Chapter 230

Ethan Roscente stepped into the courtyard of his family's mansion, immediately greeted by a cacophony of voices.

A crowd had formed a tight circle, murmuring excitedly.

His brow furrowed when he caught Vivian Laurent's name.

What scheme was Victoria Roscente plotting now?

His pace instinctively quickened.

Then he remembered - Vivian was no pushover.

A smirk tugged at his lips as he deliberately slowed his steps.

Memories flooded back.

That phone call last night had unsettled him.

He'd booked the first flight back from abroad.

His driver mentioned Victoria hosting a high tea party with Vivian as guest.

So he'd come straight here.

No one noticed his arrival.

He lingered in the shadows, scanning for that familiar silhouette.

At the center of attention, Vivian stood composed.

Her emerald green qipao made her porcelain skin glow.

Victoria hovered by the grand piano, smug satisfaction written across her face.

"A challenge should have stakes, don't you think?" A woman in pink prodded.

Vivian arched an eyebrow. "Name them."

Victoria jumped at the opportunity. "If you lose, you leave the capital forever and never see my brother again!"

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

Ethan's fists clenched.

He knew Vivian too well.

She'd seize any excuse to escape him.

Just as predicted—

"Deal." Vivian agreed without hesitation.

Ethan's stomach dropped.

"But..." Vivian's tone shifted, "what do I get when you lose?"

Victoria scoffed. "When I lose?"

"There's always a first time." Vivian's fingers grazed the piano keys. "How about this - you'll publicly apologize to me and Sophia Evans, admitting all your years of manipulation."

Victoria's face drained of color.

"Too scared to wager?" Vivian's smile didn't reach her eyes.

"You're on!" Victoria spat through gritted teeth.

Ethan's eyes narrowed.

This had just gotten interesting.

He edged closer.

Needing to see every detail.

Vivian's fingers danced across the keys.

She launched into "Devil's Trill Sonata."

The notoriously difficult piece.

Victoria's expression grew increasingly strained.

The music stopped abruptly.

Vivian rose gracefully. "Your turn."

Dead silence.

All eyes waited for Victoria's humiliation.

Ethan couldn't suppress his chuckle.

His woman never disappointed.