Chapter 289
Chapter 289:
Austin, seated next to Yelena, blinked in confusion. He turned to her, his voice low but urgent. “Yelena… are you really going to perform on stage p>
“Yes,” Yelena replied, her tone even and composed. “Miss Mitchell extended such a thoughtful invitation. It would be rude of me to decline p>
“You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to,” Austin pressed, concern flickering in his eyes.
After all, Monica was a professional—this was her element.
Austin couldn’t help but feel a twinge of concern.
He worried that Yelena might be stepping into something beyond her abilities and feared the humiliation she could face.
Yelena chuckled lightly, her tone casual yet playful. “Oh, it’s nothing,” she said, brushing it off. “It’s been ages since I picked up a violin. Let’s see if I’ve still got it p>
Austin raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. “You used to play the violin p>
With a small nod, Yelena replied modestly, “I did for a while. Just a little hobby. But that was a long time ago p>
Yelena had always been a person of endless curiosity, diving into new interests with enthusiasm and a natural aptitude that often left others astonished.
The violin had been one of those fleeting fascinations—something she’d mastered effortlessly before stepping away from the limelight.
Austin, knowing Yelena’s habit of downplaying her talents, immediately sensed there was more to the story. When she said she had “dabbled,” it likely meant she had excelled.
A flicker of anticipation sparked within him as he began to genuinely look forward to what was coming. “Alright then,” Austin said, his lips curling into an encouraging smile. “I’m all ears p>
Yelena glanced at him, her usual composure tinged with the faintest trace of shyness.
Every story starts at gαℓησν𝒆𝓁s․com
The weight of the room’s collective attention settled on her, every pair of eyes expectantly following her movements.
With steady resolve, she prepared to step into the spotlight once more, ready to meet the moment head-on.
Monica’s gaze darkened as she caught sight of Austin speaking with Yelena. Fury bubbled beneath her polished exterior.
How dare Yelena flirt with Austin in front of everyone? Just shameless.
Determined to see Yelena humiliated, Monica smirked to herself.
Tonight, Yelena would learn a lesson she wouldn’t forget.
As Yelena stepped onto the stage, Monica intercepted her, handing over a different violin.
Her own custom-made masterpiece—the one she had performed with earlier—was far too precious to lend.
Instead, Monica gave her an ordinary violin with lackluster sound quality—one that couldn’t possibly match the performance standard of the evening. It wouldn’t have made any difference, as Yelena wasn’t a professional anyway.
“Thank you, Yelena, for gracing us with your performance,” Monica said, her voice sweet but laced with hidden venom. She turned to the audience, adding with a smile, “Everyone, let’s just enjoy this special treat.” With that, Monica exited the stage, her smirk deepening as she found a prime spot to watch the impending disaster.
Did Yelena think this was some casual game?
The room was filled with influential guests—business tycoons, artists, and society’s elite.
If Yelena’s performance faltered, the ridicule would be merciless.
But Yelena’s expression remained calm, her demeanor unshaken. She carefully adjusted the violin’s strings, her movements precise and confident.
As she lifted the instrument to her shoulder, her slender fingers plucked the strings lightly, and an enchanting melody began to weave through the air.
The sound was pure and captivating, defying the limitations of the ordinary violin in her hands. The music flowed like a tranquil brook, each note drawing the audience deeper into her performance. Each note Yelena played danced through the air like a sprite, casting an enchanting spell over the audience. Her melody was light, elegant, and utterly captivating, leaving everyone in awe.
Austin leaned back in his seat, a soft smile tugging at his lips.
He wasn’t entirely surprised—he had expected something extraordinary from Yelena. But even so, her performance was breathtaking, far surpassing anything else he’d heard that evening.
The audience, however, was caught entirely off guard. Murmurs rippled through the crowd, their astonishment palpable. Whispers of admiration quickly turned into a quiet buzz.
Was this the real showstopper of the evening?
Applause erupted, thunderous and unwavering, as Yelena finished her piece and bowed gracefully.
“Did you hear that? She’s remarkable, far beyond what I expected p>
“Honestly, I think her performance was better than Monica’s. She’s no ordinary guest p>