But I was more worried about Celeste’s mother than my own. A first birthday party, and she had managed to invite practically every eligible bachelor in the city. She knew my mother’s weakness. My mother could resist the lure of money, but a wealthy, handsome
bachelor… that was her kryptonite.
After a few introductions, my mother had completely forgotten about the poisoned formula and was happily trailing after Celeste’s mother, meeting the city’s elite.
Seeing that I couldn’t stop her, I decided to go find Mrs. Torrence. But I was intercepted halfway.
“Well, well, if it isn’t our little prodigy, Nina Chen. I hear you could talk at ten days old and play the piano before you were a month.
16:00
Chapter 2
16 00
At this rate, you must have learned several languages and passed a few piano exams by now, right?”
“There’s a big crowd today, and your biggest fan, Mrs. Torrence, is here. Why don’t you get up on stage and show everyone what you can do? Make Mrs. Torrence proud.”
The man blocking my path was the Torrences‘ adopted son, Celeste’s father, Howard Thorne.
In my past life, Celeste and I were mortal enemies, and Howard naturally saw me as a thorn in his side. So I wasn’t surprised to see
the malice in his eyes.
So this was their real reason for inviting us. First, they’d build me up as a child prodigy, then they’d humiliate me on stage, and final-
ly, their own daughter would make a grand entrance and completely crush me.
In my past life, with the help of the protagonist’s halo, this tactic had worked every time.
I looked up at him and smiled sweetly. “Today is not just my birthday, it’s Celeste’s birthday too. You’re her father. Why are you aski
ng me to perform?”
”
feigned shock. “Don’t tell me Celeste can’t speak any foreign languages yet?”
“Or play the piano?”
“1
“Well, she must be able to do something, right? Paint, play chess, dance?”
મેં કરો તો ત્યા
*
”
*
The surrounding guests, drawn by my voice, began to whisper among themselves. The man’s face flushed with anger. “Of course Celeste can do all those things. But you’re the older sister, so you have to go first. After you’re done, Celeste will perform for every-
one.”
www
i glanced towards the Torrences‘ table. Mrs. Torrence and Aunt Aria were both looking at me with encouraging smiles. It seemed I
couldn’t escape this performance.
Being the villain was tough. Who makes a one–year–old perform at their own birthday part
I sighed, resigned to my fate, and climbed onto the stage. I sat down at the specially made miniature piano and placed my chubby
baby hands on the keys.
3-
n
Ne
My body was still small. No matter how many scores I had memorized, my hands couldn’t execute them perfectly. So I chose a
simple, cheerful piece that suited the occasion.
When I finished, the room erupted in applause.
“A one–year–old who can actually play the piano? Is she really a prodigy?!”
I glanced at Howard. He didn’t look happy. He probably hadn’t expected me to actually be able to play, and play so well.
But then, a smile spread across his face.
Celeste’s mother was walking out with Celeste.
A year had passed, and Celeste had grown, but she still looked frail. Even in her pretty princess dress, she seemed weak.
When she saw me looking at her, she walked straight towards me. Her voice was weak, but she tried to sound confident. “Nina,
long time no see.”
I smiled. “Yes. The last time I saw you, you were still wetting the bed. I’m surprised you can walk now.”
16.00
Chapter 2
16.00
Celeste was still just a child. Even with her parents constantly pushing her to be a genius, her mental age was only a year or two above her peers. At my words, she was at a loss for a reply. Her lip trembled, and tears welled up in her eyes.
Her mother, seeing this, quickly put a hand on her shoulder. “Celeste, don’t talk to her. Just focus on your playing… play the song you played for Daddy and me last time.”
Celeste managed to pull herself together. She sat down at the piano, the expectant gazes of the audience on her. But the moment
her fingers touched the keys, she froze. She couldn’t remember how to play.
“Celeste, what are you doing? Play!”
“Did you forget the music? It’s okay, you can read the score!”
The more her parents urged her on, the more panicked Celeste became. She realized that even with the sheet music in front of
her, she couldn’t make sense of the jumble of notes.
But it hadn’t been like this the other day!
The other day, it had been her first time touching a piano. But for some reason, it was as if the music and the fingerings were alre- ady in her head. She hadn’t even had to think. Her fingers had just moved naturally, and she had played one of the most difficult
pieces in the piano repertoire…
