Chapter 199: Chapter 199: Went to the Wrong Place
The manager’s words made Ann Vaughn pause slightly, recalling that the organizers had indeed mentioned tonight’s gathering would be lively, and that they had prepared many interesting performances for them.
But there was no mention that she would have to perform on stage as well.
As it was about to start, the manager couldn’t care less whether this "savior’s" musical skills could captivate the audience. Just her face was enough to feast their eyes, wasn’t it?
"Hurry up to the stage; if you delay any longer, it’ll be too late!"
The manager urged urgently, leaving Ann Vaughn with no time to think it through; she was pushed into the event hall just like that.
The organizers were truly enthusiastic.
Ann thought to herself as she gracefully walked to the low marble stage where the zither was placed, bowed slightly to the audience below, and then elegantly sat down in front of the zither.
Ever since she appeared, almost all eyes in the room were drawn to her, with faint gasps of astonishment.
The beauty was already stunning, not to mention the woman in a snow-white qipao with remarkable presence, sitting before the zither.
It gave a feeling of peering through layers of mist to glimpse the shock of a past era from a hundred years ago, as if witnessing worldly perfection.
Ann Vaughn lowered her eyes, and a vivid picture emerged in her mind. Then, her long, delicate fingers plucked the strings, and the light melody flowed from her fingertips.
The sound of the strings was rather lively, like a clear spring passing through the heart, making people feel a joyful urge to dance along with the music.
Soon, the audience below started to dance to the string music, filling the dance floor with a lively atmosphere.
The manager, who was anxiously watching from below, fearing Ann Vaughn would make a mistake and embarrass herself, could barely contain his joy upon seeing this scene.
Where did those guys find such a treasure? If he could keep her at The Azure Pavilion, what would he have to worry about in the future?
"Chirp chirp chirp chirp——"
Unexpectedly, at this moment, birdcalls were heard from the terraces around the hall.
Immediately after, hundreds of colorful birds flew from the outside terraces into the middle of the hall, circling directly above Ann Vaughn, who was playing the zither!
The chirps of the birds mixed with Ann Vaughn’s zither music, creating an indescribable harmony that was even more breathtaking!
The people who were dancing suddenly stopped in amazement, almost unable to believe the scene before their eyes.
"Oh my, it’s almost autumn already, where did all these birds come from?"
"Haha, I’ll say something silly, could these birds have been attracted by the music? Wasn’t there such a legendary story in ancient times?"
"This is too crazy; I must be dreaming..."
"It’s not crazy, okay? I’ve heard my grandpa talk about it. More than twenty years ago, at Shuhua Vaughn’s coming-of-age ceremony, she attracted birds to join in harmony with her music. Everyone who saw it back then said it was unforgettable! I never thought I could see it with my own eyes; I can boast to my grandpa later!"
"Oh, please, Shuhua Vaughn was the pride of Marinia; do you know who this woman is? Ann Vaughn—the so-called abandoned wife sent abroad by the Hawthorne Family!"
There was lively discussion below, mixing exclamations and derogatory remarks, almost leading to an argument.
As the last note ended, Ann Vaughn’s hands left the strings, and she looked up at the hundreds of birds circling overhead, a hint of surprise glinting in her bright eyes.
As the music faded, the birds gradually flew away.
Ann Vaughn retracted her gaze, got up, and walked to the edge of the stage. The manager immediately approached her with an ingratiating smile, saying, "Miss, may I ask your last name? Are you interested in working at our Azure Pavilion?"
If previously she was uncertain, now Ann Vaughn was sure.
She likely walked into the wrong place and, because of the manager’s ambiguous words, ended up causing such a mix-up.
Ann Vaughn couldn’t help but twitch her lips; if the gathering place wasn’t on the nineteenth floor, could it be...
...it’s on the ninth floor?!
"Miss?"
"I’m sorry, I..." Ann Vaughn was about to refuse the manager’s olive branch when she was interrupted by a man in a suit who suddenly approached, "Miss, are you interested in going out for a drink with me?"
This flirtatious and roguish tone immediately made Ann Vaughn frown slightly; she turned her eyes to glance coldly at the man.
"Oh, I hadn’t even decided whether to go up and talk to her, and Young Master Langdon got ahead of me."
"This woman is indeed an exceptional beauty, but unfortunately, she’s the unwanted one by Mr. Hawthorne. Otherwise, I’d love to have a spring encounter with her."
"I don’t mind whether she’s unwanted; after all, Mr. Hawthorne doesn’t want her anymore. Once Young Master Langdon gets bored with her, I’ll take over, just to see what it’s like with a woman who used to be Mrs. Hawthorne."
"Hahaha, aren’t you afraid Mr. Hawthorne will skin you alive if he hears this? Don’t forget how the Vaughn Family collapsed!"
"Afraid of what? Mr. Hawthorne couldn’t care less about an abandoned wife, right?"
The surrounding discussed varied tones of malice.
Initially, Ann Vaughn didn’t plan to reveal herself so soon, but her frown deepened, and her eyes turned cold as she prepared to leave.
The man in the suit immediately blocked her path, leering openly at her body, with a noticeable aura of greed.
He’d played with so many women, but never tried this kind of taste.
"Move aside." Ann Vaughn’s face turned serious, a hint of impatience in her voice, as she couldn’t even be bothered to maintain basic politeness.
The man’s gaze made her extremely uncomfortable, disgustingly sinister to the extreme.
"Having such a fiery temper isn’t good; I’ll teach you today how to please a man." After finishing his words, the man in a suit grabbed Ann Vaughn’s arm, trying to drag her outside.
"Let go of me. This is your final warning." Ann Vaughn’s fingers brushed against the edge of her pearl bag, with a cold voice rebuking.
The man in the suit laughed arrogantly, "Not to brag, but it’s your blessing that I’ve taken a liking to you. If you please me well, money and cars won’t be an issue."
"Does a scorned woman dare act superior with me? Do you believe me when I say I could do you here, and no one would dare say a word?"
Saying this, the man in the suit reached out, attempting to tear Ann Vaughn’s qipao neckline and humiliate her on the spot!
Ann Vaughn’s eyes sharpened, and in the next moment, the golden needle in her hand swiftly and decisively pierced the man’s wrist!
"Ah——"
The man in the suit shouted in pain, and his previously arrogant face twisted in agony, without even touching Ann Vaughn’s hem.
"Damn it, what are you all standing around for?! Get her for me!" The man clutched his painfully numb right hand, ordering the guards to seize Ann Vaughn, who was trying to leave, "Take away her bag!"
He had seen clearly just now; this woman had taken something from her bag to stab him!