Chapter 27
Valerie immediately recognized the voice and turned to glance over.
Kelly approached with an air of sophistication, walking toward Valerie with each step, her striking eyes radiating defiance.
Juliette didn’t know who Kelly was, but she immediately recognized her outfit.
The dress was a limited–edition gown that had just been featured in a magazine a few days ago. Though Kelly had draped a trench coat over it, Juliette could still spot it immediately. The bag she carried was also from a luxury brand, one of this year’s most sought–after styles, and it was a globally limited edition.
Seeing her, Juliette straightened up a little and turned to Valerie. “Is she your friend?”
Valerie smiled faintly. “She’s my aunt.”
Kelly’s face twisted in disdain. “Who’s your aunt? How shameless!”
Valerie remained calm and polite, her manners impeccable as she asked, “Should I address you as Miss Walker? Or would you prefer Kelly?”
Kelly was momentarily thrown off by Valerie’s composed response, but it only made her more angry.
She had come here bored and looking for trouble, but now Valerie was asking how she should be addressed.
Juliette’s eyes lit up. “Oh, you’re Aiden’s sister! It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Valerie’s best friend, Juliette. I’m also pretty close to Aiden.”
Kelly’s expression soured even more. “So now you’re using family connections to get ahead? My brother doesn’t just get along with anyone. Someone like you, a country bumpkin, is no better than the janitors at my brother’s company.”
The friendly smile on Juliette’s face immediately froze.
Kelly seemed pleased with the reaction, continuing, “Well, it makes sense, doesn’t it? Since you’re Valerie’s best friend, you must come from the same sort of background. You really do look like you just walked out of a chicken coop… Ha!”
Kelly’s voice wasn’t loud, but she made no effort to hide her words. Soon, people from nearby tables were glancing over.
Juliette’s face turned bright red. She sprang to her feet, furious. “What I you just say? I’ve been polite to you because of Aiden, but don’t think you can push me around!”
“Juliette!” Valerie quickly grabbed Juliette’s arm, then turned to look at Kelly with cold, unblinking eyes. “I’ll be sure to tell your brother what you said
today.”
Kelly shot her a glare. “Tattling again, huh?”
“Or should I slap you in front of all these people?” Valerie smiled gently, shaking her head. “That wouldn’t be appropriate.”
Kelly’s face twisted with anger. “You? What makes you think you have the right?”
“I’m your sister–in–law. It’s only natural for me to keep you in check. But I’m in a good mood today, so there’s no need to make a scene,” Valerie said slowly, her voice calm. “Just think–if this got out, it wouldn’t be me that’s embarrassed.”
The Walker family cared deeply about their reputation, and Kelly knew this very well.
Valerie’s words hit the mark, and Kelly seethed with frustration.
“You think I don’t know what you’ve been up to? Arjanna told me everything! One day, I’ll expose
Valerie smiled softly. “Threatening me now? How childish.”
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your true face! Don’t get too smug!”
Chapter 27
Kelly’s face turned red with fury, and she stomped her foot. “Just you wait!”
Kelly quickly walked away, and Juliette couldn’t help but steal a few more glances at Valerie. “Valerie, I’ve noticed something you’ve changed
“Changed how?” Valerie smiled lightly, her eyes clear as she asked, “What’s different?”
Juliette felt uneasy.
In the past, Valerie was always quiet and unsure of herself. Having grown up in an orphanage, she never spoke or acted with confidence, always looking like an easy target.
Juliette knew that even after Valerie was adopted by the Clark family and became a wealthy young lady, the sense of inferiority that ran deep within her never really went away. Even after high school and college, not much had changed.
If this had happened before, Valerie would never have dared to speak up. Juliette could easily imagine how much worse she would have been bullied.
But now, after less than two months of marriage to Aiden, she had become bold, sharp–tongued, and fearless.
Juliette felt an unfamiliar unease stirring within her.
It seemed like Valerie was slipping further from her control, no between them.
Juliette glanced at her but didn’t say anything in the end.
longer as obedient as she once was. Now, being around her felt like there was a distance
Valerie noticed the silence, looked away, and casually spotted the waitress from earlier, who was now glaring at them with red, teary eyes.
Valerie sighed inwardly. She stood up and said, “I’m going to the restroom.”
Having worked as a waitress herself, she knew all too well how helpless one could feel in the face of customers like that.
The waitress saw Valerie get up and go over to the manager, whispering something to him. The manager glanced at her knowingly and nodded.
The waitress’s heart raced. She’d already had three days‘ wages docked. She wondered, ‘What else do they want from me?‘ Her monthly salary wasn’t much, and dealing with customers like that was already bad enough. ‘Do they expect me to get fired too?‘
The more she thought about it, the more upset she became, nearly in tears.
But soon, the manager called her over. “You saw what happened, fight? That table came to ask about your wages.”
The waitress froze. “What does she want?”
The manager pulled out some cash. “She gave me this and asked me to give it to you.”
The waitress looked at the money, her heart warming.
The manager couldn’t help but sigh. “You’ve met a good person here. But be careful–customers always find strange ways to cause trouble. You won’t always be this lucky.”
“Thank you!” The waitress said, her voice full of gratitude.
After Valerie handled everything, she finally went to the restroom.
Meanwhile, Juliette, unaware of any of this, was sipping her drink when she suddenly noticed the stir around her.
Everyone was looking toward the center of the room. Juliette saw the floor of the stage open, and soon, a luxurious white grand piano slowly rose from below.
Her eyes widened in awe.
Chapter 27
It was breathtaking. The piano was a stunning Baroque style, with intricate, detailed carvings on its legs.
Many regulars recognized the piano immediately, and some gasped in surprise.
“Is that the piano? But didn’t they say there were no performances today?”
“That’s the restaurant’s top–tier piano! Only world–class pianists are allowed to play it. Why is it being brought out today?”
“I remember when a female celebrity wanted to play it, the manager wouldn’t let her, saying she wasn’t skilled enough… Now they are bringing it out- who is the guest who can request such a thing?”
Though their voices were low, Juliette overheard enough.
The praise was overwhelming.
She looked around and saw that everyone was filled with eager anticipation.
They were all curious to know who could possibly be the one talented enough to perform on such a rare, beautiful piano.
Soon, someone stepped up to the mic. “As you all know, we didn’t invite an orchestra today. However, we are honored to have a guest who volunteered to perform. As per our usual policy, if this guest receives over 90% of the applause from the audience, their meal will be free.”
Whispers spread among the guests, and some started clapping.
Kelly smirked, her lips curling. “Aren’t you going to introduce the history of this piano?”
The gentleman on stage smiled. “This is our restaurant’s most prestigious piano. It was custom–made by a renowned artisan for the Qille aristocracy in the last century. It was later stored in a private collection, but our owner acquired it through an auction.”
This exchange immediately raised the value of the piano and its upcoming performer to an almost untouchable level, making the audience even more excited.
“The piano,” he continued, “is typically reserved for world–class performers. We rarely allow anyone else to play it. Today, we’re making an exception because we believe this young lady will deliver a performance worthy of it. Let’s welcome the guest at table A1!”
The spotlight shifted, and soon it was shining directly on table A1.
Juliette froze when the spotlight hit her.
As all eyes turned to her, panic surged within her. She thought, ‘What is happening? I don’t even know how to play the piano!‘
She quickly stood up, trying to explain, but before she could say a word, the applause erupted–thunderous, like a storm.
AD
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