Chapter 178

Margaret Blackwood gracefully scooped the most delicate portion of fish belly into a porcelain bowl and offered it to Beatrice. "You must try this, Beatrice."

With practiced elegance, Beatrice redirected the bowl toward Vivian Hartley instead. "Legend says fish grants mothers beauty and their children wisdom. Vivian dear, perhaps it's time to bless the Blackwood lineage with a brilliant heir."

The remark was a masterstroke - simultaneously addressing motherhood expectations while silencing the divorce rumors that had been circulating through high society. Beatrice's words reinforced her matriarchal authority while steering the conversation away from scandalous gossip.

Vivian immediately understood the underlying message. Accepting the bowl with both hands, she murmured a sincere, "Thank you, Beatrice."

Bianca Thornton appeared distracted throughout dinner, toying with her food while keeping subtle watch on Vivian's movements.

The moment Vivian set down her utensils, Bianca seized the opportunity. "Dominic! They're doing fireworks tonight - won't you play the piano for us?"

Though Dominic Sinclair hadn't achieved remarkable professional success, his aristocratic upbringing included extensive training in fine arts. During university, he'd particularly excelled in music, winning several prestigious international piano competitions.

Dominic swallowed his last bite of shrimp, looking up in mild surprise. "What brought this on?"

Bianca flashed an innocent smile. "It just occurred to me - I can't recall the last time we heard you play."

"It has been far too long," Beatrice interjected, noticing Bianca's shift in focus. "Do indulge us, Dominic."

Never one to refuse an audience, Dominic's face lit up. "With pleasure!"

After dinner and the spectacular fireworks display, the entire party gathered around the grand piano. Dominic selected a technically demanding etude requiring exceptional finger dexterity and precision - rapid arpeggios in the right hand while the left maintained the melodic line.

The opening notes emerged like whispered secrets before erupting into passionate cascades that resonated through every listener. Dominic's slender fingers danced across the keys with mesmerizing grace, weaving an intricate musical tapestry that held everyone spellbound.

Bianca, momentarily forgetting her schemes against Vivian, became completely absorbed in the performance. Her admiration was understandable - Dominic had always been the family's musical prodigy.

As the final chords faded, Bianca burst into enthusiastic applause. "Absolutely breathtaking, Dominic!" Her gaze then found Vivian standing slightly apart beneath a tree, seemingly trying to remain unnoticed.

Watching Dominic's virtuoso performance, Vivian hesitated to approach the piano herself.

Bianca suddenly linked arms with Vivian, pulling her forward. "Vivian, you had the piano brought out earlier. Were you planning to treat Beatrice to a performance as well?"