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Chapter 260
Warner’s expression shifted slightly, surprise flickering across his face.
“Middle school education?” he repeated. “But from what I’ve seen, she has at least fifteen years of violin training. Mr. Biggs, are you sure about her educational background?”
If Sharon had started learning violin at five, then fifteen years of foundation meant she was still playing at twenty.
Talent in music mattered, yes. But without effort, without formal training and deep study, raw talent could only go so far.
No one could reach that level through self-study alone.
And her playing–so richly textured, so full of nuance-clearly didn’t come from isolation. That kind of sound didn’t grow in the dark. It required exposure, mentorship, influence. Even someone like him couldn’t have taught her that in solitude.
Whoever the woman was in that video, she had received advanced training. No doubt.
Beside him, Kelly’s heart stirred with something sharp-resentment, maybe. No matter where the conversation started, it always seemed to circle back to Sharon.
She forced a smile and said, “It’s absolutely true. Carter is her husband-he wouldn’t lie about something like that.”
Warner’s gaze didn’t waver. “Perhaps,” he said mildly, “Mr. Biggs doesn’t know his wife as well as he thinks he does?” 1
A subtle discomfort stirred in Carter’s chest.
He had always believed he knew Sharon. But lately… he wasn’t so sure. Her recent behavior, her hidden talents-it was as if he were discovering her all over again.
He hadn’t even known she could play the violin.
Warner’s voice drew him back to the moment.
“I understand,” the older man said, “that families like yours don’t usually approve of their wives being in the public eye. If she doesn’t want to perform, that’s fine. But if she has the time, I’d like her to join a music symposium or two. That would be enough.”
Shock surged through Kelly.
She knew what that meant.
Warner always issued an invitation before taking on a student. Then came a long period of observation and evaluation. His standards for selecting students were notoriously strict-some called them extreme.
Over the years, he’d handed out hundreds, maybe thousands, of invitations.
But the number of students he’d actually accepted?
Fifteen. Maybe sixteen.
Even if he had taken an interest in Sharon’s performance, Kelly had never imagined he would suggest something so close to direct acceptance.
Why?
Why her?
A woman who hadn’t touched a violin in five years-why should Sharon be favored so?
Swallowing the bitterness that rose in her throat, Kelly kept her smile in place. “It’s not that Carter won’t let her go,” she said
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lightly. “It’s just… she really doesn’t have the time. She’s busy with her son.
“To be honest, she did used to work in the field, something violin-related. But after getting married and having a baby, she quit her job and became a full-time housewife.
“Carter has tried convincing her, many times. But she doesn’t want to go back to work. And it’s not like he can’t support her financially he can’t exactly force her, right?
“And… she hasn’t touched the violin in five years. The video you saw it was from five years ago.”
Everything she said, every careful pause and smile, seemed to suggest something else.
That Sharon had only ever picked up the violin to secure a wealthy husband.
Warner’s face darkened slightly. His brows drew together, his eyes shadowed by something close to disappointment.
“Married five years and hasn’t touched the violin once?”
A memory surfaced-one of his former students. A girl with astonishing talent for the piano, born into brutal poverty.
Warner had seen something in her. He’d taught her himself, bought her a piano, sent her to the best schools, made sure she had every opportunity to shine.
He thought she would go on to light up the music world.
But she got married almost immediately after graduating.
There was nothing wrong with a woman wanting stability, wanting a family.
What Warner couldn’t accept was that she got pregnant, had a child, and became a full-time housewife-just like that.
When he urged her to return to music, to not let her gifts go to waste, she snapped at him. Told him he was meddling. Accused him of gaslighting her.
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