Chapter 78 He doesn't compare to those ‘nobodies
Seeing João Pedro—the man everyone believed was destined for the loneliness of power—entering his own family event with a date, and one wearing pants to a gala banquet at that, was a seismic shock.
On the second floor, Daniel Lutz watched the scene.
The temperature in his gaze plummeted. He had just labeled his daughter “useless” to investors, and now she was walking in on the arms of the most coveted man of the night. Nísia, beside him, felt her face burn with surprise and envy. Pietra Laser, for her part, closed her fan tightly, her face contorted in displeasure.
“Dandara...” Pietra hissed. “Didn't you say your brother hated women coming near him? Who is this girl to break a lifetime of protocol?”
Upstairs, Dandara Arbex watched the scene with feigned disdain. “My grandfather feels sorry for Katherine,” she murmured to her circle of friends. “He practically forced João to take care of her out of charity.”
Nísia's eyes, previously dull with envy, sparkled with the new narrative. Pietra Laser's relief was visible, but her expression remained icy. “Grandpa is too kind for his own good,” Pietra concluded.
The explanation that Katherine was just a “mission of mercy” spread through the hall like wildfire, calming the spirits of the heiresses who felt threatened. Downstairs, Katherine scanned the room, ignoring the whispers. She was looking for someone, but that person was not yet in sight.
As they approached the Patriarch to deliver the gifts, the old master received them with a radiant smile. “Seeing you two together is the best gift,” he said, in a tone that made Katherine frown. Strange, she thought, sensing an implication that went beyond a simple reception.
Anastasia, beaming, pointed to the places of honor. “Sit with us. Let's watch the performances as a family, in an organized and united manner.”
Katherine smiled faintly, feeling the weight of that forced “unity.” The official banquet began, and the stage was occupied by professional artists and heirs eager for approval.
Nísia performed a piano piece; although her technique was only average, the Lutz name guaranteed enthusiastic applause.
It was then that Sophia, Dandara's mother, saw her chance. She leaned toward the Patriarch, but loud enough to be heard by the neighboring tables. “All these children have worked hard, but the dances and songs are always the same, don't you think?” She shot a sharp glance at Katherine. “Kath, since Grandpa likes you so much, what kind of special performance have you prepared to honor him today?”
The Patriarch lit up. “Oh? Has Kath prepared something too?” His gaze was pure enthusiasm.
João Pedro sensed the trap. He opened his mouth to intervene and protect Katherine from the public ambush, but the girl beside him was quicker. She stepped forward, maintaining a calm that bordered on insolence.
“What would Grandpa like to see?” she asked, directly addressing the elderly man.
Sophia let out a sarcastic chuckle. “What do you mean by that, young lady? Are you suggesting that you have enough talent to fulfill any wish Grandpa has?”
Katherine did not deign to respond to her aunt. She just held Patriarch Arbex's gaze, waiting, as if the whole world were her stage and his request a mere formality.
The Patriarch's eyes sparkled, and when he met João Pedro's gaze, he let out a satisfied laugh. “This girl has already given me a wonderful gift today,” declared the old man. “Now it's time to enjoy the banquet. Let's not keep her busy with performances. Eat!”
The tension in João Pedro's shoulders dissipated instantly. He looked away from his grandfather and, with a proactive and protective gesture, served a delicate portion of food onto Katherine's plate. “Listen to Grandpa,” he murmured, his voice laden with a rare softness.
Sophia, however, was not willing to let the matter drop. Her father-in-law's favoritism bothered her deeply. “Dad, what special gift did Katherine give you?”
The old man smiled from ear to ear. “She knew of my passion for classical calligraphy. She gave me a genuine work by a veteran calligrapher. An extremely thoughtful gesture.”
“A veteran calligrapher?” Sophia thought with disdain. Her father-in-law hadn't even mentioned the author's name, and coming from Katherine, she concluded that it must be some street artist or unknown amateur. Sophia exchanged a knowing glance with Rosana Oliveira and asked mockingly, "And what would be the name of this calligrapher? How does he compare to masters such as Primordial or Justin Ferrari?
The Patriarch just looked at his plate and chuckled discreetly, with no intention of satisfying his daughter-in-law's malicious curiosity.
“He doesn't compare to those ‘nobodies’,” Katherine fired back with icy lightness.
The comment fell like a bomb. Sophia was stunned, and the other elderly people around them exchanged muffled laughter and pitying glances. “Katherine, you clearly don't understand anything about this world,” Sophia retorted. "Romelo is the president of the National Calligraphy Association. He'll be here soon. Thanks to Grandpa's prestige, you'll have the honor of seeing him write in person. Then you'll know who the real “nobodies” are.“
Dandara Arbex raised her eyebrows, unable to remain silent. ”Primordial is even higher. But... anyway, you wouldn't understand even if I tried to explain. In a little while, Cauan Laser will bring him on stage for a special presentation. Watch carefully, Katherine." Next time, avoid distributing insignificant works thinking you're impressing someone.“ Dandara sighed, feigning desolate patience.
João Pedro frowned, the aura around him becoming dangerous, but the Patriarch intervened before his grandson lost his temper. ”All right, all right. Let's just enjoy what's coming next."
The stage was then set for the grand entrance of Cauan Laser and his guest of honor. Dandara leaned toward her grandfather with a victorious smile: “Grandpa, to honor you, young Cauan spent months under the tutelage of Mr. Primordial. He was very dedicated to ensuring that you would have the best today, don't you think?”
The old master nodded with a courteous smile. However, deep in his gaze, there was a shadow of doubt, as if he were watching a rehearsal of a play whose ending he already knew.