Chapter 100: Sandra ended up humiliating herself

Chapter 100: Sandra ended up humiliating herself As expected. This Miss Porter was deliberately buttering up Mrs. Camilla, setting her up for a public humiliation in front of so many people. Aria understood immediately, pressing her crimson lips together in silence. The waters of high society ran even deeper than the entertainment industry—perhaps deeper still. Grandpa Luther knew all too well the hardships his granddaughter-in-law had endured in the past. When would she have had time to learn such refined instruments? And now this Sandra girl dared to embarrass Camilla at his birthday banquet? "The mistress of the Luther Family..." doesn’t need to bother with such trivial skills. Just as the old man began to speak, he caught his granddaughter-in-law’s reassuring glance. His words took an abrupt turn mid-sentence. "...should be accomplished in many arts." With that, Camilla was well and truly put on the spot. A glint of triumph flashed in Sandra’s eyes. Yet Camilla remained where she stood, head slightly bowed, unmoving. Among the guests below the stage, whispers began to ripple through the crowd as some picked up on the tension. "Judging by appearances, it’s highly likely that Madam Luther isn’t proficient in any musical instruments." "Still targeting Madam Luther—seems she hasn’t given up on that position yet." "Sandra’s scheming, two-faced act is as consistent as ever." ... Foolish! Even if she wanted to compete with this woman, she should at least pick the right occasion! Grandpa Porter stood sternly on the second-floor corridor, his expression dark as he fixed Sandra with a heavy, warning glare. Yet Sandra was too busy staring in Camilla’s direction to notice her grandfather’s silent reprimand. "What’s the matter?" she asked, suppressing the smugness in her eyes and feigning innocence. "Miss Rodriguez, are you afraid my meager skills aren’t worthy of a duet with you? Or..." Her gaze flickered briefly toward Grandpa Luther. "...are you unwilling to offer this birthday gift to Grandfather Luther?" Her words were cunningly calculated, leaving Camilla with no escape. Unless Camilla openly admitted she knew nothing about music, there seemed to be no way out. Ramsey suddenly emerged from the crowd, nodding briefly at Sinclair and Camilla. "A married woman should follow her husband’s name," Camilla said slowly, raising her head with a faint smile curling her lips as she addressed Sandra. "So it’s more appropriate for you to call me Mrs. Luther." "As for the duet," she continued, setting her wine glass aside and stepping gracefully toward Sandra, "I was merely considering which instrument to choose—after all, I excel at so many." Her figure swayed elegantly under the spotlight, every movement accentuating her poise. Could this little wretch actually play an instrument? * Sandra’s smile faltered for a split second as she watched Camilla approach, but she quickly regained her composure. So what if she can?* In the end, it would only highlight Sandra’s own superiority. As the saying goes: *Without comparison, there’s no humiliation.* Standing bathed in the light, Camilla looked flawless—even her hair seemed to shimmer. Meanwhile, Sandra, who had once appeared radiant, now paled in contrast, her brilliance dimmed in an instant. All eyes were inevitably drawn in that direction. Camilla took a violin from the musician, her slender fingers gripping the bow with practiced ease. She tested the strings with a few simple notes, and the crowd couldn’t help but murmur in surprise. The violin was widely regarded as one of the three most challenging classical instruments—mastery demanded not just relentless practice, but innate talent. Sandra watched her with cold detachment. *What a show-off.* "Miss Sandra," Camilla called out, her voice light as she finished tuning. The glow of the chandeliers caught in her eyes, making them sparkle like scattered starlight. "Though *Moonlight Sonata* is a timeless classic, it’s also a bit... overdone, don’t you think? How about we pick something else for our duet?" *So many words just to say you can’t handle it,* Sandra thought, disdain flickering behind her composed smile. "Whatever you prefer," she replied smoothly, the effortless confidence in her tone leaving no doubt—she was ready for anything. "Then let’s do the 24 Caprices," Camilla narrowed her beautiful eyes slightly, a knowing glint flashing through them. "Miss Sandra may begin with any movement she chooses—I’ll follow along seamlessly." If Sandra wanted to flaunt her virtuosity, she’d gladly oblige. The 24 Caprices—known as the litmus test for any true musician?! Sandra’s fingers froze above the piano keys, her face draining of color as she stared at Camilla in stunned disbelief. "Twenty-Four Caprices?!" Many of the noble ladies and young misses present had some knowledge of music. "That’s a difficult masterpiece—considered one of the most challenging pieces to perform." "Only accomplished musicians can play it in its entirety." "Madam Luther actually chose this piece?!" The crowd couldn’t hide their astonishment as they stared at Camilla. The noisy banquet hall fell silent in an instant. Everyone began anticipating what would happen next. Grandpa Porter’s expression turned stern. At this point, it was too late for him to intervene. He could only hope Sandra would outshine Camilla in musical skill. Otherwise, everything she had done today would amount to nothing but self-inflicted humiliation. "What’s the matter?" Camilla arched an eyebrow, her delicate face feigning surprise. "Miss Porter, surely you’re not