Anya was being kept under close watch after Lucas arranged for someone to ensure she was resting and recuperating in the room. Her face had turned pale, and the expression on her innocent and angelic face became incredibly distorted.She had watched Corinne's performance of 'Farewell, My Love' through a video call with Edmund—her brother's subordinate—and the result left her surprised, astonished, and jealous. Corinne's performance was not as terrible as she expected. On the contrary, it was so breathtaking that the guests in the audience applauded her!'How is this happening?! How could Corinne—a woman who was born in the countryside—be able to sing an opera that well? She can sing better than me even though I've been practicing secretly for a few months! Damn it! This isn't the result I wanted!'What Anya had expected was Corinne to butcher the very essence of opera with terrible singing. As a result, it would trigger Edgar into chasing her away due to his anger from the performan
With that, the unhappiness in Anya's heart suddenly dissipated. From what happened, Rosie's stupidity was perhaps not so severe as to be completely useless in every situation. At the very least, she still had value during that critical moment!Anya's expression became cheery, and she smiled softly, "Thank you for putting in a good word for me in front of Grandpa!"Rosie then said, "No biggie, Anya! We're the best of friends, so you can bet on me to stop Corinne from succeeding and showing off in your name! That darn b*tch must've pushed you down on purpose earlier so you couldn't go on stage, and she could use that opportunity to show off! Don't worry, Anya, I've already told someone to watch her take off her make-up backstage, and I'll make sure she won't get the chance to say anything to Mister Edgar!"Anya smiled reassuringly and remembered that she was supposed to portray herself as a kind-hearted person. She thus said hypocritically, "Don't say that about Corinne, Rosie. I don'
Edgar had always been extremely indifferent toward Anya, so hearing him speak to her in such a concerned tone overwhelmed her.She nodded obediently and touchingly before saying sensibly, "My injury isn't serious, and I can still sing for you if I really want me to. I know you're very worried about me, and you probably won't be in the mood to listen to me sing right now. I promise to sing for you in the future!"While recovering from this injury, I'll train my voice again and aim to sing 'A Love Entranced' in as perfect a rendition as possible for you and your wife in the future!"Edgar listened to Anya's filial response with an unprecedented look of appreciation. He nodded slightly and said, "Sure. But since you're still going to have to recover from your injury, you must make sure to take extra care. There's no need to strain your voice too much. You've already sung very well today!"His compliment was not simply out of politeness but out of a genuinely objective evaluation. The
Gertrude had a repulsed gaze in her eyes, and she shook her head vigorously while saying, "I want Emily, not her… She's not Emily..."Edgar frowned when he heard that and felt very puzzled. 'Why isn't she recognizing her?'Anya, who had finally gained Edgar's trust only to face such rejection from Gertrude, could not help but feel a little guilty. She looked up, glanced at her best friend Rosie to ask for help, and had the expression of being at a loss to beckon her best friend into helping her.Rosie sensed Anya's signal for help and immediately spoke up for her."It's her, Madam Gertrude! She's the one who played Consort Aileen on stage and performed the opera, but you probably don't recognize her now. She's changed into a different costume and put on a different style of makeup."She was going to sing another piece, which is why she's dressed differently from earlier. Please don't get anxious. Take a deep breath and have a closer look."Edgar also calmed his wife's agitation a
Corinne's lips curled up slightly, and she said to Anya with a smirk, "Miss Anya, I've already taken off Consort Aileen's costume and folded it up on the make-up table backstage. Remember to get someone to collect it from there later."The costume looks so well-made; it seems to be a dress with high-class tailoring. It's best if you could get someone to check the costume and put it away. I won't be responsible if it gets lost or if someone else damages it!"Corinne spoke calmly and nonchalantly, but the atmosphere around her suddenly did not feel right anymore.Anya's and Rosie's expressions stiffened, and they were unsure how to react at that moment. They could only glare at Corinne secretly while anxiously observing Edgar's reaction.Edgar's warm expression had turned cold, and he glanced at Anya sitting in a wheelchair with an innocent face before looking at Corinne, who had already removed her makeup. He then frowned and sank into a pensive silence.Corinne smiled innocently a
Anya tried her best not to look guilty, but her expression was very awkward as she responded to Edgar."Grandpa, I..."Rosie collected her thoughts rapidly and spoke for her best friend.'Don't listen to Corinne's nonsense, Mister Edgar. She couldn't have sung 'Farewell, My Love' earlier. Does she look like someone who could sing opera? She's just an ordinary employee in Lucas's company who came from a poor background in the countryside. She wouldn’t have had the chance to learn opera because her family is so poor!"Rosie then turned to Corinne, glared at her, and belittled her sarcastically."You're just jealous because you saw Anya getting the applause and appreciation from Mister Edgar and the guests. That's why you came over to take the credit and make yourself known!"Do you think anyone will believe your one-sided statement that you were the singer earlier? The other performers can testify that the one who just came on stage was Anya!"Rosie's 'righteousness' made Edgar a
Edgar did not buy her story.Face darkening, he scoffed and said, "She hurt her leg, not her vocal cords. Don't worry. She just needs to sing notes to prove her singing ability. It's not like I'm asking her to do something that'll tire her out."Rosie's eyes wavered. "But—""There's no but!"Edgar was becoming impatient. He ignored Rosie and glanced at Anya sharply before turning to look at Corinne again."So? Which one of you will sing first?"Anya knew it would be hard to get out of it, so she forced a smile and said, "Actually… It doesn't matter who gets to sing first! Corinne, which of us do you think should sing first?"Corinne looked at Anya. Although Anya smiled sweetly, her eyes were filled with guilt and menace. It was obvious she was telling her to get out there as soon as possible so she would not lose the good impression she had given Edgar.Corinne found it laughable. 'Is she really threatening me when her fake image is about to be exposed? As if I'll ever be scare
Again, Edgar did not buy her story.Instead, he asked, "Would someone please get her a glass of water?"Anya was speechless. After drinking the water brought by the servant, she did not come up with any more excuses; she had no choice but to sing.'I've been practicing for a few months, so I should be as good as Corinne…' thought Anya.She sang the same verse as Corinne, but her voice broke at the end, making the audience giggle.Anya was horribly embarrassed. She had never felt so humiliated, so she quickly tried to explain herself. "I'm sorry, Grandpa! My throat is really sore, so—""Oh, really? Your throat is sore, huh?" Edgar heartlessly interrupted her. "You sang so beautifully when you pretended to be Consort Aileen. Do you really take me for an old fool? Do you think I can't tell your voice is totally different from hers?"Anya's eyes reddened. She looked like she was about to cry."No! Grandpa, I'm not lying. It's really because of my sore throat… I…"Edgar frowned and