Loving DAD 161-200

Chapter 161

“This is the perfect out for you right now,” Nate said coolly. “Take it while you still can. This talent showcase is being recorded, you know. Once it’s online, there’s no taking it back. You really want your most embarrassing moment living on the internet forever? Be the punchline to everyone’s jokes? Honestly, you should be thanking Kelly. If not for her, you’d be the laughingstock of the whole show.”

Wendy stared at him, stunned at how shameless he was. “So by your logic, Kelly dumping coffee all over Sharon was the right thing to do? We should be grateful to her for it?”

Nate didn’t flinch. “If you want to thank her, we won’t stop you. But don’t go blaming Kelly later just because you can’t pull it together onstage. We’re not taking the fall for that.”

Kelly tugged lightly at Nate’s sleeve, her voice soft. “Nate, let it go. I didn’t mean to, but… it was my fault.” 1

“You’re too kind, Kelly,” Nate said coldly, shooting a look at Sharon. “That’s exactly why people think they can walk all over you. Sharon, that’s enough. Kelly already apologized. Don’t drag this out. If your little drama ends up messing with Kelly or Theo’s performance, I won’t forgive you.”

Wendy looked like she’d just been hit with a frying pan. “Sharon… do they always do this? Twist the truth and actually convince themselves it’s real?”

Sharon nodded, completely unfazed. Clearly, this was nothing new to her.

Wendy let out a low whistle. “If I hadn’t seen it myself, I’d never believe people like this actually exist. To have their values more distorted than their faces…”

Nate wasn’t even embarrassed. If anything, he doubled down. “Everything I said is the truth.”

Sharon stayed calm. “Well, everything you just said-we recorded it. Should we upload it? Let the internet decide what the truth is?”

Nate’s expression changed instantly. “Don’t you dare post that online!”

Sharon tilted her head. “Why not? Scared people will hear you twisting the facts and call you out?”

“I’m not scared!” Nate barked.

“Then why not let me post it?” Her tone was light, but her eyes were sharp. “What, you don’t dare?”

His face turned red, but he still scrambled for an excuse. “There are kids here, okay? I just don’t want to involve them in adult matters and have them dragged into this mess!” 1

Wendy smiled. “Relax. I didn’t film a single kid. Just the adults. Oh, and don’t worry about image rights. I’ll blur out anyone who’s not involved.” 19

This time, Nate had no comeback.

“Enough.” The voice sliced through the tension like ice.

It was Carter, who had stayed silent up until now. “The showcase is about to begin. This isn’t the time for arguing.”

Wendy let out a cold laugh. “Wow. How touching. Where were you when Sharon was being attacked? Not a single word. But now that there’s nothing left to gain, now you speak up? What a warm, supportive family.”

Carter didn’t rise to her sarcasm. He turned to Sharon. “How do you want to resolve this?”

With time ticking down, Sharon didn’t bother dragging it out.

“Simple. Have her give me her dress. Whatever you want her to wear after that, however you plan to fix it, that’s your problem.

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I’m not involved.”

Carter didn’t even hesitate. “That dress was custom-made for this performance. It matches Theo’s outfit. It can’t be given to

you.”

He paused, meeting her gaze. “Ask for something else.”

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“Or,” Carter offered, “I can postpone the performance and have someone bring you a new dress.”

Sharon’s expression was frosted over. “The dress I’m wearing was designed to match Matty’s outfit. Carter, there’s still a performance ahead. For now, I won’t go after Kelly for sabotaging me. I’ll deal with her after the showcase.”

A shadow crossed Carter’s face, something cold flickering behind his eyes. He looked like he wanted to speak-but bit it back, forcing his voice to stay steady.

“I’ll pay you ten times what the dress cost.”

Sharon let out a bitter laugh. “So that’s where we are now? You think I’ve sunk so low that I need you to throw money at me to make this right?”

His gaze hardened. “Then name your price.”

She glanced around. Too many eyes were on her. If she actually gave him a number, she knew exactly what kind of story Nate and the rest of the Biggs family would spin out of it. She hadn’t said a single word yet, but she could already feel their eyes, the judgment, the shift in the atmosphere.

She didn’t care what they thought of her. But she did care about Matty.

If the rumors started flying, it wouldn’t just hurt her-it would follow Matty too. His place in kindergarten, his friendships, his peace of mind… all of it could be dragged through the mud.

Her lips curled into a cold smile. “Carter, you’re my husband. Not standing up for me is one thing-but standing here in front of everyone, asking me to name my price? What is that supposed to mean? That I’m just some gold-digger to you?”

His eyes flickered. “That’s not what I meant. I’m just trying to fix this.”

They shouldn’t have been airing family drama in public, but Sharon had already ripped off the polite mask. There was no point pretending now.

“If you really want to solve the problem,” she said, voice sharp as glass, “then why not send a new dress to Kelly instead of me?”

Carter met her gaze, calm but firm. “Your dress is already ruined. Even if you wear Kelly’s, it might not fit. And if that happens, we both lose-and Theo’s performance takes a hit, too.”

Sharon’s voice dropped, cold and clear. “Let me make this perfectly clear, Carter. If anyone’s performance is affected, it won’t be because of me. It’ll be because of Kelly.”

“I know,” Carter said quietly. “But this showcase means a lot to Theo. He’s your son. Are you really willing to hold your ground over pride and refuse to budge, even just a little? After the showcase, ask for any compensation you want.”

Theo stood nearby, his face tight with stress, his fists clenched at his sides.

Then, a low chuckle rolled through the crowd, smooth and mocking.

“Carter,” came Xavier’s voice. “Don’t guilt Sharon into backing down by using her role as a mother. The showcase matters to your son Theo-what, it doesn’t matter to my son Matty? And about your generous talk of compensation…”

He smiled arrogantly.

“I’m Xavier Cooper. You think I need your tenfold payout? Or whatever kind of ‘compensation’ you’re offering?”

Nate scoffed, sneering. “If you actually cared about this showcase, you wouldn’t have picked Sharon to perform with your son. Honestly, when you brought her in, I thought you’d already given up.”

