Nicole took off Charles’s brooch and said, "Lawrence, change clothes with him."
I thought I misheard. "You... want me to admit that I played that kind of song?"
Nicole didn’t respond, but simply nodded in agreement.
"My father was a revolutionary musician! How could I play that kind of music? It’s Charles’s lack of skill and improper stance! What does it have to do with me?"
"Charles just made a momentary mistake!" Nicole raised her voice, her frustration growing. " He didn’t have the same formal training you did. He doesn’t know as much about musicians as you do, so you can’t blame him.
Then, with a sigh, she said, "I promise, just this once, after it’s over, I’ll marry you."
Still, I adamantly replied, “I refuse!”
I took a step forward, trying to grab the brooch, but Nicole was quick. She easily dodged me and held the brooch out the window.
In panic, I yelled, "Don’t!"
Nicole extended her hand out the window, her voice calm but firm. “You’d really let him bear this humiliation?”
My eyes reddened as I fought to keep my composure.
"And what about me?" I snapped. "Can I bear it?"
For a brief moment, I saw a flicker of hesitation in her eyes.
"Sorry, Lawrence. I’ll marry you," she said. "No one will dare to bully my person."
I clenched my fists, still feeling the weight of her words.
"But," Nicole suddenly switched gears, her voice colder. "If you don’t agree, I’ll have no choice but to destroy the brooch."
"Wait!"
I watched in helpless frustration as the brooch dangled loosely from her fingers, swaying in the wind.
My hands trembled. "I’ll go..."
Before I could finish, the curtain was lifted, and I was pushed out onto the stage in Charles’s suit.
The microphone slammed into my forehead with a loud bang!
Angry shouts filled my ears:
"Traitor! How can you live with yourself after your father’s teachings?"
"When your father hears what you played from the afterlife, how can he rest in peace?"
I gritted my teeth, my anger rising. "I'm sorry..."
The audience continued hollering:
"What good is saying sorry! If you truly feel guilty, then go die!"
"That’s right! Go die!"
"Die!"
With no stop, their voices merged into a furious chant.
My body trembled under the barrage of hatred.
I clenched my teeth tightly, trying to stay steady.
Bending down, I muttered, "I'm sorry..."
Rotten vegetables, shoes, and even phones came flying toward me.
The impact left blood on my forehead.
When I looked up, a familiar figure appeared behind the crowd.
Nicole stood there, watching me.
At that moment, I actually saw a hint of pain in her eyes.
I thought... maybe I was just dazed from the blows, but Nicole turned and walked away.
When I stumbled back to the backstage area, the brooch was, as expected, safely nestled in the velvet box.
It had been wiped clean, looking brand new.
"Here, it’s for you from Nicole," Charles muttered as he reluctantly pushed the box toward me.
My hands trembled as I reached for it. Just as I was about to touch the brooch, another hand snatched it away.
Charles’s cold smile flashed before my eyes.
The next moment, the brooch hit the floor, shattering into pieces.
"You think I’ll really give this to you?" Charles sneered. "Dream on!"
I could no longer contain my patience as my fist struck his face, leaving a dark red imprint.
He stumbled back and fell hard.
"Bastard!" I roared, raising my fist again as fury took over me.
But someone yanked my wrist back.
Another sharp slap echoed through the room.
The sting on my face was sharp, sending pain through my entire body.
I fell to the ground and saw Nicole standing over me. She had never hit me before, not once. Even when she had completely ignored me in the past, the worst she ever did was mock me.
This time, she raised her hand for Charles. Her stiletto heel forcefully crushed the broken brooch into dust.
"The brooch is already with you," she said coldly. "Why did you have to hit Charles?"
I muttered in pain, "Nicole..."
"That's enough, Lawrence!" She gritted her teeth, her voice trembling with fury. "I thought you were just being willful, but you’re even more pathetic than I imagined! Your father never had to see you act like this; it’s truly a blessing for him!"
