The Unveiling of Secret Queen

Chapter 614: Contempt in the Heart Yet Still Striving to Compete_1

Ghania Quinlan had previously joined her in a piano association competition and almost beat her for the first place, but in the end, it was revealed that her piece was plagiarized from someone else.

This showed that Ghania Quinlan herself didn’t have much ability.

She never paid much attention to such people.

"...Did you get someone to revise your piece for this time?" This opportunity was too important, and Celine Tucker, especially concerned, asked again.

Caryn Zachmann forced herself to forget what had happened today at the Wilmar family, her face color eased, and she nodded, "I did. I’ve studied Lighten Chaser’s pieces. All she did was integrate traditional elements into rock music."

"This time, I specifically had a group of folk artists revise my arrangement to incorporate traditional elements. Mr. Norton should like it."

As she talked about this, her entire being radiated confidence, standing with her back straight, she said to Celine, "Originally, I didn’t want to imitate someone else’s style, I am me, and I believe my arrangement is flawless. The previous piano association award proved it; I won first place, which shows there was nothing wrong with the piece."

"It’s just that Mr. Norton likes traditional instruments, and if I don’t incorporate traditional elements, I’m afraid he might dismiss me with the same criticism as last time."

She really looked down on Lighten Chaser’s sort of offbeat music, but for the title of Mr. Norton’s student, she had to learn and mimic.

For her proud character, it was a kind of humiliation.

Caryn Zachmann pursed her lips, thought for a moment, then lowered her voice and said, "...Once I successfully become Mr. Norton’s student, I should continue learning the piano. The Konghou is something to play with for fun, but it’s ultimately outdated! Look around the world at high-end concerts; you won’t find Konghou, Suona, Guzheng, Erhu, or such instruments. It’s all piano, violin — if you want to reach the international stage, you have to rely on the piano."

She respected Mr. Norton’s achievements in music, but she aimed for a higher stage, and the Konghou... didn’t merit her deep study.

She couldn’t understand why Mr. Norton was so fixated on traditional instruments. Wasn’t it good to move with the times?

"I don’t agree with you giving up the piano to study the Konghou either." Celine Tucker felt the same and said indifferently, "Your piano skills have already passed Grade Eight, and you’ve reached performance level. There’s no need to abandon your forte to force yourself to study an instrument you’re not skilled at. But you know Mr. Norton’s personality, his obsession with the Konghou."

Caryn Zachmann knew all too well about Shawn Norton’s obsession with the Konghou; it wasn’t a secret in their circle!

But the Konghou was too difficult, with many techniques already lost.

Even studying it didn’t make much sense.

Celine Tucker said, "He hasn’t found a suitable successor in all these years, and his preference for traditional music isn’t strange — after all, he became a master today due to traditional instruments! Just cater to his preferences in your arrangement, and once you get past this, it will all be fine."

"Mhm."

Caryn Zachmann replied and without wasting more time, said to Celine, "Mom, I’m going to practice in the piano room and revise the arrangement a bit more."

"Go ahead." Celine Tucker didn’t hold her back but smiled warmly, watching her ascend the stairs, already looking forward to tomorrow.

*

The next day.

Nathalie Quinlan slept in until evening.

Sleeping too soundly resulted in her waking up with a bit of a stiff neck, turning it slightly allowed her to hear the sound of muscles and tendons being pulled at the nape.

After getting up, Nathalie took a bath, changed her clothes, and walked out pressing a hot towel to the nape, only then picking up the phone that had been charging on the table since last night.