Chapter 514


    Her smile was as tender as a spring morning, but the words that slipped through those lips were as


    fake as a three–dor bill.


    Brielle’s silence spoke volumes, prompting a knowing nce between Alivia and Tessa, both


    shimmering with smug satisfaction. How could a woman who couldn’t even y chopsticks on the


    piano have caught Max’s eye? It seemed unfathomable. She could only hold someone’s attention for


    so long before being tossed aside likest season’s fashion.


    That was the collective thought buzzing around the room. A few snickers broke out among the crowd.


    However, Brielle stood up amidst theughter and piercing stares, exuding a calm that seemed to quiet


    the room. “What can I do for you, Ms. Tessa?”


    When Brielle spoke, Tessa’s brow furrowed into a frown, her voiceced with mockery. “y a duet


    with me. Either we do a four–hand performance on the piano, or perhaps, Ms. Brielle, you’d like to sing


    us a song instead?”


    The insinuation was clear. Was she insinuating that Brielle was some kind of entertainer, there to sing


    for her supper?


    If Brielle agreed to a four–hand duet, who knew what Tessa might y? If it turned out to be something


    Brielle didn’t know, she’d be caught in a trap, her embarrassment serving as the evening’s


    entertainment.


    The onlookers were thrilled at the prospect of the drama unfolding, while the men continued to prattle


    on about stocks and bonds, oblivious to the brewing storm.


    Alivia chimed in with feigned concern, “Brielle, if you’re not up for it, there’s no need to push


    yourself.”


    Tessa had taken her seat at the piano and started ying with unwavering confidence. Alivia was


    about to join Tessa for the duet, but Brielle had other ns. She stepped to the side and picked up a


    violin.


    As the bow caressed the strings, the music came alive.


    Brielle had foregone the piano duet, not wanting to give Tessa any more chances to trip her up.


    Instead, she chose the violin to apany Tessa’s piano.


    The walls were lined with instruments. Alivia had mentioned an uing mini–concert for the next


    round of guests.


    The violin sang like a nightingale in the still of the night, its notes intertwining with the piano’s melody,


    each enhancing the other.


    Tessa’s face paled, herposure shaken. Alivia’s expression also soured; her fingers curled into her


    palm, and her breath was caught in her chest.


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    The otherdies, who had been eagerly awaiting a spectacle, now wore strained smiles, at mixture of


    anger and frustration coloring their faces.


    The harmony between the instruments soon caught the attention of the entire room, drawing. the gaze


    of the businessmen away from their financial discussions.


    Tessa grew more frantic, her usual poise crumbling under the spotlight of the high society’s gaze. Her


    fingers trembled, barely avoiding a catastrophic mistake.


    In contrast, Brielle stood poised, dressed in simple attire, her violin tucked under her chin. She exuded


    an aloof, detached air, her posture straight, seemingly untouched by the world around her. While


    Tessa’s face betrayed her nerves, Brielle was the picture ofposure.


    Alivia fumed, her breath quickening, her face a mask of icy disdain. What was especially galling was


    the sight of the men, not far off, admiring Brielle’s performance, and openly praising her violin skills.


    The duet was unexpectedly harmonious. Brielle’s violin ying was so tender it seemed to embrace


    the world.


    Alivia could bear it no longer and shot Tessa a look. Understanding her cue. Tessa knew she couldn’t


    let Brielle continue to shine. She changed the piece mid–performance, shifting the piano’s melody to


    one at odds with the violin’s current tune. If Brielle continued to y as before, it would sh horribly,


    ensuring her disgrace.


    A smirk crept back onto Alivia’s face, and Tessa’s focus returned, her ying smoother with renewed


    confidence.


    As they were about to exchange triumphant nces, the violin’s tone shifted, matching the piano’s new


    direction. What was once a gentle stream became a forceful torrent, as sharp as a dagger in a dark


    alley.


    Tessa’splexion turned ghostly white. Her hands were shaking so much she could hardly keep up.


    As nerves overtook her, mistakes crept into her ying, and sweat beaded on her brow.


    Meanwhile, Brielle remained unppable, even quickening the tempo:


    Out of the corner of her eye, Tessa saw the men whispering among themselves, her fingers. trembling


    even more. In the end, Tessa stopped, her face drained of color as sweat dripped down her cheeks,


    staining the ivory keys.