Chapter 793
Chapter 793
"There was a small problem at home," Clare took a sip of red wine, forcing a stiff smile. Tammy and
Skyla caused such a huge disaster that dragged the entire Hipps Family down into the abyss.
The more Clare thought about it, the angrier he became. His fingers holding onto his wine glass turned
white with rage and his chest heaved with fury. He wanted nothing more than to rush back there
immediately.
But he had signed a contract to be a judge in the piano competition's final round. If he broke it
unilaterally, he would have to pay compensation fees. It didn't matter how much money it was;
damaging his reputation because of this would not be worth it.
Especially when breaking contracts in international competitions could affect his position in the industry
as well.
So despite feeling restless inside, Clare still attended this banquet while suppressing his impatience.
"Tomorrow... just make it through tomorrow," he thought.
Sylvia raised an eyebrow and glanced at him calmly. The Hipps Family had deep roots in Aettosa,
especially since Clare was set to inherit their title soon enough.
She knew what Clare had been doing for the past year - studying under Air Force Department and
achieving remarkable results - which added great support towards inheriting his title eventually.
In due time, they would hold an inheritance ceremony where Aettosa's president himself would crown
him; if something went wrong now...
It might add yet another obstacle on his path towards inheriting the title again!
But what exactly happened?
Sylvia scanned everyone present before sending Franklin a message on Facebook. "I've heard some
rumors about Hipps Family's situation here; can you tell me more when I'm back?"
The man quickly replied, "I've heard some things too but let's talk later."
Sylvia didn't reply but continued walking around with Louis and Jenna inside the banquet hall while
Ashlyn caught sight of him from afar. She took a deep breath before approaching him gently with warm
smiles on her face:
"Mr. Hipps... I really admire your talents! Could we exchange contacts?"
This woman definitely wanted something from him again just by looking at her expression - which
annoyed Claire greatly!
"I can't." He interrupted Ashlyn rudely before she could finish speaking - knowing full well that she
probably wanted his Facebook or phone number or something similar again!
"Mr. Hipps..." Ashlyn looked hurt by his response as she gazed up pitifully into those handsome eyes of
hers once more. "I haven't finished speaking yet! All I want is your Facebook!"
"I'm sorry, but you're not my type." Clare's face was grim. He was already in a bad mood, and this
woman just had to come and provoke him.
Ashlyn turned pale. She had grown up being praised for her looks, and she was extremely confident in
herself. This was the first time someone had called her ugly.
She tried to control her anger and frustration, pinching the palm of her hand with her fingers. "Mr.
Hipps, if you don't like me, there's no need to humiliate me like this. It's very uncivilized."
She had always admired Clare and worked hard at playing the piano because he was a genius pianist -
someone she wanted to touch.
Now he stood before her, but he had just insulted her so harshly! Her admiration shattered into
countless pieces.
"It's too much!" Her eyes were red from pain as she thought of Sylvia talking behind her back earlier at
the party. "Did Sylvia say something bad about me? Did she make you hate me on purpose?"
"Don't listen to that wicked woman Sylvia," Ashlyn continued desperately trying to explain herself while
tears streamed down from eyes, "she'll keep bullying me."
"You dare mention Sylvia?" Clare sneered at Ashlyn who looked like a clown with all of that makeup on;
his disgust only growing stronger by each passing moment they spoke together.
"She wants to bully you? And yet here you are still standing in front of everyone without any dignity
left."
Clare could be just as venomous as anyone else when it came down it.
Ashlyn felt dizzy listening to him speak; each word felt like another stab wound.
This wasn't just humiliation anymore; it felt more like being treated worse than an ant underfoot!
Their argument attracted many guests' attention at the party including Mrs. Ritter who was discussing
Ashlyn's future plans with Mr. Guzman until she noticed that her daughter had disappeared.
Mrs. Ritter frowned as she began searching for Ashlyn only then finding out what happened between
them both.
She couldn't believe how embarrassing this situation has become!
Grabbing onto Ashyln's arm tightly, Mrs. Ritter scolded,"What are you doing here? Confessing your
love for some man during such an important event? Are you crazy?"
If Mr. Guzman saw this...
Mrs. Ritter couldn't help but feel her heart sink as she saw Mr. Guzman's face turn grim.
She quickly tried to explain, "Mr. Guzman, my daughter Ashlyn had a slight crush on Mr. Hipps... but
I'm sure she won't anymore in the future."
Mrs. Ritter tugged on Ashlyn's arm and scolded her in a low voice, "Aren't you going to apologize to Mr.
