Chapter 6~ Skills

Roxanne rolled her eyes and turned to face her sister who was standing next to Victor and her obnoxious friend, Alisha.

A scoff escaped her lips.

Indeed, they were birds of the same feather.

Maya hooked her arm around Victor’s and sneered, “I didn't expect to see you here, Roxanne. Did you sneak in?”

Of course, Maya thought Roxanne wouldn't have an invitation to such an upper-class event. It wasn't open to any Jim and Jack and only a few invitations were sent out. 

Maya was only able to go because Kenneth was invited and she begged him to give her his invitation card. 

Seeing Roxanne at the banquet came as a shock to her. 

"Henry hasn't seen you since news of your engagement was released and neither did he admit it to the media. It seems he doesn’t care about you. How do you still have the courage to attend a banquet?” Maya said sarcastically.

“Mind your own business, Maya. I didn't come here for you,” Roxanne responded flatly.

Meanwhile, Victor furrowed his eyebrows as a sliver of irritation flared through him. He thought Roxanne wasn't willing to break the marriage arrangement between them, hence, she was following him around.

"Are you stalking us? How did you get in?” Victor questioned with contempt. “Quickly leave this place before anyone sees you. Only those with invitations can attend this banquet. Stop embarrassing yourself by trying to get close to me. I already chose your sister."

Roxanne rolled her eyes and shook her head before she whipped around sharply and walked away.

Narcissistic much?

She couldn't believe she would have married such a dumb ass. 

On the other hand, hatred was brewing within Maya after being ignored by Roxanne. 'How dare she? Who does she think she is?'

“Baby, can you get me a drink?” Maya asked Victor through gritted teeth and when he left, a vicious look plastered her face as she glared in the direction that Roxanne went. 

“I hate her so much! What gives her the right to attend such a prestigious event?!” She hissed, clenching her fists. 

“She's engaged to Henry Ford. So maybe that’s how she was able to come here...” Alisha responded. 

“She's so smug. Did you see that? She's becoming more bold after taking charge of the RG shopping mall. We need to teach her a lesson. I want her to humiliate herself that she would never want to attend an upper-class event ever again,” Maya declared while Alisha agreed with her. 

“You're right. She thinks she’s the Ford's matriarch already. Let’s put her in her place.”

Meanwhile, Roxanne who was unaware of the brewing scheme got tired of looking for Henry so she found a chair next to the buffet and after grabbing a few sweet treats, she sat down and began to happily munch them. 

She regretted coming to such an event, knowing very well she wasn't cut out for such kinds of things. 

While Maya loved to attend social events, Roxanne stayed home and read a book or watched a movie. 

After a few minutes, she began to feel awkward and out of place. 

'Where's Henry?'

She looked around again but he was nowhere to be seen. He invited her and didn't even show up, making her look lost. 

As she was lost in thought, she suddenly heard Maya's voice speaking through a microphone at the setup stage in front.  

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. My sister, Roxanne Smith, admires Mr. Henry Ford very much. She told me she wanted to play the piano for him as a gift to welcome him back to the Country. My sister is very good at playing the piano. She will blow your minds...”

With a cheery voice, Maya's eyes found Roxanne's frame. She smiled and said while gesturing with her hand, “Put your hands together for Roxanne as she comes up to play the piano for the CEO!”

The guests followed Maya's eyes and looked at Roxanne expectantly while applauding for her. 

Maya smirked as she looked at Roxanne who looked like a deer caught in headlights. ‘You’re done for, bitch! Who’s smug now?’

Roxanne had never had piano lessons before. Maya was confident she would make a fool out of herself in front of so many important people. 'Serves you right!' 

Her mind was filled with evil thoughts but she maintained a sweet smile on her face as she cheered for her sister to come on stage. 

At the same time, Roxanne had a poker face as the crowd cheered for her. 

She knew Maya was trying to make a fool out of her. 

Since everyone was looking at her, she had no choice but to walk to the stage. 

“Show them your skills, sis!” Maya squeaked with a fake smile on her face.

'Let's see if you will be able to show your face after this, bitch,' she sneered inwardly. 

Roxanne shrugged and said, “I'll try. I'm not so good at playing the piano.”

Maya secretly laughed. 'Are you justifying your inevitable failure?'

She was ecstatic knowing Roxanne would fail and Henry would hate her. 

There was nothing worse than having a husband who hated you. ‘Just wait, Roxanne. I’m going to make your life a living hell.’

“Come on. Don't be so humble. We both know you're an expert. How can someone from the Smith family have no piano skills?” Maya said, making sure her voice was amplified by the microphone. "You even earned so many rewards. I'm sure they will all love your piano skills."

She sounded like she was praising her but there was a taunting tone in her voice. How could Roxanne have earned many rewards when she never participated in a competition? 

Maya mentioned this to set a certain expectation in the audience so that they would be more disappointed when they witnessed Roxanne's horrible skills.

Roxanne mentally rolled her eyes and went towards the piano, ignoring Maya altogether. 

Since Maya wanted a show, she was going to give her a show. 

She sat down on the stool next to the piano and after a few seconds, she began to play the piano, stunning the crowd altogether.  

Her fingers gracefully moved along the keys as she played a ballad. Not only did she play beautifully, but she sang along too. 

The crowd fell silent as they listened to the beautiful music and angelic voice of Roxanne. 

“Wow. I heard the eldest daughter has no proper skills but it seems the rumours are false. She's so good.”

“She has such a lovely voice and her piano skills are top-notch. I feel like I'm at a concert.”

Those comments came from the audience as they watched Roxanne's performance. 

Roxanne looked elegant as she played the piano and she was exuding a noble aura that made her look like a queen.  

She captured everyone’s attention including the man seated in his wheelchair on the balcony, watching the scene in the backyard. 

He narrowed his falcon-like eyes at the beautiful figure on the stage and a complex emotion stirred within him. 

“Interesting,” he muttered to himself. 

His substitute bride was getting more and more mysterious. There was more to her than meets the eye and the more he watched her, the more he wanted to know more about her. 

Turning to his assistant, he instructed, “Bring her to me.”

“Yes, sir.”