Chapter 78 Colin Arrives at the Conference
Brent smiled and said, "Hey everyone, Mr. Campbell and his apprentice are here. Let's go greet them."
Colin's arrival put a pause on the earlier drama.
Clara was the happiest; she was ready to make Victoria a joke among the elite.
Lila and Victoria stepped aside, watching Brent and Clara's group head to the banquet hall entrance.
Lila, curious, asked, "Why did the Kennedy family go through all this trouble just to get you to this meeting?"
Victoria, hands in her pockets, looked unfazed. "If I'm not mistaken, this was Clara's call."
"Are they nuts? Agreeing to something so boring?" Lila scoffed. "Is she trying to boost her piano prodigy image?"
"Probably," Victoria smirked. "But her plan will flop. She doesn't have what it takes to join the National Piano Association."
Lila was surprised. "She wants to join the National Piano Association? Why? She's not even on that path."
"For fame. She needs to live up to her 'piano prodigy' title," Victoria guessed Clara's intentions.
"How vain," Lila said disdainfully.
At the entrance, Colin, with two assistants and a handsome young man, was greeted by Brent and his group.
"Mr. Campbell, I'm Brent," he said politely.
Colin, just over fifty, looked stern but in good spirits.
"You are Brent Green?" Colin asked.
"Yes, Mr. Campbell," Brent replied, introducing Clara. "This is the runner-up in the piano competition for two years and a composer."
Colin glanced at Clara and asked, "So, you are Clara?"
Clara, a bit surprised, smiled modestly. "Yes, Mr. Campbell, nice to meet you."
Brent, surprised, said, "So, you know Clara? I never mentioned her name."
Everyone looked at Clara with envy, thinking she was destined for the Piano Association.
Colin didn't explain; he had heard her name from Victoria earlier. He didn't care about someone irrelevant.
Clara took the chance to mention the Piano Association. "Mr. Campbell, I heard you're recruiting for the Piano Association. I have an original piece ready. Could you spare a moment to give it a listen?"
Brent added, "Mr. Campbell, we invited you to see if Clara can join the Piano Association. I heard there are still two spots available."
Everyone was surprised. So, this meeting was for Clara?
Clara stayed calm, showing she knew all along. Even Julia was surprised but stayed quiet.
Colin, serious, said, "Alright. Play a piece. If it's good, I'll have someone nominate you."
Clara, thrilled, exchanged a look with Brent.
"Mr. Campbell, I have a sister who's also been learning piano since childhood. Could she play a piece too?" Clara asked sweetly, looking hopeful.
Everyone admired Clara's grace and generosity. She always thought of Victoria, even though Victoria often targeted her. People thought Victoria was ungrateful.
Lila and Victoria were too far to hear the conversation.
The group soon reached the center of the banquet hall, where a white piano was on stage.
A man in a suit took the stage and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, we're honored to have the famous piano master Mr. Campbell here today. Let's give him a warm welcome."
Thunderous applause followed.
"Mr. Campbell is here to select apprentices. Three candidates will perform, and he'll choose two," he added.
Clara, brimming with confidence, smiled brightly.
Brent was the first to perform. Amidst the crowd's applause, he walked onto the stage.
Clara gave him an encouraging gesture.
Victoria and Lila stood on the right side of the stage, where there were fewer people.
Lila nudged Victoria and asked, "Did you notice the handsome guy with Mr. Campbell?"
Victoria glanced at her. "He's only nineteen. Don't get any ideas. Besides, aren't you with Owen?"
"How do you know he's nineteen? Do you know him?" Lila ignored the latter part.
Know him? Of course, she did. She brought him here.
"His name is Ignatius Mitchell. He's my brother," Victoria replied.
"Brother? I didn't know you had a brother. Did you pick him up?" Lila guessed.
Victoria raised an eyebrow, "Smart."
Lila fell silent, surprised she guessed right.
"Where did you pick him up? I want one too. He's so handsome. My dream is to have a brother," Lila said.
Victoria stayed silent.
Lila smiled, "He seems to be looking at us."
Ignatius's eyes were on Victoria. He smiled at them.
Lila exclaimed, "He looks so good when he smiles!"
Ignatius's smile was indeed charming.
"Has he thought about entering the entertainment industry? He's perfect for it," Lila said, thinking Ignatius had the looks and height for it.
"He's not suitable," Victoria dismissed the idea.
They chatted, ignoring Brent's performance.
People nearby gave them disapproving looks, but they didn't care.
When Brent finished and applause erupted, Lila said, "Not that great, just average."
"Do you even know how to appreciate music?" a woman next to her asked sharply.
Lila blinked and said indifferently, "No, I don't. You do. Okay?"
The woman didn't know what to say and shut up.
Then, a male voice announced, "Now, let's welcome Clara, known as the Pearl of Ridge, to play a piece for everyone."
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