Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex’s "Uncle" - Chapter 124

Chapter 124: Then Let’s Compete!

Chapter 124: Then Let’s Compete!

The room fell silent for a moment before erupting into laughter.  Brody sneered arrogantly, “What a joke!

My student-a champion of the piano competition-losing to you?

Impossible!”  Bella had already taken her seat at the piano.

“Then I shall perform Distant Homecoming as a tribute to the esteemed lady of the house.”  Selina raised an eyebrow as she listened to the music.  Bella’s skills were undeniable-she had won the championship, after all.

And now, she had managed to make an impression on the Perry Family, gain the admiration of the crowd, and humiliate Selina in the process.

A perfect triple win.  Her melody was particularly soft and gentle, and as the music filled the grand hall, the entire banquet fell into silence.  When she finished, thunderous applause erupted.  “My god, it’s Distant Homecoming!

Everyone knows how difficult this piece is, yet Miss Hayes played it so effortlessly!”  “As expected of a competition champion!

Selina is going to embarrass herself…”  Bella stole a glance at Logan.  But he didn’t spare her even a single look.  Frustrated, Bella clenched her teeth but quickly took a deep breath.  It didn’t matter.

Soon, Logan would see the vast difference between her and Selina.  With an elegant posture, Bella stood up and awaited the expected praise.

“Grandma Perry, I apologize for my humble performance.”  She knew what Distant Homecoming meant to Grandma Perry.

She had spent countless hours mastering it-there was no way the old lady wouldn’t be satisfied.  And indeed, Grandma Perry nodded.

“You’ve put in a great deal of effort.”  Selina clicked her tongue.  Grandma Perry’s expression was calm-too calm.

It was obvious she wasn’t truly moved by the piece.

Which meant Bella had completely misunderstood how to interpret it.  “Miss Clark, what do you think of Bella’s performance?”  A scoff interrupted Selina’s thoughts.  She turned her head and met Brody’s condescending gaze.

“What’s wrong?

Feeling inferior?

Can’t even find the words to speak?”  “Oh, you want my opinion?”  Selina arched an eyebrow.  She was sure she had never participated in the competition, but that didn’t mean she was going to let Bella walk all over her.  Since Brody had asked, she had no reason to hold back.  So, she took her time and smiled, her next words leaving the entire crowd stunned.  “Miss Hayes doesn’t even understand what Distant Homecoming is trying to express.”  …  The room fell into a dead silence.  Logan exchanged a glance with Grandma Perry.  Bella’s expression instantly turned ugly, while Brody erupted in fury.

“Nonsense!

Selina, Bella’s performance was nothing short of brilliant, and you dare say she doesn’t even understand the piece?

Ridiculous!

What, do you think you do?!”  Murmurs spread through the crowd.  “Is Selina just saying that because she knows she’s going to lose?”  “How embarrassing.

Does she think we don’t have ears?”  Hearing their remarks, Brody smirked, regaining his confidence.  “Alright then, Selina!

Let’s hear your so-called ‘profound’ interpretation of the piece!”  Bella sighed dramatically.

“Selina, why don’t you just give up now?

I can still put in a good word for you.

But if your performance is… less than acceptable, even I won’t be able to stop Mr.

Taylor from lashing out.”  Selina lightly tapped a piano key, her voice steady.

“No need for that, Miss Hayes.

The winner isn’t decided yet.”  Bella couldn’t help but feel smug.  Selina was a fool.  Regardless of what truly happened, the only thing people would remember was that Mrs.

Reid had lost a piano battle to her.  With such an embarrassing defeat, how could she possibly be worthy of Logan?  As Selina’s fingers hovered closer to the keys, Bella’s heartbeat quickened.  Almost there.

Almost.

Any second now, Selina would humiliate herself-  Ding!  The very next moment, a powerful yet chilling melody filled the air, and the banquet hall fell silent once again.  Unlike Bella’s performance, Selina’s rendition of Distant Homecoming carried a sense of desolation.  Her piano notes were imbued with an aura of solemnity, as though one could hear the clash of metal, the echoes of battle-warriors on horseback charging across the battlefield.

Such a style of performance, such an overwhelming sense of desolation… Almost everyone suddenly understood why this piece was named Distant Homecoming.  The composition transitioned from the brutality of battle to a slow, quiet stillness, as though the dust had finally settled.  When the last note fell, the entire hall was left in stunned silence-some even had tears streaming down their faces.  Half a minute later, the room erupted into hushed discussions.  “I think I finally understand… Distant Homecoming was never about a wanderer longing for home.”  “Distant Homecoming, Distant Homecoming-this piece was written for the warriors guarding the borders!

Then what on earth was Bella playing just now?”  “I remember now!

Before Lady Anna returned to the Perry Family, wasn’t she raised by a military family?”  “I heard that later on, that very family perished while defending the borders.

They never made it back home…”  The entire room fell into heavy silence.  So this was the true essence of Distant Homecoming.  Bella had turned it into a love song.

But Selina… Selina had restored Anna’s original intentions.  The winner was clear.  Grandma Perry abruptly shut her eyes, tears streaming down her cheeks.  After so many years, she had finally heard Distant Homecoming again.

The weight of nostalgia for her daughter was unbearable.  To outsiders, this melody might have sounded like a tribute to love.  But only Selina understood her daughter’s true emotions.  Grandma Perry did not hesitate to praise her.

“Wonderful!

Simply magnificent!

Selina, you have not disappointed me!”  As soon as she spoke, the banquet hall burst into applause-louder, more enthusiastic than when Bella had performed.  Selina finally turned to Brody, the corners of her lips curling into a slow smile.  “Mr.

Taylor, Miss Hayes-are you both satisfied with my ‘interpretation’ of the piece?”  Bella’s face turned deathly pale.

She wobbled on her feet, nearly fainting.  Selina’s piano skills were this good?!  Her question wasn’t just an inquiry-it was outright mockery.  Brody’s face darkened, his throat tightening as if he were choking on his own pride.

“Miss Clark’s performance was… commendable.

It seems you’ve improved quite a bit over the past four years.”  Selina casually tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

“Then tell me, Mr.

Taylor-who won this competition, Miss Hayes or me?”  Brody’s expression grew even uglier.  “This was merely a friendly performance,” he forced out, his voice strained.

“There’s no need to get so caught up in winning and losing.”  Selina blinked.

“A friendly performance?

Before the competition, both you and Miss Hayes were so certain I would lose that you demanded I apologize.

But now, all of a sudden, it’s just a friendly match?”  “You-!” Brody’s fury flared, but he forcefully swallowed it down.  No-he could not admit Selina had won.

If he did, not only would he and Bella become laughingstocks, but the legitimacy of the competition from four years ago would also be called into question!  Grinding his teeth, he barely managed to force out a stiff smile.

“I understand that the esteemed lady and the guests may feel that Miss Clark’s performance was more moving.

However, from a professional standpoint, in terms of accuracy and technical execution, Bella was undoubtedly superior…”  Bella let out a breath of relief.  “Oh, really?”  Logan lazily lifted his gaze, his voice edged with an unmistakable sharpness.  “I find myself rather curious-just what kind of ‘professional standards’ qualified you to be a competition judge?”