Matty stepped forward, chin lifted. “You’re not allowed to talk about Sharon like that! Sharon is awesome!”

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Wendy arched a brow, voice laced with poison. “A phony like her thinks she can measure up to Sharon? What a joke. Where’s your shame?”

Nate exploded. “Unbelievable! I’ve met liars before, but none this shameless! Kelly graduated from Bell University, and you’re seriously saying she’s worse than some housewife?!”

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“I’ll just say it right now,” Nate declared, his voice loud and cocky. “Out of all the parents here today, not a single one can hold a candle to Kelly. If anyone disagrees, step up and prove me wrong.”

It was an arrogant statement-delivered without shame. The crowd stirred, surprised whispers rippling through the room.

But no one stepped forward.

The Bell University Conservatory of Music in Marcentine had a serious reputation. Tons of privileged sons and daughters from powerful families had tried to get in-hoping to boost their résumés overseas after failing to stand out at home. Most didn’t even make it past the application process.

This wasn’t the kind of school where you could pull strings or call in favors. It was a place for true prodigies.

Everyone here had been around the elite long enough to understand what kind of game Kelly was playing. After hearing the back -and-forth just now, most of them had already put the pieces together.

Wasn’t this just another classic case? A man doting on his mistress and tossing aside his wife? Even his own mother had turned on her daughter-in-law.

They’d all seen this storyline before. Nothing new.

Sure, Carter’s wife seemed pitiful-but beyond her pretty face, she didn’t appear to have much else going for her.

She was stunning-undeniably so. There was a timeless elegance to her look, a quiet grace in how she carried herself. Even in a room full of polished socialites, she stood out.

If Madeline hadn’t trashed her reputation, most people would’ve assumed she was a young woman from an established, old- money family.

Still, looks alone weren’t enough to keep a man’s heart in a world like this. In their circles, beautiful women were everywhere. And eventually, even the most breathtaking face lost its novelty.

The mistress-this gentle, soft-spoken woman-didn’t have the same striking beauty. But she had something else: talent.

She was educated and cultured. Who wouldn’t prefer coming home to a woman who could actually hold a conversation and understood their world?

It wasn’t exactly shocking that Carter favored her. Especially considering she had graduated from Bell University. Even without a powerful family or marriage connections, a degree from that kind of institution could open doors to the upper crust.

And if she set her sights a little lower-on families that valued intelligence over pedigree-she’d still be a top contender.

Trying to challenge her in her area of expertise? That would just be embarrassing.

“She really graduated from Bell? Damn, she’s the real deal.”

“Looks like first place is pretty much guaranteed.”

“I was hoping my kid might take first today… guess we’ll try for top three instead.”

“If the judges know her background, they’re gonna trip over themselves. Might as well invite her to join the judging panel.”

“For real-who here could actually critique her performance?”

Some people even started trying to cozy up to Madeline.

“Madeline, what instrument does she play? I might want to hire her as a tutor for my kid.”

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Chapter 13

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“Looks like you’ve finally stopped chasing status and started recognizing talent. With the way the Biggs Group is doing, your family doesn’t even need political marriages anymore.”

“I’ll give Carter credit–he’s got good taste.”

Surrounded by a wave of admiration, Kelly-who had looked like she was on the verge of tears-finally started to smile.

People naturally loved an underdog. And Kelly had always been good at playing that role, using her vulnerability to win sympathy.

But this-this was different. For the first time, the praise wasn’t from pity. It was earned. It was hers.

The thought filled her with quiet satisfaction. She turned to Sharon, a slow, smug smile spreading across her face.

Then suddenly-a sharp, clear laugh cut through the buzz of compliments like glass cracking on ice.

“I disagree.”

Sharon’s voice rang out, cool and composed as still water.

“Kelly,” she said evenly, “how about a little competition?”

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Everyone turned to stare at Sharon.

Nate’s face twisted in disbelief. “Sharon, are you seriously challenging Kelly right now? Even professional violinists wouldn’t dare say that to her face. Did you grow some seriously big balls overnight?”

Sharon stayed calm, her tone breezy. “When it comes to the violin, I’ve never lost to anyone.”

Nate froze for a beat, then suddenly erupted into uncontrollable laughter. He laughed like he’d lost his mind, flailing his arms and nearly doubling over. 1

“Never lost to anyone? You? Who gave you the guts to say that in front of Kelly? Your mother?”

The crowd broke into laughter.

They didn’t think Sharon was arrogant-just absurd.

When the gap in skill is small, it’s called confidence. When it’s this wide, it’s just delusion. Laughable, really.

Right now, Sharon was nothing more than a punchline.

Even Madeline, usually so stern and proper, couldn’t stop the slight smirk tugging at the corners of her lips.

But not everyone laughed.

Carter and Theo stayed silent. Theo didn’t quite grasp everything that was happening, but seeing the crowd’s reaction made him feel like he’d been stripped bare in public-exposed and ashamed.

Carter’s expression darkened. “Sharon, quit saying things just to make a scene. Go back and get changed. I’ll have my assistant bring you a fresh outfit.”

But Sharon shook her head. “No need. I already said-I want the dress Kelly’s wearing.”

Nate scoffed. “Seriously? Can’t you tell Carter’s trying to give you a way out? Take it.”

Kelly let out a gentle laugh. “It’s fine, Sharon. I won’t take your words to heart. I’ll just pretend you were joking.”

Sharon’s smile didn’t return the favor. “Who said I was joking? Are we even close enough to joke like that?”

Nate snapped, “Sharon, don’t push it!”

Sharon shot him a cold look. “If you’ve got extra dignity lying around, donate it to someone who needs it. Don’t hand it to me—I

find it disgusting.”

Carter’s voice dropped low, his tone sharp. “Sharon, I know what Kelly’s capable of. Stop making a scene over nothing.”

Their voices had risen high enough to catch the attention of the judges, who were preparing to oversee the lot drawing. Curious

-and slightly concerned-they walked over. 1

“What’s going on here? Why all the commotion?”

Just as one of the event organizers started explaining, a sharp gasp came from among the judges.

A woman in her forties, wearing glasses, stepped forward with visible excitement and walked straight up to Kelly.

