Chapter 122: Music Beneath the Lights
Music Beneath the Lights
Mike Valquin had absolutely no idea how much chaos his short video had already unleashed across Valemont.
Nor did he realize how much hatred it had quietly drawn toward his "big brother."
Right now, however, he was far too busy admiring the numbers on his phone.
The video he had posted only minutes ago was exploding.
Likes... comments... shares...
The counter jumped rapidly.
Eight thousand.
Nine thousand.
Then—
Ten thousand likes in less than ten minutes.
Mike leaned back against a marble pillar in the hall, whistling in satisfaction.
"Not bad."
He nodded proudly at the screen as if he had personally accomplished something great.
Then, with complete shamelessness, he typed another comment under his own post.
"Everyone pay attention. My sister is officially joining my big brother’s harem."
"From today onward, my big brother is my brother-in-law!"
"He calls me little brother-in-law, and I call him big brother."
"We both keep our titles. Perfect balance!"
A few seconds later, he laughed out loud.
"In a good mood today."
"Let’s do a giveaway."
Without hesitation, he opened another post and casually announced a million-Euro random giveaway for his followers.
For someone born into the Valquin household, that amount of money meant nothing.
If you had money—
Why not share the happiness?
--------
Meanwhile, in the center of the grand hall, beneath a massive crystal chandelier, Julian D’Aurelius sat beside Gwen Valquin at a polished grand piano.
Their fingers moved gracefully across the black-and-white keys.
A cheerful melody filled the room.
The notes flowed smoothly—bright, elegant, and lively.
Gradually the conversations across the hall quieted.
Guests stopped speaking.
Businessmen paused mid-discussion.
Even waiters slowed their movements.
Everyone turned toward the music.
Two young figures sat at the piano.
One man.
One woman.
Julian’s golden eyes remained calm as his fingers moved effortlessly across the keyboard.
Beside him, Gwen played with natural grace. Her posture was elegant, shoulders relaxed, blonde hair falling softly across one side of her face as she focused on the music.
Among Valemont’s young elites, Gwen was famous not only for her beauty and intelligence—but also for her artistic talent.
She excelled in piano, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
Julian was no different.
As the wealthy heir of the D’Aurelius household—and the designated villain of the story—he had been trained in nearly every skill imaginable.
Music.
Art.
Etiquette.
Languages.
Without such talents, how could a villain ever stand proudly in front of the protagonist?
Without them—
He couldn’t serve properly as a stepping stone.
From the side of the hall, Mike Valquin saw the scene and immediately raised his phone again.
Another video.
"This," he narrated dramatically while recording, "is what you call a heavenly match."
"My big brother and my sister are perfect together."
Fortunately for Julian—
Evan had already smashed his phone earlier.
Otherwise, this video might have caused him another heart attack.
--------
Not far away, three women stood watching.
Bianca De Dominicis.
Selene Aurevale.
Amara Ravenswood.
The three of them looked toward the piano with complicated expressions.
Bianca crossed her arms, red eyes narrowing slightly.
Selene remained calm on the surface, though her blue eyes carried a faint trace of irritation.
Amara sighed softly.
They had all learned piano at some point.
But university life had kept them busy with business, studies, and responsibilities.
Compared to Gwen—who had practiced for years—the difference was obvious.
Bianca tilted her head slightly and glanced at Selene with a playful smirk.
"Well, well."
"Your fiancé is playing a romantic duet with another woman."
She waved her hand lightly like she was fanning flames.
"Miss Aurevale... shouldn’t you perform something too?"
Selene slowly turned her head.
Her blue eyes were cold.
"And why don’t you go dance with your ex-boyfriend?" she replied calmly.
Bianca’s smile widened.
"Ex-boyfriend?" she said lightly.
"That title expired a long time ago."
She leaned slightly closer to Selene.
"But if you’re so confident, why are you staring at them so intensely?"
Selene’s expression tightened.
Bianca continued with a teasing tone.
"Afraid someone might steal him?"
Selene finally responded.
Her voice was smooth—but sharp.
