Chapter 163
“I’ll just say it right now,” Nate declared, his voice loud and cocky. “Out of all the parents here today, not a single one can hold a candle to Kelly. If anyone disagrees, step up and prove me wrong.”
It was an arrogant statement-delivered without shame. The crowd stirred, surprised whispers rippling through the room.
But no one stepped forward.
The Bell University Conservatory of Music in Marcentine had a serious reputation. Tons of privileged sons and daughters from powerful families had tried to get in-hoping to boost their résumés overseas after failing to stand out at home. Most didn’t even make it past the application process.
This wasn’t the kind of school where you could pull strings or call in favors. It was a place for true prodigies.
Everyone here had been around the elite long enough to understand what kind of game Kelly was playing. After hearing the back -and-forth just now, most of them had already put the pieces together.
Wasn’t this just another classic case? A man doting on his mistress and tossing aside his wife? Even his own mother had turned on her daughter-in-law.
They’d all seen this storyline before. Nothing new.
Sure, Carter’s wife seemed pitiful-but beyond her pretty face, she didn’t appear to have much else going for her.
She was stunning-undeniably so. There was a timeless elegance to her look, a quiet grace in how she carried herself. Even in a room full of polished socialites, she stood out.
If Madeline hadn’t trashed her reputation, most people would’ve assumed she was a young woman from an established, old- money family.
Still, looks alone weren’t enough to keep a man’s heart in a world like this. In their circles, beautiful women were everywhere. And eventually, even the most breathtaking face lost its novelty.
The mistress-this gentle, soft-spoken woman-didn’t have the same striking beauty. But she had something else: talent.
She was educated and cultured. Who wouldn’t prefer coming home to a woman who could actually hold a conversation and understood their world?
It wasn’t exactly shocking that Carter favored her. Especially considering she had graduated from Bell University. Even without a powerful family or marriage connections, a degree from that kind of institution could open doors to the upper crust.
And if she set her sights a little lower-on families that valued intelligence over pedigree-she’d still be a top contender.
Trying to challenge her in her area of expertise? That would just be embarrassing.
“She really graduated from Bell? Damn, she’s the real deal.”
“Looks like first place is pretty much guaranteed.”
“I was hoping my kid might take first today… guess we’ll try for top three instead.”
“If the judges know her background, they’re gonna trip over themselves. Might as well invite her to join the judging panel.”
“For real-who here could actually critique her performance?”
Some people even started trying to cozy up to Madeline.
“Madeline, what instrument does she play? I might want to hire her as a tutor for my kid.”
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Chapter 13
+25 BONUS
“Looks like you’ve finally stopped chasing status and started recognizing talent. With the way the Biggs Group is doing, your family doesn’t even need political marriages anymore.”
“I’ll give Carter credit–he’s got good taste.”
Surrounded by a wave of admiration, Kelly-who had looked like she was on the verge of tears-finally started to smile.
People naturally loved an underdog. And Kelly had always been good at playing that role, using her vulnerability to win sympathy.
But this-this was different. For the first time, the praise wasn’t from pity. It was earned. It was hers.
The thought filled her with quiet satisfaction. She turned to Sharon, a slow, smug smile spreading across her face.
Then suddenly-a sharp, clear laugh cut through the buzz of compliments like glass cracking on ice.
“I disagree.”
Sharon’s voice rang out, cool and composed as still water.
“Kelly,” she said evenly, “how about a little competition?”
