Everyone thought Iyana would make things difficult for Marilyn, but unexpectedly, she walked over gracefully and said loudly to Callie, “I heard Mrs. Oconnor is here today to congratulate the newlyweds. I also heard Mrs. Oconnor is a level ten piano scholar, whom I have always admired. I wonder if I could take this opportunity to learn from you?”
Callie was stunned.
Regan was also surprised.
Everyone knew this was not a request for advice but a clear provocation.
All eyes were on the dignified Callie.
Not far away, Jaquan, who was toasting, wanted to step forward but was subtly held back by Marilyn.
Callie’s first reaction was to look for Nelson. He was on the other side of the room, dressed in formal attire, with moonlight like thin frost falling on his noble face. He raised his glass towards her, seemingly not intending to help her out of this situation.
He wanted to see how well she could handle it on her own.
Callie met Iyana’s gaze again and smiled lightly. “It would be my honor to compete with Miss Hart, but today is the wedding of the newlyweds. We shouldn’t overshadow them.”
Her words were wise.
The banquet fell silent, with the sweet scent of wine in the air.
Iyana sneered in a voice only those nearby could hear, “Are you afraid? As Mrs. Oconnor, you can’t even play the piano? Does Nelson know this?”
Regan’s face changed at these words. “How can you speak like that!”
Callie’s expression finally changed slightly. She could endure humiliation herself but would not let Nelson be implicated.
She exchanged a tense look with Iyana and clenched her hand slightly, then said to Regan, “I’ll compete with her.”
At this moment, Marilyn suddenly spoke loudly, “I would love to hear it too, so don’t mind us. Everyone, enjoy yourselves!”
Callie remained expressionless. “Then, Miss Hart, please go first.”
Iyana was pleased and walked back to the piano, though she suddenly felt suspicious. She had suggested the piano competition to embarrass Callie-could Callie actually play?
Regan was worried. “Can you really do it?”
Callie gave her a reassuring look.
Iyana began to play. The piece was “The Streets Where Wind Resides.”
She had learned piano when she first debuted, forced by her agency to undergo intensive training in various skills, so she hadn’t forgotten it entirely. However, she was somewhat rusty.
Iyana’s posture was excellent, and the piano music flowed from her fingertips, enchanting the audience.
She finished playing to much applause, half of which was for her innate confidence and beauty.
She bowed slightly to Callie. “Please advise me.”
Though not perfect, it was more than enough to defeat Callie. Iyana thought so as she stood by the piano, eager to see Callie’s embarrassment up close and declare her victory.
Callie sat down; it had been a long time since she had touched a piano.
But as she touched the black and white keys, memories seemed to return.
She pressed a few notes lightly; the sound was disjointed and unpleasant. There were boos from the crowd. “If you can’t do it, don’t force yourself. It’s embarrassing…”
“Ha, just as expected.”
But suddenly, Callie’s speed increased, and she played the piece smoothly and fluently. Her arms moved gracefully like a swan dancing.
This piece was Rachmaninoff!
One of the world’s top ten famous piano pieces! It was well-known that this piece was extremely difficult and not attempted by most pianists.