?<strong>Chapter 778:</strong>


    Sophie shook her head, dismissing the idea. “No need. I’m not interested in that kind of fame. It’s just not for me.”


    Kallie offered a gentle smile. “It’s not about chasing fame. Consider it a gift, a token of how proud I am of you. You’ve earned it.”


    Sophie sped Kallie’s hand, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.


    Unbeknownst to Sophie, her showdown with R had been captured on video and shared online. Most viewers were oblivious to the personal stakes involved, focusing instead on their respective piano ying.


    “That young girl is truly remarkable. The music she coaxes from a regr piano rivals that from a Steinway. She’s bound to be a maestro someday.”


    “I’m skeptical. It could be overdubbed. Steinways are worth a fortune, undoubtedly a top-tier piano. How could a young kid y more impressively with a mediocre piano than with one of the Steinways?”


    “It’s unfair to cast doubt simply because you can’tprehend the skill. Do you have any proof of your im? Without evidence, it’s just baseless spection.”


    “Enough bickering. Let’s solve this easily. Call the officials and confirm it. The video looks like it was shot in a practice room at the concert hall.”


    Driven by curiosity, someizens reached out for confirmation. However, since both R and Sophie were children of influential investors, the officials were reluctant to offend either side. Plus, R had even made it clear she wanted the incident kept quiet.


    Thus, the officials gave only vague and nonmittal responses, fueling further doubts about the authenticity of the event. Some even spected privately that the whole thing might have been staged to boost Sophie’s profile.


    Even though some whispers doubted Sophie’s skills, they hadn’t really spread that far, and most people just brushed them aside anyway. Almost everyone was impressed with Sophie’s piano ying. The video kept getting shared online and even became a hit within Avalon itself.


    Eventually, Jake stumbled across the video. He watched Sophie’s performance again and again, rewinding and reying certain parts.


    Jete was watching the video with him curiously. “Hey, Jake. Is that your daughter?”


    Jake nodded, a proud smile spreading across his face. “Yep, that’s my girl,” he said. “Don’t you think she looks a bit like me?”


    “Yeah, she does!” Jete agreed, grinning. “She’s really pretty, just like her dad.”


    Jake chuckled and yfully messed up Jete’s hair. Just then, Lacey walked in and saw themughing together. She overheard what Jake had said.


    “Do you miss your wife and kids a lot?” Lacey asked, setting down the things she was carrying. Her back was to Jake, so he couldn’t see the look on her face.


    “Of course I do,” Jake replied honestly.


    Lacey turned to face him, giving him a look that was hard to read. “If you miss them so much, why don’t you go back and find them?”


    Jake frowned, not answering her question.


    Lacey had helped Jake get some information about Kallie and the kids. Kallie had taken their children overseas. He had no idea what they were doing there or exactly where they were. yton had gone with them.


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