Chapter 446
446:
Noticing Lorraine’s distress after her mistake, Celine approached her with gentle concern. She reached out and softly stroked Lorraine’s head with a comforting smile. “Everyone makes mistakes now and then. Don’t dwell on it—you played beautifully. To me, you’re still the best.”
Lorraine looked up at her, eyes dim. “Celine… I’m really useless.”
Celine’s expression remained kind. “How could you be useless? You’re already so impressive.” She paused, then added with encouragement, “Your mentor is a protégé of Tiana. You have a bright future ahead of you. Didn’t your mentor always say you have natural talent for the piano? Even if you don’t reach Tiana’s level, you’ll at least match your mentor’s one day.”
Celine deliberately raised her voice at the mention of Tiana’s protégé, clearly trying to remind the guests of Lorraine’s potential. Her subtle emphasis had its intended effect—those who had been mocking Lorraine fell silent.
“Yes! I’ll work harder.” Lorraine nodded firmly, her spirit reigniting. She was determined now more than ever to prove herself and silence the voices of doubt.
Just then, Christina stepped forward, her tone light but tinged with curiosity. “I overheard Mrs. Miller say your mentor is Tiana’s protégé. Is that true?”
Lorraine straightened with pride. “Of course! My mentor is exceptional. Tiana only ever accepted three protégés. My mentor is the most mysterious one—he never appears in public. The other two are already world-famous pianists who trained alongside him.”
Christina raised an eyebrow, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. “If Tiana’s most mysterious protégé has never appeared in public, how can you be sure your mentor is that person?”
Her calm question sent a ripple through the crowd. Guests began to murmur again.
“She has a point… How does the Reynolds family know for sure?”
“Could the Reynolds family have been lying? Fabricating such a lie would come at a great cost.”
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“If Lorraine’s mentor really is Tiana’s protégé, why isn’t her playing more refined?”
Lorraine was momentarily caught off guard. The question had never crossed her mind before. She had simply believed her mentor was who he claimed to be. His talent and mystique were convincing.
“There are certificates! And a photo with Tiana!” Lorraine shot back quickly, her voice rising defensively. Her family had seen both—the official-looking certificates and a photo of her mentor beside the blonde-haired, blue-eyed Tiana.
What no one knew was that the blonde hair and blue eyes were all part of Christina’s disguise when she played as Tiana.
Christina’s lips curled into a faint, teasing smile. “Certificates can be forged. And photos? Easily edited. I heard Tiana was famously private and disliked taking pictures.”
The guests stirred again, exchanging skeptical looks.
Lorraine’s face stiffened. “And you said, ‘I heard.’ Do you have any proof? Do you have evidence that my mentor isn’t Tiana’s protégé? Even if Tiana disliked taking photos, surely she wouldn’t refuse if her own protégés wanted one as a keepsake. Where’s your proof that the photo and certificates are fake?”
Lorraine’s voice trembled with fury. Her mentor was the only person she could boast about and feel proud of, and now he was being called a fraud? That was something she couldn’t stomach. She glared at Christina, unwilling to back down.
“How am I supposed to produce evidence when I haven’t seen the certificate or the photo?” Christina asked.
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