Chapter 398

Chapter 398:

Only Leonie and Janice sat at a distance, uninterested in joining the crowd. Wendy noticed but didn’t mind. She knew that the truly influential were tougher to sway. For now, she focused on making connections with the smaller players, hoping they’d lead her to the more powerful ones.

A white grand piano was wheeled out, its luxurious sheen catching the light.

Stephen sat down, and for a moment, it seemed like a scene pulled straight from a painting.

“This actor is really quite handsome,” Sierra murmured, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at Stephen. “Especially when he sits like that—it’s like he’s a prince. He’s absolutely perfect.”

Nina sighed, mirroring the sentiment. “I usually don’t care for pretty boys or charming types, but Stephen is truly different.”

While the two women openly admired Stephen, Janice remained composed, her expression neutral. She picked up her glass, sipped, and glanced back at him.

The first note rang out, clear and bright.

Janice instinctively began counting the rhythm in her head. As soon as she hit the second beat, the next note flowed seamlessly. What followed was a smooth cascade of notes, like a stream flowing effortlessly.

The timing of each note was perfectly aligned with the rhythm in her mind. It felt as though she and Stephen were performing an invisible duet.

Stephen’s grasp of Redemption—its nuances, its emotional depth—far exceeded her expectations.

Fascinating.

This wasn’t just raw talent; he must have dedicated years to mastering the piano.

And yet, he was also an actor. The blend of his acting career and extraordinary musical ability was nothing short of remarkable. This wasn’t just talent; it was the signature of a true genius.

As the final note drifted into silence, Stephen exhaled deeply, stood, and bowed gracefully to the audience. The ladies erupted into applause, showering Stephen with praise, their admiration evident.

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“Stephen, are you absolutely certain you’re not a piano prodigy?”

“Your rendition of ‘Redemption’ was so striking, I almost mistook it for RAIN herself. Truly incredible.”

“Exactly! I’ve heard RAIN play many times, and your performance was so close. If I had my eyes closed, I’d swear it was RAIN herself!”

Stephen received the ladies’ praise with a composed demeanor, his responses humble and graceful.

“RAIN is my idol, the standard I aspire to. To hear such praise from you is an honor, but I’m still far from her level. Her performances are driven by a deeper purpose, while mine…”

“But yours, on the other hand, carries an undeniable vulnerability.”

In that moment, Janice rose unexpectedly, continuing from where Stephen had left off.

Stephen glanced at Janice in surprise, his eyes betraying a hint of something hard to read.

“What do you mean by vulnerability? If you don’t understand, it’s better to stay quiet!” a lady scowled, casting Janice a look of disdain.

Though Janice was linked to Nina, this lady was unfamiliar with her background and showed little respect.

She didn’t think her rudeness would upset Nina, especially since she had no interest in winning Nina’s favor, given the lack of opportunity.

Janice dismissed the lady’s disdain, her focus solely on Stephen.

“From your performance, I sensed your emotions. On the surface, it seemed composed, but underneath, there was a sense of helplessness and sadness. Playing ‘Redemption’ with such emotions feels out of place, as it turns the piece’s passion into vulnerability.”

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