Chapter 243

“Then play for me.” Ashlyn lifted her chin slightly. “If you can’t even play in front of me, how are you going to perform in front of the audiences on Gala Night itself? With all those formless and faceless people staring at you?”

Charlotte bit her lip. “I…”

It took all of her resolve to place her bow on the strings. Then, she started to play.

Perhaps she was too nervous, she played a few notes wrong.

Ashlyn stopped her and focused her gaze on Charlotte. “Don’t be so tense. You need to relax your fingers a little so you can play the vibrato properly. Here, let me show you.”

With that, Ashlyn took the bow and cello over and began to play, explaining as she went. “Be mindful of the upbows, downbows and how many notes you string together in one stroke. For the vibrato, the slower you move your fingers, the more drawn-out and mournful the sound would be.”

The low humming of the cello rang out again, the melodious tune caught everyone’s attention. Even the dancers had turned their heads to look.

Ashlyn was completely unaware of everybody else’s reactions as she instructed Charlotte, “See? If you move your fingers faster, the vibrato sounds a little more urgent and excited.”

Finished playing the song, she handed the instrument back to the younger woman. “Now, you try.”

“You… You play better than my uncle!” Charlotte’s eyes were shining with admiration and awe as she stared at Ashlyn. She loved the cello and had been learning from her Uncle Lochlan since she was a young girl.

“You can do it!” Ashlyn encouraged with a grin. She was not the slightest bit curious about this uncle of Charlotte’s.

At the urging from other co-producers, everyone snapped out of the dreamlike haze they had been in.

For a moment there, they had been lost in the divine music emanating from the cello.

By the time Ashlyn emerged from the hall, it was already dark outside.

She glanced behind her at the various performers, taking in how they drooped like wilted flowers.

Everyone was exhausted from the long day of practice.

Waving goodbye to Pierre, she did not say anything more as she climbed into her Land Rover and prepared to leave.

Just then, a black Bentley came to a stop before her car.

It was Lucas.

She furrowed her brows and was just wondering what to do when her phone rang.

The icy voice of Lucas came through the phone, “Get off the car. I’ll take you home.”

Frowning, she asked in an equally chilly tone, “I drove my own car here; why would I need you to bring me home?”

She did not wait for a reply before she hung up. Starting up the engine, she headed for the Imperial Hotel.

Half an hour later, she parked at the entrance of the hotel and Pierre did the same.

She shot a smirk at him and said, “C’mon, Pierre. Dinner’s on me.”

“Ms. Berry, are you sure you don’t want to join the dancers? You have great talent!” Beside her, Pierre’s voice carried a regretful tone as he lamented.

“Not interested.”

The two of them entered the hotel.

From his position sitting in his car, Lucas was enraged when he saw how the two of them were all smiles as they headed inside.

Another one?

This man was clearly not that idiotic chef from Imperial Hotel.

Lucas’ expression was hard.

No matter how he tried, he could not contain the jealousy that raged through him.

It was a feeling he definitely did not like.

Spencer sensed how the temperature in the car seemed to drop several degrees and he was mentally shuddered.

Hmm, what’s wrong with Mr. Nolan this time? She’s just eating with another man, not like there’s anything intimate going on. Then again, he’s always been a moody person. Maybe I shouldn’t say anything.

…

In the restaurant of Imperial Hotel.

Ashlyn and Pierre were chatting about the internationally popular dance styles recently as they ate.

“I heard that a lot of people are favoring the shoot dance.” Ashlyn mentioned.