Chapter 41

Stanton was practically buzzing with excitement as he addressed the room. “Look at that. Even this girl thinks I’ve got screws loose! What kind of shrink are you, not taking your buddy’s headcase seriously?”

Louie just stood there, silent

Knowing Cordelia’s easygoing nature, he didn’t immediately argue with Stanton. And sure enough, after a brief pause, Cordelia spoke up unhurriedly. “It’s not your head. It’s your playing that’s off.”

The room fell into a hush

As a world–renowned piano virtuoso, Stanton was not used to such criticism. It was the first time anyone had dared suggest his playing was flawless.

After a moment, Stanton asked, “What’s off?”

Cordelia shook her head. “I don’t know exactly.”

Stanton raised his eyebrows in disbelief. “Are you kidding me?” he thought inwardly.

Louie’s voice, ever calm, broke the silence. “Why would you say that?”

Standing straight as an arrow, Cordelia answered like a diligent student responding to a teacher’s question. “There was a part that just didn’t sound right”

Raised in an orphanage, Cordelia had never had formal training She had taught herself everything she knew about music

Unable to articulate Stantons mistake in technical terms, she offered. Let me play it for you.”

Stanton was about to snort dismissively at the thought of a young girl identifying an error in his performance, but Louie gently pushed him aside to clear the way to the piano “Go ahead”

Cordelia sat down, her hands finding their place on the keys. She didn’t play the entire piece from start to finish but zeroed in on the segment that Stanton had botched

As she played, the smirk on Stantons face faded, replaced by an expression of deep concentration and, eventually, amazement

Stanton had played this signature piece for years, habitually glossing over a wrong note that had become ingrained in his muscle memory. The tempo was so fast, the mistake so well–embedded. It was nearly undetected

When Cordelia finished playing. Stanton stood there, dazed, his mind racing “So, that’s how it is That’s how it

He stepped forward, eager to shake her hand. “Who are you?”

This girl who could detect such a subtle error on a single listening couldn’t be a nobody could she?

Cordelia stepped back, avoiding his grasp

is Cordelia. I was thinking of introducing her to you as a

thought, Stanton stood

Louie was puzzled.

her? I should ask her for lessons! From now! on, she’s

could play the piano How was

already pulling out his phone “Cordelia, what’s your number?

give each other pointers. Do you want to learn some music scores and piano

Chapter

learning had attracted

after they exchanged numbers, she saved his

link

was Pioneers

Then Piano Man added, “Cordelia, this group’s full of aces. Louie’s in there, too I’m adding you so we can all share knowledge,

resist the allure of learning. So,

said with a smile.

up, and she requested to

an admin. Approve

Cordelia was

eagerly scrolled through the member list, introducing each one. “Lia, you know Louie, the doc. He’s also an admin. That’s the math whiz, the gamer,

the list

how one group chat could span so many professions. She asked, “Are they all as skilled

I am, I

nodded, “Oh.”

man who couldn’t even nail

her thoughts, Stanton pointed to a profile with a solid black picture. “Lia, listen up. You can mess with

puzzled. The profile picture looked vaguely familiar.

the name

chill, like a frosty “keep

on it, simply asking, “Why?”

mentioning the person. “He’s the real deal and got a short fuse. But don’t worry. He never

Her curiosity

his words implied the rest were indeed pseudo–big shots? No, except for Louie. He was

chatted, a message popped up in

Sullivan asked, [Newbie?]

message came through.

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