Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee by KIKI

Chapter 878: A Lesson in True Talent Two servants carefully carried a harp onto the stage, placing it gently.

The harp was jet-black, made from ebony, with a slightly raised dragonhead at its top. Its mouth was slightly open, and intricate carvings adorned the back, including engraved text. From a distance, it seemed ordinary. Natalie's eyes lit up as she stepped forward, running her fingers across the harp. "This one!" she declared. River Swanson cast a sidelong glance, a flicker of disdain crossing her eyes. Of course, Leo wouldn't care for someone like Natalie-he'd provided such a plain instrument. River spoke coolly, "Shall I go first, or will Miss Whittaker?" Natalie raised an eyebrow indifferently. "Up to you." River smiled faintly. "Then I'll go first and set the stage for you." Her mind brimmed with contempt. Coward. Brave enough to agree, but when it comes to the real stage, too scared to step up. Fine. Let her try to play after witnessing me.

River gracefully took her seat at the crystal grand piano. Her white, handcrafted embroidered gown flowed elegantly, and her long hair cascaded over her shoulders, highlighting her fair complexion. She exuded refined elegance. The livestream audience erupted instantly.

"Wow, she's stunning! Even through the screen, she looks better than most celebrities!" "That piano is blindingly beautiful. Classic display of wealth!" "River Swanson is too perfect-talented in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Ordinary people don't stand a chance!" "She's living the dream life!" "From today, I'm her number one fan. Such beauty!" "A true lady of high society!" "I'm voting for River. Her looks alone havesold!" River's slender fingers danced across the shimmering keys of the crystal piano. The music flowed like a gentle stream, soothing and melodious, or like soft rain, calming the heart.

Her mastery of the keys was impeccable. Not a single note was out of place, even on the transparent piano. As the piece ended, she rose gracefully and bowed to the audience.

Thunderous applause followed. Many praised her performance, comparing her to esteemed pianists. "This is a true artist! Her playing was mesmerizing, even through the screen!" "I wish I were there in person. I want to hear her live!" "Encore! Encore!" "My vote goes to River Swanson. No need to hear anyone else!" "There's no competition. River has already won." The livestream audience was ecstatic. Social media exploded, with "Ashbury Swanson family heiress plays piano" trending at number one.

Luna Black's livestream account gained millions of followers instantly. She beamed with pride, knowing that River's performance had captivated everyone.

She rushed to River's side, holding her phone. "Look! The livestream is going crazy for you! You're definitely winning the vote. You even made it to the top of the trending list!" "I told you, you're the Ashbury family's prodigy. And Natalie? She's nothing. Just wait for her to embarrass herself!" River smiled smugly, her tone dripping with mockery. "I can't wait to see her humiliate herself in front of the entire nation." It was Natalie's turn.

Unhurried, Natalie stepped onto the stage in a simple white outfit. She sat cross-legged on the floor, without a chair, in front of the seemingly ordinary harp. Her expression was calm and composed. "She looks so plain. That harp seems so ordinary too. The crystal piano is much better." "She's acting all lofty, but she doesn't seem to be taking this seriously." "With her head down, she's probably not as pretty as River." "Let's just listen for a bit. My vote's going to River anyway." Tina scrolled through the livestream comments, her face darkening.

"Did they buy bots?" Jared, noticing her frustration, said calmly, "Don't worry. I'll handle it. Let's start our own livestream." With that, Jared, as the president of Farrell Group, launched a livestream. The audience poured in immediately. He focused the camera intently on Natalie.

When Natalie lifted her head, the camera captured her perfectly. Her oval face was bare of makeup, her brows delicately arched, her skin smooth like jade, and her long lashes cast shadows over her starlit eyes. Her lips were like cherry blossoms, her nose delicate, and her beauty was serene and ethereal, like the moon in the night sky. Jared zoomed in, ensuring the high-definition footage left no detail unseen.

"Is this Tina?" "I'm a die-hard Tina fan, but she's not Tina!" "She looks so much like Tina, but wow, she's stunning!" "Is this really her bare face? I just cfrom the other livestream, and I thought that was beautiful. But this... this is next level!" "She's late, but I'd wait hours for this." Natalie's delicate brows furrowed slightly as she focused deeply, immersing herself in the moment.

Her left hand brushed the harp strings, and her right hand plucked them with graceful precision. The first note resonated, striking a chord deep within the audience's hearts.

Her fingers moved swiftly, creating a symphony of grandeur, like waves crashing against towering cliffs-majestic and powerful, yet never harsh.

The melody shifted, her fingers weaving through the strings, evoking ace evoking the calm of the sea after a storm.

NO The music painted a sunrise over tranquil waters, shimmering with hope and beauty.

Every note was under her control. Natalie, in her simple white attiren seemed like a lone figure atop a cliff, overlooking the vast, tumultuous ocean. The audience held their breath, as if transported into a vivid painting brought to life by her music.

"This melody belongs in heaven! General Praevion's wife must have descended to perform for us!" a voice exclaimed from the crowdprompting daughter and a thunderous round of applause. Everyone clapped until their hands ached, except for River Swanson, who sat frozen, her eyes wide with disbelief. Her face twitched as if unable to process what had just happened. How was this possible? How could Natalie play the harp? And so brilliantly? Better than her? Natalie, who had lived a wandering life and never even attended school? Luna Black was equally stunned, nearly dropping her phone. How could this happen? Natalie was supposed to embarrass herself in front of everyone! But reality had delivered a swift slap to their faces.

The livestream audience exploded like boiling water. The comments scrolled so fast they were a blur.

"What is this song? I've never heard it before. I need it in my playlist!" "This isn't just talent-this is mastery!" "I've seen old masters play, and even they can't compare. She's so young!" "Did anyone else hear someone say she's General Praevion's wife?!" "General Praevion is our nation's pride. I'm not even jealous; I'm just in awe!" "A perfect match! Beauty and talent!" "I thought River was incredible, but this... this is beyond extraordinary. River doesn't stand a chance!" "River played the piano, but Natalie played the harp-a far harder instrument. And she played it flawlessly!"