Maria and Charles returned home, her hands sore!After agreeing to perform with Rivas, she was forced to practice the piano for two hours by him. Her fingers were trembling now..."Ria."Charles and Maria sat down on the couch. He took Maria’s left hand, placed it on his leg, and gently massaged her fingers."Oh..."Maria sighed comfortably, "So comfortable."Suddenly, she frowned and pouted, "Honey, do you think Rivas is making a fool of me? He wants me to go to his place every morning at nine and practice until three in the afternoon. I'm afraid I can't even use my hands anymore.""Hehe..."Charles chuckled and shook his head, "Rivas is a keen lover of the piano. It's not easy for him to encounter an opponent who can hone his skills. How could he miss such an opportunity?"Maria blinked and carefully pondered Charles' words. Then she raised her right hand and gave him a thumbs-up."Honey, you are right. Rivas is indeed a keen lover of the piano. Otherwise, I wouldn't have dared to n
In the following days, Luna would accompany Maria to Rivas hotel for piano practice every day. The relationship between Rivas and Maria became more intimate. They were not just partners anymore. It was a kind of long-awaited mutual affection."Rivas."After finishing the piano practice, Maria rubbed her fingers and pouted towards the window, "Yesterday, my husband told me that there is a good restaurant to the north of Beijing. Do you want to go with me?""A restaurant?"Rivas also massaged his fingers gently, "What are we eating? Is it spicy?"After being with Rivas for so many days, Maria knew his preferences very well. She chuckled, "Yeah! It will make you cry. So tell me, are you coming or not?""Yes, of course."Rivas immediately stood up, intending to change his clothes.The bodyguard reminded him kindly, "Rivas, Mia is coming for practice at eight o'clock tonight. You've already skipped her for three days in a row."Including today, Maria rehearsed with Rivas for a total of s
The concert was only a few days away.Considering the frequency of Mia’s rehearsals with Rivas, she might mess up.While Maria took Rivas out for a meal, Mia was at home smashing things in anger."He keeps standing me up time and time again. Who does he think he is?!"The fruit plate and glasses on the coffee table were swept to the ground in her fit of rage.The girl attending to her saw the broken glass all over the floor and rushed towards Andrew's yard in a panic.But Andrew wasn't in his own yard at the moment. He was with Old Mrs. Lesser and Old Master Lesser. The girl had no choice but to go there.Once she entered the yard, she anxiously looked at Andrew, "Young Master Lesser, Miss Mia Lesser is smashing things again. Please go check on her."Old Mrs. Lesser frowned at once. This was the third time Mia had smashed things to vent her anger.She looked at Andrew angrily, "Andrew, isn't Mia’s temper a little too bad? Haven't you educated her before?"Andrew helplessly lowered his
Tickets for Rivas' concert were truly hard to come by.All of Rivas fans in the country were scrambling for tickets.Even the price of the worst seats had been inflated to over 7000 dollars, let alone the better ones. It was not an exaggeration to say that they were priceless.Thanks to Andrew's relationship with Rivas, the Lesser family obtained five of the best seats. Andrew personally delivered the tickets to Old Mrs. Lesser and Old Master Lesser. "Dad, Mom, these are tickets for the Rivas concert. You've always said that Mimi isn't good enough, but this time, she received an invitation from Rivas to be the only pianist in our country to perform with him on stage. I hope you can witness her growth."Old Mrs. Lesser and Old Master Lesser knew very well that these tickets were hard to come by.Old Mrs. Lesser took the tickets. Looking at Andrew's determined expression, she sighed helplessly, "Andrew, I know you don't want to remarry, but this music concert doesn't prove anything...
