Chapter 71


    #71 “This woman is terribly sassy.”


    The concert was an extraordinary experience, leaving Sophia and Evelyn thoroughly enchanted


    throughout the performance. The music rekindled Sophia’s deep passion for her own instrument. It was


    a part of herself she held dear, a realm where she could express her innermost emotions with the


    utmost sincerity.


    Sophia felt a profound sense of gratitude for the opportunity she had during her student years to


    perform with Maestro Paus. Each time she listened to hispositions, it filled her with nostalgia for


    those cherished times.


    Evelyn, deeply moved, couldn’t hold back her tears during the final piece. The entire hall appeared to


    collectively hold its breath, and as thest note resonated through the air, it erupted into thunderous


    apuse.


    “That was simply amazing,” Evelyn remarked, her voice trembling with emotion. Sophia smiled warmly,


    replying, “Just like every time.”


    The remainder of the evening was dedicated to celebrating Caroline’s birthday. Guests lined up to offer


    their gifts and heartfelt best wishes. Sophia and Evelyn joined the procession to greet the evening’s


    host.


    Standing just ahead of them, Megan eagerly shared her admiration for Caroline and Alexander. Megan


    gushed about how much she adored Caroline and how she was her role model.


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    Her words, however, came across as excessively ingratiating to Sophia, who believed that birthday


    wishes should be offered sincerely and from the heart. It seemed to Sophia that Megan was doing


    everything in her power to tter Caroline.


    When it was finally Sophia’s turn to offer her well-wishes, Megan was nearby, watching with interest.


    “Happy birthday, Caroline,” Sophia began with genuine warmth. “I wish you an abundance of health,


    happiness, and love. May this violin bring you as much joy as it has brought me over the years. I find


    the instrument truly magnificent, and I’m certain it will find a splendid home in yourpany.”


    Caroline embraced Sophia in a warm hug and expressed her heartfelt gratitude.


    “Thank you, my dear,” Caroline said. sincerely. “I’m so delighted you could be here tonight.”


    Sophia smiled warmly and returned the hug.


    “The pleasure was all mine,” she replied genuinely. Their conversation was soon interrupted by Megan,


    causing Evelyn to furrow her brows in annoyance.


    “Caroline, I can hardly wait for your private birthday party,” Megan said with a feignedugh. “Actually,


    Sophia, why don’t youe as well?”


    Megan’s invitation seemed more like a half-hearted afterthought. Evelyn was on the verge of


    intervening when Sophia responded with a gracious smile.


    “I came just for the concert, but thank you for the invitation. I was nning to leave.”


    “Oh, please don’t leave,” Caroline interjected. “It would be a great joy for me to have you here.”


    “It’s getting reallyte, and I’m at work tomorrow.”


    “Please, I insist,” Caroline continued, her voice warm. “Work will still be there when you return. After all,


    work existed before us, and it will endure long after we’re gone,” she quipped.


    “I’m not entirely sure,” Sophia began, but was interrupted once more.


    “Please, Sophia, it would mean a lot to me.”


    Reluctant to refuse on Caroline’s birthday, Sophia nodded with a smile.


    “Alright, I’ll stay for a little while, then…”


    Before she could finish, Megan let out a high-pitched squeal. “Oh gosh, how could I forget?” Megan


    eximed, producing a small, beautifully wrapped box.


    Sophia and Evelyn exchanged knowing nces, recognizing this as another piece of Megan’s


    theatrical performance.


    “Darling Caroline, this is your present, 11 Megan announced loudly for everyone to hear. Megan didn’t


    even give Caroline the opportunity to unwrap the gift herself. She eagerly unveiled the box, revealing


    the diamond ne she had bought.


    “Isn’t it just marvelous, Sophia?” Megan asked, her tone dripping with condescension. “I know you


    probably didn’t have time to buy Caroline a gift, given how work is the most important thing in your life.”


    Before Sophia could respond, Caroline came to her defense. “Sophia’s presence here tonight is the


    most precious gift to me,” Caroline dered, taking Megan’s gift.


    She examined the ne briefly before closing the box. Evelyn couldn’t help but smile at the evident


    disappointment on Megan’s face as Caroline set the gift aside, focusing on her other presents.


    “Come on Sophia, let’s go to Master Paus, I’m sure he wants to see you,” Caroline says and takes


    Sophia by the arm.


    Caroline’s warmth and affection towards Sophia were rather surprising. Although they hadn’t interacted


    much before, Caroline seemed eager to foster a connection with her and perhaps even be friends


    in the future.


    Sophia appreciated Caroline’s kindness, even though she couldn’t ignore the underlying motivation to


    reconcile her with Alexander.


    While Sophia could engage in arguments and disagreements with Alexander, doing the same with this


    friendly woman proved to be much more challenging. Caroline’s genuine friendliness disarmed her, and


    she couldn’t bring herself to be confrontational.


    Megan, on the other hand, couldn’t help but feel discontented about Caroline’s enthusiasm for Sophia,


    especially given Sophia’s history as Alexander’s ex-wife. She walks over to Alexander’s table and sits


    down uninvited.


    “Oh, Alexander,” Meganined, ” why is your mother getting so close to Sophia? It’s not like she’s


    part of our lives anymore.”


    Alexander calmly sipped his champagne and gave Megan a measured look. “My mother is a friendly


    and gracious person. She’s always eager to make new friends and strengthen connections. You know


    that.


    Megan huffed, clearly not satisfied with his response. “But, darling, you have to admit, it’s a bit odd.


    Sophia is your ex-wife, after all.”


    “Ex-wife, yes,” Alexander agreed, “But my mother values her for who she is, not just for her past


    connections.” Megan couldn’t let it go. “I have a feeling she’s taking advantage of your mother’s kind


    heart.”


    “Why do you think that?” Alexander asks more out of politeness than listening to Megan’s theory. “She


    didn’t even bring her a present, and now he’s sulking at the party. This woman is terribly sassy,” Megan


    deres.


    “Weren’t you the one who invited her?” grins Alexander. Before Megan can say what she wants,


    Caroline motions for Alexander toe over to her.


    “See youter,” Alexander says and leaves Megan sulking alone on the table. Caroline, who had


    keenly observed the ongoing tension between Megan and Sophia, decided to take matters into her own


    hands.


    She turned to Alexander, her eyes filled withpassion, and said, ‘ Alexander, my dear, even though


    you and Sophia are divorced, I believe it’s high time you made an effort to seek her forgiveness.”


    The rest of the room fell into a hushed silence, the word “divorce” having a profound impact on the


    atmosphere.


    The mere mention of Sophia’s status as a divorcee, especially in this grand gathering, caught them all


    off guard. Sophia, while initially surprised, maintained herposure.


    She realized that this revtion could be a point of interest, or gossip, among the guests. But she


    was determined not to let it affect her.


    The silence in the room was deafening as the guests awaited Alexander’s response. The unexpected


    revtion had cast a heavy shadow over the festivities, and the tension in the room was palpable.