But she never got the chance to speak.
Seated at the piano, Serena’s slender, elegant fingers were already on the black and white keys.
Slowly, she pressed down.
The moment the first note flowed from the piano, Isabella’s face went deathly pale.
That was…
That was the piece she had just played!
The original song she had just performed!
How could Serena know how to play it?!
Impossible!
That was her original composition!
This was the first time she had ever performed it publicly.
How did Serena know it?
Could it be… she learned it just by listening to it once?
How was that possible?! How could Serena possess such an incredible gift?
But as the notes continued to pour forth…
It was a complete and perfect replication of her original piece.
No!
It wasn't a replication.
It was an elevation.
The beautiful notes danced at Serena’s fingertips.
Across the hall, guests closed their eyes, completely mesmerized.
“This… this is the same piece the young Miss Lancaster played just a moment ago!”
“It’s true, it’s just as this young lady said. Miss Lancaster’s performance really did have mistakes! And they weren't minor flaws, either!”
“You can say that again,” Trevor said, leaning back against the railing. “Riley, you just turned twenty. The way those socialites were looking at you… like a pack of hungry wolves spotting a lamb. They were dying to throw themselves at you.”
Darius clucked his tongue and grinned. “Our Riley has reached the age for a strategic marriage.”
“Get lost!” Riley shot him a glare. “It’s supposed to be a coming-of-age party, but they had to turn it into a matchmaking banquet. They even had that talent show for the socialites. On the surface, they say it’s about finding a great teacher, but in reality… isn’t it all just for marriage alliances?”
He pouted. “I can’t be bothered to watch their pretentious performances, especially… that one from the Lancaster family. The way she was looking at my brother… she was practically devouring him with her eyes.”
At the mention of Nicholas, Trevor’s interest was piqued. “Riley, I heard something’s going on with Nicholas. Is it true?”
Riley flicked his bangs. “I don’t know what’s going on with him, but I do know that my heart belongs only to my dream girl! I’m staying pure for her! Saving myself for my goddess!”
Trevor and Darius were speechless.
Riley, that’s enough!
Look at how pathetic you sound.
It's truly pitiful.
As they were talking, Riley, with his head of brightly colored hair, glanced toward the banquet hall. “Why’d it get so quiet in there? Is the talent show over?”

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