After I Amazed the World the Cold Alpha Regretted

Chapter 164

Holt chuckled lightly, trying to downplay her skepticism.

"Good? No, Aria, it was beyond that. You wouldn't understand-it's something only a true connoisseur could grasp "Excuse me?" Aria straightened up, crossing her arms defensively. "I play plans row, you know. I'm not a layman." Holt looked mildly amused but didn't respond, choosing instead to pull out his checkbook

He uncapped his pen and began to write my payment.

re he could finish, Aria snatched the pen from his hand.

Her voice was cold as she spoke.

"Elizabeth is our enemy, Uncle. You can't be supporting her, not when she's done so much damage to our Oceanheart Tribe. If you choose her, I'll tell my father everything."

Holt hesitated for a moment, visibly troubled as he paced the room, before returning to the study.

His face wore an apologetic smile that didn't quite reach his eyes as he said, "I'm terribly sorry, Miss Elizabeth. It appears that my client just called me... He's not too happy with the performance." The words hit me like a cold slap.

My eyes dimmed, and the hopeful smile on my lips faltered.

A wave of disappointment washed over me, so heavy it felt like my chest might cave in.

**The fruits of years of practice and passion, dismissed so easily.**

There are few things more devastating than pouring your soul into something, only to have it rejected.

I forced a small smile, trying to keep my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.

empty, like an attempt

my footsteps felt heavier with each step, as though the

manicured bushes, faded

everything into

fingers ached, refining every note until it resonated with the depth of emotion

that carried my dreams, my

so easily by Holt and the mysterious client behind him. I couldn't

after all this time, I wasn't

arrived home, the sun had already set, casting

the piano room, but instead of turning on the light, I sank into the darkness, allowing

how I felt-lonely and unappreciated.

on the

was the maid, her voice tentative. "Miss, dinner is

hungry," I replied quietly, not

an

Chapter 164

D

me, When you're done, you can leave for

sensing something was wrong, but she didn't

later, the faint

off. She left earlier looking upset, and now she's back but won't eat or

end was firm. "I'll finish this meeting in ten minutes. Wait until I

Leo arrived, the villa