Eva's countenance immediately changed. She gritted her teeth and looked at Charles mournfully.But Charles ignored her, turned to Luna, and said, "Luna, take out the tickets. We can enter once they are checked."Luna naturally knew about the subtle relationship between Maria and the Lesser family. The atmosphere was so tense now, so she immediately opened her bag and took out the tickets. "Alright, let's check the tickets once they go in."Mia noticed the golden tickets in Luna's hand. Surprisingly, they were the same as theirs!Rivas’ concert had two types of tickets.The white tickets were for sale to the public while the golden ones were mainly for special guests and important clients.She shouted in a sharp voice, "How did you get these tickets?"Luna raised the tickets in her hand and smirked cunningly, "We bought them. Young Master Smith is rich. It's a piece of cake for him to get three tickets."Hearing that they bought the tickets, Mia was relieved.Her pride and arrogance co
"Is that so?"Luna frowned suspiciously. "I don't think so. If he really liked Mia, he wouldn't have been looking at you when he arrived. Ria, you'd better stay away from him. He's out of his mind!"No doubt about that!Alexander haunted Mia and almost insulted Maria and drove her to her death!Even if Luna didn't remind Maria, she would still stay away from him."Honey, let's go inside."Maria didn't want to discuss this any further and went to get their tickets checked with Charles.Everyone entered the theater smoothly, and after Mia seated the Lesser family, she went backstage.Maria, Charles, and Luna realized that their seats were right next to those of the Lesser family.Old Master Lesser, Old Mrs. Lesser, Andrew, and Eva sat in a row with only one seat empty beside them. Charles naturally didn't want to sit next to Eva, even though there was an empty seat in between. So Maria sat in that seat.Luna checked her watch and whispered to Maria over Charles shoulder, "Ria, I had yo
On the stage, after the host introduced her, Mia walked to another piano. She exchanged glances with Rivas, and as soon as he nodded at her, she placed her hands on the keys and closed her eyes. As the music started playing, she collaborated with Rivas and the band.The audience listened attentively, and some began to whisper quietly."Why do I feel like Mia is dragging Rivas down?""Yeah, I noticed that too. When Rivas was playing solo earlier, he didn't seem as hesitant. It feels like he's unable to fully express himself.""Yeah, it seems that there's still quite a gap between our country's pianists and top-notch pianists in the world."Even Andrew frowned lightly as he listened to Mia and Rivas play.He understood why Rivas tried to refuse him before. Mia was fine playing solo, but when she played with Rivas, her shortcomings were exposed. At that moment, because of Mia, he felt a bit ashamed.Fortunately, the performance wasn't too long, and after Mia finished playing, there was
Backstage, Mia could hear the intense applause that far exceeded the faint applause she received after her performance.Watching Maria and Rivas talking and laughing on stage, Mia was furious!Why?!Rivas promised her that she would be the only special guest, but he also invited Maria. Was he helping her or humiliating her?Andrew even pleaded with him back then!Mia stared at Maria fiercely. Maria didn't leave the stage. Instead, she walked towards the backstage.Mia clenched her fists at once, and when Maria approached, she unleashed a torrent of curses."Maria, you're really something! Did you sleep with Rivas or did you ask Charles to buy him off? How could he invite you to be his special guest?"The smile on Maria’s face immediately vanished. She looked at Mia’s resentful eyes and frowned coldly."Mia, Rivas helped you. Is this how you repay him? How can you assume the worst of him?"Mia couldn't stand it anymore. Maria’s background was inferior to hers but still had the audacity
After leaving the banquet courtyard, Maria and Charles got into a sightseeing car and headed towards the Lesser family gate.Along the way, Charles remained silent, his thin lips pressed into a straight line, and his face looked terrifyingly solemn.Maria also didn't say anything. She held his hand tightly as if she wanted to give him her strength.Even when they got into their own car, Charles didn't say a word. He just gently rested his head on Maria’s shoulder, like an injured child.**********Back at the villa, Maria fetched a bottle of red wine, opened it, and took out two glasses. She tilted her head at Charles."Let's go and drink in the room."She smiled and raised the wine bottle in her hand. Charles noticed and finally relaxed the corners of his tightly pressed lips.He stood up and laughed softly, "How is one bottle enough? You are never drunk after a thousand cups."Maria looked at him speechlessly, seeing him take out two more bottles of red wine. She felt like things wer
Eva had been with Eric for more than twenty years, and she had no doubt about his feelings for her. Moreover, Eric always took good care of her and loved her deeply. If there was any rift between them, it was Charles.For the past twenty years, she had always been cautious in protecting their relationship, never inquiring about any news about Charles. That's why they had been living in harmony, until Mia came to Beijing. She had started investigating Charles' affairs under the old lady's orders.And since then, she felt that Eric had become more and more distant from her, a distance that she couldn't close no matter what she did.Now that Charles had come to Beijing, she had to make a choice between Eric and Charles. She didn't want to, but she had to…"Eric…"Her voice trembled as she pleaded, looking at him. "Can't you…?""No!"Those two resolute words instantly crushed the only hope in Eva heart.On one side was her husband, and on the other was her biological son, and she owed C
David and Hamya exchanged glances as they heard this. It was as if they had made a decision. They immediately said in unison, "We want to go too!""Huh?"Charles looked at them with confusion.David patted his stomach and smiled at Charles, "Young Master Smith, I wonder if your company is in need of pianists? What do you think of me?"Hamya chuckled and nodded, "I think I can do it too. Young Master Smith, please consider signing both of us. We don't ask for much, just a chance to perform in top music halls."David was worried that Charles would disagree, so he put on an even more sincere smile. "Ah yeah, haha... We just feel that Patrick is not enough on his own. With Hamya and I joining, after all, we have better qualifications than him. When the three great piano masters embark on anglobal tour together, and with Maria and Linda, it will be twice as successful.""Exactly!"Hamya laughed happily, "Young Master Smith, a single concert takes too long, Patrick won't be able to handle i
