Chapter 33

"My bad, I thought you were up for it. If you don't want to come up, cool. But why the attitude? You scared of the spotlight or something?" Jennifer's voice, tinged with fake hurt, was loud enough for those nearby to hear.

Some in the crowd started murmuring. "That girl's got spunk, but dodging the stage? Is she chickening out against Jennifer?"

"Let's be real, Jennifer can jam on that violin. Sharing the stage and flopping next to her would be mortifying."

"Shush, keep it down, will ya? That's Nora at the table, from the Brady family. You wanna get on their bad side?"

Jennifer caught these whispers, shooting Selina a self-satisfied look. She’d calculated her challenge would corner Selina into a no-win situation. If Selina stayed seated, it would reflect poorly on her and Trevon. Jennifer imagined the gossip: "Mr. Brady's lady couldn't even muster the guts to show up onstage!" She was convinced this was her moment to outshine Selina and win Trevon.

Nora was fuming, her hands balled into fists. Jennifer was clearly baiting Selina, stirring the pot even knowing she was Trevon's wife. Meanwhile, Jennifer ignored Nora, her eyes focused on presenting herself as the better match for Trevon.

Evan crept up, trying to be quiet, cursing Jennifer's recklessness in his head. He regretted inviting her, realizing she was a walking drama bomb.

"I'm not hitting that stage because, look, I'm a customer. I'm here to chill, enjoy the tunes, and have a good time. And you? You're here to play!" Selina delivered it smoothly. "Maybe I'll join you onstage if I feel like it. But if I say no, and you still act like I'm scared? Jennifer, it just makes me wonder what kind of family raises someone who doesn't understand the professional artist gig."

Despite Selina's put-downs, Jennifer maintained her confident smile, her red lips curving into a smirk, as if holding an ace up her sleeve. "So, you're chickening out of performing with me, huh? No biggie." She didn't care what Selina said—Selina's backing down was all that mattered. Jennifer had gotten what she wanted. In Jennifer's mind, if Trevon ever publicly displayed Selina as his wife, people would remember this moment—Selina, too petrified to risk looking foolish next to Jennifer, too intimidated to step onstage. With the pride of a peacock winning a prize, Jennifer sashayed back to the stage.

Evan hurried over, a nervous wreck. "I'm so sorry, ladies, this wasn't—"

"Let's roll, Nora." Nora was done, already mentally writing off the place, purse in hand.

"Hold up," Selina interrupted, stopping Nora. Turning to Evan, she said, "If you're expecting me to smooth things over, I have a condition. It's all on you now—let's see if you can play nice."

Evan's jaw dropped at Selina's condition. "Really? You sure?"

"If that's a no-go, we're out. And if Trevon finds out we had a bad time, kiss this café goodbye by tomorrow."

"I'm on it!" Evan wouldn't argue—not with Trevon's reputation on the line. He had to pull off the impossible.

Evan rushed off, and Nora leaned in. "For real, Selina?!"

"Yeah, for real. I'm about to school someone on what real talent looks like," Selina replied lightly.

Jennifer commanded the stage with her violin, her red dress making her shine. She took a proud bow and walked off, thrilled more by putting Selina down a peg than her own performance. She mentally criticized Selina: Mrs. Brady? As if.

Then Evan grabbed the microphone. "Folks, after chatting with Ms. Harvey, I'm proud to say she's agreed to make a vlog for our anniversary. Stay tuned!"

The entire place went quiet. Nobody saw it coming.

Jennifer whipped around. There was Selina, violin in hand, hitting the stage. Her casual outfit didn't match the violin's vibe, but her striking beauty and the way she held the violin, eyes downcast, glowing… It was as if a spotlight zeroed in on her.

Everyone was captivated. She wasn't just beautiful; she had a cool, regal air that suggested she was in a league of her own.

And then she began playing the Violin Concerto in D major—the same piece Jennifer had just performed! It was clearly Selina's retort to Jennifer's little jab.

Jennifer understood perfectly. She never thought Selina would actually retaliate, especially not with a violin. But Jennifer had been living and breathing violin since she was seven, accumulating fifteen years of experience with a roster of master teachers. That kind of experience, that legacy, had won her the "Most Promising Newcomer" award right away. She knew she wasn't going to be second fiddle to someone like Selina. "You think you're gonna outplay me, Selina? As if. You're about to make a fool of yourself, crash and burn!"

But then Selina hit her stride, and Jennifer's smug smile faltered.

The tune Selina played soared, captivating the room. To a casual listener, both Selina and Jennifer might seem equally skilled. But this crowd was discerning. They could hear who was truly excelling—and Selina had the edge, undeniably. Jennifer went pale. "How is this happening?" She heard it loud and clear—Selina's violin had a magnetism Jennifer couldn't touch. Everybody was hooked, entranced by the music!

As Selina finished, she seamlessly transitioned into the Violin Concerto No. 2 and the Devil's Trill Sonata—pieces Jennifer herself had performed. No question—Selina's versions were knockout.