After divorce, Ex-wife Revealed Identities
Chapter 992

Chapter 992

Louis looked at Annika with growing sympathy.

It was genuine sympathy.

The piece "Feux Follets," as Annika mentioned, was indeed difficult to play well.

Although she had won awards in national competitions, those awards were only national, not world-class.

There were many musical geniuses in the world. For instance, Jenna, a young girl with extraordinary talent, whom Louis had heard play the piano during Annika's competition. Compared to Jenna, Annika still had some way to go.

And now... she was challenging Sylvia?

Playing "Feux Follets"?

What a joke.

When Annika heard Louis speak to her, she thought he was showing concern and encouragement.

She lifted her chin proudly. "Mr. Fox, I really like this piece. I hope you can guide me on it. It would be an honor."

Louis looked at her with a pitying gaze. "Alright, Miss Hipps, please."

Annika sat down at the piano and glanced at the strikingly elegant Sylvia. "I wonder what piece you will play later, Miss Andrews?"

Sylvia's lips curled into a smile, her eyes bright and clear. "I don't like playing difficult pieces; they're too hard. Today is a good day, as you said. I'll play 'Ode to Joy."""

Annika scoffed. "That's a piece for kindergarteners, isn't it?"

Playing such a simple piece-she must not understand piano at all!

Let alone being Louis's disciple.

Annika's eyes were full of mockery as she focused on playing her chosen piece, "Feux Follets."

This étude emphasized the flexibility of the forearm and was usually considered an advanced concert piece.

Franz Liszt pursued a dizzying, technically dazzling piano style with extremely fast speed, loud volume, brilliant technique, and wild momentum that captivated people of his time. However... although Annika didn't miss a single note, she played "Feux Follets" very slowly, imbuing it with a gentle and soft quality.

Louis shook his head helplessly after listening for a while.

While outsiders might not notice, almost every member of the Hipps family could play the piano.

So, most of the people present were piano experts.

Even if they weren't the best, they had some basic understanding.

Therefore, Annika's mediocre performance, especially for "Feux Follets," was somewhat disappointing.

The room fell silent; no one clapped.

No one spoke.

Clare frowned slightly and spoke bluntly, "Why have you regressed so much? Have you stopped practicing seriously since winning the award?"

Annika had been feeling proud, thinking she had outshone everyone.

Hearing Clare's words, her face turned pale. "Uncle, I..."

"Don't make excuses. Listen to what you just played. 'Feux Follets' is supposed to be fast-paced, clear, and aggressive. But you played it so slowly like a snail. It's embarrassing!" Clare looked at her coldly. "From now on, practice two hours every day!"

Annika didn't expect to lose face so badly in front of her entire family. She couldn't bear the humiliation, especially in front of Sylvia, the true heiress who had just returned.

She felt even angrier and more frustrated.

But... remembering that she was just the daughter of the branch family, she didn't dare to resist and silently left her seat.

Louis also spoke up. "Miss Hipps, you should practice more diligently in the future. 'Feux Follets' is not a piece for just anyone."

A blatant humiliation.

Annika suppressed her anger. Why could Maritza play smoothly while she chose such a difficult piece and got mocked? She was furious!

She wanted to see what Sylvia could play. Wasn't it just "Ode to Joy"? Such a simple piece!

As she sneered inwardly, Sylvia sat down.

The clear and pure sound of the piano filled the room, and everyone widened their eyes to look at the woman sitting by the piano.

Her back was straight, and her hands danced over the black and white keys like butterflies.

Elegant and full of aristocratic details, her performance was balanced and graceful without losing control in pursuit of pleasing effects.

Her hands moved smoothly and transitioned seamlessly, showcasing layers of harmonious lines vividly.

Her superb technique was awe-inspiring; it felt like she was building a world before everyone's eyes!

A whole new world!

"I've never heard 'Ode to Joy' played so beautifully before. The ones I heard before were garbage."

"Why does such a simple piece sound so wonderful when she plays it?"

"It's like she breathed life into this piece!"

The relatives around began whispering. "As expected of Mr. Fox's disciple!"

"I think if she played 'Feux Follets,' it would be much better than Annika."

"I think so too."

