The Apple of My Eye novel Chapter 171

Autumn smiled and said, "It's all right."

Noticing that their words failed to upset Autumn, Rachel turned herself towards them, "You always talk about our past. But it's improper to mention those in front of Mrs. Lu."

A fleeting sadness came to Rachel's face. She then continued, "I'm done with Charles, though. I believe Charles had his reasons to choose Mrs. Lu. Perhaps we're not meant for each other. Please don't mention these again, or it will only get awkward between us."

Rachel's expression was contrary to her words. When her fans saw her sad face, they all got angry.

They were convinced that Autumn had stolen Charles away from Rachel. In their eyes, Autumn was a shameless bitch.

"Well, I need to leave now. I will be with you again later." Her plan worked and she could now leave. The host on the stage called out Rachel's name, "Next... Let's welcome our birthday girl and queen of this party - Rachel!"

Rachel smiled at Autumn and said, "Mrs. Lu, could you excuse me? I will be back shortly."

Autumn nodded, "Okay." She didn't care where Rachel was going. Autumn had chosen to stay with Rachel because she wanted to let Charles talk with his former business partners.

She found a corner and stood there, watching Rachel go to the stage waving and smiling at everyone. Rachel bowed to her guests and said, "Thank you for taking time to attend my birthday party. I hope that you all enjoy yourselves tonight."

After the brief greeting, Rachel was about to leave the stage when the host took her by her hand and said, "Wait a moment, Miss Bai. I heard that you were a dancer before you became famous. I wonder if you could treat us with a dance number."

"It..." Rachel looked slighly awkward, but there was no surprise in her eyes. Obviously she knew of the host's proposal beforehand.

The fans shouted eagerly, "Please, Rachel. We haven't seen you dance for a long time." Rachel said with a little nod, "I can dance, but..."

"Come on Rachel, please!" The host proceeded with a smile, "Miss Bai, if you agree to dance, we will be at your service and satisfy your every wish."

Rachel responded with a sneer, "It's not a big deal. I heard that Mrs. Lu was not only pretty but good at playing the piano. I hope she could accompany me here on stage, but I'm not sure. May I have this honor?"

Autumn had hidden in a corner and taken a rest. The party was getting boring for her. She had been sitting in the lounge and had almost fallen asleep. Hearing this, she came to her senses and looked terrified.

Silence swept the hall and the crowd's attention turned to Autumn. Charles raised his eyebrow, strode to Autumn and said to her, "Let's go. We have already done enough. There is no need to give in to any of her requests."

"It's rude of us to leave now." 'Now all the guests have fixed their eyes on me. If I left the party now, the media would make up stories about our relationship, me embarrassing Rachel on purpose or showing strong hostility towards Charles's ex-girlfriend. Most importantly, it will be a bad manner of us to leave now.

Neither do I want others to think that Rachel is better than me or that Charles made a wrong choice.'

She stroked Charles's hand and said with a smile, "She just wants to embarrass me on stage. Perhaps she is the one to be humiliated."

Rachel couldn't endure the great chemistry she was witnessing so she urged some more, "Mrs. Lu, are you willing to do me this favor?"

Charles was extremely displeased with what Rachel was doing. He frowned and said to Autumn in a cool tone, "You don't have to play this game. Don't fall into her trap because of an impulse."

Charles felt the evil motive behind Rachel's invitation.

Rachel smiled and said, "I just hope that Mrs. Lu could play for me. Can I do anything to harm her in public? Couldn't you satisfy my small request?"

She had learnt from Yvonne that Autumn didn't know how to play the piano. Therefore, she had asked Autumn to play for her and make a fool of herself.

'People will find out who deserves Charles more. One dances well and the other doesn't know the piano.

No matter how Autumn turns down my request, she will leave a bad impression on the crowd.

And I'll be the winner in this game, ' Rachel mused complacently.

Yvonne who stood near Autumn advised her, "Miss Bai has been appealing to you for some time now, why not do her this favour? Stop hesitating and hurry!"

'Autumn lived in poverty when she was a kid. She couldn't have had time or money to learn the piano, ' Yvonne thought. She just wanted to see Autumn become the laughingstock of the party, and let Charles know what kind of an unaccomplished woman he had married.

Facing pressure from Yvonne and Rachel, Autumn had no choice but to comply. Eventually, she gave a smile and said to Rachel, "Then... please don't laugh at my performance."

"Thank you!" Rachel never really expected that Autumn would agree to play. She already found a pianist who was waiting behind the stage, in case Autumn turned her down. To her amazement, Autumn said yes and came up the stage.

She was stunned but shortly after, she burst into laughter and continued, "Thank you for giving me this honor. The piano is ready Mrs. Lu. Please give me a minute while I change into a dancing outfit. I will be back soon."

Rachel was wearing an evening dress, and it was improper to dance in it. When Charles observed Autumn's calm expression, he realized that she must know how to play, or she wouldn't have given in to Rachel's request easily.

Noticing Charles' concerned expression, Autumn comforted him with a bright smile, "Don't worry. I only need to finish a song. Can we leave as soon as this performance is over? I am worried about grandma..."

Although her grandma was much better, the doctor had told them that she couldn't get through this winter. That was why Autumn resolved to spend more time with her.

Charles replied with a smile, "Yeah. When you finish your performance, I will introduce you to someone, and then we'll go back to see grandma." Meanwhile, Rachel had changed into another outfit. Autumn walked onto the stage, took a bow to the audience elegantly, and then sat down in front of the piano.