“Excuse me, are you Kelly Walt?”

Kelly blinked, a little caught off guard. “I am. And you are…?”

“Kelly, hello! I’m Lucy Cornwell from the Amstern Music Association. I’m one of the judges for today’s competition. I saw a

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video of one of your performances online not long ago. When I spotted you just now, I thought I must be imagining things. I can’t believe it’s really you!”

Kelly smiled warmly. “Ah, the famous Lucy Cornwell. It’s an honor to meet you.”

Lucy waved her hands quickly, flustered. “No, no-please don’t call me that. I couldn’t possibly accept that, not in front of someone as talented as you.”

Then, as if remembering something, Lucy added, “By the way, did you happen to get the invitation we sent for our association’s last concert?”

Kelly gave her an apologetic smile. “I’m so sorry. I’ve been tied up preparing for another concert, so I probably won’t be able to attend…”

Before she could finish, Lucy cut in, clearly thrilled.

“Oh, no worries at all! Of course someone as talented as you must be incredibly busy. But if you ever have the time, we’d love to have you visit the Music Association.”

Kelly nodded politely. “I’d be happy to. I’ll stop by when I get the chance.”

Lucy’s face lit up. “Great! Kelly, give me just a minute-I’ll be right back.”

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Though Kelly was a bit curious, she nodded.

It wasn’t long before Lucy came back, holding a clipboard.

“Kelly, would you mind giving me your autograph?”

“Of course.” Kelly took the pen and signed her name with practiced ease.

Lucy beamed as she accepted the clipboard, then asked, “Are you here today as one of the guest judges?”

“No,” Kelly replied with a smile, gently pulling Theo closer. “I’m just here to support Theo for the showcase.”

Lucy looked down at Theo, and her eyes lit up with admiration.

“No wonder he’s your son. He’s extraordinary-you can see it right away. I wouldn’t be surprised if you two end up taking home the champion title today.”

Coming from a judge, that kind of statement was already stepping over a line.

Another judge, clearly unimpressed by Lucy’s behavior, raised his voice with a sharp edge.

“Lucy, who is this woman? A friend of yours?”

Lucy understood the implication but answered without hesitation.

“No, not a friend. This is Kelly Walt, a violinist I deeply admire. She’s a graduate of Bell University.”

At those words, the other judge’s expression immediately changed. The earlier arrogance vanished, replaced by a touch of

respect.

“She graduated from Bell University?” His eyes sharpened as he looked at Kelly. “In the past five years, we haven’t had a single musician from our country graduate from there.”

Effort counted, of course-but the ones who left their mark on music history were the truly gifted.

People like them, though successful within the industry, were ultimately just part of the crowd. Give it enough time, and no one’

would remember their names.

But someone from Bell University? That was different.

Now that they knew Kelly had studied there, the entire judging panel regarded her with a newfound reverence.

Kelly noticed Lucy had misunderstood her relationship with Theo. Almost instinctively, her eyes flicked toward Carter.

His expression darkened slightly, and he looked like he was about to speak. But Madeline placed a hand on his arm and quietly said, “Carter, what’s the point of explaining now? All it’ll do is humiliate Theo. If the judges find out his mother has such a disgraceful reputation, how do you expect Theo to face anyone? And what do you think people in our circle will say about our family?” (2

Her eyes flicked coldly toward Sharon. “I’m doing this for her sake, too. These judges aren’t nobodies. They’re respected experts, and their opinions carry weight. Strangers might forget-but once they find out she’s part of the Biggs family, they’ll bring it up every chance they get.”

As she spoke, the teacher in charge of maintaining order had already led the judging panel away.

Wendy, watching from the sidelines, was fuming. She stepped forward, about to speak.

“This is ridiculous! They’re just letting the judges believe she’s Theo’s mom-letting them run with it!”

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Sharon held her back. “Let it go. Carter and I are getting divorced. Soon, I’ll have nothing to do with the Biggs family. Cutting ties like this… honestly, it saves me a lot of trouble.”

Wendy let out a cold snort. “Madeline used to look down on Kelly. But now that she realizes Kelly actually has value, look at them. —all fawning over her like lapdogs. Pathetic. They’re going to regret this.”

Clearly enjoying the praise, Kelly turned and met Sharon’s gaze-calm on the surface, but cool and edged with irony. She smiled, poised and polished, but there was a sharp glint of contempt and challenge in her eyes.

“Sharon, as long as you’re willing to back down, I’m happy to pretend you were just joking earlier.”

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Kelly’s tone was polite on the surface, but anyone listening could hear the message loud and clear-she was telling Sharon to back down.

Xavier quietly observed the exchange, then lowered his gaze to Matty.

“Matty, what did you think of Sharon’s violin playing?”

“It was really beautiful. It made me think of a word I just learned,” Matty replied.

“Oh?” Xavier’s curiosity was piqued. “What word?”

“Celestial music.”

Xavier chuckled. “And how does it compare to Kelly’s playing?”

“Sharon’s way better!” Matty said without missing a beat. “Kelly has such a mean heart-there’s no way she could play better than Sharon.”

In truth, Matty had never heard Kelly play the violin. But his bond with Sharon was strong, and his loyalty was unwavering.

Xavier could see that and didn’t push the conversation any further.

Across the room, Sharon heard Kelly’s words and responded with a faint smile. “Sorry, I don’t joke around with people I’m not

close to.”

The smile on Kelly’s face faltered just slightly.

Before she could respond, Nate’s voice rang out from the side, sharp and aggressive. “Sharon, you really don’t know what’s good for you. Kelly and Carter have been giving you a chance to walk away, and you still insist on being difficult? Think you can keep pushing your luck?”

He turned to Kelly. “Kelly, if she wants to compete so badly, then let her. Some people won’t know their place until they’re properly embarrassed.”

Kelly had lost face in her recent run-ins with Sharon. A part of her had been itching for a chance to get even.

She hesitated deliberately. “Are you sure that would be appropriate?”

Nate scoffed. “What’s inappropriate about it? She’s asking for it. Nobody else to blame.”

Kelly turned to Carter, her voice soft, almost performative. “Carter, maybe you could talk to her?”