"I’m not afraid."
She glanced at Bianca.
"I simply dislike noisy people pretending to be confident."
Bianca chuckled.
"Oh?"
"So you’re confident?"
"Then why not go up there and play?"
Selene fell silent.
She could play piano.
But not like Gwen.
Not like Julian.
Walking up there now would only make her look inferior.
And no woman wanted to lose.
Even if they complimented each other politely—
Deep down every woman believed she was the most outstanding.
Bianca shrugged casually.
"Well, it doesn’t matter."
"I’m better at dancing anyway."
She leaned slightly toward Selene and whispered mischievously.
"Next time, I’ll dance a pole dance while he plays the piano."
Selene almost choked.
Her cheeks flushed faintly.
"I’m not as shameless as you," she replied sharply.
Bianca only laughed.
--------
Amara Ravenswood stood quietly beside them.
She watched Julian at the piano.
Her hazel eyes softened slightly.
Brother Julian really is amazing...
A faint sigh escaped her lips.
He’s good at everything.
No wonder everyone likes him.
But a small competitive thought slowly appeared in her mind.
If I try to compete with them in beauty...
Or talent...
Or wealth...
She shook her head slightly.
That won’t work.
Then suddenly her eyes brightened.
Medical skills.
Her family specialized in Ancient Medicine.
That was her strongest field.
A small smile appeared on her lips.
Next time...
I’ll invite Brother Julian to volunteer at my clinic.
Then I can show him my medical skills.
Maybe he’ll praise me.
The thought alone made her feel slightly happier.
------------
At the piano, the music reached its final note.
Julian and Gwen finished their duet perfectly.
The hall exploded into applause.
Guests clapped enthusiastically.
Many admired the two young figures standing beside the piano.
Julian stood calmly, smiling politely.
But inside—
(Great.)
(Starting tomorrow...)
(They’ll call me the Aquaman Pianist of Valemont.)
---------
Not far away, Wystan Valquin watched with interest.
The old patriarch stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"The boy from the D’Aurelius household..."
"Not bad."
He glanced toward Shan Aurevale standing beside him.
"Shan, I heard your daughter hasn’t spoken to Julian for three years."
He smiled slowly.
"Isn’t this marriage a bit... forced?"
Shan Aurevale’s mouth twitched.
He knew exactly what the old fox was doing.
Trying to steal his future son-in-law.
Shan immediately replied calmly.
"Three years apart only strengthens fate."
"When they reunite, it becomes a perfect match."
"What a beautiful story."
Wystan chuckled softly.
"Don’t force things."
"Your daughter’s happiness matters most."
"If she’s unhappy..."
He leaned slightly closer.
"...the Valquin household can help you solve the problem."
He paused.
"Several major projects worth hundreds of billions of Euros might even be possible."
The implication was obvious.
Trade business opportunities—
For Julian.
Shan’s expression darkened slightly.
Before he could respond—
Another voice interrupted.
"Why fight over him?"
An old man spoke lazily while sipping tea.
It was the D’Aurelius household patriarch.
Julian’s grandfather.
He had been watching the entire scene with quiet amusement.
Now he slowly set down his teacup.
"Why not marry all your daughters to my grandson?"
The room fell silent.
Henrik De Dominicis nearly choked on his drink.
Wystan Valquin stared at him.
For a moment—
Both old men actually considered it.
Then they suddenly laughed.
Shan Aurevale, however, felt a deep sense of threat.
This old man...
He’s serious.
Before the argument could continue—
An announcement echoed through the hall.
"The commerce meeting is about to begin."
The gathering slowly moved toward the conference area.
The hotel had transformed a large banquet hall into a formal meeting room.
One by one, representatives from various companies took their seats.
The four major families sat at the front.
But in the front row—
One seat remained empty.
That seat once belonged to a powerful newcomer.
The Bear Group.
However this year—
No representative had arrived.
People began whispering.
Only a few days earlier—
Three of the four major families had openly declared war on the Bear Group.
Being simultaneously targeted by three great families...
Was an honor no company in Valemont had ever received before.