Chapter 1484


    But Serena''s triumphsted all of two fleeting seconds before her mind raced back to a scene at


    school. Mr. Albright, in a very public setting, had proimed that Arabe''s chess prowess was his


    tutge at work, and even floated the idea of Arabe seeding him.


    If Arabe truly was his protege, given their mentor-mentee bond, it stood to reason that Mr. Albright


    would likely extend an invite to his birthday bash.


    With that thought, Serena''s mood soured. It seemed Arabe''s luck was infuriatingly good, having


    stumbled upon Mr. Albright''s guidance.


    Without that stroke of fortune, Arabe probably wouldn''t even know chess.


    Her thoughts stewing, Serena''s fingers danced over her phone, sending a WhatsApp message to


    Martin.


    [Martin, got an invite to Mr. Albright''s birthday bash? I heard he''s always been low-key, celebrating


    quietly. Never threw a big shindig like he''s doing this time. I''m head over heels for the violin, you know.


    I heard a bunch of venerable old-timers will be there. Hope I can get a chance to bump into Jamie


    Noelle and earn a few pointers. I''m not a true Collins, as you well know. If I had a real talent, I''d be in


    your league, Martin, and your folks might even warm up to me. I don''t want the Collins family to pull


    strings for me. I want to impress Jamie Noelle with my violin skills, making her want to mentor me.


    Martin, can you help me out?]


    After sending the message, Serena got a case of goosebumps.


    At thest inter-universitypetition, Alma had bowled over the judges with her violin, earning heaps


    of praise for her natural gift. Perhaps that snob thought she was the bee''s knees and got cocky. She


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    even dared to challenge Arabe to a face-off onstage.


    But Arabe''s performance was crushing, garnering rave reviews.


    Serena thought, if she could get Jamie Noelle''s tutge, her violin skills would eclipse both Arabe


    and Alma, and she''d be the rising star of the violin world.


    Then, not just the Collins family, but everyone would look at her differently, including her aunt.


    Even without the "daughter of the Collins family"bel, as a maestro of the violin, she''d waltz into high


    society.


    As for Martin, well, by then, who knew if he''d even be in her league!


    With that thought, Serena allowed herself a smug smile.


    Eugene Albright''s birthday party was set on his private estate, rivaling a 5-star resort in grandeur and


    beauty.


    The invitation stated 7 p.m., but the road to the estate was already lined with luxury cars worth millions


    before the time. Their upants were clearly people of wealth and stature.


    The majestic gates stood wide open, the butler and a cadre of eight servants lined up to wee the


    arriving guests.


    Unable to sit still in the main house, Eugene himself took up a spot by the entrance, awaiting his


    guests.


    He nced at his watch constantly; it was nearly 7 o''clock. Those old codgers hadn''t shown up yet, nor


    had Arabe sent him any message. He wondered if she had arrived.


    With that thought, he kept peering out the gates.


    The first to enter were Mr. Gardner and his granddaughter.