Chapter 23 Chapter 23 Birthday Banquet Performance Chapter 23 Birthday Banquet Performance Helen ordered someone to call Samantha down to perform. +10 Free Coins After carefully dressing up, Samantha made her way downstairs. And at the same time, instructed someone to bring Sloane down as well. Hearing this, Sloane rolled her eyes. Samantha really had not learned her lesson, still daring to show off in front of her. Well then... "Let's go." Sloane closed her medical book and stood up. At the piano, Samantha was already seated gracefully. When she saw Sloane coming downstairs, a trace of calculation flashed in her eyes. Her fingers lightly brushed across the keys, playing a string of beautiful notes, yet her gaze was full of provocation as she looked at Sloane. Most of the guests around were enchanted by Samantha's performance, their voices rising now and then in admiration. Sloane leaned against the stair railing, quietly watching Samantha's display. During the time she had been back, she had indeed witnessed Samantha's hard work. She had spent countless days and nights locked in the practice room. She did have some talent. But to be hailed as a future piano master, as the Rivers family claimed? Far from it. When the piece ended, applause erupted from the crowd. Samantha slowly rose to her feet, a radiant, proud smile on her face. She glanced toward Sloane and suddenly spoke up, "Sloane, it's your birthday today too. Would you like to perform a piece?" 1/3 15:07 Mon, 1 Sept A Chapter 23 Birthday Banquet Performance 0,83% +10 Free Coins Back then, when the Rivers family decided to keep Samantha, they had claimed to the outside world that Samantha and Sloane were twins, and indeed, they had been born on the same day. Otherwise, when the nanny switched the babies, no one would have been so slow to realize. Shane, a suitor of Samantha's, sneered and said loudly, "I heard that Ms. Rivers grew up in the countryside. She's probably never even seen a piano. Having her play would be torture. How about letting her demonstrate farming instead?" A few guests burst into laughter, while others, wary of Mason's presence, only dared to snicker behind their hands. As for Mason himself? He could not have been happier to see Lucas's fiancée humiliated. The more disgrace, the better. Marshall's face darkened. "I told you to keep her upstairs!" Helen's expression was equally sour. "I did have someone guard her. How was I supposed to know she'd get out?" Samantha was secretly thrilled, though on the surface she feigned concern. "Sloane, everyone's just joking around. Don't take it to heart. But since today is our shared birthday, it would be a bit wrong if you didn't perform something." Sloane swept her gaze over the entire hall, lifted her chin slightly, and looked at Samantha. "You're sure you want me to go up?" Samantha, confident that Sloane had no talents, felt even more triumphant. "Of course! Sloane, it's a perfect chance for you to shine!" The corners of Sloane's lips curved into a faint, nearly imperceptible smile as she strode steadily toward the stage. Seeing this, Samantha immediately asked, "Sloane, are you going to play the piano too?" "I don't know how," Sloane answered calmly. 2/3 < 15:07 Mon, 1 Sept A 6 & ཚྭ 83%E Chapter 23 Birthday Banquet Performance The hall erupted into laughter. +10 Free Coins Shane, eager to please Samantha, wasted no time piling on the mockery. "Maybe Ms. Rivers should show us some farming techniques instead!" Laughter continued. Samantha was ecstatic. After today, the Hawthorne family would surely be desperate to break off the engagement. Sloane's slender fingers rested lightly on the piano lid. She turned her head slightly and said to Samantha, her voice steady, "I don't know how to play the piano, but I can play the zither." Samantha thought she was just bluffing. She scoffed lightly, "You can play the zither? But we didn't prepare a zither for today." In fact, she thought Sloane was just making excuses to avoid embarrassment, choosing an instrument that was not even present. "I have one," a voice suddenly called out from the crowd. 3/3 In a past life, I wed my childhood sweetheart, Drake Elledge, only to find heartbreak as he remained tangled with his first love, resulting in a tragic end for me and our unborn child. Little did I kn...