Chapter 525: Chapter 525: 468: Not a Great Shot

It wasn’t time for the dinner yet, and the guests arrived didn’t know either Kevin Clark or Charlotte Lane very well.

Alex Justin had just introduced a few people to Kevin Clark.

So… even if Charlotte Lane made a fool of herself, the most people would do was to ignore her or show a contemptuous and disgusted attitude.

They would think, how could someone like her be allowed to attend such an event?

But this was all related to Charlotte Lane herself.

Although the media was not invited to the birthday party, some people would still post photos or videos of the event online.

Once it’s online, Mrs. Clark would be associated with the reputation of the Clark family.

As the daughter-in-law of an aristocratic family, no matter how many other titles she had, some powerful families would still see her as a little girl from the countryside whose social standing didn’t match theirs.

Some people may not be better than others, but they would still look down on others and despise them at every turn.

Kevin Clark heard Caroline Quinn’s words, turned around to look at her, without much change in his expression, but still gave out a sense of displeasure and oppression.

Charles Amos stood beside Charlotte Lane, not holding her hand, but slightly furrowing his brows.

Instead, Charlotte looked at Caroline Quinn with a hint of curiosity.

Caroline quickly sensed Kevin’s suppressed resentment, and she looked at him, puzzled.

“So, Mr. Clark’s wife is a master too.” The person standing next to Alex Justin, who had just been introduced to Kevin Clark, said, “To have Lady Quinn propose a challenge… Mrs. Clark must be very skilled.”

Alex Justin had thought the same for a moment, but feeling Kevin Clark’s mood, the idea vanished immediately.

Kevin Clark gently stroked Charlotte Lane’s hand and was about to speak when she preempted him: “I’m sorry, but I’m not that good at playing the piano.”

Caroline frowned slightly, looking at Charlotte. She was trying to determine if it was true that she wasn’t good at the piano, or if she just didn’t want to compete with her.

Over the years, Caroline had challenged many skilled people, and naturally, she had encountered some who thought she was not up to their level, and refused to accept the challenge, making excuses to fend her off.

So, upon hearing Charlotte’s refusal, she instinctively thought that might be the case.

Just then, a soft voice broke in, seemingly harmless: “Lady Zane is too modest, how could anyone here be completely incompetent?”

Charlotte looked in the direction of the voice.

She saw Celeste Martin, someone she hadn’t seen in a long time.

Caroline quickly grasped Celeste’s words, “How could anyone here be completely incompetent?” Shouldn’t she have said, “How could she say she’s not good at playing?”

“Does everyone here need to have some sort of skill?” Charlotte asked in response.

“Not necessarily,” Celeste replied, “But Lady Zane should have some, right?”

The people around them were watching, while others further away were still chatting and laughing. Various musical instruments mingled together, near and far.

Charles Amos looked up at Celeste Martin, and a rare fierce anger appeared in his beautiful eyes.

Charlotte Lane laughed softly, “Why do I have to have it then?”

“Third Master is Master Justin’s proudest disciple,” Celeste smiled, with a sense of innocence and apparent logic, “So his wife must be very skilled as well.”

Kevin Clark lowered his gaze to Charlotte Lane, watching her seemingly indifferent and leisurely demeanor, yet aiming a knife at others.’

“Really?” Charlotte’s tone carried a light laughter.

It was ambiguous, but somehow it made people feel a sudden chill.

“Of course,” Celeste continued, “Lady Zane, don’t be modest. Let us enjoy your music.”

Celeste’s intention was to push Daisy Zane forward.

Just hearing Daisy Zane say she couldn’t play wasn’t enough for her, she needed to see Daisy sitting there with her own eyes, unable to play a single note accurately.

She wanted to see Daisy sitting there while people around her showed disdain, scorn, contempt, and disgust.

She even wanted to hear the murmurs and sneers of the people around her.

She despised Daisy’s aloofness.

The more Daisy stood in high places and worshipped by different fields and crowds, the more Celeste wanted to pull her down and make her the laughing stock of everyone.

What made Daisy shine so much everywhere that others were overshadowed the moment she appeared?

As long as Daisy made a fool of herself, Celeste could justify her own words.

She no longer cared how Kevin Clark really saw her; she just wanted to bring down the high and mighty Daisy Zane.

“Or does Lady Zane think we’re not good enough to hear your piano playing?” Celeste jokingly said as if teasing.

Caroline Quinn sat at the piano, her gaze shifting from Celeste to Charlotte.

Seeing her calm and composed, Caroline couldn’t determine if Charlotte could play or not, so she remained silent for a moment.

Instead, the people nearby started to talk.

At first, some people thought Celeste was just trying to provoke Charlotte, but after a few sentences, Celeste gave them the impression that she knew Mrs. Clark well, and that Mrs. Clark surely knew how to play the piano.

Furthermore, she created a relaxed and playful atmosphere.

“Come on, play something. Isn’t the purpose of our gathering today to exchange ideas?”

“Yes, yes, I’m suddenly looking forward to it.”

“As expected, the real masters are hidden. There are so many great talents hiding in places we don’t know.”

“It seems that this trip will reveal new treasures.”

“Someone able to make Caroline Quinn take the initiative to challenge must be very talented.”

…

Upon hearing her name, Caroline pursed her lips.

She suddenly considered that, not only were there musicians from the Royal Court Music Academy present, but also many foreign orchestras had arrived.

If Kevin Clark’s wife really couldn’t play well, since they were at the Royal Court Music Academy, wouldn’t it affect the reputation of the academy?

“Lady Zane is now Mrs. Clark,” Celeste dragged out her playful tone, “If she doesn’t give us a musical feast today, people might say that she looks down on us commoners after marrying into the Clark family. That wouldn’t be good for the Clark family.”

“So, are you suggesting that the Clark family should maintain its image by performing?” Kevin Clark looked at Celeste, his voice flat.

Celeste met his gaze, her pupils suddenly shrinking. She pinched her own fingers, “Third Master, I’m just joking.”

Kevin Clark ignored her and hooked Charlotte Lane’s finger.

Charlotte pressed his finger, glanced through the crowd at Charles Flores, who had been chatting with people in the distance, and then said to Caroline Quinn: “I’m really not very good at playing the piano.”

Caroline gave her an apologetic smile. Feeling sorry for her, she immediately opened her mouth and interrupted Charlotte’s words: “I’m sorry, I didn’t really want to challenge Mrs. Clark. Actually, I wanted to challenge Kevin, but I thought it would be too bold, so I wanted to start with his wife.”

…