Chapter 146
Chapter 146:
“Mind if I give it a shot?” Rylie rose to her feet. All eyes followed her as she strolled toward the piano. “I’ll just play a short part,” she added casually.
Paola’s breath hitched. Her hand shot out in reflex. “Rylie! This isn’t the time or place… please don’t p>
Marcus’ voice cut in before she could finish. “Let her play. She’s my guest. Nothing about this is disruptive.” He wasn’t loud, but the way he spoke silenced the room.
He fixed his eyes on Paola’s pale face for a moment, then his tone softened. “This is a free concert. I treat everyone here as friends. And among friends, we should be able to talk about music openly. That’s the point, isn’t it p>
That single moment shattered the image Paola had worked so hard to maintain — the favorite cousin, the chosen performer.
Fiona watched with delight, muttering, “There’s a clear difference in how he treats family p>
Someone in the back called out, “Let’s hear Miss Owen play p>
Isabella scowled. “She’s been with the Kirks her whole life and never touched a piano. She’s going to embarrass herself p>
Fiona shook her head. “Then why would she go up there? I believe she knows what she’s doing p>
Rylie, dressed casually, presented a stark contrast to Paola’s elegance. Yet, when the spotlight hit her, the audience was captivated by her beauty, making the men blush and their hearts race.
She had the Owen looks, more striking than her brothers. And compared to Paola’s practiced poise, her presence felt unforced — strong in a way that didn’t try too hard.
She pushed up her sleeves, her wrist delicate and bare. The audience hushed as her fingers hovered over the keys.
“This is what I think it’s supposed to sound like,” she said.
Her hands began to move. The same melody filled the hall, but now it breathed. Every note flowed effortlessly. What had been stiff under Paola’s hands now soared.
𝐿𝑎t𝑒st ch𝑎pt𝑒rs in
Then she hit the third part. Without pausing, Rylie wove in a new phrase — smooth, seamless. What had been jagged was now whole. The shift felt like moonlight trickling over still water.
A voice rose from the back, “My goodness p>
Marlon shot to his feet. “That transition was flawless! And I heard people say she didn’t study piano?” he said, shaking his head in awe. “This is the kind of skill someone develops young p>
Marcus looked on with pride. “When I first met her, I knew she had talent. I checked. The Kirks never gave her lessons. Everything she knows, she taught herself p>
Marlon’s eyes widened. “Like you? She’s a born genius. The Kirks never saw what they had. Now their ignorance is on full display p>
Rylie had performed the complete Twilight Horizon. Paola’s version, in comparison, had been a haphazard blend of mismatched parts.
At first, the audience had been charmed by Paola’s performance. But after hearing Rylie’s version, murmurs spread through the crowd as more discerning ears began to notice the difference.