His Housewife Had Secret Identities novel Chapter 662

What none of them knew was that today’s piano competition was also a trap.

The entire area around the Concert Hall was swarming with police officers and bodyguards, all strategically placed. This was the plan Niamh had arranged with Linden and the police. If Joker’s goal was to kill her, he wouldn’t miss an opportunity like this. As the head of The Thomas Group and a world-renowned jewelry designer, Niamh was far from obscure.

She had Linden publicly announce her participation in the competition. If the general public saw it, so would Joker. Of course, with his skills, it was highly likely he had already seen through the ruse. But Joker was arrogant. Niamh was betting that even knowing it was a trap, he would come to test the waters. Police and security had staked out all the most likely and concealed sniper positions, with more personnel disguised among the audience. The moment Joker appeared, they would have him cornered.

Jonathan was also in the audience, but his motive was much simpler: he wanted to hear Niamh play the piano.

To this day, Niamh had not admitted she was Rina. But the trail of clues all pointed directly to her. Jonathan thought back to the time he’d heard the organ at the Grand Riverview Hotel, and the time Linden had played the piano. Niamh had been there for both. And the meals he’d ordered for Rina in the detention center cafeteria, the center’s files that Joker had stolen—everything told him that Niamh was Rina.

His heart hammered against his ribs, though he wasn’t sure what he was so nervous about. His gaze drifted past the stage toward the backstage area, even though it was completely out of sight.

Backstage, in a dressing room, Niamh was getting ready. She had just changed into her gown and was waiting for the makeup artist Linden had arranged for her.

“Maestra, you look beautiful today,” Linden said as he approached, looking dapper in a black silk tailcoat.

As for Jonathan… while Niamh knew she no longer loved him, she certainly didn’t wish him dead. But trying to convince him not to come by warning him of the danger would have only had the opposite effect. Besides, in her experience, Jonathan always did whatever he wanted; he never listened to her.

Niamh knew exactly why he was here: to hear her play, to confirm for himself that she was Rina, the girl who had played the keyboard for him at the Juvenile Detention Center.

“No…” Niamh shook her head at Linden. “I think I’ll play something else today.”

Playing Chopin’s Nocturnes would only mess with her head. Just then, the makeup artist called for her. As Niamh started to walk over, her phone rang. The caller ID read ‘Hayes’.