Audrey Woodwind’s words were cutting, aimed directly at Amber’s sore spots! Amber’s face turned a shade of green, but nearby Annabelle apologized, “Amber, grandma misunderstood you earlier, thinking you were really trying to trouble your sister.”


    The apology was sincere, but it only made Amber feel like vomiting blood. She had set up so much earlier, obviously to trouble Tina, but instead, she inadvertently provided Tina a stage to showcase her talent.


    “Tina really ys the piano well,” Esther couldn’t help but exim in astonishment, “I wonder who taught her. With such skills, why has she remained unnoticed?”


    She found it iprehensible; she herself was quite aplished on the piano, and to her ears, Tina yed even better than Sutcliffe. It even reminded her of someone.


    Jasper Reed looked at Tina with aplex gaze. The spotlight enveloped her, her profile as beautiful as it was surreal, bringing to mind Natalie Whittaker for him. He had once heard Natalie y this very Maltese Fantasia, focused and undisturbed at the piano.


    “Elizabeth, you’ve raised your granddaughter well,” Garrettplimented Elizabeth while looking at Tina.


    Elizabeth chuckled coldly, her gaze sweeping over Annabelle and Jasper Reed. Eachpliment for Tina was like a dagger to her heart, a constant reminder of her past blindness.


    Amber felt even worse. Despite showcasing her piano skills, not a singlepliment came from the Reed family; instead, they praised Tina right in front of her. Yet, she could only smile, “Yes, Tina does y the piano really well.”


    Her eyes involuntarily drifted to Jared Farrell, who was watching Tina with evident admiration. Standing next to Jared, Marie sighed, “Son, what should we do? I’m a bit worried.”


    “I feel like you’re not quite a match for Tina,” she admitted, not to belittle her son, but Tina was just unexpectedly outstanding.


    Not just in perfumery and fashion design, but her piano skills alone could make her a star. And she was so unassuming about it.


    “I feel the same,” Sophia told Jared, counting off on her fingers, “Tina knows medicine, perfumery, fashion designing, holds dual PhDs, and ys piano so well.”


    She looked up innocently at Jared, “Brother, what can you do better than Tina except cooking?”


    Jared was speechless. Not good enough for Tina?


    No way! He must stand beside her and shine together!


    He suddenly stepped towards the stage. Already the center of attention, his every move drew eyes. As he approached, he sat beside Tina. With a single nce, she shifted slightly, slowing her y. The music seamlessly transformed, bing more soothing.


    Jared raised his hands to the ck and white keys, joining Tina in a four-hand duet. The Maltese Fantasia, originally about aposer’s tragic love, now turned into a tempestuous chase, their music intertwining like a stormy sea.


    The notes they yed, like their hands on the keys, chased and dodged each other, side by side, sharing hardship.


    “My God!” someone eximed, “I never knew the Maltese Fantasia could be expressed so beautifully.”


    “Mr. Farrell ys the piano so well too!”


    “Some say Tina isn’t a match for Mr. Farrell, but I think they’re well suited.”


    “Yeah, what’s the word when they sit together? Equals!”


    The spotlight shone brightly on them, their every motion in perfect sync, as if they shared one soul and never missed a step.


    The Maltese Fantasia was challenging, and initially, Tina thought to slow down for Jared. She was surprised that not only could he keep up, but his emotional expressions perfectly matched hers.


    Surprised, she nced at Jared, falling into the depth of emotion in his eyes, her heart starting to race with the vigorous piano notes.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    That look between them stung Amber below, her mind painfully imagining herself in Tina’s ce, ying duets with Jared. If only Tina hadn’t returned to the Reed family, if only she had perished outside.


    The ce beside Jared should have been hers!


    Tina’s mere existence had stolen everything from her. Her jealousy towards Tina and desire for Jared made her forget that she once refused to marry a disabled Jared, an exceptional man she herself had abandoned.


    Audrey Woodwind also watched Jared with aplex look, turning to Tina and reluctantly admiring her excellence, which sparked jealousy.


    Look at Amber, twisted by envy.


    Regardless of the audience’s thoughts, on stage, Tina and Jared were lost in their own world, their piano conversation avish spread of all their emotions.


    The music peaked, then hushed, easing into a gentle, post-storm breeze, calming like the sea after tumultuous waves, ending neatly and smoothly.


    As the music stopped, the hall fellsilent, then erupted into thunderous apuse. This apuse was not like the polite ps given to Amber earlier; it was genuine, a heartfelt admiration conquered by their performance.


    Jared Farrell took Tina’s hand, lifting her to stand with him. Her gaze met Amber’s jealous stare across the room. Tina’s slight smile showed her distaste for public performances, but more so for Amber’s earlier look at Jared. She had proven through her talent that her man was not to be coveted by others.