"I will be waiting for the guqin, Auntie Makiko," Akira said with a cold but smug face.

Makiko looked at the face that seemed like one of a sweet angel. However, she had seen her true colours when she was on stage. As an industry senior, she could understand the intricacies of violin performance. The girl was intent on targeting and suppressing her with that playing.

"You…" She started with anger.

Even though Akira had proven to be a tough opponent, she was still her aunt. In what world could the insolent girl behave so casually?

"Do you not admit defeat? You can bring an appraiser to the house while dropping off my guqin. But make sure they are insured. Any accident could be a bit costly." Akira did not allow her to finish whatever insult she had.

Makiko did not know how to respond. She was only half-convinced that Akira's violin was a genuine Stradivarius. Moreover, she did have some thoughts about playing a few tricks if it was an authentic article.

This woman raised outside did not deserve to own or even hold such a beautiful instrument.

She did not think she would be wrong in finding a way to take away that violin,

She had noticed that the strange girl following her niece around did not seem to understand the value of the instrument if it was indeed a genuine article. If she understood it, why would she place it so casually on the floor?

But now, it seemed she would not be able to do anything if the violin was genuine. Akira had her guard up against her.

"I will come with an appraiser tomorrow. If it is not as you claim, do not cry when you lose your piano." She still maintained her haughty dignity.

"Of course. And please bring the right guqin. I have already seen the details of the piece you won. I do not need an appraiser to recognise that instrument." Akira said before turning away.

As her niece walked away with her family behind her, Makiko felt overwhelming anger. She had the thought of switching the guqin with a modern one of lesser value.

The one she won was a vintage piece with rich history and good value.

Makiko wondered if the investigation she had conducted on Akira was true or reliable. The wretched girl was supposed to be a simple chef with few prospects. How could she have the ability to play the violin like that?

It would take years of practice to master that level of skill.

As Makiko was thinking about her next step, Chiharu approached her. The two women were not close. Makiko did not like Chiharu because she was married into her brother's family.

She could not bring herself to like anyone from either of her brother's families. She was not also crazy about the youngest sister either, but at least, she lived far away.

"Auntie, can we talk for a moment?" Chiharu asked politely.

She was not too servile or overbearing. Her tone was even and did not have a hint of brownnosing. However, Makiko did not like being called auntie by such a grown woman.

Besides, she was not in a good mood. Still, she could not reject Chiharu directly, so she nodded reluctantly.

Chiharu smiled a little. The two of them walked to a less occupied part of the pavilion.

"Auntie, I am a little concerned about Akira's intentions in the Yamazaki family," Chiharu said.

Makiko was not blind. She knew that Chiharu was quite scheming. Otherwise, how would a person from an ordinary family like her become a part of a top family in Mountain Ridge?

She had joined the Yamazaki company and within a few months, she was dating the eldest son of the family. Only a foolish person like Kazuo would believe that such a fairy tale could happen without a little engineering.

"Why do you say so?" Makiko asked.

She knew that Chiharu was not so kind to care about the entire family. She was probably protecting her interests and intended to use Makiko to do so. However, a calculating woman like her always had some useful information, so Makiko did not think she should miss out.

"Take a look at this." Chiharu presented her phone to Makiko.

The phone had a photo of Akira and a handsome young man in the garden. The two of them were close, with only a narrow gap between their faces. The photo was not too clear because it was taken from a distance.

But it was quite beautiful. The two people were attractive, and their appeal was enhanced by the flower petals around them.

Makiko's red lips stretched into an evil smile.

"Who is this?" She asked.

Chiharu was pleased by Makiko's reaction.

At first, she intended to use the photo to pressure or blackmail Akira. She believed that a young woman without a good background would be embarrassed by the picture. She also would not want to disappoint her parents because she might be kicked out.

With the photo in hand, it felt like she was in control again. An unknown girl would not disrupt her plans for a beautiful future.

However, Akira avoided her through the picnic and was cautious about her. Her distrust and dislike were apparent.

The avoidance made Chiharu helpless and powerless.

Moreover, after that powerful performance, Akira could not be considered dispensable anymore. She had become a centre of attraction and would have a lot of admirers and protectors. It also showed that she was not a simple person like Hanae. A few clever words might not pressure her.

Chiharu decided to change her plans.

She did not care what happened to Akira after the photo was released. Akira could only blame herself for ignoring her.

"The man is called Takahashi Kaito," Chiharu responded evenly.

"Takahashi Kaito?" Makiko asked with confusion.

She did not know any person in the Takahashi family known as Kaito. She did not pay attention to a lot of things except for the Yamazaki family.

"He is like Akira. He was missing for many years and just returned to the Takahashi family. He arrived in Mountain Ridge about a week before Akira." Chiharu responded.

Makiko's mind turned with dramatic plots. She did not believe that there was such a coincidence in the world. Her immediate guess was that Kaito and Akira were grifting the two top families. They probably could not resist being together and used the garden party to have a sweet moment.

If they were conmen, it would explain why Akira could play the violin when she was supposed to be an ordinary girl. Joy filled her as she realised that she did not have to be defeated by a foolish woman who overestimated herself.

The first thing she would do was rip her mask off and confirm that the Stradivarius was fake.

Then, she would expose her as a fraud.

No, she would take it slow.

It was better to see Akira live in fear of exposure for a while before ripping off her mask completely.