Chapter 513
Alivia felt the sting of the remark as if she'd been slapped across the face. Her
chest heaved with barely contained emotion.
The society ladies who had just been showing off their Italian were now flushed
with embarrassment. They had intended to make Brielle the butt of their joke,
mocking her with a language they thought she couldn’t understand. To their
chagrin, Brielle’s Italian was even more fluent than theirs.
The atmosphere turned awkward; the moment they had spoken, they had
become the jesters of the evening.
Brielle wasn't about to let Alivia off the hook. “Ms. Alivia, don’t you understand
Italian?” she asked, her voice tinged with nonchalance.
The question cornered Alivia. Admitting she understood meant she knew the
other women were ridiculing her, when she told Brielle they welcomed her.
Claiming ignorance would suggest that she was less cultured than Brielle, who
had mastered the language. Having presented herself as gracious and friendly
towards Brielle all evening, choosing the former would expose Alivia’s duplicity to
everyone.
Suppressing the turmoil within, Alivia managed a strained smile. “I really don’t
understand. Did they say something unpleasant?” Her gaze swept innocently
over the other guests, while the instigators avoided her eyes, shifting
uncomfortably.
Barely holding back her rage, which felt like a taste of blood in her mouth, Alivia
addressed the crowd. “Brielle’s not out often, and we rarely gather like this. This
evening isn't just a welcome party for Jaired; it's also the first time Brielle’s been
at a social event like this.”
She looked at Tessa, who was glaring daggers at Brielle. From the moment
Tessa had seen Brielle, her mood had plummeted. Her eyes met Alivia’s, and
without words, they agreed that Brielle must be humiliated tonight.
At Alivia’s cue, Tessa rose, her face pale but flushed with excitement at the
thought of Brielle’s impending disgrace. Unaware that Alivia had easily
manipulated her emotions. Tessa was out of her depth against such cunning.
She approached the grand piano and casually asked, “Alivia, may I? I've heard
this is a collector's pride. I've been practicing a piece recently, and seeing this
piano makes me want to give it a go. Ms. Brielle, you wouldn't mind
accompanying me, would you?”
Tessa, having been sheltered, must have honed other skills. She played the
piano beautifully and was sure Brielle, an orphaned girl who later joined the
Haywood family, couldn't compare. After all, would the Haywoods have ever
provided her with a proper education?
Nodding. Alivia said, “Of course, this piano was indeed in a gallery before being
brought here for a private concert.”
Tessa’s smile grew as she turned to Brielle. “Ms. Brielle, you play, don't you?
Since it's our first
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13.02
Chapter 513
time at such a gathering, let's relax with some music.”
Relieved, the other ladies were ready to settle scores.
“Right, it's just a casual get-together among friends. If you're practicing, Brielle,
why not join in?”
“Surely, you can play the piano? Our tutors were world—class.”
“Don't pick on her, guys. She probably doesn’t even know the make of this
piano.”
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As the chatter continued, Alivia finally
found some solace in their words
She wiped to[Briele) feighing
i ) :
Hens If you're not up to it, I
could assist Tessa. She loves playing,
gh os . . RT
and now she's just inspired.” Visit
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chapter of this novel
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These women were born into
privilege, well-versed in the arts, m
They had aygyepfedthe finest
ge was their fortune, but it was
wrong for them to trample on those
less fortunate. Visit popsnovel.com
to read the latest chapter of this
novel
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Alivia, ever gentle, took hold of
. ) apy . .
Brielle’ Fal Brice, it's Bkag iyo
’ ’ ” ie)
ch Epidy 11 help Tessa.” Visit
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chapter of this novel