Chapter 860
At Johanna’s words, Victoria’s brows furrowed instinctively, her expression turning to ice.
“Johanna, Sharon is my sister. What nonsense are you spouting?”
Seeing Victoria’s anger, Johanna quickly backpedaled.
“Victoria, don’t be upset. I was only joking. Not to mention your brothers-even your dad would never agree to something like that.”
Victoria’s gaze hardened, her tone solemn.
“Johanna, we’ve been friends for years. I never want to hear such words from you again, even as a joke.” (1
Johanna realized Victoria was truly offended. She raised her hands in reassurance. “I understand. I won’t
joke about it again.”
Only then did Victoria’s face soften.
When Sharon’s performance of First Love ended, Matty applauded with all his might.
But as he noticed the awe and admiration glowing in the eyes of those around them, a faint worry crept
into his heart.
“Daddy,” he whispered, “Sharon is so amazing. You’d better work harder, or someone else might win her
over.”
Xavier’s gaze lingered on the woman bathed in stage light. Unknowingly, his eyes brimmed with
tenderness.
She was Jenna, the Hall of Fame composer from Bell University, the original creator of First Love.
She was also Star, and the mysterious painter MK…
What else, he wondered, was she hiding?
She was like a hidden treasure, always capable of dazzling him with yet another surprise.
Turning to Matty, he smiled. “Then you’ll have to help me. The happiness of my entire second half of life depends on you.”
Matty thumped his small chest with solemn pride. “Don’t worry, Daddy. As long as we try our best, we’ll definitely win Sharon over!”
As the two shared their quiet pact, a faint crack echoed beside them.
They both turned, startled.
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In the darkness, they made out the sound of a chair’s armrest splintering and falling to the ground.
Matty blinked in confusion. “Thomas, did your chair just break?”
The lights were dim, leaving only shadowy outlines of the audience. No one could see expressions clearly.
Thomas’s voice emerged from the darkness-hoarse, raw, so unlike his usual cool clarity. “…Yes. It broke.”
Matty offered brightly, “Then just hang on a little while. When it’s intermission, I’ll ask the staff to swap it out for you.”
Children adored Thomas, and Matty was no exception.
Though Xavier sometimes teased Thomas in private, he never once spoke ill of him in front of Matty.
A gentleman should not use a child to wage an adult’s battle-especially not over a virtuous woman.
“Alright,” Thomas rasped again, his tone still rough.
Xavier cast him a sidelong glance, immediately sensing something off. But the hall was too dark to see clearly, and he couldn’t very well lean closer to scrutinize him. So, with a faint frown, he looked away.
Onstage, Sharon continued with several classic solo pieces, each one greeted by thunderous applause.
When her set concluded, John and Casey stepped forward for their duet.
Their harmony was effortless, their coordination seamless. Together, the handsome pianist and the graceful young woman made a striking pair.
Uriah chuckled, stroking his beard. “I must say, John and Casey do look rather well matched.”
Even now, he remained oblivious to the fact that the young woman before him was none other than his
grandson Damien’s ex-girlfriend.
Matty, wise beyond his years, chimed in impishly, “Casey is gentle and kind, and she plays piano so beautifully. She and John really understand each other. We should help them along, don’t you think?”
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