A crease formed between Carter’s brows.

Sharon had been crossing the line more and more lately. Part of him agreed that she needed to be taught a lesson. But she was Theo’s mother, and the last thing he wanted was to see her humiliated in front of their son.

Keeping his tone even, he said, “Sharon, that’s enough. Don’t make this into more than it needs to be.”

Sharon didn’t even glance at him. Her eyes were locked on Kelly.

“If this is going to be a competition,” she said coolly, “then let’s raise the stakes.’

Kelly’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Alright. What do you have in mind?”

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Sharon pointed at the necklace around Kelly’s neck. “If you lose, return my mother’s necklace.”

Kelly’s expression shifted. Her hand instinctively moved to the chain at her neck.

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Chapter 166

She had just found out that the necklace had once belonged to Shayla.

Even though Shayla was Sharon’s mother, Kelly had always found it strangely hard to associate the two. They felt like they came from different worlds-like strangers.

Back then, she had insisted on keeping the necklace mostly just to spite Sharon.

Nate let out a mocking chuckle.

“Tsk, tsk. Trying to take back a gift Carter gave to Kelly? And you’re still claiming you’re not playing hard to get?”

Wendy shot back with razor-sharp sarcasm. “And you, Mr. Lapdog-are you deaf? Didn’t you hear her say it was her mother’s necklace?”

She turned a cutting glare on Carter. “Some people are truly shameless. Handing out someone’s family heirloom like it’s a party favor. And others-well, some just love clinging to the dead, don’t they? I used to wonder why. But now I get it. Must be planning to take it to the grave.”

Nate, face flushed with anger, moved to lunge forward, but Kelly grabbed his arm and held him back.

Being screamed at like that shook her-her usually calm facade was clearly cracked.

“I accept your terms,” she said, her voice directed toward Sharon. “But since you insist on a wager, then I’d like to ask something of you in return.”

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“Go ahead,” Sharon said.

Kelly held her gaze, her voice calm and deliberate. “If you lose, you’ll give me Shaluna.”

Wendy’s expression turned stormy in an instant. “Kelly, are you seriously addicted to stealing things that don’t belong to you?”

Shaluna, like the necklace around Kelly’s neck, had belonged to Sharon’s mother. But unlike the necklace, Shaluna was worth a hundred times more-both in monetary value and sentimental weight.

To be precise, it was priceless.

And Kelly knew exactly what she was doing.

If she lost, all she’d be doing was returning something that was never hers to begin with.

But if she won? She’d walk away with something extraordinary-without ever having lifted a finger to deserve it.

Kelly ignored Wendy completely, her eyes locked onto Sharon.

“Well? Do you have the guts, Sharon?”

“I do.” Sharon stopped Wendy from saying more. “There are enough people here as witnesses. No need to record or write anything down, right?”

Nate cut in with a sneer, “Just don’t go back on your word later.”

Time was short, and Sharon didn’t waste it arguing. She turned to Kelly. “The results will be based on the judges’ scores here. That fine with you?”

Kelly nodded confidently. “Perfectly fine.”

From the sidelines, Madeline spoke coldly. “Digging your own grave.”

Denise glanced at Sharon with something like pity.

Sharon gave a small nod. “Then it’s settled. Oh, one more thing-‘

”

Before she could finish, Kelly jumped in, her voice smug. “Sharon, don’t tell me you’re trying to back out now?”

The fact that Sharon had even agreed to the competition had already made Kelly feel triumphant. It couldn’t have gone better. Not only would she get to humiliate Sharon in front of everyone, she’d also walk away with Shaluna-cleanly, publicly, and legally.

It was the perfect double win.

But her satisfaction was short-lived. Sharon’s next words cut straight through it.

“Of course not.” Her gaze drifted down to Kelly’s dress. “But Kelly, since you ruined my dress, don’t you think it’s only fair to offer yours in return?”

Kelly froze. She hadn’t expected that to come back around.

Was Sharon trying to stall?

She hesitated. “Sharon, our body types aren’t the same. This dress was tailored specifically for me. Even if I gave it to you, it wouldn’t fit right. And besides, I’ve already worn it…”

“Carter said he’d have an assistant bring you a new one,” Sharon said smoothly. “Even better than the one you’re wearing now.”

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Chapter 167

“Why don’t you just pick one from the new selection?” Kelly shot back.

Sharon didn’t flinch. “So after everything, you still don’t want to give it up?”

Kelly frowned. “It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s just that-”

“Forget it. Don’t bother explaining,” Sharon cut her off. “It’s late. No need to waste more time on this.”

She turned to Wendy, Xavier, and Matty. “Let’s go.”

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Wendy was still fuming, but she knew better than to drag things out now. With a cold huff, she followed Sharon to the door.

Kelly, meanwhile, was still quietly patting herself on the back for getting away with ruining Sharon’s dress without facing any real consequences-

Until Sharon suddenly grabbed a glass of juice from the table nearby and flung it straight into Kelly’s face.

“Ah!”

Caught completely off guard, Kelly took the full hit.

Sticky juice ran down her perfectly made-up face, soaking into her white dress and staining it a bold, unmistakable yellow.

Chunks of orange pulp clung visibly to the delicate fabric.

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Everything happened so fast-too fast for Kelly to react, let alone Wendy, or even Xavier and Matty.

Everyone had assumed Sharon would just swallow the humiliation quietly. No one saw that coming.

Setting the glass back on the table, Sharon gave a faint, composed smile. “You ruined my dress. I ruined yours. Fair, right? Since you’re so against changing, you can just wear it as-is.”

With that, she turned to walk away.

But before she could take a full step, a hand grabbed her wrist.

Behind her came Carter’s voice-low, cold, laced with frost. “Sharon.”

His tone was sharp enough to cut. “Kelly already apologized. She said it wasn’t on purpose. Did you really have to go that far?” (1

Sharon jerked her wrist free.

“I don’t care if it was an accident or not,” she said, her voice firm. “She ruined my dress, so she doesn’t get to walk into the showcase in hers. Adults take responsibility for their actions. Not every apology deserves forgiveness.”

