Chapter 458
“Hey, I’m a student at the music academy nearby. Would you be interested in being my practice partner? The pay is negotiable.”
A girl with an obvious artistic flair stepped forward from the small crowd, her eyes lighting up.
“Wait, wait, hold on… just a sec…”
Another girl, standing beside her, quickly pulled her back.
“Why do I feel like I’ve seen her somewhere before?”
“Where, where? Is she a pianist too?”
“No, I saw her in a fashion magazine… Oh, that’s right! You’re the BYC Maestro!”
Niamh never expected her identity to be outed like this in a music store.
Then again, considering her past as something of an internet celebrity, it wasn’t too surprising that some people still recognized her, even if the internet itself had long forgotten.
As the group closed in, eager for autographs, Niamh hurriedly apologized, grabbed her blazer, and made for the door.
She couldn’t afford to get caught up right now-there was an important meeting she couldn’t miss.
She dashed out, weaving through the sidewalk traffic. The Purring Bean was just ahead, and through the window, she spotted Jarrett seated by the glass, waiting.
Verdant Lake Estates.
Jonathan had yet to give Ramona an answer. Eyes closed, he seemed lost in some private reverie.
Marigold couldn’t stand the silence any longer and jumped in, saying,
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“Obviously, Miss Ramona played it best. There’s no way Marina could compare!”
Jonathan opened his eyes, and the haunting chords of that Chopin nocturne faded from his mind.
Noticing the disappointment he couldn’t quite hide, Ramona approached him and murmured, “Looks like you still prefer how your first love played.” Jonathan shot her a cool glance. “I never told you Marina was my first
love.”
Ramona paused, unruffled, and replied, “Before your divorce, you and Ms. Thornton were always seen together. It isn’t hard to guess what was really going on.”
As soon as Ramona finished, both Hayes and Carlotta’s expressions
darkened.
Hayes, in particular, looked visibly displeased.
“That was all in the past. First loves don’t count when you’re young,” Marigold explained hurriedly, afraid Hayes might think Jonathan was still hung up on Marina and that Ramona would be hurt by the
misunderstanding.
But the truth was, Hayes was angry, though not for the reason Marigold imagined.
“Come on, let’s eat! Jonathan’s been waiting so long, he must be starving,” Sprague chimed in, steering the conversation away from dangerous territory.
As Jonathan brushed past Ramona, he said softly under his breath, “If it were Rina playing…”
Not just one Ramona-ten, a thousand, none could compare.
Ramona arched an eyebrow. She hadn’t quite caught his words, but she
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could have sworn she heard the name “Rina.”
Inside The Purring Bean, Niamh slid into the seat across from Jarrett.
“Sorry, have you been waiting long?”
“Not really,” Jarrett replied, a warm, easy smile on his face.
“I wanted to talk to you about the Al-assisted medical system you’re developing-the FZZL project…” Niamh began, then, more formally, introduced herself.
“You might not know this, but while my main focus is jewelry design, I’m also one of the shareholders at The Thomas Group. The company is very interested in your project. Of course, Al in the medical field comes with huge risks, and as a shareholder, I can’t just turn a blind eye.”
Her tone was all business, but Jarrett seemed unconvinced.
“If Miss Rivers really wanted to talk business, we could have scheduled a meeting at the office. Why ask me to meet you at a coffee shop?”
Niamh immediately sensed Jarrett’s wariness:
