Chapter 923

Violet quickly took her seat on the piano bench, her hands fidgeting awkwardly but properly on her knees. Riley, ever-attentive, swiftly brought over another bench for Frederick, who sat down beside her. Frederick had assumed teaching Violet to press a few keys would be effortless. But the moment he sat next to her, discomfort prickled across his skin. It was subtle at first—then unmistakable. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d sat this close to any woman who wasn’t Jane. The sensation was like sitting on pins and needles. For a second, he considered scrapping this entire plan to make Jane jealous. It just wasn’t worth it. But then he heard the cheerful, harmonious duet still echoing from Jane’s direction. Their piece wasn’t even over yet. His expression darkened. He turned to Violet and began explaining the piano’s basic structure in a flat, textbook tone, devoid of any warmth. His explanation was mechanical—like reciting from memory. When he finished, he asked tersely, “Do you u