Her eyes-dark as obsidian, glimmering like wet stones-locked onto his.

“I’m not her mother. I don’t owe her patience or kindness. If you don’t want her to suffer, keep her away from me. Otherwise, I can’t promise what I’ll do next.”

And with that, she walked off.

Nate, face flushed with anger, made a move to block her, but Carter stopped him.

“She crossed a line!” Nate yelled, his voice shaking. “All Kelly did was spill a little coffee, and Sharon threw juice all over her!

Now her whole look’s ruined!”

Sticky juice clung to Kelly’s face and dress, and no amount of dabbing would fix it. She needed a full-on shower and shampoo.

As for her look? The hair, the makeup, the styling-it had taken over three painstaking hours to put together. And now? Gone.

The showcase was about to start. Even if they called in a stylist last minute, what could they possibly do in time? (1

Sure, Carter might be able to stall the show-maybe for thirty minutes at best. Any longer, and no one else would agree to wait.

The more Nate thought about it, the angrier he got.

“Sharon planned this! She wants Kelly off that stage!” he ranted. “If Kelly misses her time slot, Sharon’s going to turn around and accuse the judges of bias and try to get Kelly disqualified! That’s it! That’s exactly what she’s up to!”

Kelly stood trembling, her whole body tight with rage.

Her dress had cost way more than Sharon’s. And the styling-her look had been perfectly timed and meticulously arranged.

She clenched her jaw hard, fury boiling in her chest.

Just wait. She would make sure Sharon got humiliated before the day was over.

In Matty’s dressing room, Wendy was practically glowing with satisfaction.

“That was chef’s kiss,” she said with a grin. “If she’d just changed her dress like a normal person, she wouldn’t have had to redo everything. But now? She lost the dress and the look. Couldn’t have gone better.”

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Xavier gave Sharon a thoughtful glance.

“You sure about this?” he asked. “Taking them on like that… Aren’t you worried Carter might retaliate?”

Sharon’s gaze was distant and cold.

“I’m still Carter’s wife. I’m still Theo’s mother. For a number of reasons, he can’t go too far with me. Not yet.”

Wendy frowned, her tone tight. “Sharon, he’s gone too far. You married him, gave him a son-and now he wants to toss you aside with nothing? No compensation? Nothing at all?”

Xavier stretched out lazily. “You really think that if Sharon agrees to walk away with nothing, Carter’s going to agree to the divorce?”

Wendy turned to him, realization flickering in her eyes.

“You mean…”

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“That’s just an excuse,” Xavier said quietly. “Carter doesn’t want a divorce. Even if Sharon agrees to walk away with nothing, he still won’t go through with it.”

Wendy snapped, “Did you see how the Biggs family acted just now? They didn’t even try to hide it in front of Sharon. Behind closed doors, I bet they’ve already decided Kelly’s going to be their daughter-in-law. If he’s that hung up on Kelly, then fine- divorce Sharon and marry her. But no, he wants to have it both ways. It’s disgusting.”

Xavier’s tone was calm, almost indifferent. “Carter’s logic is pretty simple. Sharon’s a good wife and a good mother. Kelly, on the other hand, doesn’t have much time left. Do you really think he’d toss Sharon aside for someone with only a few months to live?”

“So what?” Wendy snapped. “He thinks Sharon’s just some kind of backup plan he can crawl back to whenever it suits him? If he really wants to play dirty, what, are we supposed to just let him?”

Sharon’s voice cut in-cold and clear. “As long as he refuses to divorce me, I’ll make sure his world-and his family’s-gets turned upside down.”

Xavier’s gaze darkened, his eyes deep and still. “You’re not afraid he’ll go after your family?”

“I don’t have a family.” Sharon’s expression was unreadable, almost light. “If he really wants to try using them against me, I’d actually welcome it.”

No family-and yet she’d welcome that kind of attack.

Something shifted in Xavier’s eyes. A flicker of interest, maybe.

A knock came at the door.

His assistant stepped in. “Mr. Cooper, here’s Sharon’s new outfit.”

Xavier had arranged for a replacement as soon as he heard about the ruined dress. It was a white gown, similar in style to her original performance outfit.

As Sharon left to change, Xavier turned to Wendy.

“About her little bet with Kelly-should I have someone lean on the judges? Maybe tilt the scales a bit?”

Wendy blinked. “Tilt the scales?”

“Kelly might not have the best personality, but her skills are solid. I already ran a background check-she really did graduate from Bell University, and her grades were decent. It won’t be easy for Sharon to beat her.”

Wendy looked at him like he’d lost his mind. “So you looked into Kelly’s background, but you didn’t look into Sharon’s?” 1

“Hm?” Xavier looked genuinely confused.

Wendy scoffed, folding her arms. “Clearly, you didn’t dig deep enough. Sure, Kelly went to Bell, but so did Sharon-and

Sharon’s way better.”

Xavier raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t she drop out of high school?”

“Who told you that garbage?” Wendy fired back. “Sharon was a top student. She got a special admission to Bell University right after starting high school.”

Then something clicked in her head, and she let out a breath, realizing it aloud.

“Oh, now I get it. No wonder Madeline keeps harping on about Sharon’s ‘lack of education.’ She didn’t have her facts straight either-just like you.” 1

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The showcase ended up being delayed by nearly forty minutes.

Not because of Sharon, of course-but because Kelly had to shower, wash her hair, and completely redo her hair and makeup.

Even then, as the first group took the stage, Kelly still wasn’t fully ready.

Forty minutes was already pushing it. Any longer and the other participants would’ve started raising hell. It would’ve looked like the whole event was being rigged.

In the end, after a quick discussion, the organizers decided to move both Sharon and Kelly’s performances to the very end of the

program.

Sharon only had to change her outfit-her makeup was untouched-so she quickly made her way to the audience and quietly took a seat to watch.

The first group was performing a piano piece.

As the lights dimmed and came back up, the talent showcase officially began.

Chapter 170

Music has a universal language all its own. Even though Sharon was far more skilled with the violin than the plano, she could eastly pass level eight without a problem.

On stage, a mother and daughter were performing a duet.

