Chapter 223
“Hm Charlotte popped another chip into her mouth, arched an eyebrow, and said, “With looks like Anthony’s, does he really need to take advantage of anyone?”
Kenneth frowned, puzzled. “I always thought people would be lining up to take advantage of him, not the other way around.”
He caught the glimmer in Charlotte’s eyes and felt a pang of worry. Of course, Anthony’s charm had worked its magic on her too.
Before he could say more, Charlotte’s phone buzzed. She dropped the chips, and Kenneth immediately handed her a napkin to wipe her hands. While she checked her phone, he quietly poured her some fresh orange juice.
“Thanks, Kenneth.” Charlotte flashed him a soft smile, then took her juice and curled up on the sofa.
“There’s no need to thank me.” To him, a glass of juice was nothing. If Charlotte wanted the stars, he’d find a way to bring them down for her. She was his only sister. Spoiling her was all he knew how to do.
Kenneth kept up a calm front, but inside he was all smiles, peeling fruit for her with extra care.
Charlotte sipped her juice and pulled out her phone. An email had arrived.
Laura: Have you arrived at the theater? If it’s hard for you to walk, you can send me
a photo or just tell me where you are. I’ll come to you.
Hard to walk? Did Laura think she was so old she couldn’t get around?
Charlotte’s lips curled up, her eyes crinkling with amusement.
The Venus Piano Competition had invited Kenneth to open the show, really hyping up the event. There were less than fifteen minutes left before it all started.
She typed out a quick reply: Let’s meet after the competition.
Laura: Of course! Do you have a seat? Do you need me to arrange one?
Every word Laura sent was careful and respectful. She was talking to Echo, after all the world-famous amateur piano master and mysterious composer. Three years ago, Laura had been lucky ough to meet Echo online. With Echo’s help, her piano career had shot forward. Even her entry into the International Piano Association had been thanks to a recommendation letter from Echo.
It was a bit of a shame, though. After all these years, they’d only ever emailed. Not once had they talked on the phone. With skills that legendary, Echo had to be someone much older, maybe in her sixties or seventies.
Echo: No need, I already have a seat.
The email sent just as Kenneth returned with a fruit platter, coaxing her gently. “Lottie, the show’s starting soon. I need to get ready, so you’ll be on your own for a
bit.”
“Okay.” Charlotte leaned back on the sofa, glancing at her phone. Anthony had texted her two minutes before.
Lottie, be careful out there.
If you’re hungry, ask Kenneth to find something for you. If he’s busy, tell me and I’ll have food delivered. Don’t just eat anything, and absolutely no alcohol. Not even a sip.
Was he treating her like a little kid?
Charlotte blinked, sent back a simple “Okay,” tossed her phone into her bag, and got up to head for the main hall.
As she left Kenneth’s dressing room, she passed by the contestants’ rooms. There were ten finalists, all
Tork competitors who’d made it through round after round. Most were waiting anxiously in their rooms, nerves kicking in before the show.
Her gaze landed on a door labeled Olivia.
The door was wide open. Inside was a gorgeous porcelain-white Bösendorfer grand piano. The brand
was Austrian one of the top ten in the world, and this particular model
was among their most
expensive-about three million dollars.
Seeing it brought an old memory rushing back. When she was a kid living with the Main family, she’d once begged Steven for a piano that cost thirty thousand. For that, she’d ended up locked in a dark room.
Thirty thousand… three million…
A cold, amused smile played on Charlotte’s lips. Her delicate features sharpened with a hint of mockery, but she let the memory fade, slipped her hands into her pockets, and kept walking.
Just then, she almost bumped into a picture-perfect family of three.
“Charlotte, what are you doing here?” Steven’s eyes widened in shock. Someone
like her was supposed to be in school, not at a fancy event like this.
Olivia stared at her, stunned. The theater had been completely reserved for the competition, entry by ticket only. With Kenneth performing the tickets had sold out long ago. They were impossible to get. How did Charlotte get in? What was she doing in a place like this?
“You’re not here to mess things up, are you?” Olivia’s body tensed, eyes sharp with suspicion. “Or are you trying to steal the spotlight and get Laura’s attention?”
Becoming Laura’s student was every pianist’s dream. Of course, Charlotte must be eaten up with jealousy.
Charlotte lifted her eyes, cool and distant, her gaze carrying a quiet warning.
None of them noticed the elegant blonde woman in a suit, standing not far away. She slowed her steps, drawn by the sound of their voices, watching the scene unfold.