Chapter 79 Designing a Trap to Make Her Look Foolish
After Clara took the stage, she confidently scanned the crowd. Just as she was about to speak, she spotted a familiar face at the back. A happy smile flashed across her face, but no one seemed to notice.
"I'll be playing a piece I composed myself. Hope you enjoy it," Clara said.
Lila and Victoria followed her gaze and saw Lucas. Lila sneered, while Victoria glanced briefly and looked away.
Clara was glowing with confidence, like a shining star.
The audience admired her, and she loved the attention.
Lila turned back to the stage. In her white dress, Clara looked perfect—gentle, kind, elegant, talented, and from a wealthy family. She seemed to have it all.
Lila's eyes were full of contempt. "Look at her acting all superior. It's unbearable," she muttered.
Then, the piano music began, filling the hall like a tide.
Clara, in her white dress, seemed to merge with the piano. Her fingers danced on the keys, creating beautiful melodies that captivated everyone.
The audience was lost in the music, not noticing Colin's frozen expression. He squinted at Clara, frowning.
Ignatius, standing behind him, also stared at the stage with a furrowed brow.
When the piece ended, the hall erupted in applause and praise.
Clara, basking in admiration, felt like a proud princess.
She stepped off the stage and walked towards Colin.
"Clara, your performance was amazing. The climax was truly inspiring," Brent praised her.
Others chimed in with compliments.
Clara thanked them all gracefully, but she cared most about Colin's opinion. She was confident in her piece.
Colin glanced at her and asked, "Ms. Kennedy, did you really compose this piece yourself?"
Clara's smile froze. She didn't understand why Colin would ask that. After a moment, she said, "Yes. I have the original manuscript."
Hearing her confident response, no one questioned Colin's doubt.
Colin was puzzled. Could he have heard wrong?
That was impossible. The climax she played was part of a piece Ignatius was preparing to release, though the beginning and end were different. The melody was the same.
"Is there a problem?" Clara asked when he didn't speak.
Colin replied, "No, the piece is good, especially the middle part."
He gave a simple comment without much elaboration.
But to the crowd, getting any comment from Colin was impressive. Most of them couldn't even read sheet music, let alone compose.
Clara was momentarily stunned but quickly regained her composure. "Thank you for your recognition. My composition is still quite simple, and I need to keep working hard. I hope to learn more from you."
Her humility and eagerness to learn won her more favor from the crowd.
Colin didn't respond to her but instead asked, "Didn't you say your sister was also going to perform? Where is she?"
Victoria, who had been keeping a low profile, was suddenly in the spotlight.
Lila whispered to Victoria, "Looks like you're up next."
The two had no choice but to move to the center.
Clara gave Victoria a warm smile and said, "Victoria, Mr. Campbell has allowed you to perform a piece."
Victoria glanced at her briefly, then looked at Colin, who was avoiding eye contact.
She knew why Clara insisted on her attending today and why she wanted her to perform—Clara wanted to humiliate her.
Clara thought the previous incident had left Victoria too scared to play the piano.
But what Clara didn't know was that Victoria didn't play out of laziness, not fear.
"What if I don't?" Victoria said coldly.
A trace of malice flashed in Clara's eyes but was quickly replaced by concern. "I know the previous incident was tough, but it's in the past now," she said evasively. "You loved playing the piano since you were a child. We shared so many interests. Remember how you used to bug Dad to tag along to my piano lessons, and we'd practice side by side? Now, with such a good opportunity, I don't want you to miss it. With Mr. Campbell's guidance, I'm sure you'll regain your confidence."
Victoria narrowed her eyes slightly. There was a hidden meaning in Clara's words.
Sure enough, someone stood up to speak for her.
Julia was the first.
"What shared interests? She just loves imitating you. Whatever Clara does, she imitates. Whatever Clara has, she takes. It's shameless."
"If I had a sister who cared for me like that, I'd be laughing in my dreams."
"Exactly, she thinks of her in all good things," someone added.
"Victoria is so ungrateful, not appreciating the kindness!" another said.
"Yes, so arrogant. Look at Clara's gentle demeanor; she must have been bullied a lot. It's infuriating!" someone else chimed in.
Victoria ignored them, but Lila did not.
She sneered, "You want this kind of sister so badly? Then we'll give her to you. Let's see if you can still laugh then."
"Colin, are you sure you want me to play?" Victoria asked, ignoring the others.
Colin's eyelids twitched at her indifferent tone.
Then everyone saw Colin, who had been stern-faced, suddenly smile broadly.
He quickly waved his hand, looking a bit cowardly and humble. "No, I'm not. It was her suggestion, not mine!" He pointed at Clara.
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