The mother’s piano playing was outstanding-steady, graceful, and confident. When the little girl missed a few notes, her mom didn’t miss a beat. She caught the mistake right away and smoothly guided the performance back on track.

Sitting beside Sharon, Matty leaned over and whispered in a low voice.

“Her name is Daisy Simmons. Her mom’s the daughter of the owner of Hart Jewellers. Daisy told me her mom’s really good at piano. She actually works part-time as a pianist. She started teaching, Daisy when she was just three.”

Sharon gave a small nod.

Daisy’s mom played beautifully, and despite her young age, Daisy held her own. She made a few mistakes, sure, but she didn’t freeze up. She quickly recovered and kept going. The little missteps didn’t take away from the performance at all.

If an adult had made those same mistakes, it would’ve cost them points. But for a five- or six-year-old? Her composure and ability to bounce back actually earned her credit.

And they didn’t just sound good-they looked great on stage, too.

Daisy’s mother was slender and graceful, with delicate features, and Daisy looked like a porcelain doll-sweet and charming.

When the piece ended, the audience erupted into applause-loud and full of admiration.

Wendy clapped along, nodding in approval.

“What a beautiful start! Oh, and Sharon, while you were changing, the kindergarten teacher came over. We’ve been moved to the final performance.”

“The final performance?” Sharon’s expression shifted slightly. “So Kelly goes before me?”

Wendy nodded, letting out a short, dry laugh.

“She needed to redo her whole look, get her makeup done again. There wasn’t enough time, but she insisted on performing before you. Honestly, shameless.”

Matty looked up, confused. “Isn’t going last a good thing, Wendy?”

Wendy explained, “Usually, yeah. The opener and the closer are the two prime spots. The opener sets the tone, the closer wraps everything up. But in today’s fast-paced world, closing isn’t what it used to be-especially in competitions. People get tired. After watching performance after performance, even the judges start to lose focus. The little details? They miss them. But mistakes? Those stand out more. And if someone earlier was amazing, everything that comes after just starts to feel… flat. It’s

impossible not to compare.”

Matty murmured, “I always thought the last spot was the best…”

“If it really were,” Wendy said with a smirk, “you think those parents would’ve given it up so easily?”

“Think about it. By the end of the show, the audience is restless. People are checking their phones, shifting in their seats. If the final act isn’t immediately impressive, they’ll start leaving. They figure they’ve seen enough. For the last slot to truly work in your favor, you need a big name and undeniable talent. Otherwise, all you get is an awkward performance in front of a half-

empty room.”

As she spoke, Wendy glanced at the scoreboard showing the judges’ ratings.

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The average ninety-six.

A very high score.

“See?” she said, a hint of smugness in her voice. “In competitions, opening gives you the best shot.”

Chapter 171

“Since the judges haven’t seen anyone else yet, the opening act just has to avoid mistakes and deliver a few standout moments -it’s an easy way to rack up a high score,” Wendy said. “Even if the performers after are just as talented, it’s tough for them to

beat that first score.”

And just like she said, the next five or six acts couldn’t top the opener. Not a single one managed to surpass that score.

Watching the stage, Wendy tilted her head, a bit puzzled. “Huh? Isn’t this supposed to be a talent showcase? Why is everyone just playing instruments? No singing or dancing?”

After all, singing and dancing counted as talents too.

That’s when Xavier, who had been quietly observing the show, finally spoke up in a lazy drawl. “Singing and dancing don’t really belong on stage in our circles. In families like ours, we grow up learning music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Even if we never use those skills later, they’re good for maintaining… a certain image.”

Wendy nodded, suddenly getting it. “Ah, that makes sense.”

The stage featured a variety of instruments-pianos, organs, cellos, violins.

One parent, who was also performing a violin duet, seemed to realize the competition was fierce today. Maybe they sensed that winning was out of reach, because they held back a little, and only managed to pull off a score in the eighties.

Wendy, meanwhile, was having a great time watching the show.

At one point, a teacher approached Sharon’s group, clipboard in hand.

“Matty’s group-please head backstage to get ready.”

“Got it. Thank you,” Sharon replied politely.

She took Matty’s hand, and the two of them headed toward the backstage waiting area.

Wendy called after them, her voice full of encouragement. “Sharon! Don’t hold back! Show them what you’ve got!”

Sharon gave a faint smile. “Alright.”

She wasn’t about to go easy-not with her mother’s necklace on the line.

Backstage, a few other families were still waiting for their turn.

The showcase was almost over. The top score so far was 98.

As Sharon stepped in, she could sense a subtle shift in the room. A few of the parents glanced in her direction, their gazes tinged with judgment. Some, recognizing who she was, deliberately turned their heads away, expressions filled with disdain.

They had clearly seen what happened earlier.

High society thrived on comparisons-lifting some up, tearing others down. Sharon may have been Carter’s legal wife, but without a powerful family name or elite education, she was exactly the type of person they thought didn’t belong.

To them, even a mistress had more value than her.

But Sharon didn’t care. She found a seat with Matty and began tuning the violin.

That’s when an irritatingly familiar voice rang out-before the face even appeared.

“Well, if it isn’t Sharon! You actually showed up for the showcase? I figured you’d fake a fainting spell at the last minute to get

out of it.”

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She looked up to see Nate standing there with a violin in hand, Kelly at his side,

She glanced at him once, then looked away as if he were nothing more than a breeze passing by.

Nate looked toward the entrance, checking to see if Carter or Theo had arrived. When he saw they hadn’t, a smug smile spread

across his face.

He winked at Kelly. “Kelly, hasn’t she been giving you a hard time lately? Don’t worry-watch me take care of it.”

Kelly put on a practiced look of concern. “Nate, don’t go too far, okay?”

“Relax. I’ve got this,” he said, strolling toward Sharon without a care in the world.

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Chapter 172

“Hey, Housewife, is it true what you said earlier? That you’ve never lost a violin match?” Nate’s voice cut through the room, loud enough to turn heads.

Sharon glanced over at Kelly, who stood nearby, clearly enjoying the spectacle. It only took a second for Sharon to realize what was going on.

“What, you trying to place a bet with me too?” she asked calmly.

