Yegor, just brush them off by saying Mr. Yegor is busy and cannot meet everyone!"

"Rest assured, I’ve known Yegor for so many years, and I am the most familiar with him. If he truly had such strong connections, even if only acquainted with one or two of them, I couldn’t have suppressed him so thoroughly! This time, it’s likely the media exaggerated the effect, or perhaps some celebrity on a whim invited friends to a concert!"

"You’ve also mentioned, those bigwigs don’t have tickets or invitations! They must have come on a whim! And they didn’t immediately seek out Yegor, which is proof of unfamiliarity!"

"Once the concert begins, do you think those bigwigs will interrupt the performance to ask about Yegor’s whereabouts? You underestimate their demeanor!"

"After the performance, are you worried they’ll ask about it? I’m heading there myself, and I’ll handle matters post-performance!"

Viktor’s words, "reasonably convincing," left the theater manager unable to argue.

Beside Viktor, people like Sedor were also in shock.

Yvonne gaped, momentarily forgetting his pain, staring flabbergastedly at his boss.

Even in such a grand setting, daring a substitute is truly ruthless, Mr. Viktor!

At this moment, Viktor’s gaze was brimming with excitement, becoming increasingly enthusiastic as he spoke.

What he envisioned was—

If the performance succeeded, at its conclusion, he’d announce that it was his Sharvey Band participating!

Thus, in front of all those bigwigs, he’d instantly make the Sharvey Band famous!

If any bigwig felt deceived, he’d shift all blame to the theater, claiming it was the theater that canceled the Yegor Orchestra’s contract, saying it was an arrangement made by the theater. In reality, it wouldn’t be deceit; it could be viewed as a joint performance between the Yegor Orchestra and the Sharvey Band, since Luke and others were authentic!

Would those bigwigs, on account of this, get angry or even make a big deal out of it?

The higher their status and reputation, the more cautious they are in their words and deeds; they wouldn’t hold on to this matter!

Besides, if they truly were old acquaintances of Yegor, when the Yegor Orchestra was previously criticized, they wouldn’t have remained silent.

Viktor trusted his own judgment.

And if the performance outcome wasn’t satisfactory...

That possibility, Viktor wouldn’t even consider; in his view, his Sharvey Band is exceptionally outstanding, with no potential issue of unsuccessful performances.

After all, the title of one of UE Country’s top ten orchestras didn’t come for free!

Viktor has this kind of confidence.

Viktor had perhaps forgotten how his Sharvey Band acquired that "top ten" status.

It was entirely orchestrated by him!

Indeed, he was truly ruthless, deceiving others and even convincing himself.

The thought of performing in front of such renowned figures and making a stunning impression—

Sedor, Yvonne, and even the key members of the Sharvey Band couldn’t help but reveal an extraordinary excitement.

They were filled with fervor, eyeing an opportunity that originally did not belong to them!

For a moment, everyone eyed Viktor, the leader of the ensemble, with support welling up in their hearts.

Viktor lowered his voice and spoke to the theater manager, "In any case, just do as I say, we’re on our way. Rest assured, if this causes you, as a professional manager, to lose your job, I’ll ensure you are worry-free for the rest of your life."

As he spoke, Viktor gestured to Sedor, whispering in his ear, and Sedor understood immediately, nodding and departing with Yvonne.

At this moment, in a corner of the Ladoga Grand Theater.

The theater manager found himself in a difficult dilemma.

On the one hand, he feared something going wrong; on the other hand, he couldn’t afford to offend Viktor.

Not to mention Viktor’s close relationship with the theater’s investors, his role as an executive director of the music association, and as a senator; angering him could result in minor retaliations that could ruin him.

More importantly, in this incident of ousting the Yegor Orchestra, the theater manager received a considerable benefit from Viktor!

Otherwise, the theater manager wouldn’t be so apprehensive, notifying Viktor before his own boss.

At the moment the theater manager was torn and swayed by Viktor’s persuasion, his phone chimed with a notification.

The theater manager instinctively glanced at it, panicking immediately. Covering the screen with his hand, he glanced around to ensure no one was nearby, then intensely and apprehensively opened his hand to look.

A huge sum had been deposited into his bank account, enough to allow him to resign right now without worrying about the rest of his life!

"Mr. Viktor..."

With scorching and apprehensive eyes, the theater manager, tremblingly, responded over the phone.

"Is this enough to change your mind?" Viktor’s steady voice came through, "We’re friends; accept this token! Don’t make it awkward, or I won’t be happy!"

Viktor blatantly threatened.

With the money already there, Viktor could easily find someone to pin it on, sending the theater manager to jail to reflect on his foolishness.

"I understand, I understand!" the theater manager gritted his teeth, "Then, I will do as you say!"

"That’s more like it!" Viktor’s hearty laugh echoed over the phone, "We’ll send people over soon! Remember, hide all traces that shouldn’t appear, those announcements and such, take them down, don’t let anyone see them, serve those bigwigs with care, this is my opportunity, and also an opportunity for the Ladoga Grand Theater!"

The theater manager, steeling his heart, instantly responded, "Okay."

After all, he had nothing to worry about.

If this daring move pleases the bigwigs, he might even benefit from it!

The bold thrive, the timid starve!

Hanging up the phone with Viktor, the theater manager turned and headed to attend to the bigwigs.

At this moment, Bai Xiaosheng and his party were also on their way to the Ladoga Grand Theater.

"We might be a bit early, but it’s a good chance to catch up, it’s been a while," Bai Xiaosheng casually chatted with Lin Weiwei and Lei Ying in the car.

He was unaware that a big drama of "Li Kui becoming Li Gui" was already unfolding there.

Meanwhile, hurriedly heading towards the theater, Viktor wouldn’t have anticipated—

That Oriental lad he confidently told Yegor would kneel and beg when they next met, had indeed arrived!