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–dollar bill.
Brielle’s silence spoke volumes, prompting a knowing glance between Alivia and Tessa, both shimmering with smug satisfaction. How could a woman who couldn’t even play 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 like last 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 the laughter 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 voice laced with mockery. “Play 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 play? 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 playing with unwavering confidence. Alivia was about to join Tessa for the duet, but Brielle had other plans. 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 accompany Tessa’s piano.
The walls were lined with instruments. Alivia had mentioned an upcoming 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, her composure shaken. Alivia’s expression also soured; her fingers curled into her palm, and her breath was caught in her chest.
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13:02
The other ladies, 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 of composure.
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 playing 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 play as before, it would clash horribly, ensuring her disgrace.
A smirk crept back onto Alivia’s face, and Tessa’s focus returned, her playing smoother with renewed confidence.
As they were about to exchange triumphant glances, 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’s complexion turned ghostly white. Her hands were shaking so much she could hardly keep up. As nerves overtook her, mistakes crept into her playing, and sweat beaded on her brow.
Meanwhile, Brielle remained unflappable, 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.