Nate hesitated, caught off guard by how quickly she caught on. She was sharper than he expected.

“If you’re that confident, then yeah-why not make a bet?” he said, trying to sound bold.

Sharon’s expression stayed steady. “What kind of bet?”

Nate looked around theatrically, then raised his voice so that nearly everyone nearby could hear.

“If you lose, you get on your knees and bark like a dog. And if I lose, I’ll call you Mommy-or whatever you want. Your call.”

Sharon raised an eyebrow, unfazed. “You want to be my son? Does Theo know about this? I mean, I wouldn’t mind having another kid, but I doubt he’d be thrilled to have a brother your age.”

Matty let out a soft giggle.

Even a few of the onlookers-those who looked down on Sharon-couldn’t help but chuckle at her comeback.

Nate’s face twitched as he struggled to keep his cool. He clenched his jaw but reminded himself why he was doing this.

He leaned in a little. “What’s the matter? Scared you’ll lose to Kelly? That why you won’t bet?”

Sharon saw right through him.

“I’m fine with a bet,” she said smoothly. “But let’s change the terms. If you lose, you get on your knees and bark like a dog. I’m not interested in adopting a disobedient son.”

Nate’s jaw tightened, his temper visibly bubbling

“Fine. Loser gets on their knees and barks like a dog. And just to be clear any “accidents’ like fainting, broken strings, or some last-minute excuse to not go onstage… that all counts as a loss. Deal?”

Her voice stayed even. “Deal.”

Nate barely contained the excitement rising in his chest. “Then it’s settled ”

He had already hit record on his phone. If she backed out later, he’d post it everywhere. She’d never live it down.

A few minutes later, Carter and Theo walked in.

Theo spotted Sharon across the room. His little face twisted with a mix of anger and disappointment. He turned away, refusing

to look at her.

Mom had gone too far. Just to mess things up, she dumped juice all over Kelly. She never used to act like this. It had to be that annoying Matty saying bad things about Kelly again!

One by one, the contestants and their parents were being called backstage.

Soon, it was Kelly and Theo’s turn to head back and get ready.

A screen in the waiting area showed a live feed from the stage.

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She looked up. Her face instantly darkened.

“Carter. What do you think you’re doing?”

He hesitated, then said, “Don’t go onstage.”

Her lips curled into a sharp, cold smile, but her eyes were razor-sharp. “And if I do, what then? Planning to lock me up somewhere?”

There was a flicker of caution in her eyes. She looked around, sizing up the room.

If he really tried to stop her-how fast could she run? Could she make it back to the stage in time?

A shadow passed over Carter’s face-part disbelief, part fury. “Sharon… is that really what you think of me?”

She gave a low, bitter laugh. “Depends. What have you done to make me think otherwise?”

He opened his mouth, about to speak-but no words came out. Whatever it was he’d meant to say, it never made it out.

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Chapter 173

Carter suddenly came to a realization-he had never actually done anything for Sharon.

Seeing the irony in her eyes, his own gaze wavered for a moment.

His voice was low, heavy with emotion. “You’ve got it wrong. I just want to help you.”

Sharon’s reply was cool and sharp. “Don’t try to pass off helping Kelly as some noble gesture. If you really wanted to help me, you wouldn’t have stood by while they dragged my name through the mud. And you definitely wouldn’t be here, asking me to back out of the performance.”

Carter looked at her intently. “Sharon, don’t be impulsive. Kelly’s really talented. You’re not going to win this bet. The only way to avoid losing is not to perform. Do you really want Theo to see you fall flat on your face?”

He paused, then added, “As for the necklace-if you’re willing to lend Kelly your violin, she’ll return it. Once her concert is over, Shaluna will be back in your hands. If you agree, I’ll take care of everything. Don’t worry-Kelly won’t make things hard on you.

Sharon gave a slow, deliberate clap. “Wow, Carter. The first time you’ve ever come close to caring about my feelings. I’m touched. Really.”

But there was not a trace of gratitude in her expression-only biting sarcasm.

Carter’s brows furrowed.

Then Sharon seemed to remember something. “Oh, and about that violin-if I don’t agree to lend it, you’re not planning to return my mother’s necklace, are you? And all that help you just promised? That’s gone too, I assume?”

Carter’s eyes darkened, unreadable. “I think you know what the smart choice is.”

“I’m done here,” Sharon said flatly, her tone laced with irritation. “Move. I’ve got a performance to get to.”

With that, she took Matty’s hand and stepped around him.

Carter hadn’t expected her to be so unyielding. “Sharon, do you have to be this stubborn?”

She paused briefly, then turned and met his eyes head-on.

“If you really want to help me, then have Kelly drop out. Her quitting the performance would have the same effect as me stepping down.” 1

She drew a breath.

“Why is it always me who has to back off? As long as everyone else is happy, it doesn’t matter if I’m the one who takes the hit, lowers my head, or swallows the pain? Is that what you think?”

Carter was stunned. 1

By the time he found his voice again, Sharon was already gone.

Backstage, the curtain loomed just ahead. Kelly was stepping onto the stage to perform.

Matty looked up at Sharon. Her face was tight, unreadable.

“Sharon… are we going to lose?”

He had been watching everything-the tension between her, Kelly, and Nate. Even when others doubted her, he never said a word. Because deep down, he believed in her.

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Chapter 173

He believed Sharon would win. That she’d prove them all wrong.

But now, as the moment closed in, he couldn’t shake a creeping sense of unease.

Sharon looked down at him. Her eyes were filled with an unshakable certainty.

“Don’t worry, Matty. We’re going to win.”

The tension in Matty’s body eased.

As they spoke, the stage lights suddenly dimmed.

Kelly and Theo’s performance was about to begin.

Minutes passed, then the lights brightened once more.

Kelly stood alone under the spotlight. She looked stunning-delicate features, elegant presence. The white dress she wore added to her cold, dignified aura, making her seem untouched by the messiness of the real world.

Beneath the spotlight, her flawlessly made-up face looked distant, almost unearthly.

Then the music began.

It flowed gently, soft and comforting, like a stream washing over the soul. It was clear, lyrical, and deeply moving.

