Harley, however, didn’t sleep well. Since his divorce from Lenora, he hadn’t slept well every time he met her. Last night was no exception, which made him very cold at the early morning meeting.
Matthew, sitting next to him, dared not even breathe too heavily It’s terrifying
After the meeting. Harley glanced at the unusually quiet Matthew. “The piano auction house will deliver the piano around noon. Make sure it goes straight to Mrs. Parsons at Verdant Sources.”
Matthew nodded nervously. “Got it, Mr. Brandt. Anything else?”
Harley waved him off, signaling him to leave.
As Matthew turned to go, Harley called out, “Wait.”
Matthew felt a knot in his stomach. Sure enough, Harley continued, “Look into who bought the Henzeman crystal piano. Find a way to buy it.”
It was well known that in 2008, after being played by a famous pianist at the Olympic opening ceremony, the Henzeman piano was auctioned off for 3.22 million dollars by a bidder who wished to remain anonymous.
Twelve years had passed, and the Henzeman piano had not reappeared in public, proving that the initial bidder had no intention of selling it.
Matthew’s face turned pale. “Well—”
“Is there a problem?” asked Harley.
“No, no problem at all!” With that look from Harley, Matthew dared not say
“Once you get the piano, send it straight to Lenora.”
Matthew was genuinely shocked. “To Ms. Maynard’s place?”
otherwise.
“Are you having hearing problems?”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Brandt. I just wanted to confirm,” answered Matthew.
Harley was getting irritated. “You heard me right, send it to Lenora.”
“Beloved” was meant for Clara, but after thinking about it last night, since Lenora also liked pianos, Harley decided to give the Henzeman to Lenora instead.
Sensing Harley’s irritability, Matthew didn’t dare to ask any more questions and nodded before quickly leaving the office.
*****
Lenora had given up hope of getting “Beloved“, so she had no hope for the shares Clara held. She had lost all hope, but unexpectedly, Clara’s secretary contacted Lillian, saying she wanted to meet Lenora.
-Lenora was surprised but naturally wouldn’t refuse since the other party initiated contact.
By late October, Hobart City was filled with autumn colors.
Lenora donned a classy Audrey Hepburn–style suit and arrived five minutes early at the café to wait for Clara.
Clara was a legendary woman, reportedly having come from a very difficult background, but she worked her way up step by
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step. The hardships she must have faced were unimaginable. However, there were whispers that she climbed the ladder with the help of men, but the truth was hard to verify.
Lenora hadn’t met Clara before and didn’t know her personally, so she refrained from passing judgment.
She had barely sat down when she saw Clara approaching in a white knit long dress.
Close to fifty, Clara looked remarkably youthful, exuding elegance in every move. Lenora couldn’t help but be impressed.
“Samantha, Lenora? Harley’s ex–wife?” Clara said as she took her seat, immediately identifying Lenora.
Lenora smiled. “You don’t seem surprised at all, Mrs. Parsons.”
Clara chuckled, “You might not remember, but we actually met two years ago at a dinner. I had just arrived, and you were leaving.”
Lenora paused. That was the only dinner she’d ever attended, and she had only stayed for fifteen minutes because Gwen had been frantically calling her to come home. She had brushed past someone at the door but hadn’t paid attention.
Lenora smiled in realization. “No wonder.”
Clara smiled. “It’s not hard to guess—”
She paused. “I heard about you and Harley bidding on Beloved a couple of weeks ago.”
Lenora was silent for a moment. “You’re quite sharp.”
At least she was way sharper than that idiot Devon.
“Ms. Maynard, you’re young but have achieved a lot. I was surprised when I learned Samantha was you.”
Lenora, rarely humble, chose not to dive into discussions about modesty. “It’s just the folly of youth, not knowing any better and happening to get lucky.”
Clara’s lips curled into a smile. “Let’s skip the modest pleasantries. I’m here to share some good news with you.”
Lenora had mentally prepared herself before coming, yet she still felt a mix of anticipation and excitement deep down, though her expression remained composed. “Are you planning to sell me your shares?”
“Talking to a smart person is effortless.” Clara was straightforward, which was one reason for her success.
The two of them laid everything out on the table, and in just over ten minutes, they had agreed on all aspects.
Before parting ways, Lenora hesitated for a moment. “Mrs. Parsons, may I ask why you
chose me?”
Clara finished applying her lipstick and looked at her with a charming smile. “You can afford the same price Harley can, and under equal terms, it’s about who shows more sincerity. Beloved has always been an obsession of mine, but your situation with Harley reminds me of my past. I act on impulse, and you have a personality that appeals to me, while Harley doesn’t— it’s as simple as that.”
She didn’t spell it out, but Lenora understood Clara’s meaning: Clara couldn’t stand seeing Harley mistreat a woman like
Lenora.
Although Lenora didn’t feel greatly wronged, getting such a benefit for free was no hardship at all.
She lowered her head, looking at the half–finished cup of coffee. I’ve liked him for seven years.”
“Rest assured, you deserve Harleys.” Clara had other things to attend to and waved goodbye as she left.
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Lenora watched her bark, raised her eyebrows, smiled slightly, and then got up to leave as well.
As soon as she stopped at a red light, her phone suddenly rang.
She was sensitive to numbers and immediately recognized it as Harley’s secretary’s number.
She glanced at it without any intention of answering. The call went to voicemail, and there were no further rings after that. Just as Lenora’s car entered the driveway, she saw a truck parked in front of her villa. She frowned and sped up to reach her
home.
Before getting out of the car, Lenora saw Harley’s secretary.
Matthew hurried over upon seeing Lenora. “Ms. Maynard, Mr. Brandt sent this piano for you.”
Lenora glanced at the crystal piano in the back of the truck and smiled lightly. “Oh, I refuse to accept it.” With that, she took out her remote control, opened the gate, and drove into the villa
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