Chapter 64
Chapter 64:
After a simple meeting at the school, where he became acquainted with the campus and its operations under Ivan’s guidance, Ashton noticed how quickly the day had passed. By evening, once Ivan had wrapped up his duties, Ashton accompanied him home.
Despite Ivan’s status as a nationally celebrated music maestro, he led a modest lifestyle; his home was a simple private residence. However, the moment Ashton entered, he was enveloped by a profound musical ambiance. The house was filled with pianos, violins, guitars, saxophones, and an array of other instruments, along with scattered sheets of music.
That evening, Ivan’s wife, Stella Stewart, was also there, busy preparing dinner. When she saw them enter, she quickly approached to welcome them. Stella, a renowned music critic herself, had not met Ashton before, but Ivan’s constant praise of him had piqued her curiosity. She had often heard Ivan speculate during music competitions that Ashton would dominate if he were to participate, sweeping all the awards.
As she looked Ashton over, Stella’s face lit up with a smile. “You must be Ashton. Ivan always talks about you. You indeed look very talented!” she exclaimed.
A bit embarrassed by the attention, Ashton modestly scratched his head and replied, “You’re too kind, Mrs. Stewart.”
Noticing that Stella was in the midst of dinner preparations, Ashton didn’t hesitate to start setting the table. His polite and considerate actions only endeared him further to Stella.
She recalled Ivan mentioning that he intended to test his student during his visit. Driven by curiosity, Stella inquired, “Ivan, when do you plan to test Ashton? I’d love to be there as well.”
Ivan chuckled deeply and playfully warned, “Ashton, beware. My wife is keeping an eye on you. Don’t hold back later; her critiques can be sharper than mine!”
Ashton, who was arranging the tableware, turned and offered a warm smile to the couple. It had been quite some time since he had felt such a warm, familial vibe.
Ashton looked around and remarked, “Since you’re showing interest, Mrs. Stewart, allow me to demonstrate something small.”
He picked up a spoon from the table. Ivan and Stella observed with interest.
Ashton gently tapped the spoon against the tableware, as if to test the sound. Then, wearing a mischievous grin, he began to play the utensils like musical instruments, creating a lively and amusing melody.
Ivan was taken aback by this impromptu performance and burst into hearty laughter. Stella, impressed, turned to Ivan and teased, “Ivan, is Ashton really just your student? His quick wit and adaptability seem to surpass yours. It’s no surprise you speak so highly of him!”
Ivan took no offense and simply joined in the laughter. After all, Ashton was the first to receive such high praise from Stella.
Once dinner concluded, Ashton’s jovial manner was replaced by a more serious demeanor as he prepared to perform for the elderly couple. Stella noticed that once he was seated at the piano, a transformation took over him—his presence became both graceful and dignified, yet carried an undertone of melancholy and isolation.
As the notes of “Marriage of Love” faded away, Ivan and Stella looked at each other, rendered speechless by the performance. Though the piece was relatively straightforward, the depth of emotion in Ashton’s rendition was unmistakable.
Stella, unable to restrain herself, admitted, “I was ready to critique you to keep you grounded, but your performance is flawless.”
Ivan concurred, “It’s been two years since I last saw you perform. I feared you might have lost your edge, and I was prepared to admonish you. Yet, not only have you retained your skills, you’ve infused them with even greater emotion and soul. You are undoubtedly my most accomplished student. It seems you might even outshine me soon.”
Ashton’s smile hid a sigh of relief.
Performing alone in front of a music maestro and a discerning critic was a formidable challenge.
During his two-day stay at Ivan’s, Ashton had been sharing musical insights. Meanwhile, an unsettling rumor began to spread on the school forum.
A female student had accused the new instructor, Ashton, of extortion and an attempted assault.
Over the last couple of days, Ashton had become a hot topic at the school. Now, this accusation ignited a firestorm of controversy at Inewood University, creating quite a stir.
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