Chapter 173
Carter suddenly came to a realization-he had never actually done anything for Sharon.
Seeing the irony in her eyes, his own gaze wavered for a moment.
His voice was low, heavy with emotion. “You’ve got it wrong. I just want to help you.”
Sharon’s reply was cool and sharp. “Don’t try to pass off helping Kelly as some noble gesture. If you really wanted to help me, you wouldn’t have stood by while they dragged my name through the mud. And you definitely wouldn’t be here, asking me to back out of the performance.”
Carter looked at her intently. “Sharon, don’t be impulsive. Kelly’s really talented. You’re not going to win this bet. The only way to avoid losing is not to perform. Do you really want Theo to see you fall flat on your face?”
He paused, then added, “As for the necklace-if you’re willing to lend Kelly your violin, she’ll return it. Once her concert is over, Shaluna will be back in your hands. If you agree, I’ll take care of everything. Don’t worry-Kelly won’t make things hard on you.
Sharon gave a slow, deliberate clap. “Wow, Carter. The first time you’ve ever come close to caring about my feelings. I’m touched. Really.”
But there was not a trace of gratitude in her expression-only biting sarcasm.
Carter’s brows furrowed.
Then Sharon seemed to remember something. “Oh, and about that violin-if I don’t agree to lend it, you’re not planning to return my mother’s necklace, are you? And all that help you just promised? That’s gone too, I assume?”
Carter’s eyes darkened, unreadable. “I think you know what the smart choice is.”
“I’m done here,” Sharon said flatly, her tone laced with irritation. “Move. I’ve got a performance to get to.”
With that, she took Matty’s hand and stepped around him.
Carter hadn’t expected her to be so unyielding. “Sharon, do you have to be this stubborn?”
She paused briefly, then turned and met his eyes head-on.
“If you really want to help me, then have Kelly drop out. Her quitting the performance would have the same effect as me stepping down.” 1
She drew a breath.
“Why is it always me who has to back off? As long as everyone else is happy, it doesn’t matter if I’m the one who takes the hit, lowers my head, or swallows the pain? Is that what you think?”
Carter was stunned. 1
By the time he found his voice again, Sharon was already gone.
Backstage, the curtain loomed just ahead. Kelly was stepping onto the stage to perform.
Matty looked up at Sharon. Her face was tight, unreadable.
“Sharon… are we going to lose?”
He had been watching everything-the tension between her, Kelly, and Nate. Even when others doubted her, he never said a word. Because deep down, he believed in her.
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Chapter 173
He believed Sharon would win. That she’d prove them all wrong.
But now, as the moment closed in, he couldn’t shake a creeping sense of unease.
Sharon looked down at him. Her eyes were filled with an unshakable certainty.
“Don’t worry, Matty. We’re going to win.”
The tension in Matty’s body eased.
As they spoke, the stage lights suddenly dimmed.
Kelly and Theo’s performance was about to begin.
Minutes passed, then the lights brightened once more.
Kelly stood alone under the spotlight. She looked stunning-delicate features, elegant presence. The white dress she wore added to her cold, dignified aura, making her seem untouched by the messiness of the real world.
Beneath the spotlight, her flawlessly made-up face looked distant, almost unearthly.
Then the music began.
It flowed gently, soft and comforting, like a stream washing over the soul. It was clear, lyrical, and deeply moving.
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