Chapter 128

In front of everyone, Isabella found it hard to refuse Michael, but she felt a vague sense of unease.

Michael had been pushing her towards the stage since earlier, and now he was actively suggesting a competition reward.

From what she knew about Michael, he definitely had another plan.

With so many people watching and it being her birthday party, if she refused Michael's proposal now, the news of their discord would likely reach Daniel's ears in no time.

After some thought, Isabella chose to compromise. "What do you suggest?"

Michael knew she would agree, his eyes fixed on her as he said, "Since it's a competition, why not make it bold? If you lose, why not pick one of the many gifts you received today and give it to the other person? Do you dare to try?"

As soon as he said this, everyone below was shocked.

Everyone had seen Isabella's gifts earlier; each one from her uncles was of great significance to her and very valuable. Even the cheapest one was worth tens of millions of dollars.

If she gave it away, wouldn't Violet become the winner of the day on the spot?

Isabella met Michael's gaze and replied directly, "Alright, it's settled then."

Over the years of being married to Michael, she had put away some of her previous hobbies, but that didn't mean her years of memories had become blank.

Even if she really lost to Violet, she wasn't worried about the gifts her uncles gave her.

Because she had already thought of a backup plan for herself.

After speaking, she picked up the gemstone pendant around her neck, which was the birthday gift Michael had just given her in the hotel room, and he had threatened her not to take it off.

Although she hadn't asked the price, knowing Michael's character, the gift he gave wouldn't be cheap.

Isabella said, "Everyone, this gemstone is a birthday gift from Michael. I believe everyone knows his character and generosity. This is my sincerity."

Just now in the room, she naively thought he had put effort into choosing the gift for her.

But then he turned around and got entangled with Violet, right in front of her.

Since the two of them couldn't be together anymore, she wouldn't accept the gift he gave.

But there was one more thing she wanted to ask, "If I win, Ms. Cooper, what will you r offer in exchange?"

Her taking out something didn't mean she would definitely lose. Although Daniel doted on her, he had put effort into her years of training.

As the heiress of the Wilson Family, how could Isabella not understand these social intricacies?

It was one thing for Michael to deliberately make them compete, but for Violet to follow along was truly foolish.

Below the stage, Michael's face darkened as he watched Isabella holding the gemstone he had given her as a bet, thinking she was really heartless.

That gemstone was something he had specially found to protect her safety; she couldn't even take it off, let alone give it away so casually?

Angry as he was, Michael didn't really hope for Isabella to lose.

Now that she had taken that gemstone as a bet, he was even less likely to let it fall into Violet's hands.

If necessary, he wouldn't mind using some tricks.

The outcome was already in his hands; he didn't care about the stakes anymore.

Unexpectedly, Violet trusted him so much that she handed the choice to him. "Mr. Brown, Ms. Taylor's idea was from you, and I agree."

Michael raised an eyebrow and quickly sized her up. "Are you sure?"

Violet thought he was hinting at something, her face flushed, and she bit her lip as she looked at him. "I trust you."

He sneered, glancing at her relentlessly. "Ms. Cooper, I see you aren't wearing any valuable jewelry, but that white dress you are wearing is quite nice. If you lose, you can leave the dress here."

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes quickly turned to Violet.

As Michael said, Violet wasn't wearing any valuable jewelry except for that white dress.

But if Violet left the dress behind, it would be like throwing her dignity to the ground and stomping on it.

A gemstone and a dress, although incomparable in price, were fundamentally different in nature. They couldn't really let Violet walk out naked.

Everyone whispered, thinking that Michael was clearly siding with Isabella.

But Violet didn't think so. When she heard that the gemstone around Isabella's neck was a special gift from Michael, she was extremely jealous.

She didn't care how much the gemstone was worth; it showed Michael had started to care about Isabella. In the past, Michael would never give Isabella anything.

Now, not only did he personally come to Isabella's birthday, but he also chose a birthday gift for her.

Originally, all this love and honor should have belonged to Violet. Including Michael, who should be hers too.

Since he gave it away, she would take it back because she was sure to win.

"Alright!" Violet almost agreed without hesitation.

She firmly believed that Michael had set this condition because he believed she would win and had casually made an excuse.

When Atticus arrived, the competition had already been decided.

The waiters were responsible for clearing the stage and moving the piano from the corner to the center.

As the main character of the birthday party, Isabella was supposed to perform last, so Violet would perform first.

The rule was that both had to play pieces by the same master; no matter what the first person played, the latter had to follow it..

Under everyone's gaze, Violet elegantly sat at the piano.

As the lights fell, her hands lifted, and the deep, elegant music began to play from the stage.

Just hearing the prelude, everyone below gasped.

This was an extremely difficult piece. This piece required high continuity of parts and technical skill in fingering, something even professional piano masters dared not touch, for fear of not achieving perfection and exposing their flaws.

Violet was bold, starting with the highest difficulty. She left no room for Isabella, the main character.

Everyone's eyes turned back to Isabella, as if there was going to be a good show.

Atticus's face darkened upon hearing the first few seconds, wondering who dared to cause trouble on the Wilson Family.

However, Isabella sat calmly below, quietly enjoying the piano piece, with no sign of anxiety on her face.

Atticus couldn't figure out what she was thinking and sat beside her, whispering, "Isabella, aren't you competing? She's clearly trying to win, and you're not worried at all?"

Whether Michael's gemstone was valuable or not was another matter; the Wilson Family didn't lack such things.

But today was Isabella's birthday, and Violet starting with the most difficult piano piece was clearly trying to steal Isabella's thunder.

Isabella could endure it, but he couldn't.