The Deadly Assassin Robin
Chapter 191

Chapter 191 All I Want is Your Simplicity

Robin held Vera's cold, trembling hand, his thumb brushing gently over her damp palm.

"Just look into my eyes, and you won't feel nervous."

His voice soft yet steady, cutting through the distant hum of the music.

Vera's gaze lifted to meet his.

In that instant, the world around them faded. It was like being struck by lightning-a flash that left everything else in shadow.

His eyes were clear and steady, as vast and calm as a night sky full of stars.

The anxieties that had gripped her melted away in that starlit glow.

For a heartbeat, she was utterly captivated, lost in the warmth of his smile.

Waves of emotion rose within her.

She realized, with a start, that she'd never looked at him this closely before.

"Feeling a little better?" Robin asked, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

His broad hand and his soft words were a far cry from the emotionally clueless Robin she thought she knew.

"Just follow my lead. Do what I do, and you won't feel embarrassed."

Still holding his gaze, Vera gave a resolute nod. Everything else had faded; there was only him, grounding her in this surreal moment.

"Can you play an instrument?" he asked as they walked, hand in hand, toward the center of the stage, with Ivy just ahead of them.

"No," Vera admitted, her voice barely a whisper.

Robin chuckled softly. "Then what can you do?"

That disarming smile nearly sent her heart racing out of her chest.

"I ... I can't really do anything," she replied honestly, feeling oddly vulnerable.

"Nothing at all?" Robin's smile was as gentle as a spring breeze.

Vera nodded with conviction, a determined look in her eyes.

A smirk curved across Robin's lips. "So, in 20 years, you've done nothing but eat and sleep like a pig?"

"Huh?" Vera was momentarily stunned, catching a hint of mischief in those starry eyes.

She snapped out of her trance.

D*mn him. Did he seriously just call her a pig? Right now?

She shot him a sharp glare, hissing under her breath. "You jerk! You better come up with something-I really don't know what I'm doing up here!" Robin's grin only widened. "Alright, it's official. You're a helpless little pig," he teased. "Fine, then. Just follow me."

"Okay." Vera nodded, resigned. She didn't really have a choice.

Her mind was a complete blank.

She used to think standing on stage looked easy.

Now, under the glaring lights and with all eyes on them, she knew she'd been wrong.

Gripping his hand tighter, she let him lead, grounding herself in his steady presence.

The bright lights and countless faces blurred together, an endless sea of anticipation.

She barely registered what Robin was saying. She just knew she had no control over any of it.

But strangely, she wasn't afraid. She wasn't nervous.

As long as Robin was beside her, holding her hand, she could face anything.

One simple phrase "Follow me"-was enough.

Robin guided Vera to the center of the stage, then turned to Ivy with a smile. "This is your moment. How about Vera and I play piano to accompany you?" Ivy gave a knowing nod, her eyes twinkling.

Robin led Vera by the hand.

Amid polite applause, they walked to the grand piano at the edge of the stage.

They sat together on the bench, and Vera stared blankly at the black-and-white keys, not sure where to begin.

Robin still hadn't let go of her hand.

She felt her pulse quicken.

Out of the corner of her eye, she stole a glance at him. Was he planning to hold her hand the entire time?

Was he... trying to get closer? Maybe even ... taking advantage of the situation?

If he is... I don't mind one bit.

Lost in her thoughts, she barely noticed Robin's grip tighten slightly.

Then, suddenly, her fingers touched the keys, and soft, flowing notes began to fill the air.

Startled, she thought she'd accidentally pressed something, afraid she'd ruined the song.

But then she noticed the beautiful music filling the space, seamless and smooth.

She realized Robin was guiding her hand, playing the piano alongside her. Astonishment flooded through her.

She'd never imagined her fingers could be part of creating something so beautiful.

As the gentle melody unfolded, the stage lights slowly dimmed.

Everyone's attention was focused on Ivy, radiant and poised at the center of the stage.

The audience seemed to forget that Vera and Robin were even there.

Vera, unsure of what to do with her free hand, watched Robin's other hand moving effortlessly over the keys.

Instinctively, she began to follow his lead, pressing down the keys he indicated, letting each note resonate within her.

It felt as if every sound was pulled directly from her heart, an expression of feelings she'd never dared to speak aloud.

She stole another glance at Robin, and she felt her heart stir.

Was this really the same rough-edged Robin she'd known?

In the soft glow of the lights, he seemed different-his usual rough edges softened, his sharp features illuminated with an almost serene intensity. Wasn't this the hero she'd been waiting for?

As if sensing her gaze, Robin looked over and gave her a gentle smile before leaning toward the microphone.

His deep, resonant voice filled the hall, rich and warm, like honeyed wine lingering on the air.

"Maybe far away, or just yesterday ...

"Here or across the sea...

"Through the twists and turns, joy and pain...

