NovelEnglishChapter 229 Prompted by Kailee’s inquiry, all eyes suddenly shifted towards Elizabeth, awaiting her response.
Elizabeth pressed her lips into a thin line, hesitating for a moment.
Kailee’s chest swelled with triumph, misinterpreting Elizabeth’s hesitation as a sign of retreat.
Worried Elizabeth might evade the moment, Kailee tightened her grip and tugged her toward the piano, with
mock encouragement.
“Elizabeth, since you've prepared this gift, it must be something you're confident about.
Take your time—we’re all so eager to hear it.”
Albin blinked in surprise.
He hadn't expected Kailee to press Elizabeth into performing so openly.
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He felt a twinge of guilt, as he realized his earlier display had inadvertently cornered Elizabeth into an awkward
position.
Running a hand through his hair, he scrambled for a way to defuse the situation.
“I had no idea Elizabeth and | prepared the sgift.
How about | just present it for her?” he offered, hoping to shield her from the spotlight.
Elizabeth remained silent, her expression unreadable, as though considering Albin’s offer.
Kailee’s smile brightened.
“Present it for her? That would be a bit... disrespectful, don’t you think?” Her eyes gleamed as she cut off the
chance of Elizabeth slipping away.
“Con, Albin, be generous.
I'm sure you won't mind if Elizabeth steals your spotlight,” she teased.
Turning to Elizabeth, she added with a sugary tone, “Isn't that right, Elizabeth?”
Elizabeth finally spoke, slow and steady, betraying no emotion.
“Yes, the gift | prepared for Mrs.
Norris is a piano piece.”
Albin moved quickly, pulling out a chair for Elizabeth before slipping over to Oliver's side.
His voice dropped to a low murmur.
“Aren’t you going to help Elizabeth out of this?”
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Oliver didn’t respond right away.
Instead, he reached into his pocket, retrieved a cigarette, and lit it with a deliberate calm.
In the dim glow of the yard, his sharp features softened, framed by the swirling tendrils of smoke.
The flfrom his lighter flickered briefly in his dark eyes.
Oliver knew Elizabeth could play the piano, but he had never once witnessed her perform.
Elizabeth had been raised in an average-class family.
Her grandmother had struggled just to make ends meet.
Piano lessons would have been an unattainable luxury.
He surmised she must have stopped learning by the age of five.
Even playing beginner pieces fluently at five would have been considered remarkable for any child.
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