Chapter 108
“Ms. Irwin, come on, play something for us. It’s Mr. Webster’s big day, after all. Even if your gift was a bit of a letdown, surely you wouldn’t be stingy with a song
“Yeah, you’re an Irwin, for crying out loud. Don’t tell us you can’t even play the piano!“
“Relax, we won’t laugh if you’re not as good as Winona. I mean, talents like hers don’t come around often.”
A bunch of guests started egging her on. Some just loved stirring up drama. Then there were the usual playboys, their eyes practically undressing Simone, bold and gross
Just then, Kenneth spoke up, “Ms. Irwin, ir’umy birthday, anyway. Since everyone wants to hear you play, why not do me this favor!”
Kenneth didn’t believe Simone had any actual talent. He
te just wanted to see her make a fool of herself.
Simone saw right through him and turned him down without hesitation. “Mr. Webster, I’m really not that goo
good. I’d rather not embarrass myself”
She looked at the piano, her lips tightening. Her face went pale, something dark flashing across her expression.
Then the whispers around the room got louder.
What a spoilsport. It’s just a piano piece. Why’s she making such a big deal? It’s Mr. Webster’s birthday for crying out loud.”
“She’s got no class. So rude.
“Honestly, compared to her, Winona is so much more gracious”
Graham listened to everyone picking on Simone, and his face darkened. He finally snapped, slamming his fist on the table. “Who the hell do you think you are, talking about Simone like that? Got a death wish! Wanna make an enemy of the Irwin family?”
Graham rarely pulled the family card, but now he was pissed. He’d been about to blow his top for a while. If Simone hadn’t been holding him back. he would’ve flipped the table and stormed out.
The clutter from the guests died instantly. The Irwin family was Sogin’s elite of the elite, Graham’s outburst proved just how much he favored Simone. Now nobody dared say another word or look down on her.
to push Graham back into his seat. “Come on, Graham, everyone just
Graham’s anger made Kenneth flinch. He reached out, like he was gonna try to p wants to hear Simone play a piano piece. Aren’t you overreacting a båt?”
But Gralum wasn’t having it. He showed Kenneth’s hand away and snapped, his voice like ice, “Overreacting my ass. Did you hear the crap they
Simone raised an eyebrow slightly and said arrogantly, “My plano skills aren’t a free show. Mr. Webster, you want to hear me play? You gotta pay
Everyone’s jaws dropped as they gawked at Simone. In their heads, they called her a monky–grabbing bitch for demanding money from Kenneth at has own party. But nobody had the guts to say it out loud.
Kenneth’s face went through a whole rainbow of colors. He thought, “Seriously? I just asked for one dann song, and she wants me to pay?”
He’d never dealt with such a little troublemaker in his life. He shot Graham a look, annoyed. “Graham, don’t you think your grainklaughter’s a linke 100 full of racit?”
“What does she think she’s some famous pianist that I need to pay for her performance?” Kenneth had never been dissed like this, and his face was dark as Undaler
Graham’s eye twitched, and he nearly choked on his drink. He’d always known that despite her age, Simone was smart as a whip and never let anyone push her around. But hearing her demand payment left even Opalum speechless.
Simone wasn’t done. She eyed Kenneth with a raised eyebrow. “People pay over one thousand for decent performances. Mr. Webster, you want me to perform at your party for free? Nice try. That’s called mooching where I come from” She didn’t bother sugarcoating it.
Kenneth was so furious he almost couldn’t catch his breath. After a few heavy coughs, he slammed the table hard. “So, it’s about money, is it! Fine I’ll pay I’ll drop whatever it costs to see this so–called performance of yours, Ms. Irwin”
“How much? Name your price,” Kenneth asked through gritted teeth
Aumale played on Simone’s lips, her eyes glisting dangerously. She said sweetly. “Not too much. Since we’ve got a full house tonight, let’s say 1.5
1/2
Chapter 108
“1.5 million! This is straight–up rubbery!” Kenneili’s about cash so bluntly. It was just plain vulgar.
turned purple as his voice jumped three octaves. He’ll never met a rich girl who talked
Kenneth hesitated, so Simone raised an eyebrow and taunted him. “Don’t tell me the Webster family’s so broke they can’t shell out 1.5 million?
“Oh. My. God” Simone covered her mouth in mock surprise. Then she twisted the knife. “Word on the street is the Webster family is struggling. Guew the rulines are trie
Kennelly’s number one trigger was anyone suggesting his family was losing their status. His face darkened as he snapped, “Who says the Webster family is struggling?”
“It’s just 1.5 million. Prantits, I can cover it” Ecumeili shot a look at his grandson, Jacoby Webster. Taking the hint, Jacoby handed Simone a bank
ca show.” With that, she
Simone snatched it quickly, a smirk spreading across her face. “Mr. Webster, you’re a man of action. Alright, I’ll give you a headed straight for the white piano in the center of the hall.
Winona watched this whole serne unfold with pure glee on her face. She’d dug up the dirt. Hack when Simone was with the Spencer family, she was a total good–for–nothing, with no artistic talents. She couldn’t wait for Simone to make a fool of herself
How does Simone even have the nerve to charge Kenneth? Can’t wait to see her crash and burn, Winona thought,
The idea of Simone not only pissing off Kenneth but also becoming the night’s laughingstock had Winona buzzing. She stared at Simone at the piano, ready for the show.
Simone sat at the plato, her fingers hovering over the keys. Then, her hands came down, and music, or something like it, filled the air. Winona couldn’t hold back a son of laughter.
Just then, a lot of the musically inclined guests started frowning, and a wave of murmurs rippled through the room
“What the hell is she playing? No rhythm at all. Boring as watching paint dry.
“No rhythm, no technique. Compared to Winona, this is like a toddler banging on keys.”
“What garbage composition is thist Never even heard it before.”
“For real, Simone’s playing at, like, a kindergartner’s level. My kid brother’s in sixth grade, and he sounds like Mozart next to her
“And she actually had the nerve to charge Kenneth 15 million for this torture? Highway robbery”
“Alright, that’s enough Just stop already. You’re murdering that poor piano,
AD