Annika stood beside Martha, her face turning green with envy.

How could an ordinary "Ode to Joy" sound so advanced and melodious when Sylvia played it? It was like heavenly music. Could she really be Louis's disciple?

Maritza was also shocked, her eyes wide open. Was what she just heard really "Ode to Joy"?

Playing difficult pieces was not easy, but playing a well-known piece to a new level was even harder.

That was almost impossible.

This... was too shocking!

Especially since most members of the Hipps family understood piano and would often play a piece during their leisure time.

Especially pieces like "Für Elise" or "Ode to Joy"... everyone could play them.

But... hearing Sylvia play at such an advanced level was a first!

When the piece ended,

Sylvia stood up. "I apologize for my humble performance."

Her voice was soft yet clear and pleasant.

Everyone seemed to wake from a dream and began to applaud.

Annika clapped while feeling full of resentment inside.

What she hated most was Clare smiling and excitedly praising Sylvia. "Sylvia played wonderfully! It's been so long since I heard you play; your level is beyond what ordinary people can reach." The praise was evident and unreserved.

Not only him but Louis also said, "Sylvia, your piano skills make me feel inferior."

Mr. Fox admitted he was inferior to Sylvia?

!!!

This statement was like a deep-water bomb that shattered everyone's minds on the spot.

Are you kidding?

In their eyes, Mr. Fox was an unattainable existence!

Sylvia raised an eyebrow at him. Was this middle-aged man trying to make others hate her?

Look at the faces of the Hipps family's young ladies; they were almost as black as coal.

"Louis, you're not old yet! Are you admitting defeat so soon?"

Sylvia smiled and glanced at the four young ladies of the Hipps family but didn't pay them much attention.

She gracefully walked over to Old Mrs. Hipps. "Grandma, if you like listening, I'll play for you every day."

Old Mrs. Hipps smiled so broadly that her eyes crinkled. "You truly inherited your mother's talent; your playing is wonderful."

Jasmine and Giancarlo were also present. Giancarlo's health had improved significantly recently; after some time of recuperation, he looked much better.

"Sylvia, that was fantastic," Giancarlo praised. "Such an outstanding child in our Hipps family is truly our blessing!"

"Indeed," Jasmine smiled warmly and lovingly at Sylvia. "Are you hungry? Would you like me to get you something to eat?"

Sylvia shook her head. "Thank you, grandaunt."

Although it was a family banquet with many exquisite dishes and pastries prepared,

Sylvia had no appetite at all.

While everyone chatted in groups of threes and fives,

Louis pulled Sylvia aside and whispered to her, "Are you preparing the gift? My brother knows I know the carving master Mr. R! Don't let me down!"

Sylvia held a wine glass in her delicate hand and swirled it gently. "It's just carving something. Since I promised you, I won't go back on my word."

"Alright, my brother said you can name your price; any amount is fine. He has plenty of money," Louis said with a grin, completely different from his usual demeanor as a distinguished piano master. "Since he's your brother and I've met him once before, I'll give him a discount-fifty million dollars," Sylvia said without asking for a hundred million dollars directly but halved it instead.

"You gave a fifty percent discount?" Louis felt particularly proud and honored.

He was somewhat flattered.

"After all, you're my teacher, aren't you?" Sylvia smiled again and glanced at Jasmine and Giancarlo not far away. "I won't talk to you anymore."

With that, she walked over to the couple. "Granduncle, how is your health now? Are you still taking your medicine? After your surgery, you mustn't stop taking your medication; do you understand?" Giancarlo sat on the sofa and pointed to the opposite sofa. "Sylvia, have a seat!"

Although his health had improved significantly,

such long family banquets still exhausted him somewhat.

Seeing Sylvia come over,

he perked up again. "I've been taking my medicine regularly; it's just that I'm getting old..."

"So you need to take even better care of yourself," Sylvia said with a smile.

"The Sweeney family's young master is here," suddenly, the butler rushed into the hall and said to Old Mrs. Hipps and Old Mr. Hipps, "I don't know why he's here now."

The two elders were taken aback. "Why is the Sweeney family so interested in our Hipps family lately?"

It felt rather uncomfortable.