The two of them walked onto the stage and sat down at the piano. Maria raised her head and exchanged a glance with Linda, who placed her hands on the keys.The young pianists were curious about what music Maria and Linda would play. This was the second round of the training camp's open competition, and they usually wouldn't get to hear it.Suddenly, the piano played a melancholic melody, carrying a touch of elegance in the air, instantly striking at people's hearts!"This is..."Some couldn't remain calm instantly. "Butterfly Lovers?!""Is that possible? Butterfly Lovers arranged as a piano piece?""Yes, everyone knows that Butterfly Lovers is best played on the guqin, or the zheng would also work. It's my first time hearing it played on the piano.""Hey, no, this version of Butterfly Lovers has been adapted for piano. It suits the instrument perfectly while still preserving the essence of the original piece. It's absolutely refreshing!"After a few seconds of discussion, an unexpect
Two days later, Maria and Linda arrive at the venue of the exchange conference in their finest attire.They hand over their invitation cards and wait for the security guard to check them.Suddenly, a mocking voice comes from beside them, "Oh oh, who is this? Linda!? Am I mistaken?"The one speaking is Linda manager, and standing next to her is the pianist signed by Linda economic company."Aria, you're not mistaken, isn't that Linda herself?"Hearing their voices, Linda's face darkens. She turns her head and glares at them, "Aria, your eyesight is really not good, you can't even recognize me. You should go to the hospital to have your eyes checked."Aria originally wanted to embarrass Linda, but she didn't expect her to retort so sharply. She immediately gets furious."Linda, the company didn't give you an invitation card. Tell me, where did you steal it from?""Hehe..."Linda raises her chin triumphantly, holding Maria's arm. "Do I need the company to give me one? Just look at who's
After arriving in Beijing, the feeling of uneasiness never appeared again, and Maria felt an indescribable relief.Charles had sent someone to take Andrew back to the Lesser family, while Patrick and Linda followed Charles and Maria back to their villa.Originally, Andrew had strongly invited Patrick to come back to the Lesser family with him, but Patrick knew that the Lesser family was big and complicated, so he used the excuse of being with Linda and followed Charles.***********On the third day, when Luna returned from Brussels, she went directly to Maria’s place and looked at Linda, her expression becoming more flattering."Linda, I heard that your contract with your previous agency is about to expire, right?"Maria sat next to Linda, holding a big doll in her hands, feeling very angry."Yes, they told me before that if I could achieve good results in the training camp this time, they would sign me for another ten years and give me all the resources. But just when I announced my
At this moment, Maria had already packed up and left the hotel with Charles, Linda, Andrew, and others.On the way to the airport, Linda still couldn't understand and turned back to Maria, "Ria, as long as the misunderstanding is resolved, we can still stay in the training camp, right?"Of course, Maria knew that if she returned to the training camp now, everyone would treat her like a deity.Just kidding, being able to decide the life and death of their teacher, they would definitely flatter and serve Maria obediently.Maria shook her head, "Actually, I have already achieved my goal. Linda, if you want to go back, you can go back, no need to accompany me.""Hey!"Linda casually waved her hand, "Without you here, why should I go back? Besides, I have hugged your thigh, and you have hugged Master Smith's thigh. Am I still afraid of not being able to reach the pinnacle of the international piano world?"She said it so casually, as if she was joking. But Maria could tell that she still f
Maria, so smart, why couldn't she understand what they meant?She smiled and turned to shout inside the house, "Honey, it turns out they are looking for you." Charles was inside, and he had heard everything at the door clearly. The girls had looked down on him before and said he was weak, but now they all came to beg him with a straight face. It was really funny.He remained silent for a while before saying, "Ria, in our home, I make the major decisions and you make the minor ones. But in my eyes, besides you, nothing else is a major matter. So, you make the decisions."The girls outside, "..."Didn't that mean that Maria would be in charge of everything in the house?They felt a toothache and couldn't believe they were caught off guard by this unexpected situation.Maria shrugged and looked at them again.Originally, they came to apologize to Maria as a pretense, hoping that she would persuade Charles, but now, the initiative was completely in her hands, and they had to lower their
Maria was not foolish. Why did her reputation stink so much? Was it only because of the ambiguous relationship between her and Charles at that banquet?Just that one time was not enough to make everyone dislike and envy her.Lucy's face was extremely embarrassed, but at this moment, she had already lost all confidence in front of Maria and could only cry helplessly."Maria, I really know I was wrong. Can you forgive me? Please...""Lucy, your intentions were truly wicked. You even used Rivata as a weapon. Honestly, I admire you for that."Even while saying this, Maria's expression remained calm, her tone as if chatting with a close friend."You, alone, have bewitched the hearts of all the girls in the training camp. You treated others as pawns to sacrifice for your own gain. Wasn't your goal to drive me out of the camp? Congratulations, you achieved your goal. You should be happy, so why are you crying?"When Maria said this, the other girls immediately began pondering.After thinkin