Chapter 263

Yara offered them a taste.

Someone took a sip and immediately grimaced, sticking out their tongue. “Oh, my god, this is strong stuff! It burns like fire!”

“This drink’s got a lovely aroma, but man, it packs a punch. It’s potent!”

“No way. Two sips of this and I’d be out!”

“Can Calliope truly handle it?”

After a few folks had tried it, they looked at Calliope with newfound respect.

Before this, everyone believed Calliope was less impressive than Lisette. The Jewell family didn’t think much of her, labeling her incompetent. But right now, everyone was in awe of Calliope. Who knew she could hold her liquor so well?

“Ms. Jewell, you’ve passed the first test,” Yara said calmly, taking her time. “But I have a second challenge. To win your husband, you need to be strong enough. I’ve heard you’re good at the piano, but can you play the banjo? I’ve loved the banjo since I was a child. Can you play a tune for me?”

“This will be tough for Calliope!”

“There’s no way she can play the banjo. Her piano skills were impressive last time, but the banjo? Not a chance!”

“Not everyone can play the banjo!”

“Our ears are in for a treat!”

“Oh my god, Yara knows how to make things difficult for Calliope. It seems like a simple performance, but the banjo? Who knows how to play that?”

“In high society, everyone learns the piano or violin. Who picks up the banjo?”

“It’s kind of funny, imagining a debutante playing the banjo.”

“It makes me think of street performers strumming for coins!”

“It is going to be interesting!”

Most people doubted Calliope.

Even when played well, the banjo has a unique sound that’s not to everyone’s taste, and it’s unconventional.

Wearing an evening gown and playing the banjo?

How odd.

Calliope didn’t back down. “Sure, I can do that.”

She was confident.

Uriah came up and said, “Are you sure you’re going to do this? The banjo’s tricky. It might sound odd, even if you can play, and these people will laugh at you!”

“Let’s give it a go,” Calliope replied.

Uriah couldn’t stop her, so he just let her be. After all, playing the banjo at worst would sound a bit off, and she’d be laughed at for a moment. No big deal.

Yara had someone bring out a banjo.

Calliope took the banjo and walked to the steps of the grand staircase. Without a stage, she stood on the steps, under the glow of the chandelier, exuding a certain elegant aura.

She took a moment to prepare.

Many were watching her with curiosity.

“Does she actually know how to play?”

“Wait, is this going to hurt our ears?”

“This is going to be hilarious. I need to record this!”

“Even though her piano performance was stunning, the banjo is a folk instrument. It’s not the same. That twangy sound can be harsh!”

Calliope asked for a chair in the middle of the steps and sat down slowly.

Then she strummed a note. The sound echoed. Everyone burst into laughter.

“Oh my, that sound!”

“That was awful!”

“She can’t be serious. That was hilarious!”

“Maybe Yara should ask her to perform something else.”