Chapter 164 How Far Have They Gone?
The concert started.
Christian, the female pianist, in a stunning deep blue velvet gown, gracefully took the stage and sat at the piano to play her famous piece.
The audience was captivated by the melody, and the hall went silent.
While the music was beautiful, Evelyn couldn't take her eyes off Christian's gown.
This unique haute couture dress was designed by the famous Sharon, who was actually Evelyn. Only top-tier talents, celebrities, and people of high status deserved to wear Sharon's designs.
Edward wasn't interested in the performance. His fists were clenched, trembling slightly.
Throughout, he stared at Evelyn's beautiful face, trying to hide his anger.
Sometimes, Gilbert and Evelyn would lean in and whisper to each other.
She nodded, her eyes smiling, clearly interested in what he was saying.
Edward's lips pressed into a thin line, his fists clenched so tight that veins bulged, and his face turned pale.
He stared at her intently. 'Does she really have so much to talk about with Gilbert? We were married for three years, saw each other every day, and she never had this much to say to me!'
"Why did it suddenly get so cold? The air conditioning is too strong," Eric said, puzzled, shrinking his neck.
Christian played a few more pieces and then introduced her star student, Jessica.
Jessica, in her prime, had long curly hair down to her waist and wore a luxurious green chiffon gown with tiny silk flowers, looking like a forest fairy.
"Jessica, look here! It's me!" Eric waved excitedly at her.
Edward's face darkened, wishing he could kick Eric out.
But Jessica didn't notice Eric from the stage. She smiled confidently, bowed to the audience, and sat at the piano, her fingers dancing on the keys, producing smooth notes.
Evelyn watched Jessica, her eyes shining with envy.
Her left hand rested on her knee, and her fingers moved along with the melody, even her paralyzed little finger seemed alive.
"I remember, you played the piano well when you were young," Gilbert whispered to Evelyn, "If you had pursued music, you'd be better than her."
"That's impossible," Evelyn's fingers trembled as she clenched her hand, "It's no longer an option."
Back in Liberland, she severely damaged the tendons in her left hand while dragging the injured Edward back to camp, leaving her little finger permanently damaged. She went through countless rehab sessions to restore the other four fingers. But she never regret saving Edward.
Even though he hurt her deeply, they once fought side by side for world peace. Her injury was not a shadow but her supreme honor.'
The concert ended successfully, with Christian and Jessica taking a bow, receiving flowers and applause.
"Evelyn, would you come backstage with me?" Gilbert asked Evelyn with a smile.
"Do you have something to do?" Evelyn asked.
"A little personal matter. Angela really likes Christian, so I want to ask for a signed album," said Gilbert.
"Christian's pretty proud. It might be tough," Evelyn said.
Gilbert's eyes were warm and calm. "It's okay. If I get a chance to meet her and sincerely ask, she should agree."
Eric was beaming, holding a big bouquet as he led Edward backstage.
Unexpectedly, Evelyn and Gilbert were walking toward them from the other end of the corridor.
The spacious hallway suddenly felt narrow and tense.
Evelyn was surprised and met Edward's intense gaze, her brows furrowing in annoyance.
Gilbert was also taken aback.
He adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, his eyes briefly flashing with coldness before he apologized, "Sorry, Evelyn, I didn't know he'd be here. Let's skip the autograph and leave."
"It's fine, I don't mind," Evelyn smiled indifferently, not backing down because of Edward's presence. "There's no law saying you have to avoid your ex-husband, right? And I really hope you can get the autograph for Mrs. Alexander."
Gilbert's eyes widened, touched by her words.
However, Edward's expression turned dark and gloomy. They weren't far apart, and Evelyn's clear voice reached him perfectly.
Throughout the concert, he had been holding back. Hearing her care so much about Mrs. Alexander, he couldn't hold back any longer. He wanted to rush to Evelyn and ask, "How far have you and Gilbert gone?" But what did it matter? He could already imagine her humiliating him. They were divorced. Why did his heart always control his body, his nerves, and his thoughts, making him almost lose control and want to go to her?
Suddenly, the dressing room door opened.
"Edward!"
A sweet, bird-like voice broke the tense atmosphere.
Before Edward could react, Jessica enveloped him, clinging to him like a sloth, her round face nuzzling his collar. "Edward, did you come to see my performance? Are you here to surprise me?"
Edward's face changed dramatically, his body stiffening, his eyes constantly glancing at Evelyn's cold expression.
Eric didn't notice anything wrong with Jessica's behavior. To him, Jessica was just being playful and cute with Edward, like when they were kids, nothing unusual.
But he forgot, this was not ten years ago. Jessica was now twenty-two, grown up, and she and Edward were not siblings. Her behavior was highly inappropriate, especially in front of Evelyn.
Jessica's delicate arms wrapped tightly around Edward's waist, her face lifted to make shameless requests, passionate and uninhibited, completely ignoring the presence of others.
Or maybe, because there were others, she became even more brazen, wanting the whole world to know about her closeness with Edward.
However, Edward remained stiff as a rock, unmoving, giving Jessica no response.
His gaze had been fixed solely on Evelyn since she appeared.
Jessica, sensitive as she was, quickly realized Edward's attention wasn't on her. Following his gaze, she saw the goddess-like Evelyn standing not far away. Jealousy flared within her, darkening her eyes.
A beautiful woman's eternal enemy is always a woman more beautiful than herself.
"Jessica, have you forgotten about me now that you have Edward?" Eric, completely oblivious to the situation, pouted and continued to be jealous of Jessica's attention.
At that moment, Edward saw Evelyn's calm, beautiful eyes and her elegant figure walking towards him with determination.
Edward's breath caught, his heart pounding as if it would burst from his chest.