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Chapter 174

Seated in the audience, Wendy’s expression shifted slightly as Kelly’s performance filled the hall.

“So she’s not all pout and dramatics after all,” she muttered. “Turns out Kelly actually has some real skill… Just judging from this piece, she’s had at least ten years of training.”

Next to her, Xavier added, “She’s huge online right now. Tons of hardcore fans. Sure, some of that’s thanks to Carter’s PR team, but she’s definitely talented.”

Wendy had always known Kelly as an “internet celebrity.”

Constantly in the media, tangled in rumors with Carter, trending every other week. Her name popped up almost every time Wendy scrolled through the news. She’d even seen thumbnails of Kelly playing the violin more than once.

But she’d never clicked on a single one.

To her, Kelly had always seemed like the type who thrived on playing the victim-just another professional damsel in distress. The labels-“violin prodigy,” “the most beautiful woman in classical music”-only made Wendy roll her eyes.

People who lacked real skill were the ones who needed to rely on hype and internet buzz.

Still, even she had to admit-Kelly definitely had what it took to get into Bell University.

If today’s bet had been made by anyone else, they probably wouldn’t stand a chance.

Noticing Wendy’s silence, Xavier glanced over. “You don’t really think Sharon’s going to lose, do you?”

Wendy blinked out of her thoughts. “Of course not. I’ll give Kelly her due-she’s talented. But her level? Compared to Sharon,

it’s not even close.”

Xavier raised a brow. “Sharon’s really that good?”

“You think I’d lie to you?”

Still looking skeptical, Xavier said, “You’re the one who told me not to step in. If she loses, don’t blame me for staying out of it.”

Wendy pressed her lips into a thin line, clearly irritated. “Why does everyone keep acting like Sharon doesn’t have what it takes?

“It’s not that I don’t think she’s good,” Xavier replied. “It’s just… even if she’s great, hasn’t she gone almost five years without seriously playing the violin?”

Wendy let out a small, awkward cough. “She’s been practicing lately… And even if she hadn’t picked up the violin in five years, she could still beat Kelly. No question.” 1

Her confidence returned.

“If Sharon were at her peak, she’d blow her off the stage.”

On stage, as Kelly finished her solo, the lights brightened beside her.

Theo appeared in the spotlight.

Dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, his hair neatly slicked back, he looked every inch the refined young gentleman. Standing beside Kelly-her in white, him in black-they made a striking duo. The coordinated outfits highlighted both of them beautifully.

Clearly, the makeup mishap earlier hadn’t shaken Kelly in the slightest.

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Elsewhere in the audience, Denise watched the performance with wide eyes.

“I don’t know much about violin,” she said, “but this is amazing. No wonder she went viral-she’s the real deal.”

Even Madeline, who was notoriously hard to impress, showed a rare look of approval.

She even offered a few candid words. “Back when our family was still climbing, we needed a strong marriage alliance. That’s the only reason I turned her down. If it were today, I might’ve supported the match.”

Denise turned to look at her. “But in the end, Carter ended up with Sharon, who’s not even in the same league as Kelly. She’s nowhere near as impressive.”

At the mention of Sharon, a flash of distaste crossed Madeline’s eyes.

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Chapter 175

Chapter 175

“If I’d known Carter would end up marrying someone like Sharon-a clueless girl who didn’t even finish high school-I would’ve just let him be with Kelly from the beginning,” Madeline said bitterly.

From the side, Nate chimed in, “I seriously can’t wait to watch Sharon get humiliated.”

Since Kelly needed to shower and redo her makeup, they had originally planned for her to perform last. It would buy her more

time.

But then Nate came up with a better plan.

If Kelly performed last, Sharon would have to go on before her.

Sure, Sharon didn’t stand a chance-Kelly’s talent was on a whole different level-but Nate wanted Sharon to see that for herself. To witness firsthand just how far apart they really were.

Let her fall apart on stage. Let that be the last time she dared to compete with Kelly.

And if Kelly went first-dazzling the judges, stunning the audience-then by the time Sharon stepped onstage, everyone would still be wrapped up in the glow of Kelly’s performance. No one would care what came next.

Sharon would be nothing more than a footnote.

It was the perfect setup.

Nate proposed the switch to Kelly, and she agreed without hesitation.

By now, the judges sitting in the audience were clearly exhausted. The long showcase had taken its toll.

Some were rubbing their temples. Others stifled yawns. A few even wore open expressions of fatigue.

The children in the audience, especially the younger ones, had started to nod off.

Several people had already slipped out for air.

But then, as the first soft notes spilled from Kelly’s fingertips, the room fell silent.

Something changed.

The music was light, soothing-like water flowing over smooth stone. Clear and fluid, each note seemed to move on its own,

like tiny, living things.

Kelly’s fingers moved like they had a will of their own.

The spotlight overhead cast her in a soft, almost dreamlike glow. The violin at her shoulder gleamed like cut crystal, mysterious

and endless.

It was a stunning blue-like the ocean in the dead of winter.

From it came music so delicate and pure, it felt like a mountain spring washing straight through the heart.

“Damn,” Wendy muttered under her breath. “That violin… it’s way better than Shaluna. And she still wants to take Shaluna from Sharon?”

Even Xavier looked visibly shaken by the sound, his attention completely captured.

He turned to Wendy. “Shaluna’s one of the ten most legendary violins in the world. Are you saying the one Kelly’s playing is even better?”

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Wendy shook her head slowly “That’s not the point theme gre We need plays Teas, ‘sary excellent, but what gives it real value is the soul behind it the many, the story”

She added, “Sharon’s mom used in her prime Sharon and have been very

bly dem

violins have improved on a lot of the old limitations. Purely in terms of pertenencs, nes candy sowp

Her eyes remained fixed on Kelly’s violin. “That one was probably custom tridimen outperform Shaluna”

While they spoke, Kelly and Theo’s duct came to an end 4

Even though it was technically a two-person performance, Kelly’s presence was so strong, that they will ben

invisible.

By the end, hardly anyone remembered he’d even been onstage.

As the final note lingered in the air, the audience erupted-loud, sharp, and thunderous applane,

willberg

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