Master of his heart

Chapter 513

Alivia felt the sting of the remark as if she’d been slapped across the face. Her chest heaved with barely contained emotion.

The society ladies who had just been showing off their Italian were now flushed with embarrassment. They had intended to make Brielle the butt of their joke, mocking her with a language they thought she couldn’t understand. To their chagrin, Brielle’s Italian was even more fluent than theirs.

The atmosphere turned awkward; the moment they had spoken, they had become the jesters of the evening.

Brielle wasn’t about to let Alivia off the hook. “Ms. Alivia, don’t you understand Italian?” she asked, her voice tinged with nonchalance.

The question cornered Alivia. Admitting she understood meant she knew the other women were ridiculing her, when she told Brielle they welcomed her. Claiming ignorance would suggest that she was less cultured than Brielle, who had mastered the language. Having presented herself as gracious and friendly towards Brielle all evening, choosing the former would expose Alivia’s duplicity to everyone.

Suppressing the turmoil within, Alivia managed a strained smile. “I really don’t understand. Did they say something unpleasant?” Her gaze swept innocently over the other guests, while the instigators avoided her eyes, shifting uncomfortably.

Alivia addressed the crowd. “Brielle’s not out often, and we rarely gather like this. This evening isn’t just a welcome party for

From the moment Tessa had seen Brielle, her mood had plummeted.

with excitement at the thought of Brielle’s impending disgrace.

asked, “Alivia, may I? I’ve heard this is a collector’s pride. I’ve been practicing a piece recently, and seeing this piano makes me want to give it a

been sheltered, must have honed other skills. She played the piano beautifully and was sure Brielle, an orphaned girl who later joined the Haywood family, couldn’t compare. After all, would

indeed in a gallery before

smile grew as she turned to Brielle. “Ms. Brielle, you play, don’t you? Since it’s our first

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