"Hmm? You bought it for a billion?"Charles returned home, looking at the contract that Maria handed him, he couldn't believe it, "If I didn't know Yu Meilin was a woman, I would really think you used some extraordinary means.""Look what's been in your head all day!"Maria huffed irritably, then told him what had happened at Yu Meilin's house today.After Charles listened, he was even more incredulous, "A story, plus a lovesick knot is worth a billion? Maria, your story and lovesick knots are really valuable!""That's it!"Maria suddenly paused, "Ah, husband, I won't tell you anymore, I just remembered that book, wait for me, I will find it."Previously, when Noah Swinton had a car accident, to afford the medical expenses, Maria sold their old house. Anyway, Noah Swinton was in the hospital and she was in school, so it didn't matter if they didn't have a home.Before selling the house, She packed up everything in the house. There wasn't anything valuable, just some albums and that bo
After the orchard was purchased, the next day Charles started to renovate the one-thousand-acre property, which was a vast project. Fortunately, Charles had enough money to hire half the workers from the capital to construct the estate, hoping to finish it as soon as possible.When the headquarters moved to the capital, the entertainment company where Luna worked also moved there.After Luna finished her work at the company, she came to the villa to look for Maria excitedly."Ria, I have some good news!"Maria was studying recipes. Upon hearing Luna's words, she put down the tablet and looked curiously, "Luna, what's the good news?""Hehe..."Luna had a sneaky smile, "Have you ever heard of Rivas?"Rivas?Maria blinked her eyes and nodded subconsciously, "Of course! He is a famous international pianist, the North Star of the piano world, with a high reputation in the international piano circles. Why?""Hahaha..."Luna already had a big smile on her face as she gestured dramatically t
Seven days later.Luna and Maria arrived at the Wei Luna Hotel in Beijing early in the morning."He's in the presidential suite on the upper floor."After taking the elevator, Luna looked at the elevator wall with a high head and seemed ready for a big battle. "Maria, you need to show your skills. There is only one chance, and we must firmly grasp it!"Opportunities are always prepared for those who are ready. After deciding to enter the piano industry, Maria practiced the piano for two hours every day. She is quite confident in this."Ok, Luna, don't worry, I will definitely perform well."Just as she finished speaking, the elevator 'dinged', and the elevator doors opened in front of them. When Maria saw the densely packed crowd in the corridor, she felt overwhelmed."Haha... haha... Luna, there are so many people. Can we still meet Rivas?""Oh my God!"Luna's face fell, "Why are there so many people? Did they all come to find Rivas?""I see."Luna grabbed Maria’s hand and hurried
After Manager Luna signed with Maria, aside from the previous competition, the two had never appeared together in public. Hence, when people saw Maria, they naturally assumed she was Mia.After all, the internal matters of the company were not intentionally publicized, so only a few people were in the know.Just then, the elevator dinged, and a woman with a stern expression wheeled a man out in a wheelchair.The man in the wheelchair was slightly pale. His hands rested on the armrests of the wheelchair and he radiated a unique demeanor that gave people the feeling that he was someone of high status not to be offended.Maria’s eyes did not fall on the woman but lingered on the man's face.Her eyes quickly reddened and she took two uncontrollable steps towards the wheelchair,"Dad..."This was the first time Maria had seen Andrew since he went missing.The sight of him after pining for him drove her to wish she could rush into his arms right now.Andrew lifted his eyelids and calmly reg
The door opened, and Mia, under the envious glare of many, triumphantly pushed Andrew into Rivas's room.Inside the room, Rivas sat upright on the sofa in a suit. He looked to be in his fifties, in his middle age, but his eyes were bright, and he exuded the unique temperament of artists, generating a sense of admirable respect from others.Seeing him, Andrew smiled and said, "Rivas, it's been more than twenty years, and you still look as charming as ever!"To his surprise, Rivas asked, "Andrew, why… Why are you in a wheelchair?"Andrew waved his hand and said, "It's a long story, really.""Hehe..."Rivas stood up and extended his hand to Andrew, "Thirty years ago, you disappeared. I thought I would never see you again. Never thought that we would be able to meet again today, it's really a rare chance."Andrew laughed, then turned to Mia, "Mimi, say hi to uncle."Immediately Mia’s face showed a bright, friendly smile, "Uncle.""This..."Rivas pointed to Mia and curiously asked Andrew,
"Mimi!"In a low voice, Andrew shouted, causing Mia to retract the gloating expression on her face. But she still glanced at the people around her with satisfaction before pushing Andrew towards the elevator.As she passed Maria, Mia intentionally slowed her steps."Maria, one must be self-aware. Trash should stay in the trash can, not make a spectacle of themselves!"Luna was so angry that her face turned red, ready to retort, "You...""That's enough, Luna."Maria pulled Luna back and shook her head at her.Luna felt extremely wronged and indignantly defended Maria. "Ria, I don't understand! You've been living with Andrew for over 20 years. When he had a car accident, you were the one taking care of him, spending all your savings on his treatment. But in the end, it's Mia who benefits?"Maria bitterly chuckled, "That's fate, I guess...""What fate!"Luna was so furious she raised her voice. "Is 20 years of companionship not as close as blood relations?"Seeing Mia's face becoming m
Through the earpiece, Charles' deep voice echoed, "Ria, how did it go? Have you met Rivas?"Maria heard his voice, the tension she had been concealing almost collapsed. Her voice trembled slightly, a hint of tears laced the edges of her words. "No, I haven't even seen him. Andrew took Mia in with him. When Mia came out, she said that Rivas had already chosen her."Charles' voice deepened even more. "Only Andrew went in? Didn't anyone else go in?""No."Maria sniffed, watching as half the crowd had already left. She spoke, demoralized, "We're planning on leaving now...""Wait."Charles cut her off, "Ria, wait for me at the Weiwang Hotel with Luna. I'll be there within an hour.""Okay, well, we'll wait for you."Seeing Maria end the call, Luna inquired anxiously, "What did CEO Smith say, Ria?"Maria put her phone away. "My husband told us to wait for him here, he'll be here within an hour!""Ah! That's wonderful!"Luna instantly perked up, grabbing Ria and jumping in excitement. "Sinc
Rivas stayed in his room for a long time, making sure all the other guests had left and nobody would come to bother him, he finally breathed a sigh of relief."Sigh, to pull strings for somebody for the first time makes me a bit guilty, I wonder why?"His bodyguard walked alongside him, shaking his head with a smile, "Rivas, I've been with you for so long, this is the first time I've seen you like this. That Mia Lesser, compared to the pianists you've worked with in the past, she's lacking."Rivas shrugged, looking helpless, "Can't help it, I have a good relationship with Andrew Lesser. We've not met for over two decades, consider this a gift I'm giving him upon our reunion."As they reached the elevator, the elevator doors suddenly opened in front of them, and a man and a woman walked out."Oh dear, I wanted to stay a while longer at the piano, but you insisted we come up!""We finished our meal, it's unseemly to linger in the dining room given our status.""If we don't fit in, we do
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