Chapter 1

Before the final show of my world tour, I received a bank notification. Half a million dollars had been charged to my card.

I checked the statement. My fiancée, Serena Sterling, had bought the custom Steinway Black Diamond piano I’d ordered six months ago.

But right before I was about to perform, that very piano showed up in front of Serena’s favorite student.

I just raised an eyebrow and played it cool. I went on stage and performed as if nothing had happened.

Once the show was over, I gathered all my students. I casually wrapped my arm around her waist and smiled.

"A biased fiancée doesn't make a good mentor's partner, Serena. If Ethan gets a Steinway, the rest of the students should get one too."

That night, Serena maxed out all her credit cards.

And I called off our engagement in front of everyone.

As a world-renowned pianist, I have never been short of money or women.

Before the final performance of my world tour ended, I arranged for several of my students to perform on stage.

I had taught them for years. Now that I was at the peak of my career, it was time to let them shine.

Listening to my star student play, a sense of pride washed over me.

"Maestro Julian, you seem to be in an exceptionally good mood today!" the event organizer flattered me.

I couldn't help but smile.

"I am."

The joy in my eyes was impossible to hide.

I was thinking about the Steinway Black Diamond piano I’d been waiting over six months for. I was going to play it during my performance later.

The anticipation made me incredibly happy.

What made it better was that Serena had secretly bought it for me.

She wanted to surprise me. Even though she used my card, the gesture was enough.

I narrowed my eyes, tapping my fingers to the beat of the music.

But just as I was eagerly waiting to hear the next piece, the music coming from the stage made the judges' faces freeze.

Ethan Ward, a student who shouldn't even have been on the program, was playing passionately on stage.

And the piano sitting right in front of him was the exact Steinway I had been waiting for.

My smile vanished. I stared coldly at Serena, who looked thrilled in the audience.

I understood instantly.

The judges looked incredibly uncomfortable, but out of politeness, they tried not to show it.

One of them coughed awkwardly. "Well, this young man's technique is a bit raw, but that instrument is magnificent."

"Is that a Steinway Black Diamond? Only master-level pianists can get their hands on one of those."

"He’s still young. If his family keeps supporting him financially, he might have a future."

"But to reach Maestro Julian's level? He still has a long, long way to go."

Their polite words didn't make me feel any better.

In fact, it made the situation more humiliating.

Every word felt like a slap in the face to my teaching standards. I had always prided myself on choosing students based on talent, not family wealth.

Now, Ethan was parading this ridiculously expensive piano on stage.

He was basically telling the world that he had bought his way in through the back door.

This was Serena's doing.

But honestly, I should have expected it.

Maybe it was my fault. I shouldn't have given her the authority to manage the final show of my tour.

"My apologies, everyone," I spoke up, keeping my voice smooth. "Since this is the final show, my other students were eager to perform. I decided to let them all get some stage experience."

My assistant, standing nearby, was quick on his feet. He immediately arranged for the rest of my students to perform as well.

That solved the problem.

It didn't look like favoritism anymore.

The other students wouldn't feel left out either.

Before my final performance, Serena rushed backstage to find me.

She probably had a whole speech prepared to explain herself.

But she never actually changed. Why should I waste my time listening to her?

I walked right past her without a word and walked onto the stage.

I used to look forward to that piano, but now that someone else had touched it, I didn't want it anymore. I preferred things that belonged entirely to me.

Under the spotlight, I was still Julian Vance—the confident, world-famous pianist.

When the performance ended, Serena chased after me.

"Julian, let me explain..."

The sharp click of her high heels echoed down the hallway, drawing curious stares from the staff.

I stopped and turned to look at her, raising an eyebrow.

Serena choked on her words.

After a long pause, she mumbled, "I just saw how hard Ethan was practicing. I wanted to give him a chance to show what he can do."

I didn't get angry. Instead, I let out a soft laugh.

Serena watched my face closely. Seeing me smile, she finally relaxed.

She wrapped her arm around mine and said softly, "When I look at him, I can't help but think of how you used to be."

"I’m basically his mentor's fiancée, Julian. I wanted to help him."

I looked at her, my eyes curved in a pleasant smile. "I know you meant well."

"But a biased fiancée isn't a good mentor's partner, Serena. If Ethan gets a Steinway, the rest of the students should get one too."

With a quick glance, my assistant gathered the other thirteen students who had come to watch the show.

In front of them, I spoke clearly, "That Black Diamond piano is a custom masterpiece. You can't even buy it on the market anymore."

"But there are twelve of the three-hundred-thousand-dollar models left in stock. A gift is about the thought that counts. I’m sure you guys won't mind a slight downgrade in price, right?"

My assistant was already standing in front of Serena, politely holding a credit card terminal.

I squeezed her waist and looked at the students.

"What are you guys waiting for? Thank Serena for her generous gifts."