Guzman?"
Ashlyn looked at Mrs. Ritter with shock and said, "What's wrong with liking Clare? Why should I
apologize to the teacher? He was being so rude just now... if anyone should apologize it should be
Clare!"
Watching her stubborn daughter, Mrs. Ritter wished she could knock some sense into her head and
see what was inside.
It was one thing for Ashlyn to act out at home but this wasn't the time or place for it.
Her anger flared up as she turned pale then red again, "Listen to me!"
Didn't her daughter realize that Clare belonged to Louis' faction? Her daughter liked him despite that!
Wasn't this like slapping Mr. Guzman in the face?
Mr. Guzman wanted an apprentice but Ashlyn liked his rival instead.
Their rival who stepped all over him while Ashlyn wanted to do the same?
He sneered at Allie before looking back at Mrs. Ritter,"You two picked some good apprentices."
Allie's expression changed too; no amount of seduction could withstand Mr. Guzman's wrath.
"Mr. Guzman, please don't be angry; she's young and don't know any better. I'll talk with her. She
probably just likes how handsome Clare is after all. The title of Piano Prince can really impress people. Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.
But compared to you... what is he?"
Flattery will get you everywhere...
In terms of global piano associations, only Louis ranked higher than Mr. Guzman.
And even then there was still a gap between them. Clare may have been younger than him too but his
experience paled in comparison.
"You're right. You're an adult so don't worry about it. Don't argue with Ashlyn. She just got carried away.
"Mrs. Ritter also hurriedly spoke up before angrily shouting, "Ashlyn, you must apologize!"
Even though Ashlyn was stubborn and self-centered, she could tell things weren't looking good.
Mr. Guzman seemed genuinely upset now. So without further ado, she lowered her head towards him,
"I'm sorry, Mr. Guzman. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have come here looking for Clare. I promise I won't
do it again."
With many people watching, Ashyln's apology satisfied his vanity somewhat
"I feel like my face has been saved after being embarrassed just now," he said calmly. "It's okay, just be
more careful in the future. Some people are not worth getting too close to. After all, compared to me,
some people's piano skills are nothing."
This was a clear insult to Clare.
Clare was nearby, still thinking about the incident with the Hipps family and didn't even notice Mr.
Guzman's strong vanity.
"He's too petty," Sylvia smirked at Louis next to her. "It's like a woman who doesn't like comparing
herself with others in terms of ability and cultivation or value but instead likes being envious of other
women buying new clothes or jewelry every day."
Louis took a sip of his red wine and nodded in agreement. "Exactly, that kind of person can only be like
this."
He finished speaking and then looked mischievously at Sylvia again. "Hey girl, when will you give me
some embroidery work? Or maybe wood carving?"
His older brother had been urging him every day while also wanting to invite Sylvia over as their guest.
Now that he had caught up with her here, he wouldn't let go easily.
"Maybe another day," Sylvia said nonchalantly as she glanced at him sideways. "Don't you have
enough embroidery work from me already? Maybe I should embroider something for you to wear every
day so you won't always think about my few pieces."
"Really?" Louis' eyes lit up as if he hadn't eaten for hundreds of years.
"Nope," Sylvia rolled her eyes.
"Sylvia!" At this moment, Jenna's crisp voice rang out.
Sylvia turned around and saw two tall beauties standing beside the young girl; they were both
participants in the piano competition who made it through to the finals along with Jenna herself.
The two women had blonde hair and blue eyes; their figures were extremely hot-looking.
She raised an eyebrow slightly; interest flashed across her pretty face. "Are these two beautiful ladies
your friends?"
Jenna blushed slightly before saying somewhat shyly, "These two are fellow competitors who
participated in the piano competition together with me; we all made it through to finals."
"I see," replied Sylvia nodding her head.
"This is Gracie," Jenna introduced Gracie on her left first before introducing Lena on her right side.
"And this is Lena whose father..."
"Her father should be my friend, Fashion Mogul within fashion circles, right?" said Sylvia smiling lightly
on that overly beautiful face of hers. "Nice meeting you both."
"Wow," Gracie was a bit nervous about meeting Sylvia, who was rumored to be a goddess-like figure.
But the woman in front of her was young, beautiful and easy to get along with.
"I'm so happy," Lena said, holding her face. "Miss Sylvia, I'm your fan."
"Thank you, Miss Shepherd," Gracie and Lena quickly thanked Jenna as well.
Jenna blushed and said shyly, "It's nothing. Sylvia is easy to get along with."