Chapter 61
The host was briefly called aside, whispered to, then returned to the stage with visible excitement and indignation. “Ladies and gentlemen, as you know, today is Mr. Clark’s birthday. Our gracious Miss Clark—not only breathtakingly beautiful and well–mannered but also immensely talented th prepared a violin performance for her beloved father. Let’s give a round of applause for Miss Clark’s heartfelt gesture!”
The spotlight swung over and locked onto Valerie. Thunderous applause erupted.
Gasps and murmurs followed immediately. “She plays the violin too?”
“If she’s confident enough to play at a birthday banquet, she must be incredible.”
“Wait–hold on. Which Miss Clark are they talking about? Valerie or Valentina? Wasn’t Valerie an orphan? I thought the Clarks never really acknowledged
her.”
“Now that you mention it… Valentina I know, but she’s never touched a violin in her life. Valerie? I doubt it.”
“Wait, look at Valerie’s face…”
Under the intense glow of the spotlight, Valerie looked elegant, poised… and visibly confused.
It was clear–she had no idea this was coming.
Since when was she performing tonight? She hadn’t been told a thing.
Yet the host, oblivious or perhaps willfully blind, continued with righteous fervor, “Miss Clark, the stage is yours!”
An attendant had already emerged from the side, carrying a polished violin, waiting for Valerie to step forward.
Juliette nearly burst into laughter.
Just when Valerie’s image was reaching dazzling heights, Valentina had struck with precision. A perfect trap. Nothing humbles like public failure.
This woman needed to be knocked down a peg.
Everett, on the other hand, was visibly alarmed. “Is this… a misunderstanding? Who arranged this? Did Valerie do it herself?”
He knew her background too well–raised in an orphanage, only brought into the Clark family at thirteen. He’d never once provided her with music. lessons. Even Valentina couldn’t play an instrument. How could Valerie?
Aiden’s presence today had been obvious–he was here to boost Valerie’s name, to lend her weight and influence.
Everything had been going smoothly so far. But if this farce ended in disaster and embarrassed Valerie in front of the crowd…
That could ruin everything.
Valerie, meanwhile, couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh, equal parts amused and furious.
This had Valentina’s fingerprints all over it.
She just couldn’t stand to see Valerie shine.
Valerie stood. The spotlight brightened.
Heads turned. Some applauded out of habit. Others, who knew Valerie’s story, gasped.
Chapter 61
“No way… is she really going up?”
“I’d hide if it were me. What if she can’t play a note? That would be humiliating. Still, she’s gorgeous. Even if she just stands there, I’d watch
Everett saw her rising and broke into a nervous sweat. “Valerie…”
But Valerie, calm as ever, ignored his silent plea. The next second, she stepped onto the stage.
Valentina scoffed, her voice dripping with scorn. “Idiot.”
Everett rushed forward to intercept, keeping his voice light but his expression panicked. “Valerie, sweetheart, your thoughtfulness is more than enough. Really, your gift already made me happy.”
To onlookers, his words confirmed their suspicions: a father knows his daughter. And clearly, Valerie couldn’t play.
If she could, Everett would’ve bragged long ago–not tried to stop her.
As he blocked her path, he glanced helplessly at Aiden and whispered, “She doesn’t know how… who set this up?”
But Aiden didn’t frown, didn’t flinch. Instead, he turned to Valerie and simply asked, “Can you?”
Valerie faced the sea of eyes. Then, under the lights, she smiled–radiant, breathtaking. “I can.”
And with that smile, it was as if spring had erupted across the stage.
Blossoms of wonder bloomed in the minds of everyone watching.
Even Aiden’s always–calm gaze deepened, his heart catching in his chest.
Valerie accepted the violin with a graceful nod. “Forgive my clumsy hands.”
Valentina, watching from the crowd, suddenly felt a jolt of unease.
Valerie lifted the violin to her shoulder, bow poised at the strings. Her back straightened. Her posture elegant, precise.
She closed her eyes. And then–music.
A clear, flowing melody danced through the hall.
As the opening notes rang out, someone gasped. “That’s Confession of the Night! Oh my god, that’s my favorite!”
The piece was widely known. Even those who didn’t play violin had heard it, which meant one thing–it left no room for mistakes. Every note was familiar. Any error would be obvious.
But from the very first stroke to the last, Valerie didn’t miss a beat. It was as if she had practiced it a thousand times. Every movement was muscle memory. Every note, flawless.
The sound floated through the room like silk on wind, weaving a dream around her ethereal beauty. Valerie, in that moment, wasn’t just performing–she
was the dream.
A goddess come to earth, cloaked in music.
“Dear god, she’s stunning.“,
“She’s everything. That’s Valerie? The one who gifted her husband an entire company?”
“Yeah, that’s her. Isn’t this Mr. Clark’s birthday? But honestly, it feels like she’s the star of the night.”
“Think about it. Clark’s had other birthdays–ever seen him go this all–out before? He’s clearly putting her front and center. Making her visible to the
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Chapter 61
world.”
“You’re right. Tonight, Valerie is the real main character.”
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Valerie, immersed in the music, felt like she was alone on that stage.
Until, by chance, she opened her eyes–and locked gazes with a man seated dead center in the crowd.
It was Aiden. One hand propped under his chin, posture lazy and relaxed, he looked at her with eyes that shimmered like stars–bright, clear, burning with something unspoken.
Her heart skipped.
Their eyes met, and something electric passed between them–silent, wild,
completely unstoppable.
AD
