Chapter 160
Even though that was what she said, Wendy had kept her gaze fixed on Ariel.
It was clear what she was trying to imply. Wendy wanted Ariel to take the hint and back off.
Janice was irked. She frowned and got up. “Why don’t you be a bit more direct with what you’re trying to say, Ms. Johnstone?”
All these people were eager to support Nancy. Yet Nancy had only received so much attention and special treatment because of Jayson.
In truth, that woman was nothing more than Jayson’s mistress.
Wendy had not expected Janice to be so rude and unreasonable. She felt quite displeased.
Matt took a bite of an apple and grinned. “Ms. Walker, is this really necessary? You want to have the ring that
to have Nancy has laid her eyes on. Nancy’s planning to play the piano this time. So, are you going to start learning how to play the piano now?”
In his opinion, Ariel must have overheard Nancy’s plan and chosen to play the piano too.
“She’s racking her brain, trying to come up with ways to agitate Nancy. Also, she’s copying Nancy to gain more attention. She’s working so hard to get Jayson’s attention,” Matt thought.
Frederick furrowed his brows. He felt that Ariel had seriously underestimated Nancy.
“Are you even aware of how well Ms. Stanton can play the piano? She received the certificate for the Grade 10 piano exam last year. She had even won prizes in competitions. She’s completely different from those who can only play nursery rhymes on the piano.”
Ariel should be avoiding going up against Nancy if she knew better.
This time, even Jayson had cast a glance at Ariel. Ariel was not sure what he was trying to convey with that look in his eyes.
However, he remained poised and elegant, looking as though he had nothing to do with any of this. Yet, there was a faint mocking look in his eyes now.
Ariel pursed her lips upon sensing Jayson’s scornful glance.
With her arms crossed, Janice snickered. “Is she the only one in the world who has Grade 10 piano skills? You think others can’t do that? Ari passed the Grade 10 piano exam back when she was only 12. She’s incredibly talented. Have you heard of anyone like that before?”
Just as she finished talking, Nancy let out a soft chuckle. She didn’t seem nervous at all. Instead, she slowly scanned Ariel from top to bottom.
“Ariel Walker? She passed the Grade 10 piano exam back when she was only 12? Why haven’t we heard about it before? Why hasn’t she shown off her skills if she’s that good? Does she not want to, or is it completely made up?” Nancy pondered.
Nancy was not the only one who reacted this way. Matt and Frederick were both grinning and shaking their heads.
Jayson was the only one who had not said anything all this time. He merely stared at Ariel pensively. It was hard to
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Chapter 160
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tell what he was thinking since he did not overtly show any feelings of distrust.
Another person with a similar reaction was Lucas.
He glanced at Ariel before dropping his gaze and tracing his finger along the edges of his phone.
Others did not know, but he did.
Ariel had indeed gotten the certificate for the Grade 10 piano exam back when she was 12. It was all through her hard work and effort.
Even Lucas was once deeply impressed by Ariel’s talent and intelligence.
Despite how everyone seemed to have a lot to say about her, Ariel’s expression remained calm. “Since we happened to pick the same type of performance, which of us would you pick? What’s the reason or standard you have in picking the person that you wish to see perform on stage?”
Ariel had asked about a key issue straightforwardly. All of the people there were very perceptive. Most of them would choose Nancy because of her connection to Jayson.
All of them were aware of that. Yet, they felt they would lose face if they shared the true reason.
A man standing inside a private room located on the second floor had witnessed the entire incident.
He slowly brushed his fingers against his glass. He was observing Ariel with a pensive look in his eyes.
Beside him, Zach drew on his cigarette. “That’s the crafty lady I told you last time. Isn’t it quite interesting? She knew about Nancy and Jayson’s relationship. Yet, she was asking that question while pretending to be completely oblivious about it. She’s really amusing.”
Liam gazed at Ariel’s fair, slender neck. Looking at her side profile, he could see the calm expression on her face. She remained composed and dignified even when facing a situation like this.
He put down his glass. “Did they ever specify in the rules that only certain people get the chance to perform?”
Zach froze. He was rendered completely speechless.
Downstairs, Lucas could tell that the discussion had reached a stalemate.
He got up and looked at Ariel. Lucas had a conflicted look in his eyes. In the end, he announced, “Ms. Stanton has made the biggest contribution since the total amount of money she’s spent during tonight’s auction is the highest. So, Ms. Stanton should be the one performing on stage.”
Ariel turned her gaze toward him.
It would be a lie to say that she was not affected or disappointed by what Lucas said.
Lucas was once the closest person to her. Yet, even he was siding with the mistress, who had ruined Ariel’s marriage, just like Jayson.
While things were at a stalemate again, Nancy stood up and said in a gentle voice, “Sorry, I forgot to mention one thing… I’ve decided to ask Jayson to join me in playing piano four hands.”