"People meet and part again...

"Let go of right and wrong to replace the truth...

"Living takes courage too....

"No halo from above...

"You and I are born... ordinary."

Vera stood frozen, her heart wide open, as if she'd stumbled into a dream.

Is this real?

Everything felt surreal, and the stage seemed to pulse with a quiet magic.

In the center of the stage, Ivy felt it too-a shiver ran through her.

Robin's deep, magnetic voice sliced through the air, each note an arrow straight to the heart.

The entire concert hall was silent, save for the rhythm of breath and heartbeat, as if everyone was held in the same spell.

From her seat in the VIP section, Shirley watched Robin's shadowed figure, bathed in dim light.

Everything felt like a dream.

She, who had never cared much for music, was struck speechless. She never imagined a voice could be this powerful, could reach so deeply into a person's soul. She never would've guessed that Robin's piano playing and singing would be so incredibly captivating.

A spark of wonder lit her eyes.

Robin, how many talents and secrets do you hide?

The music flowed on, his voice low and weathered, lingering in the air like a haunting memory.

"Through heartbreak, I learned regret...

"Life is long, yet fleeting, I bet...

"A heart once broken, vines will grow ...

"To risk it all, I'd gladly go...

"Falling down into the gray...

"With a face dirt-streaked in dismay....

"No halo from above...

"Just holding on to the strength of love."

His voice carried them all into another world, filling the space with a melancholy beauty.

The lights dimmed further, casting the stage in a soft glow.

At the front, Ivy stepped forward gracefully, her dancers moving in perfect synchrony around her.

She lifted her voice, clear and pure, bringing the audience to an emotional peak.

"One day, maybe I'll drift away...

"Or maybe we'll meet again someday....

"Among the crowd or far above ...

"Just let me see the face I love ...

"Even if my eyes fill with tears...

"Though silent, they'll wash away fears...

"No need for halos from the divine...

"All I want... is the beauty of your simple shine...

"With this heart, I have no regret...

"The flame of life is lit."

Ivy's gentle voice lingered in the hall, echoing like a heartbeat.

When the song ended, there was a profound silence.

Then, in a wave, the entire venue erupted into cheers, applause crashing over them like a storm.

Under the spotlight at center stage, Ivy, Robin, and Vera accepted bouquets from the adoring crowd.

Amid the applause, Shirley stepped forward, joining them as the sponsor and event organizer.

Reporters gathered at the edges of the stage, cameras flashing, casting a dazzling array of colors across the scene.

In the audience, Alice stood frozen, unsure if what she was seeing was real.

The confident, commanding figure on stage-was that really Robin? The Robin she'd once dismissed as a nobody?

She heard the host clearly announce his title: "President of Eastvale Development Group."

Had she really overlooked this?

How had Robin become so accomplished without her noticing?

Alice felt her heart race with a mix of shock and panic.

Looking at Robin in the center of the stage, surrounded by the elite of Harmonfield, she didn't know what to think, where to go, or what to do. Tonight, she had seen things she never could've imagined.

Through the gaps in the crowd, she saw him surrounded by Vera, Ivy, Shirley, Daphne, and Rygar-all prominent figures in Harmonfield.

They weren't just near him; they treated him as an equal, even as the center of attention. How could this be?

Was this real?

It didn't make sense!

This wasn't the way things were supposed to go!

After she'd rejected him, Robin was supposed to be struggling, desperate, left with nothing but regret.

He was supposed to beg her for another chance.

How could he possibly be shining so brightly now?

This wasn't right!

Maybe... maybe this was all some elaborate show, a stunt Robin put together to get back at me.

But no-she knew that was impossible.

He couldn't have convinced all these influential people to play along just to prove a point to her.

Just then, she spotted Vera standing beside Robin, her expression radiant with joy and pride, like she belonged there. Alice clenched her teeth.

If anyone deserved to be beside him in this moment, it should've been her, Alice, not Vera!

How was it Vera, that aimless woman who just drifted through life, who got to stand there basking in the spotlight?

The world felt so unfair, so completely upside-down.

Why did Vera get to bask in Robin's success while she, Alice, was left with nothing?

She couldn't stand it!

She forced down her frustration and turned to Amber, her voice tense.

"What exactly is Robin's position in the Dunn Group? Is he really the President of Eastvale Development Group?"

Amber gave her a cool smile. "Not only is Mr. Ramsey the President of Eastvale Development Group, but he's also the largest shareholder in Dunn Group. Ms. Miller, did you not know?" Alice felt her mind go blank. "No way! That's impossible!"

Just then, her phone rang.

It was Zachary, sounding excited. "Alice, a friend told me a bridal shop in Eastvale just got a new wedding gown in stock. Want to check it out tomorrow?"

Irritated and distracted, Alice snapped, "I don't have time! I haven't even decided if I want to go through with the engagement!"