"Cut it out! Aren't we about to compete in the Schumann Piano Competition soon? We're partners, and we need to build rapport." Diana pulled the covers up to her chest. "Let's start with sleeping together."
Leah: "If you're craving me, just say it."
"You wish!"
Leah closed her laptop and leaned back on the bed. "Are you sure you want to sleep with me? Will your ice-cold man boss at home approve?"
"Oh, come on, you're thinking too low of my sweetheart," Diana said sincerely. "John heard I wanted to build rapport with you and he's all for it. He said the competition comes first, and he understands."
Leah: ...
Is this for real? With Mr. Jealous John? If his face doesn't turn to ice, it's already a stretch to say he understands.
Meanwhile, lying all alone in a king-sized bed, John, hugging a pillow that still smelled like Diana, suddenly sneezed.
He furrowed his brows.
What, has he been infected by the little girl?
Clearly, Scarlett was up to something. Unfortunately, her control over her expressions wasn't up to par, and she was seen through with just one look. In a moment of restlessness, it was Scarlett's turn to take the stage. She managed to calm her nerves and entered alongside Chris. The vast auditorium held two grand pianos on the stage, both sitting in silence. Five judges, all renowned pianists within the industry, were seated below. Among them was her professor, Emily. Upon seeing Scarlett, a smile crept across Emily's face. A nearby judge also recognized Scarlett. "Emily, is this your student?" he inquired. "Yes, indeed. Scarlett is one of my most outstanding students. She's participated in numerous international competitions and won several awards. I have high hopes for her in this competition," Emily replied. "I've looked at the list of contestants for this competition. Barring any surprises,
Emily withdrew her astonished gaze, picked up a pen, and, after a while, amidst the puzzled looks of others, marked an 'S' on the evaluation card. Instructors rated performances with grades ranging from 'S,' 'A,' 'B,' 'C,' to 'D.' Achieving an 'A' was rare because Emily was typically very critical. The 'S' grade was exceedingly rare, almost never awarded. Yet today, Emily had surprisingly given an 'S.' She wasn't alone. Other judges also independently marked 'S' on their cards. It was an exceptionally high evaluation. This meant that the gold medal for this competition was practically a foregone conclusion. Levin's eyes flickered with surprise. "I was too hasty," Emily began, her voice calm. "I used to think that Scarlett was the most gifted student I'd ever seen. But now I realize what true genius is!" She gazed at the two young women on the stage, her eyes sparkling. Then, she turned to Levin. "But don't get too smug,
In the video, their clothes were identical to what they were wearing now, and their faces were unmistakably clear, making it impossible to doubt the authenticity. Levin frowned, anger burning in his eyes. "To think it was all self-staged? Scarlett, your intentions are downright malicious!" Emily stood her ground, her expression giving away her doubt. She turned slowly, gazing at Scarlett in the hospital bed. "You tell me, what's going on?" "I... I don't know..." Scarlett's mind went blank. This is a disaster! How could someone have recorded the video?! It was because there were no cameras in the bathroom that she had freely unleashed her torrent of profanity. But she never thought it would be caught on camera... Back then, Diana was clearly with Leah at the competition. Who could have filmed it?! But right now, she couldn't afford to dwell on that. Emily's eyes bore into her, fill
Scarlett felt an excruciating pain in her fingers. "Ah!" She cried out and lifted her head, meeting Diana's emotionless eyes. She was suddenly filled with a strong premonition. If she didn't apologize... Diana would indeed cripple her hand! "I'm... I'm sorry." Scarlett stammered, trembling as she spoke. With her remaining hand, she weakly pounded the ground. "Ah... it hurts so much, please let go!" "That's enough! Diana, let me go!" Emily, unable to bear it any longer, roared. Diana glanced at her indifferently, then raised her foot and, as if disposing of garbage, kicked Scarlett beside Emily. "Now that the situation is clear, Emily, what do you think should be done with Scarlett?" Diana inquired. "Emily, Professor, save me, please, save me..." Scarlett writhed on the ground, her former arrogance completely gone. She hurt. Her whole body hurt. In all her y
The audience fell silent instantly, captivated by the performance unfolding on the screen. Diana stood on the stage, her gaze scanning the crowd. Leah seemed a bit puzzled. "What are you looking for? Why do you seem so distracted?" "Nothing," Diana replied, furrowing her brow. Strange, why hasn't Colin arrived yet? As the performance on the giant screen reached its climax, the people in the audience gradually diverted their attention back to Diana and Leah on the stage. Their gazes became even more intense. With looks that could only be described as divine, they had played the piano in a truly astonishing manner! They were truly gifted by the heavens! No wonder they had been declared the gold medalists immediately this year. It was well-deserved! Subtitles began to appear on the screen under the flashbulbs' glare, introducing the gold medalist. Seeing the name on the screen, a portion of the medi
"I found this handsome guy sitting all alone, so I thought I'd keep him company and chat a bit." With that, Mitbahl fluttered his eyelashes at Colin. Oh my, genetics really are powerful! Madam's second brother is incredibly handsome, and now, it turns out, the third brother is just as good-looking! Another dreamy crush for him. "Mitbahl, thank you for speaking up," Leah grinned. Mitbahl felt a shiver run down his spine instantly. There was something unsettling about this. "Colin Darling, I'm sure Mitbahl didn't tell you all the details. Let me fill you in. Today, I had a pretty big scare," Leah persisted. This was the perfect opportunity to play the damsel in distress. "Very thorough, Mitbahl showed me a video," Colin replied, devoid of emotion. Leah: ... "Oh, well," she muttered, feeling a bit let down. Leah turned away, about to say something else when Colin reached out and ruffled her
"Keep two of them alive for questioning, and dispose of the rest," he ordered. "Yes!" In the heart of the city, within a luxurious and opulent villa. As Natalie entered the living room, she sensed an unusual atmosphere. Yosef sat in the middle of the room, donned in a black shirt. His face, as pale as marble, exuded a faint chill. In his hand, he toyed with a silver handgun. "Mr. Nelson, we've brought the person," Kirin announced, speaking in hushed tones. "Hmm," Yosef replied, his voice devoid of emotion. He leaned back on the sofa. "Was she killed?" Natalie paused, momentarily baffled by his inquiry. Yosef raised his head slightly, his brooding eyes fixing on her face. "I'm asking you, was Diana killed?" "No," Natalie replied, her voice trembling slightly. Caught in Yosef's piercing gaze, she knelt on one knee. Mr. Nelson's eyes were frigid, emanating a deadly coldness that sent shivers
"Is there some pressing matter you're dealing with?" Diana asked casually as she approached, thinking he might be upset, prompting his retreat to the upstairs. "Dear, I'm looking into our business affairs in Africa," John replied, closing his laptop. "I haven't dispatched Jackson; it was his own volunteering." Diana's face fell, realizing John was indeed irritated. Just as she suspected. "John," Diana got closer, took the laptop off his lap, tilted her head, and gazed at him. Then, she planted a gentle kiss on his lips. "I'm sorry; it's my fault for making you upset." She looked at him with pleading eyes. "I got carried away for a moment because I was genuinely happy..." The affectionate nickname 'baby' she used had an almost magical effect, like a potent elixir of love. "No need to apologize," John said as he raised her chin with his hand, gently caressing it. His eyes were filled with an unbreakable tenderness