Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Alivia felt the sting of the remark as if she’d been slapped across the face. Her chest heaved with barely contained emotion.

The society ladies who had just been showing off their Italian were now flushed with embarrassment. They had intended to make Brielle the butt of their joke, mocking her with a language they thought she couldn’t understand. To their chagrin, Brielle’s Italian was even more fluent than theirs.

The atmosphere turned awkward; the moment they had spoken, they had become the jesters of the evening.

Brielle wasn’t about to let Alivia off the hook. “Ms. Alivia, don’t you understand Italian?” she asked, her voice tinged with nonchalance.

The question cornered Alivia. Admitting she understood meant she knew the other women were ridiculing her, when she told Brielle they welcomed her. Claiming ignorance would suggest that she was less cultured than Brielle, who had mastered the language. Having presented herself as gracious and friendly towards Brielle all evening, choosing the former would expose Alivia’s duplicity to everyone.

Suppressing the turmoil within, Alivia managed a strained smile. “I really don’t understand. Did they say something unpleasant?” Her gaze swept innocently over the other guests, while the instigators avoided her eyes, shifting uncomfortably.

Barely holding back her rage, which felt like a taste of blood in her mouth, Alivia addressed the crowd. “Brielle’s not out often, and we rarely gather like this. This evening isn’t just a welcome party for Jaired; it’s also the first time Brielle’s been at a social event like this.”

She looked at Tessa, who was glaring daggers at Brielle. From the moment Tessa had seen Brielle, her mood had plummeted. Her eyes met Alivia’s, and without words, they agreed that Brielle must be humiliated tonight.

At Alivia’s cue, Tessa rose, her face pale but flushed with excitement at the thought of Brielle’s impending disgrace. Unaware that Alivia had easily manipulated her emotions. Tessa was out of her depth against such cunning.

She approached the grand piano and casually asked, “Alivia, may I? I’ve heard this is a collector’s pride. I’ve been practicing a piece recently, and seeing this piano makes me want to give it a go. Ms. Brielle, you wouldn’t mind accompanying me, would you?”

Tessa, having been sheltered, must have honed other skills. She played the piano beautifully and was sure Brielle, an orphaned girl who later joined the Haywood family, couldn’t compare. After all, would the Haywoods have ever provided her with a proper education?

Nodding. Alivia said, “Of course, this piano was indeed in a gallery before being brought here for a private concert.”

Tessa’s smile grew as she turned to Brielle. “Ms. Brielle, you play, don’t you? Since it’s our first

13.02

time at such a gathering, let’s relax with some music.”

Relieved, the other ladies were ready to settle scores.

“Right, it’s just a casual get–together among friends. If you’re practicing, Brielle, why not join in?”

“Surely, you can play the piano? Our tutors were world–class.”

“Don’t pick on her, guys. She probably doesn’t even know the make of this piano.” Text © 2024 NôvelDrama.Org.

As the chatter continued, Alivia finally found some solace in their words. She turned to Brielle, feigning kindness. “If you’re not up to it, I could assist Tessa. She loves playing, and now she’s just inspired.”

These women were born into privilege, well–versed in the arts. They had always enjoyed the finest, which was their fortune, but it was wrong for them to trample on those less fortunate.

Alivia, ever gentle, took hold of Brielle’s arm. “Brielle, it’s okay if you can’t play. I’ll help Tessa.”