Do You Take Me for a Fool?!
A next second later, Alexander shot a menacing glance at the woman, causing her to shut up at once
and gulp.
His presence was so intimidating that he easily overpowered the emboldened young women. Just like
that, the entire hall fell into an awkward, nuanced silence, echoing an acquiescence to Alexander’s
skepticism.
Seeing that their trick was on the verge of being exposed, the ‘vice president’ stepped in at once. “We
have rented this venue, so this is now considered a private premise. Not only have you two entered
without permission, but you’re also interrupting our operation. Please leave at once, or I’ll call security!”
Knowing Alexander’s temper, Elise knew the man would undoubtedly enter a brawl with the guards. If
things blew up, it would surely draw the attention of the two parties.
The reason she had chosen to be Anastasia in the first place was that the White Family had zero
connections to Alexander. So now, she could not have him be involved in this even more so.
“That’s not necessary.” Elise stepped forward. “Since these people love the emperor’s new clothes so
much, let them continue wearing them. Let’s see just how long you can keep them on you.”
With that, she strode off.
Seeing so, Alexander no longer dwelled on it but chased after Elise.
Alas, as fast as he was, he still failed to catch up to her.
In the end, the cousins stood at the entrance and watched as Elise’s cab drove away from afar.
Brendan was the first of the two to look away. He took a gander at Alexander, only to find the man
looking all longing. At that, he lowered his head with displeasure. “You’ve fallen for her, haven’t you?”
“Sorry?” Alexander didn’t catch what exactly Brendan had said.
“I don’t like this side of you.” Brendan was a little down and his voice was laced with inconcealable
disappointment.
Alexander got what he meant pretty quickly, and he snorted teasingly. “In case you’ve forgotten, I’m
your cousin.”
“It’s precisely you’re my cousin that I’m upset about,” said Brendan as he lifted his dull eyes. “The
Alexander I know isn’t a fickle guy.”
It hadn’t even been a year since Elise left. He couldn’t believe that Alexander had already forgotten
about her and started courting another woman.
Alexander didn’t refute, however, for he was certain that this Anastasia White was Elise. Then again,
there was nothing to prove his guess, so who would believe him?
However, it only caused more disappointment for Brendan. With a sigh, he left, leaving Alexander
there.
Meanwhile, the ceremony was still going on.
With Elise and the guys gone, and Adelpha’s best friends deliberately setting the scene, the White
Family was immersed in the joy of Adelpha becoming a member of the Piano Association.
When the ‘vice president’ handed the certificate to Adelpha, he even improvised a line to clear Elise’s
doubt. “I’ve long discovered that you’re talented and can surely become a member of our association.
So we’ve prepared the certificate in advance. I’m glad to see that you haven’t let me down.”
Oddly enough, Onyx didn’t find such obviously improvised words off, but even thought that their
family’s connections would rise a league above now that they had a daughter in the Piano Association.
No doubt he’d be able to leave Anastasia’s grandfather for good.
The label of ‘live-in son-in-law’ had been attached to him for years, and it was about time that it was
removed.
Just then, a group of men in suits came in, instantly disrupting the harmonious scene in the hall.
“What is up with the security here?! Why do they keep letting anybody come in?!” ranted the ‘vice
president’ as he pulled his phone out to call the person in charge.
“Who’s the vice president of the Piano Association?” the leading man in a suit asked.
The ‘vice president’ froze for a second before going up to him. “That would be me. What can I help you
with?”
The next second, the man in a suit presented his police badge to everyone. “Major Investigation Team.
You are hereby suspected of using the Piano Association’s name for fraud and gathering. Please follow
us to the station.”
With that, the ‘vice president’ was handcuffed.
“All of you will have to come with us and make a statement.” The man in a suit looked toward the White
Family and Adelpha’s best friends.
It wasn’t half a minute later that Onyx came to himself. Elise and Alexander were right. This is nothing
but a fake association!
At that, he looked angrily at Adelpha and Lyra, his eyes burning ablaze with anger.
However, Lyra didn’t notice his gaze at all and was even grumbling about the cops. Adelpha, on the
other hand, immediately shifted her gaze away as soon as she met his.
Clearly, she was in the know.
That night, an unprecedented argument exploded in the White Residence.
“I’ve put so much effort into you and always give you however much money you ask, and this is how
you repay me?! How dare you collude with outsiders to trick me?! Do you really take me for a fool?!
And you! You’re always either having tea with this woman or doing a manicure with that woman! You’ve
never bothered to ever parent your daughter! Don’t tell me you’re not responsible for how Adelpha has
become!”
While Lyra and Adelpha were given a dreadful scolding, Elise sat leisurely aside with her legs crossed,
drinking her tea, looking all jovial.
Meanwhile, Adelpha hung her head low. The louder Onyx ranted, the deeper her hatred for Elise was.
She and her best friends had used the fake association trick so many times, and never once had it
gone south. But as soon as ‘Anastasia’ showed up, they were eradicated entirely. She must have made
a report in secret. No doubt that woman couldn’t stand watching me succeed!
Now that everything had been brought to light, and her best friends’ parents had all been called over to
the police station, who knew just how her best friends would reproach her behind her back? Alas, the
socialite circle she had managed for so long would undoubtedly go down the drain.
Thinking of that, Adelpha glared daggers at ‘Anastasia’. But Onyx caught her doing so and hit the roof.
“You still dare to glare at your sister?! Are you planning on hiding this from me forever if she hadn’t said
anything?!”
“No, Poppa. I didn’t know that the vice president was a fake, either! We’ve all been duped! I just wanted
to get the certificate so badly that I sought whatever possible means…” Adelpha mumbled aggrievedly.
“Still denying?!” Onyx raised his hand up in the air but couldn’t bring himself to slap his daughter. So he
just swung it away exasperatedly. “Spare the rod, spoil the child. It’s my fault for not parenting you
right!”
“No, Poppa. You’ve treated me well enough. I’m the one who failed you!” Adelpha tried to salvage her
image. “Please give me another chance. I love the piano, and I still want to learn. I will definitely
succeed!”
“Forget it.” Onyx waved his hand dismissively. “I’m already not hopeful when you’ve failed the first time,
and worst, encountered this episode the second time.”
“Poppa, please don’t give up on me!” Adelpha clung to him while turning to Lyra for help. “Momma, say
something!”
“She’s right, dear. Adelpha’s still young. It’s normal that she’d be duped. The piano has always been
her dream. Let her continue learning it.” Lyra pleaded, biting the bullet.
“What would a woman like you know?! She’s not pianist material at all. Giving it up now will save us all
from further humiliation.”
“No, Poppa, I’m still salvageable. I can definitely succeed if we can get the world-renowned pianist,
Maestro Sinclair, to teach me!”
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