Chapter75The Scene of Social Death
From the moment he stepped out of the car, the man was engrossed in a phone call. He didn't pause his conversation even as he approached the crowd, clearly grappling with a complex issue. He gestured towards them, signaling for patience, before stopping under a tree, his brow furrowed in concentration.Although Ashley couldn't make out his words, his tense expression was a clear indication that the conversation was far from pleasant. There was an air about him, a sense of immense power coupled with an equally significant burden of responsibility. This was a side of Stephen she had never seen before.Stephen, as she remembered him, never wore glasses. Now, his face was framed by a pair of gold-rimmed spectacles, altering his aura. He seemed familiar yet alien, warm yet distant.Noticing Ashley's confusion, Hayden was quick to explain. "Stephen's not the Piano Prince you remember. He's joined the management team of the family business, fighting side by side with his father."Ashley's mouth fell open in surprise. "Oh…"Stephen, a national piano maestro, had performed in the Grand Hall of Vienna and the Kennedy Center, his wall adorned with countless awards. She had always imagined him to be untainted by the world's dust, maintaining a distance from the chaos and corruption, forever the Peter Pan with no need for an island.Meanwhile, Damian had lit another cigarette. Isabel took a drag, her face as stoic and unyielding as ever, as if neither an earthquake nor a flood could shake her.Hayden continued, "Their company hit some trouble a couple of years ago, and Stephen was forced to take charge. You know his personality; giving up his passion is like taking half his life. But his parents laid it on thick—either come back to the company or bury your folks. He holed up in his beach house and played piano for an entire day and night. When he came out, he just told the housekeeper waiting at the door, 'Burn it all,' and then went straight to the company. He hasn't touched a piano since."Despite his calm tone, the sadness in his story was palpable.Ashley's heart ached as she looked at Stephen, still as untouchable as ever, dressed in white. The girl next to Hayden watched him dreamily, her eyes filled with admiration and envy. If only she had a massive fortune waiting for her, she would leave the entertainment industry without a second thought. What was there to regret?Ashley sighed, "He must be in so much pain. These past two years must have been tough, and I had no idea."If only she had reached out to him, maybe she could have offered some comfort.Damian responded curtly, "You needn’t feel sorry for him."Not wanting to argue with Damian, Ashley quickly changed the subject. "How’s the family business doing now?"Hayden's mood instantly brightened. He grinned from ear to ear, "Everyone doubted Stephen at first, thinking an artist couldn't handle the cutthroat world of business. The shareholders were waiting for him to fail. But Stephen turned it all around in three months, staging an incredible comeback, a true underdog story!"Ashley felt a rush of excitement, as if the victory was her own. "That's amazing! I knew Stephen could do it. Excelling in one industry shows he’s quick on the uptake."Damian flicked the ash off his cigarette, his expression detached.Ashley curbed her enthusiasm, secretly giving Hayden a thumbs up, a silent agreement between them.Christian arrived with freshly grilled kebabs, "Is Stephen glued to his phone or what? Every time I see him, he's either on a call or about to take one. He's going to get fried by all that radiation."Ashley chose not to respond.Hayden chuckled, "Business types have their charm, don’t they? Women love that sort of thing, right Isabel?"Isabel snuggled into his embrace, "I prefer you just the way you are; saving lives with your surgical skills is handsome enough for me."Hayden simply chuckled in response, absent-mindedly stroking her hair.
From her vantage point, the girl was unable to discern his true feelings, but Ashley saw him for what he was. Hayden was not emotionally invested.He was simply playing a game with her, using her as a temporary diversion until his interest waned and he moved on.However, the girl was likely nurturing dreams of a lasting relationship with him, or at the very least, a sweet and thrilling affair.Ashley quietly sipped her juice, a faint smirk playing on her lips.Damian caught her expression, comprehending the unspoken message in her eyes, and remained silent.Christian rallied everyone for a barbecue and drinks, casting a glance at Stephen, “I bet he won’t return in five minutes. If I lose, I'll down three shots, but if I win, each of you will have to do the same."Hayden, brimming with confidence, lined up three shots with a grand gesture, "I'm in!"The girl in the pleated skirt approached with a tray, her face radiant until she noticed Hayden’s arms encircling another girl, causing her smile to falter momentarily. Isabel also recognized the girl in the white dress and quickly averted her gaze, feigning ignorance.The world can be absurdly small sometimes.One day, you might criticize someone for compromising their principles for money, only to find yourself in the same predicament—and caught red-handed—the next day.Nothing screams social disaster quite like this.The others failed to notice the silent interaction between the two girls; as a woman, Ashley was more sensitive to these subtle tensions.A single glance was all it took to perceive the complex web of emotions entwined in their gaze."I'll pass; I'm not good with liquor," Ashley announced.The girl in the pleated skirt, unfamiliar with Damian and misinterpreting their close interaction, assumed they were a couple and, believing she was adept at breaking the ice, suggested with a smile, "You could always have your boyfriend help you out, he looks like he can hold his drink."Unable to contain herself, Ashley chuckled, "I wouldn't dare have him drink for me. I'm not that fortunate."The girl was taken aback by Damian's commanding presence; wasn't her boyfriend the toughest guy at the party? Could he possibly outshine Christian?Christian taunted, "Have him take your drinks tonight, and this is yours."He casually tossed his Ferrari keys onto the table.The girl's eyes lit up with excitement as she offered Damian some food, "Which one do you fancy?"Ashley glanced up at the sky, silently sympathizing with the girl.Hayden merely laughed. Christian certainly had a knack for leading lambs to the slaughter, continually setting Damian up as a target.With a single look, Damian exuded an intimidating aura, potent enough to make even the bravest retreat.The girl was on the verge of tears.Just as she was grappling to find an escape, Stephen finally returned, his handsome features maintaining the elegance of a musician."Ashley, when did you get back?" he asked.Pulling out a chair for him, Ashley responded, "A couple of months ago. I haven't had the chance to catch up with everyone. How about you? I heard you've been busy."Stephen took a seat, a glass of water now in his hands courtesy of Ashley, to which he nodded in gratitude. "Been hustling and bustling, not even sure why. You're in the States now?"Ashley confirmed with a simple "Yeah."She wasn't interested in discussing her life abroad.Stephen gave her a once-over, commenting with a hint of concern, "You've lost weight, haven't you? Is American food not to your liking, or have your cooking skills improved? I remember you used to burn yourself frequently while cooking. Did living overseas turn you into a master chef?"Earlier that day, Ashley had cut her finger while cleaning fish and had put a Band-Aid on it. Damian hadn't even inquired about it, but Stephen’s few words had gently touched a sensitive spot in her heart.After a lengthy silence, Damian suggested, "Does making pizza count?"
