Masked In Nobility: Secrets Of Mrs. Chavez by Selina Gorges

Chapter 571

Silence settled between Sienna and Frankie after Yvette spoke. ey had seen this before-Yvette's familiarity with someone

Dey could mean only she knew Paola

Was the music festival's big shot, Paolo, Yvette's acquaintance dey wondered.

Jeremiah tilted his head slightly, his fingers curled as he turned to face Yvette. "You know him" he asked, his tone casual. Sienna and Frankie leaned forward, their interest piqued.

Yvette gave a slight nod, her reply measured. "Yeah"

At 2 p.m. sharp, Elliot emerged onto the stage with practiced case, exuding an elegant charm. His acknowledgment was a briel nod, sending the audience into a frenzy of applause. His appeal was undeniable, with the majority of the audience Elliot scanned the crowd, soaking in the adoration of his fans snugly. But as his gaze swept the front rows, his eyes widened. and a chill ran down his spine.

The girl in the third row, wearing a baseball cap-was that Yvette It had to be her. His mind raced.

The bright lights turned harsh, exposing memories Elliot had long tried to bury. He remembered Yvette's arrival at the Ross estate, Lawrence taking her under his wing. While Elliot spent five grueling days perfecting a piece, Yvette mastered it in just Yvette had always been the first to conquer those intricate, world-renowned compositions. Lawrence had given her everything that should have been his. Elliot could never reconcile how this outsider had usurped his rightful place. He was Ross golden child, the one born to receive the best...

Elliot fought to mask his unease. She has no proof, he thought. Even if she accuses me of plagiarism, who would believe her now? Yet, despite thinking this, his eyes flickered to her seat as he performed. Yvette watched Elliot seated at the grand piano, her chin resting lightly on her hand. Her gaze was cold, her upturned eyes, glinting with sly amusement. A faint, almost imperceptible smile curved her lips. Less than 30 minutes into the concert, murmurs of discontent began to ripple through the audience. Those with a trained ear could hear it-Elliot's playing lacked focus.

Seated in the front row, Paolo wore a mask of displeasure. "What a waste of time, he thought bitterly. For a pianist of Elliot's caliber, such fundamental errors at an event of this magnitude were inexcusable.

Elliot was painfully aware of his missteps but quickly refocused, playing through the rest of the piece without mistakes. Finally, it was time for his signature piece-Despaired Soul, the much-anticipated crescendo of the evening

Elliot poured all his hopes into this final piece, hoping it would prove to Paolo that he was worthy of International Music Association. But fear lingered in the back of his mind.

He couldn't bring himself to glance at Yvette on the third row. Cold sweat slid down his temples, his clammy palms slipping slightly against the keys.

Jeremiah's gaze lingered on Elliot. "He's terrified, he remarked, his tone calm, and Yvette nodded in agreement.

Sienna and Frankie shared a knowing glance. 'Why wouldn't he be?' they thought. 'Knowing the original composer is watching and knowing you stole their work-it's no wonder he's shaking in his shoes.

As Elliot played the last note of Despaired Soul, the audience erupted in applause, the excitement rippling through the room. Elliot's gaze flickered to the third row, but Yvette was gone. Instead, in her seat was a strikingly landsome man. Chapnet 371

Rebel mickled in an Elin plastered a fake gem on his face and ed. Yes, as he glanced at Pando in the front row dee ad crepe back ins

While the room was alive with applause. Psoles, in the first row,re an unmoving expression. The furrow in his brow spoke louder than words-this performance wasn't enough to win hirer.

What's this supposed to mean? Elliot's mind raced "There's no alive, aside from Yvette, who can play Despaired Soud better than me. Is Parks still not satisfied?

In the audience. Sienna whispered. "Mr. Chavez, where's Yvette The concert's almost over, and it's time for the flower presentation."

Jeremiah's gaze was steady and inscrutable, his voice carrying a quiet authority. "You'll find out soon," he said.

her, Frankie rubbed his palms, his

her mind, I'm ready to stomp that smug look right off his face Plagiarizing her works? He better be

flower presentation began, Elliot stood tall, basking in the glory like a peacock showing off its feathers, convinced

I've destroyed all the recordings, so she backed

would've regretted it,

with flowers in hand, with a lineup of fans and members chosen by the organizers, ensuring no

each person handed over their bouquet, the

auditorium. The chatter faded, replaced by an almost eerie quiet, as though the entire crowd sensed something monumental was about to happen. Jeremiah

buzzing with excitement. They had been waiting all afternoon for this moment-when Yvette would finally confront Elliot. If it weren't for

"Y-You..." His words faltered, unable to form a complete sentence in his panic. Paolo, sitting in the front row, immediately stood up, his eyes glipting with intrigue. 'So, she has the courage to show up. after all. But did she really come just to sit through this amateur recital"

Elliot's heart, his hands shaking slightly as he tried to steady his trembling body. Consumed by his own dread, he

through the crowd as they tried to make sense of the

can't be the organizers idea, can it? Maybe it's an obsessive fa trying to make a scene or someone pulling a prank on Elliot,

1

Fri, Dec 27

Chapter 371

glancing at the front row during his performance? It

Chapter 571

settled between Sienna and Frankie after Yvette spoke. ey had seen this before-Yvette's familiarity with

could mean only she

music festival's big shot, Paolo,

his head slightly, his fingers curled as he turned to face Yvette. "You know him" he asked, his tone casual. Sienna

nod,

an elegant charm. His acknowledgment was a briel nod, sending the audience into a frenzy of applause. His appeal was undeniable, with

third row, wearing a baseball cap-was that Yvette It had to be her. His mind

exposing memories Elliot had long tried to bury. He remembered Yvette's arrival at the Ross estate, Lawrence taking her under his wing. While Elliot spent five grueling days perfecting a piece, Yvette mastered it in just Yvette had always been the first to conquer

watched Elliot seated at the grand piano, her chin resting lightly

a mask of displeasure. "What a waste of time, he thought bitterly. For a pianist of Elliot's caliber, such fundamental

the rest of the piece without mistakes. Finally, it

prove to Paolo that he was worthy of International Music Association. But fear lingered in the back of

third row. Cold sweat slid down his temples, his clammy

terrified, he remarked, his tone calm, and Yvette nodded in

Frankie shared a knowing glance. 'Why wouldn't he be?' they thought. 'Knowing the original composer is watching and knowing you

in applause, the excitement rippling through the room. Elliot's gaze flickered to the third row,

fake gem on his face and ed. Yes, as he glanced

was alive with applause. Psoles, in the first row,re an unmoving expression. The furrow in his brow spoke louder than words-this performance wasn't enough to win

raced "There's no alive, aside from Yvette, who