Stella shook her head. “I’m alright. It’s just that the music is too loud in here.” Yvonne smiled. “It’s
precisely because you can’t hear what everyone else is saying that makes it so much fun.” Seeing how
Stella appeared so uncomfortable, Yvonne did not bring her to the dance floor. Instead, she pulled her
through a corridor into another hall.
It was much quieter inside.
Gentle piano music sounded from the stage right at the front, which immediately drew Stella’s attention.
She asked, “What is this place?” “It’s also part of The Doghouse.” Stella furrowed her brows. “Why is it
named like that?”
“One’s own doghouse is always more comfortable than any other house. That’s the meaning behind
this name!” Yvonne explained. “Actually, I don’t really know what the owner of this nightclub was
thinking by giving this place such a terrible-sounding name. However, The Doghouse is one of the
country’s most famous entertainment venues. How could you have never heard of it?”
Stella shook her head. “Well, I really haven’t.”
“What a good child you are,” Yvonne sighed. “You shall have your eyes opened tonight.”
Subsequently, she brought Stella around for a quick introduction. “This place is like a typical bar, where
people would come for the music. Today’s live music probably features the piano. Sometimes, we
would see violinists as well. This place is more suitable for corporate elites looking for someplace to
relax and wind down. Look, those people over there need to work overtime. If you look out in that
direction, you’ll be able to see the entire cityscape at night.”
Yvonne brought Stella to the full-length windows. “Feel free to sit on any of those seats by the
windows.”
Stella’s gaze remained fixed on the pianist.
Yvonne followed her line of sight and smiled at her. “Is this man your cup of tea?”
It was a young man sporting a head of long hair at the piano. Dressed very elegantly, he exuded artistic
flair.
He was considered relatively handsome, with his manly features accentuated by a beard. To top it all
off, he was also very skillful on the piano.
Such stark contrast in appearance and ability could indeed draw the attention of the ladies.
“Do you want to ask for his number?”
Stella immediately shook her head, “No need for that. I just think that he plays the Sonate Pathétique
very well…”
Right after she made her remark, the young man at the piano suddenly lifted his head and looked in
Stella’s direction.
Their gazes locked in mid-air.
Yvonne clicked her tongue. “I almost forgot. You play the piano as well as you dance, both of which
you’ve won awards for! Why didn’t you continue playing the piano?”
She remembered being taken aback after reading Stella’s resume. She clearly had the talent, given her
standards. As long as she put in the time and effort to hone her skills, be it piano or dance, she would
surely be somebody in both fields. Yet, she strangely chose to be an insignificant dance teacher in the
end. Stella’s eyes darkened as she shook her head. “Something happened to my family.” Yvonne shut
her mouth in that instant.
It would have been her guess as well. For Weston to be able to threaten Stella with her family was a
clear indication that her background was fraught with difficulty.
Both ladies walked around the place and took in everything. The man at the piano suddenly walked up
to Stella, having finished his routine for the house. “Hello, beautiful. You seem to be very
knowledgeable about the piano. May please I invite you to duet?” Stella was slightly taken aback. She
glanced at her watch and saw that it was still far from the time that she agreed to meet with Weston.
She looked at Yvonne, egging her on with an eager look in her eyes, and she nodded helplessly. “Sure,
but I haven’t touched the piano in ages. I’m not sure if I’ll lower the standard of your performance.” The
man smiled, and without a word, simply gestured her towards the piano. On the other side of the
Doghouse.
In the quiet private room, Lucas looked at the silent man seated before him and asked casually, “Mr.
Ford, you don’t seem to be in a good mood today. What happened?”
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