Chapter 17: Carrying the Insult to the End
My eyes flashed, and I curled my lips slightly with a half-smile. "Maybe Ms. Davis is just easier to boss around. After all, she often replaces me to accompany Tyler to banquets—that's supposed to be the secretary's job. Ms. Davis has really been working hard."
Instantly, Ava's pupils contracted involuntarily, a sinister look flashing in her eyes.
Kaida chimed in, "Ms. Brown, this is my birthday party."
I knew she was asserting her authority. I didn't want to stay anyway, so I said, "Then I'll leave now. You all have fun."
But Ava had no intention of letting me go. She quickly stepped forward and grabbed my arm. "Sophia, I'm performing my new piece on the cello at Kaida's party tonight. Stay and listen. Most of the people here tonight work in music—you could learn something. Tyler loves listening to the cello."
There was an obvious mocking look in Ava's eyes.
I knew she wanted to humiliate me.
Perhaps because of Ava's prominent status, quite a few people were already looking our way, and some were even whispering among themselves.
Looks like we'd become the center of attention again.
But since Ava had her little scheme, I'd play along.
So I smiled and said, "Sure, I'll stay and watch."
As if she hadn't expected me to be so calm, Ava's eyes showed a hint of surprise, but she still smiled.
While Kaida and Ava went backstage to prepare, Ivy looked apologetic. "I'm sorry, Sophia. I wanted to bring you here to relax. I didn't know Ava would come, and I had no idea they were good friends."
I reassured her, "It's fine, just a coincidence."
"I'd heard Kaida mention she had a cellist friend before, but I didn't think it was Ava. Looking back, I should have thought it through better." Ivy felt guilty, thinking she'd caused me trouble.
I acted like it didn't matter. "Really, it's nothing. Don't take it to heart."
"I think Ava wants to make things difficult for you."
"I know, but we'll see who ends up making things difficult for whom."
Hearing this, Ivy looked puzzled. "Why?"
"Just watch."
Soon, the party officially began. Kaida studied piano, so the opening piece was her piano solo, and her friends in the audience were very supportive.
Besides that, many friends brought various instruments for solo performances. I thought if this were my friend's party, I would have had a great time.
Too bad Ava was stirring up trouble.
All the solo performances were done after an hour, and Ava's cello performance was the grand finale.
Perhaps because of her status, her appearance drew cheers from the whole room.
Her fingers lightly plucked the strings, and waves of music floated out. The wonderful melody echoed in the air. Her technique was indeed good—she played the piece very smoothly.
When the piece ended, Ava gave birthday wishes to Kaida, but at the very end, she unexpectedly invited me on stage.
"Sophia, everyone has performed. Why don't you perform something too? I don't know what you can do, but singing a song would be fine."
My expression remained calm. I just raised my eyes slightly to look at Ava on stage.
The looks people around me gave were all contemptuous and dismissive, as if I were someone who couldn't do anything in their eyes.
"Is this Sophia the Sophia I'm thinking of?"
"I think so, looks like the one I've seen before."
"What can a housewife do? Why is she even at a party for musicians?"
"..."
Ivy frowned. "Who says everyone at a birthday party has to perform? Sophia, don't worry about it. Don't go up there. I'll talk to Kaida later."
I shook my head. "It's fine, I'll perform on stage."
"Sophia, don't go up. Ava is deliberately targeting you. Don't fall for her trap."
I remained composed. "It's fine. Just watch from below."
With that, I lifted my dress and slowly walked onto the stage under everyone's doubtful gazes.
When I reached Ava's side, I took the microphone. "Today I came to the party with a friend. I didn't know in advance that I needed to prepare a performance, but since I'm here, I should perform. Before I do, let me say a few words of blessing—happy birthday, Kaida."
After I spoke, the expressions of people below were like a gallery of paintings, very rich indeed.
Kaida looked a bit embarrassed. She bowed slightly to me in thanks. "Thank you for your blessing, Ms. Brown."
Ava's face had already changed a bit. She took the microphone from my hand with a smile. "Thank you, Sophia, for your thoughtful blessing to Kaida."
But since she was the one who invited me on stage, I was definitely going to humiliate her badly.
Ava took Kaida's microphone and smiled. "So what are you going to perform, Sophia? I know you don't play any instruments, but singing a song would be good."
I curved my lips. "Who says I can't? Your cello happens to be here. I'll play a piece too."
As soon as I spoke, the whole room erupted in discussion. Everyone seemed very surprised, and Ava smiled without warmth. "Sophia, the cello isn't easy to learn. You can't just play randomly."
"Whether I'm playing randomly or not, we'll know soon enough, won't we? Is Ms. Davis reluctant to lend me the cello?"
Ava's smile held a hint of smugness. "Of course not. Use it as you like."
"Good."
I put down the microphone and walked to the cello, sitting down. I reached out and touched the strings. The strings produced a burst of bright high notes, like a flock of startled birds taking flight. With the faint low hum as accompaniment, I skillfully played one of the world's most difficult pieces. The music was sometimes bright and clear, sometimes like brushing through soft green water plants.
The people below were stunned, and Ava's face was full of shock and disbelief.
Gradually, the music suddenly became rapid like thunder and rain, then like gossamer threads.
The whole room was very quiet, with only the cello resonating.
A few minutes later, my performance ended. I stood up and smiled slightly at the people below, then looked at Ava with a half-smile.