Seeing Richard’s indifferent expression, Angela’s heart filled with a mixture of anger and disappointment. Her brows furrowed as she turned sharply to face him, unable to contain her frustration any longer. “Richard, are you even a man? Amelia’s being bullied, and yet you’re just standing there, silent! Why aren’t you saying anything?”Richard, however, didn’t flinch. He glanced at Angela, his expression empty and unreadable. He said nothing, his gaze cold.Vivian, who had been observing the exchange between Richard and Angela, couldn’t hide the frown that crossed her face. Her disappointment was palpable. Although Vivian had played a part in today’s confrontation, she couldn’t help but feel frustrated by Richard’s lack of action. Sandra and Morris had humiliated Amelia time and time again, yet Richard—her fiancé—stood by silently, not lifting a finger to defend her.Vivian was not a snobbish woman; she didn’t judge people by their wealth or background. She had seen firsthand how kindn

Richard took a deep breath, trying to pull himself out of the heavy weight of his memories and back into the present moment. The piano’s haunting melody still echoed faintly in his mind, but he knew he had to focus. He sighed softly, his breath carrying the quiet frustration of the moment, before standing up slowly and locking eyes with Morris.From the beginning, the outcome of this competition had been all but decided. It was clear to anyone with even a basic understanding of the piano that Richard and Morris were not on the same level. To put it simply, there was no contest. Richard was destined to win, and deep down, Morris had to have known that. It was only a matter of time before he would have to admit it.“I lost,” Morris finally muttered, his voice low and begrudging.Richard’s lips curled into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "You admit defeat?" he asked, his tone not mocking, but matter-of-fact. "Didn't you say I was trash before? Now you can't even win against me? So, c

Turning toward Richard, Sandra sneered, her lips curling into a disdainful smile. “Come with me to the third floor!” she shouted arrogantly, already heading toward the stairs without a second glance.Richard, feeling the weight of the situation but unwilling to let Sandra have the last word, sighed softly. He followed her up the stairs, his thoughts a mix of irritation and inevitability. It seemed like there was no way out of this ridiculous competition.A few minutes later, Richard, Amelia, Angela, and the others made their way to the third floor of Symphony Studio, each of them silently anticipating the upcoming showdown. Everyone had gathered, eager to watch the spectacle unfold.Once they arrived, Richard, ever the gentleman, allowed Sandra to play first. He stepped aside with a calm, collected demeanor, aware that Sandra’s performance would be nothing short of spectacular.Sandra didn’t hesitate. She strode confidently to the guitar, the instrument sitting in its familiar place, w

As Richard’s fingers gently hovered over the guitar strings, an unexpected hush filled the room. The audience, captivated by the rhythm of the guitar, had forgotten about the rivalry. They were pulled into the melody that Richard weaved with his touch. Each note resonated deeper than the last, and the atmosphere shifted.Sandra, who had been so certain of her victory, couldn't hide her shock. When she saw Richard's calm, measured approach, she felt a twinge of unease. As his melody began to flow, she could sense something stirring in the room, something that no amount of practiced technique could overcome.When the final note of Richard’s performance lingered in the air, a deep silence followed. It was a silence of reflection, of the kind of music that moved the soul. Richard gently placed the guitar down and slowly opened his eyes, his breath steady.“Who won?” Richard asked, his voice calm, almost unbothered by the tension surrounding him. His words hung in the air, defying the obvio

Richard stood at the center of the room, feeling a strange sense of clarity wash over him. Despite the growing pressure around him, he remained unfazed. Felicia's offer—an extraordinary one by anyone's standards—should have been enticing. Yet, in his mind, it was nothing more than a distraction.Angela, watching Richard's stillness, felt a rising sense of frustration. She had hoped for Richard to seize this opportunity, to show ambition and take the path that would lead him to a more comfortable and powerful life. But instead, he stood there, quietly rejecting the chance for unimaginable wealth.Amelia, too, couldn't help but glance at Richard with a mixture of confusion and hope. "All you have to do is agree, Richard," she thought. "This could change everything for us. It’s all within reach."Felicia, noticing Richard's hesitance, crossed her legs on the sofa and turned toward him. There was a flicker of curiosity in her eyes, though she masked it with a polite smile. "What do you thi