Chapter 226


    Chase watched him with a mix of glee and scorn. "Why don''t you keep up the act? I swear, man,


    there''s no Long Ind Iced Tea strong enough to match the bitterness of your charade. Haven''t you


    figured it out yet? ra''s awyer, for Pete''s sake. Trying to outsmart her in a wordy is like


    bringing a knife to a gunfight!"


    Ian, clutching his side where the pain throbbed, red at Chase. "Shut it, will you? Is it gonna kill


    you to be quiet for once?"


    "Nope, but watching you get youreuppance sure is killing me... withughter, ha!"


    Just then, Heidi breezed through the door with a sunny smile, offering invitations to Ian and Chase.


    "Ian, Chase, my recital is next Saturday. You guys have toe and show some support!"


    Ian didn''t even flinch, nor did he reach for the invitation. His voice was icy as he said, "I''m busy!"


    Then, he closed his eyes to rest.


    Heidi''s eyes instantly welled up with tears, a picture of pitiable longing.


    Chase quickly jumped in with a chuckle to lighten the mood. "Heidi, you''ve got your own gig now.


    That''s big news! I will definitely be there. Don''t mind this grump. He''s too busy chasing his missus to


    care about our little world."


    His words left Heidi speechless. Was Ian looking to patch things up with ra? Her hands, hanging


    by her sides, clenched into fists without her realizing.


    A weekter.


    Heidi''s piano recital was held in Northbridge''s most opulent concert hall. She had spared no


    expense, inviting numerous renowned musicians from home and abroad.


    They were all there for May. More than two decades ago, May had been a shooting star in the piano


    world, reaching her peak the moment she debuted. To this day, her skill remained unmatched.


    However, fate was cruel, and at 28, she perished in a car ident—a profound loss to the music


    community. Had she lived, she would undoubtedly stand at the pinnacle of the global stage.


    The musicians were also curious to see if May''s daughter would bring any surprises.


    Heidi''s marketing was savvy. Not only did she leverage May''s legacy to draw in the big names, but


    she also let slip her love story with Ian. Soon, the scandal of the Campbell family''s heiress losing


    her motherhood rights for love was the talk of the town. Public sentiment turned in her favor, while


    ra was vilified as a homewrecker, a usurper of love and position.


    With a triumphant smirk, Heidi scrolled through the viral posts. "ra, you think you canpete


    with me for a man? Dream on!"


    The recital was a smashing sess, and Heidi''s talent wasuded by all. She was even dubbed a


    ''prodigy'' by the Piano Association.


    Dressed in a radiant white gown, she stood at the center of the stage like an angel descended as


    the media swarmed around her.


    "Ms. Heidi," one reporter began, "we know that reaching this level of piano mastery requires a


    steadfast heart. Are you nning to be just as unwavering in your love life?"


    Tears brimmed in Heidi''s eyes as a bittersweet smile crossed her lips. "Thank you all for your


    concern. No matter the obstacles ahead, I will keep pushing forward. I just want the person I love to


    know that though seas may dry and rocks may crumble, my love remains unchanging. I will always


    be right here, waiting for your backward nce."


    Her words rang with sincerity, and her misty eyes moved the audience.


    However. in that moment of shared empathy, the hall was suddenly showered with a rain of


    photographs. Like snowkes, they floated down from above, and as the crowd caught and


    examined them, a collective gasp filled the air.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.