Chapter 849
Sharon’s expression softened. “All right.”
She turned her head toward Thomas, who stood silently to the side. They had come together-leaving him out now would seem discourteous.
Yet it was Xavier’s birthday, and bringing Thomas along felt… awkward. After all, the two men barely knew each
other.
As she hesitated, Xavier’s voice cut through the quiet.
“Thomas, I’ll be having dinner with Sharon. Why don’t you leave the task of seeing her home to me tonight?”
It was a dismissal, clear and firm.
Thomas’s tone betrayed no emotion. “Then let me wish you a happy birthday.”
Xavier twirled the keychain between his fingers with a careless smile.
“I’ll take your good wishes. But getting a gift that Sharon made herself for my birthday—now that’s a real
pleasure.” 1
At the sight of the keychain in Xavier’s hand, Thomas’s fingers clenched ever so slightly.
“Then I won’t intrude on your celebration,” he said evenly.
Xavier smiled faintly. “Come, Sharon. Let’s go.”
Sharon offered Thomas a brief farewell before leaving with Xavier.
Thomas remained where he stood, watching their figures recede into the distance. His face was calm, betraying
nothing-no joy, no anger. Yet somehow, Johanna sensed a heaviness in him, a shadow she couldn’t name.
She stepped closer. “Thomas, I still haven’t properly thanked you for saving me today…”
But before she could finish, he interrupted her.
“You once saved me. I was only returning the favor.”
Her eyes flickered. “But… I don’t remember that moment clearly. What if it wasn’t me?”
“Then I misidentified you,” he said calmly. “It has nothing to do with you.”
1/2
Chapter 446
Relief had almost softened her features-until his tone shifted, edged with self-reproach.
+35 BONUS
“Still, it’s possible I was mistaken. A single matching earring doesn’t prove anything. I should have been more
cautious.”
Johanna’s smile faltered. “That’s true.”
“The one I’m searching for,” Thomas continued, “was a masterful violinist. She played First Love with such brilliance it was unforgettable. I’ve yet to hear you play. Without that, I can’t be sure.”
Her eyes lit with anticipation. “Then why not let me play for you? I can perform First Love anytime.” 1
She had been practicing the piece for weeks. Violin was her strength, and she had rehearsed First Love with
Victoria before. Picking it up again wasn’t difficult. 2
Thomas seemed impatient to know the truth.
“Why wait? Today is as good a day as any since I’m off work now. The next time I’m free may be a long way off.”
“Of course,” she agreed without hesitation. “But I’ll need to change and fetch my violin first.”
“Very well,” he said simply.
Back inside the banquet hall, Johanna pulled Victoria with her toward the fitting room to change. Along the way, she could hardly keep her voice down as she shared what had just happened.
“Victoria, it worked.”
Victoria, quick as ever, caught the shift in her tone.
“He… passed your test?”
“Mhm.” Johanna nodded, the faintest curve tugging at her lips. “Oscar may be trained, but even with a knife, he couldn’t last three moves against Carter.”
2/2
