Chapter 2

I couldn't believe it. She'd even swapped out every single servant in my rooms.

I met her gaze, unfazed.

"I'm here because I was invited," I said, cool as ever.

She blinked, confused. "Invited? What invitation?"

She looked totally caught off guard.

"Miss Hayes, so what's the big reason you called us here today?" someone asked.

I glanced up and saw that all the guests I'd invited had arrived.

"I... I didn't invite anyone!" Jemma blurted out.

Jemma stared in disbelief as the business partners streamed in.

"No way! As soon as I saw Miss Hayes was inviting us, I dropped everything and came running," one of the guests said.

One of the guests waved the invitation in the air, the Hayes Group's official seal stamped right on it. There was no way she could deny it.

A flicker of panic crossed Jemma's face, but she quickly tried to play it cool.

"Sorry, I really have no idea. Maybe it was sent out by mistake," she said.

"This is an official invitation from the Hayes Group! Is your company really this disorganized?" one of the guests snapped.

"You don't even care about us! Are you just messing with us small businesses?" another guest shouted.

I watched as the guests kept pressing her, refusing to let it go. Their companies might not be big, but these were people whose schedules were packed to the brim.

Jemma's attempt to brush them off was never going to cut it with them.

"Looks like this lady's totally clueless. Maybe she's not even Miss Hayes," I said, throwing a little shade and nudging the crowd.

Jemma instantly panicked, her voice rising.

"I am Miss Hayes! But I swear, I didn't send those invitations. Someone must be impersonating me!" she protested.

I watched as she kept denying it, even though it was obvious, but I let it slide.

"Well, since everyone's already here, why don't we just enjoy the gathering?" I suggested.

"I've long heard that Miss Hayes is incredibly talented at the piano. Would I be lucky enough to have a little friendly duet with you today?" I asked.

"I always enjoy making friends through music. Miss Hayes, would you grace me with the honor of playing together?" I added.

Everyone in this circle knew Eleanor, the real heir, was called a piano prodigy from childhood. Whenever she had guests over, she'd always play something to set the mood.

At her coming-of-age celebration, she performed her own piece, Dreams Beyond, and it blew up online. After that, everyone knew who she was.

A flash of shock flickered across Jemma's face, but she quickly covered it up.

"Sorry, I'm really not up for it today, and I felt a bit under the weather, so I can't play right now," Jemma said.

I'd been posting videos of myself playing piano on social media for ages, always with my back to the camera. If she wanted to pass herself off as me, let's see if she's got the chops to pull it off.

"Didn't Miss Hayes just upload a new video this morning?" one of the guests pointed out.

"Guess she's too good for us small fry," another guest muttered.

The guests shot her disgruntled looks. They'd come all this way with an official invitation, only to get the cold shoulder. Even the chillest folks would be ticked off.

"Miss Hayes, these are all fellow business folks. You really don't want to mess this up," one of her people whispered.

"You can't afford to tick them off. Just play a simple tune, even if it's just to keep them happy," another added.

Jemma was clearly torn, and her inner circle started getting restless, whispering advice and throwing out suggestions one after another.

She looked like she was about to cave, but when her eyes landed on the piano, she wavered again.

"So, are you really not Miss Hayes? Or is it that you just can't play the piano?" I challenged, throwing a little shade her way.

My words struck a nerve. She finally bit the bullet and sat down at the piano bench.

"Finally, Miss Hayes is going to play. Guess I'm in luck today!" one of the guests said, grinning with excitement.

"For real, everyone's been saying you're a genius on the piano!" another chimed in.

"Miss Hayes, I've been hoping to hear you play Dreams Beyond live again. Any chance you'll treat us to it today?" someone else asked eagerly.

Now that she'd agreed to play, the tension in the room melted away. The guests all perked up, eyes shining with anticipation as they watched her.

The more the guests sang her praises, the darker Jemma's expression became.

"Miss Hayes, please," I said, making it official.

The room went quiet. Jemma bit her lip, her fingers hovering nervously over the piano before she finally started to play.

People started whispering and shifting in their seats.

"This is supposed to be a piano prodigy? Even my kid could play better than that," one of the guests snorted.

"I've watched her videos before. Even with her back to the camera, she played on a whole different level," another said under their breath.

When the song finally stumbled to a finish, the looks on the guests' faces said it all.

Jemma tried to claim she wasn't feeling well, but her excuse was so weak, it just ticked everyone off even more.

I glided over to the empty piano bench, raised my hands, and with total confidence, let my fingers dance across the keys.

The room fell into a hush as I transitioned seamlessly into the melody of Dreams Beyond.

"Wait, that's the one!" one of the guests gasped under their breath.

Someone caught on and couldn't help but whisper.

But they clammed up right away, afraid to throw off my groove.

I wrapped up the song smooth as butter and shot Jemma a look.

"Miss Hayes, did your piano skills just vanish overnight?" I said.

"Or is it that you're not even Eleanor Hayes?" I added, eyebrow raised.

All eyes were on Jemma now, filled with suspicion and judgment.

Jemma suddenly snapped, her voice cracking, "Who let you all in here?!"

Vicente rushed in, but he was already too late.

Jemma latched onto Vicente like he was her lifeline, shooting me a pointed look before putting on her best pitiful act.

"Vicente, they forced me to play the piano, and now they're even doubting who I am..." she whined, her voice trembling.

Vicente shot me a death glare.

"What the hell are you? How dare you mess with my fiancée!" he snapped.

I met his glare with a calm, unflinching look.

"It's been a while, Mr. Barker. Can't believe you've lost your sense of judgment," I said.