The Ex-Wife's Billion Dollar Comeback - Chapter 23: Chapter 23

~ Rose ~
As far as Rose knew, Soraya did not have any talent, so why was Mr. Ward urging her to perform?
‘This must be some sort of joke,’ Rose mused. Before she could analyze further, the singer from earlier took the stage and encouraged Soraya to come up.
“No, no. My friend is just joking,” Soraya said.
“She’s good! She has a perfect ear. Once she hears a tune, she can memorize it in seconds,” said a woman in a golden yellow dress. She belonged to Soraya’s party.
“Go, Darling,” Mr. Ward encouraged, and the rest of her colleagues pressed her.
“Okay, okay,” Soraya said, finally getting up.
While Rose returned to her seat, Soraya carefully settled behind the black grand piano. She did not say what she would play; she simply took a deep breath and let her fingers run across the keys.
Claire and Roger were giving Soraya a look of doubt. However, they could not voice their thoughts because of Mr. Wright.
At that moment, Edward bore only a look of admiration for Soraya.
They didn’t want to spoil it for him, nor did they want to ruin any potential partnership with NexaCode Technologies. Even Melvin kept his mouth shut.
Calum stayed quiet.
Jacob also maintained his silence.
Soraya began to play the piano.
The first notes were soft and slow. Rose acknowledged how Soraya played with care. Each note was clear and smooth.
She gulped because, soon enough, everyone in the room leaned in to listen. They appeared drawn to the melody.
Soraya was playing Bohemian Rhapsody!
It was an advanced piece, one even Rose couldn’t play!
“Wow, isn’t that a difficult song to play on the piano?” Peter remarked.
“I think so too,” Edward replied, his eyes locked on the stage.
As the music grew louder and faster, Soraya’s playing changed. Her hands moved quickly across the keys, strong and full of energy. Her body moved with the rhythm. She leaned forward during powerful parts and gently swayed during quiet moments. Her left hand pounded deep chords while her right danced through the piece.
“I feel the emotions through her playing,” one guest at a nearby table said, and soon, more customers at the Velvet Hour expressed their admiration for Soraya’s skills.
“Wow, not only is she beautiful, but she is also very talented,” another customer remarked.
When Soraya reached the final note, she paused, letting the soft sound fade into silence. For a few seconds, no one clapped, but Rose knew it wasn’t because the performance was bad. It was because everyone was too stunned.
Then, the applause exploded. People stood up and cheered!
Rose did not get a standing ovation, but Soraya did?
Mr. Edward Wright did the same, clapping loudly along with Peter. The surprising part was that Jacob Steel also stood up and clapped his hands.
Everyone in their circle turned to Jacob, shocked. The man only muttered, “It was a beautiful performance. It deserved applause.”
“Thank you! Thank you so much!” Soraya said with a smile.
It was the first time Rose had seen Soraya smile. Rose felt bitter because she could see the glow on Soraya’s face. That night, Soraya truly looked mesmerizing.
Realizing this, Rose turned to Calum.
She caught him staring at Soraya, but she did not see any hint of admiration.
When Rose returned her attention to the stage, Soraya was about to step down. A handsome man, looking like he was in his mid-twenties, suddenly walked up to the front and asked Soraya, “Miss, we were wondering if you are still single.”
“She is with me,” Silas cut in, staring at the stranger while offering his hand to Soraya.
When Soraya took Silas’s hand, it became clearer that they had indeed come together, perhaps on a date.
“Oh, my apologies. I just could not help myself. Sir, your girlfriend is so beautiful,” the stranger said.
Rose’s eyes darkened.
Her jaw clenched in sheer jealousy.
She had to take a deep breath to calm herself. Silently, she proclaimed, ‘This is just a one-time thing. So what if Soraya is good at playing the piano? She has never achieved anything in her life, merely working as a support staff for Calum. Soraya will never be as good as I.’
‘So what if Soraya has Silas Ward? So what if Silas is handsome? Silas will never be as rich as Calum Montclair,’ Rose concluded, inwardly rejoicing.
In Cedar Heights, Calum was the most sought-after man. No one else was better than Calum.
When Rose’s gaze landed on Jacob, she frowned. ‘Well, maybe except for Jacob Steel?’
But Jacob Steel had a lot of complications—his past, his daughter.
Moreover, Jacob wasn’t a resident of Cedar Heights, so he didn’t really count. Still, Rose agreed that whoever got the chance to marry Jacob Steel was a fortunate woman, someone luckier than her.
~ Jacob ~
Their gathering ended shortly after Soraya and Mr. Silas Ward left. It was as if the mood had been destroyed after learning Soraya had a secret admirer and hidden talent.
What was so wrong with that?
If it were Jacob’s old self, he would still probably be one with the group, claiming Soraya had just one lucky night.
However, that was not the case now.
Jacob already knew a thing or two about Soraya. He fully believed Mr. Edward Wright.
Mr. Wright and his business partner had left minutes ago.
The ladies in their group went to the restroom. Jacob and the rest of the men waited in the lobby of Prima Hotel. Standing next to his friend, Jacob asked, “Did you know that Soraya played the piano?”
Calum’s brows furrowed. He replied, “Not really. She and my mom used to play piano together, but I never knew she was that good. During celebrations, they never played anything complicated.”
“Your mom and Soraya played piano together?” Jacob asked, and Calum nodded.
“Maybe because Amanda’s piano skills aren’t advanced,” Jacob implied.
Calum nodded. “You’re right.”
“I guess you don’t know much about your wife, huh, Calum?” Jacob asked.
Calum did not respond.
“So, if you don’t know much about her, how sure are you that she orchestrated the events leading up to your forced marriage?” Jacob asked. “Have you thoroughly investigated the matter?”
How could Jacob forget how Amanda had implied Soraya was innocent? The truth was, it made him curious about what truly happened between Soraya and Calum.
“I—” Calum’s frown deepened. He asked, “What has gotten into you, Jacob? Do you think I don’t notice how you’ve been somewhat siding with Soraya lately?”
“My friend, we’ve known each other for what? About six years?” Jacob pointed out. Yes, he and Calum had known each other long enough. It wasn’t just business. Their bond had strengthened when he confided in Calum about his situation.
What was Jacob’s situation? His situation was Angela.
“You should know I’m a true friend,” Jacob continued. “I just don’t want you to have regrets. My only wish for you is that you truly saw everything before fully letting go of this… marriage.”
“There’s no hope for our marriage. I now have Rose,” Calum responded.
Jacob nodded. “I know. I know. Just making sure, one last time.”
“So if Soraya does end up getting involved with another man, you’d be okay with it?” Jacob asked.
“Of course. It’s her life,” Calum responded.
“It just… didn’t seem that way earlier. You seemed pretty shaken when you saw Soraya with Silas. Even more so when you learned Mr. Wright had a crush on your wife,” Jacob noted.
“Ex-wife,” Calum corrected. “And no, I wasn’t affected in any way. You’re mistaken, Jacob.”
“Okay, then,” Jacob said, tapping Calum’s shoulder. “Good luck with the divorce. May you and Rose live happily after that.”
“I wish the same for you, Jacob,” Calum responded. “I hope one day, you find the right person for you.”
“Hmmm.” Jacob averted his gaze. “I don’t know about that. After Angela, I don’t think… I can never trust another woman again.”
“Well, whoever gains your trust must be… a very special woman,” Calum remarked, offering a half smile.
“Hmmm. Perhaps,” Jacob replied. “My car’s in the driveway. I’ll go ahead.”