Chapter 60
Edward's expression softened a bit as he looked at Chloe.
"Really? You're that good?"
"Of course."
Chloe acted cute and massaged Edward's back. "I've been studying jewelry design all along. I worked really hard preparing for this competition, that's how I got a good ranking."
"Is that so?"
Edward gave a light snort and pursed his lips. "You used to copy Charlotte's work. You've changed now, right? You haven't borrowed from anyone else's work anymore, have you?"
Chloe's mouth twitched, feeling too embarrassed to respond.
Charlotte, listening outside, almost laughed out loud.
Edward then turned to Mandy, his eyes full of doubt.
"Mandy, you never studied jewelry design before. How did you get second place in the preliminaries this time?"
Mandy's eyes flickered with guilt, but then she flashed a bright smile.
"Dad, I've been studying hard, haven't I? I've been learning for months now. I wanted to get a good ranking to surprise you."
Edward's attitude toward her was much warmer than toward Chloe.
He patted Mandy's hand. "Alright, if you're this good, you've worked hard. What do you want? I'll give you a gift as a reward."
Mandy immediately said, "Then I want Alexander to go to the amusement park with me, okay? Can you help convince him? He hasn't had time to relax in so long. It would be good for him to go out and have fun with me."
Edward frowned. "That depends on whether he wants to, doesn't it? Hasn't he always disliked going out with you?"
Mandy stamped her foot and pleaded, "Please! I really want to go out with him. Just talk to him about it, you don't have to make him agree."
Edward, worn down by her pestering, reluctantly nodded.
"Fine, I'll mention it to him."
Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door.
"What are you all talking about?" Charlotte walked in, giving Chloe and Mandy a meaningful look.
Both felt guilty when they met her gaze and stopped talking about the design competition.
Especially Mandy, who ran over and enthusiastically grabbed Charlotte's hand.
"We were just saying, I want Alexander to go to the amusement park with me. We haven't gone out together in so long."
Seeing her showing off like that, Charlotte found it boring.
She pulled her hand back directly. "Oh, what's that got to do with me?"
Edward smiled and waved at Charlotte, like a completely different person.
He showed a childlike smile. "Come here, Charlotte. We've been waiting for you. Actually, I didn't call you here today to taste the food, but to give you something."
Charlotte was curious. "What is it?"
Edward clapped his hands mysteriously.
Several servants suddenly appeared outside, working together to carry in a white crystal-studded piano.
The piano was made entirely of crystal and extremely expensive white marble. Above each key was a diamond shaped like a musical note.
Under the chandelier, the piano reflected beautiful light.
Seeing such a stunning piano, both Chloe and Mandy were shocked.
"This... this piano uses such expensive materials. It must be worth a lot of money, right?"
Edward gave a light snort and said proudly, "Of course. I spent fifty million to have a famous piano designer make it, just to give to Charlotte."
Charlotte was a bit surprised. "Why did you think of giving this to me?"
"I wanted to hear you play piano again, so I specially had this piano made for you. Have someone move it to your mansion later. Whenever you feel like playing, just call me over to listen, okay?"
Edward looked at Charlotte with anticipation, like he was looking at a young idol he greatly admired.
As long as he could hear Charlotte play again, spending fifty million meant nothing to him.
Charlotte walked over, her fingertips gliding across the keys, producing a light, flowing musical sound.
She nodded. "Not bad, the piano is really well made."
"Then you'll accept it, won't you?"
Edward insisted she take it.
Charlotte couldn't refuse his kindness and nodded.
"Alright, thank you."
Chloe and Mandy beside them were stunned, their faces turning extremely ugly.
A piano worth fifty million!
Mandy especially was angry.
She had been raised by Edward's side since childhood. Every birthday Edward gave her gifts, but no matter how expensive, they couldn't compare to this piano and the thoughtfulness of having it specially made!
Why? Just to have Charlotte play one more piece? Was it worth such a huge investment?
Mandy felt indignant and secretly determined to learn piano too.
"Why is everyone here?"
Alexander's voice suddenly rang out from the doorway.
Everyone looked outside in surprise.
Seeing Alexander walk in, Mandy's eyes lit up, and she quickly pleaded with Edward using her eyes.
Edward caught her gaze and spoke without much interest.
"Mandy just said she hasn't been out with you in a long time. She wants you to take time tomorrow to go to the amusement park with her, or any day soon."
Mandy's eyes held undisguised affection as she looked at Alexander.
Alexander glanced at her indifferently. "I'm not free. Tomorrow I've already agreed to go out with Charlotte."
Charlotte was confused and turned to look at Alexander questioningly.
When had she agreed to go out with Alexander?
But Alexander spoke naturally, showing no sign of lying.
Mandy felt hurt, bit her lip, and asked softly, "Can't you go to the amusement park with me? Even if you're going somewhere else with Ms. Johnson, you could still make time for me."
"I don't have time at other times."
Alexander said, "I only have one day, and I'm spending it with Charlotte. We agreed tomorrow we're also going to the amusement park."
"Then let's go together!" Mandy panicked. "I'll come along too, okay?"
Her eyes brimmed with tears. "My parents died in a car accident on my birthday when they took me to the amusement park. Please, take me to the amusement park."
Charlotte frowned.
Logically speaking, if such a tragedy happened, wouldn't someone be especially afraid of going to the amusement park? Wouldn't that place become a psychological trauma that could never be mentioned again?
Why would she insist on going to the very place where the tragedy occurred?
Edward felt uncomfortable hearing this too.
This old friend's child had been taken into their home because her parents died.
He could only clear his throat and remind Alexander.
Alexander showed no expression and forcibly suppressed his refusal, saying coolly, "Fine, you can come along tomorrow."
Mandy quickly wiped her tears. "Thank you." Then she gave Charlotte a challenging look.
Charlotte ignored her. After having the servants move the piano away, she didn't stay for dinner and went home.
The next day, a car was already parked at the gate just as she stepped outside.
Alexander rolled down the window and smiled at her. "Get in, I'm taking you to the amusement park."