finding this difficult, are you?" That familiar expression, that familiar tone. Clearly, Camilla was adopting the classic tactics—using a manipulative girl’s own tricks against her. "Of course not," Sandra’s eyes flickered with unease, though she maintained an air of nonchalance as she denied it. "I’m just concerned you might struggle to keep up and end up dampening Grandpa Luther and everyone else’s mood." "No need to worry," Grandpa Luther set down his teacup with a chuckle. "As long as the sentiment is sincere, this old man is happy." With that single remark, he effectively silenced Sandra. Observing the exchange, grandpa Porter’s gaze darkened further. "Now that Miss Sandra has no more reservations," Camilla rested the violin against her collarbone, her slender, porcelain fingers lifting the bow as she flashed Sandra a faint, knowing smile. "Shall we begin?" Her breathtaking confidence and the violin in her hands melded into a mesmerizing sight. Some people are born with an aura that commands attention no matter what they do. Camilla was clearly one of them. "Sinclair," Calvin arched an eyebrow as he watched the stage. "Looks like Sandra just bit off more than she can chew, huh?" "We’ll find out soon enough." Sinclair lounged on the sofa, his long legs crossed, his dark eyes fixed on that slender, graceful figure. That inexplicable irritation bubbled up inside him again—as if something that belonged solely to him was suddenly put on display for everyone. He reached up and tugged at his tie. Even when she stood right beside Camilla, it was as if Sinclair never saw her. Sandra caught the look in Sinclair’s eyes, and the jealousy festering in her chest flared into white-hot fury. "Fine, let’s begin." The *24 Caprices*—even though she couldn’t play them flawlessly. There was no way Camilla could pull it off. Picking this piece was nothing but a bluff. Now, she would make Sinclair see—make everyone see—that Camilla was nothing compared to Sandra! Sandra cast a cold, disdainful glance at Camilla before taking a deep breath. Her slender fingers danced swiftly across the black-and-white piano keys, summoning a cascade of melodious notes that filled the grand banquet hall. Many guests nodded in appreciation. To play such a challenging piece at this level was already commendable. Is that all? A faint smirk curled Camilla’s lips as her gaze flickered toward Sinclair. Then, with deliberate calm, she lifted her violin bow and drew it across the strings, releasing a single, resonant note. The violin’s distinct timbre wove seamlessly into the existing melody—flawlessly timed, as if it had always belonged. Sandra froze. So did the guests. To merge into a piece mid-performance was no easy feat. A fraction too fast or too slow would have shattered the rhythm. Madam Luther actually kept up with such effortless ease?! Grandpa Luther and his grandson simultaneously revealed looks of admiration. Who would’ve thought this woman actually had some real skills?! A sharp glint flashed in Sandra’s eyes as she immediately switched to more advanced playing techniques, ramping up the difficulty. Camilla’s expression remained unchanged, still following along without breaking a sweat. Not only that—as her movements gradually accelerated, the violin’s melody instantly seized dominance. The music plunged straight into the most challenging movement of the 24 Caprices. Pitch shifts at their most extreme, tempo changes at breakneck speed, notes racing at their limits. Hundreds of musical phrases cascaded forth in an instant, converging into a breathtakingly magnificent harmony. The audience gaped in astonishment, their gaze toward Camilla shifting entirely. How could this be? Damn it! Sandra clenched her teeth, lips pressed tight. By now, sweat drenched her forehead, her arms trembling uncontrollably—yet she still couldn’t match Camilla’s rhythm. In the end, she had no choice but to stop, her face twisted with bitter resentment. Yet at this moment, all eyes were riveted on Camilla, leaving no one with attention to spare for her elsewhere. The exquisite strains of the violin lingered in the air before fading with the final note—a breathtaking performance brought to perfection. Lowering her instrument, Camilla gave a graceful nod to the audience below. Bathed in the spotlight, she seemed to glow with an ethereal radiance. A faint smirk tugged at Sinclair’s thin lips. Meanwhile, grandpa Porter’s brow furrowed deeply as he clutched his wine glass and strode purposefully toward the staircase. *Clap.* *Clap.* It was Grandpa Luther who initiated the applause. Snapping out of their daze, the crowd erupted into spontaneous cheers, the thunderous ovation swelling through the hall. "Absolutely mesmerizing—like attending a live concert!" "Miss Sandra and Madam Luther aren’t even in the same league. How audacious to parade one’s incompetence before an expert." "Sandra truly hoisted herself by her own petard this time." "Who would have thought Madam Luther excels not only in medicine but also in music?" Unrestrained whispers rippled through the banquet hall from all directions. At this moment, Camilla once again became the center of attention. Sandra’s face darkened with barely concealed envy. She had intended to use this opportunity to humiliate Camilla, to make her lose face. Instead, the plan had backfired spectacularly. Now, Camilla was basking in the limelight, while she had been reduced to a laughingstock. "It’s been a while since I last played, so my skills are a bit rusty," Camilla approached Sandra, her composed smile never wavering. "Thank you for your generosity, Miss Porter."