The scream attracted everyone’s attention. Isla was the protagonist of this introduction event, now covered in red wine, naturally drawing countless eyes to her. Julian, looking from the side door at a distance, hurried over. Serena watched as Isla took the towel from a server who came over hastily, her eyes narrowing slightly. Originally, Serena came to this introduction event to negotiate with Isla. The wine tasting was Isla’s invitation, and Isla was the first to make things difficult for her. The one who started the betting game was Isla, and the one who lost and wouldn’t admit defeat was Isla too. Putting aside what happened in Frelia in the ten minutes Julian was absent and related to Preston’s secrets. Just based on Isla’s attitude now, even if Serena told her everything that happened, Isla would use this to manipulate her whenever she’s dissatisfied. Moreover, Isla dared to talk about the Sheridan Family, and her father so disrespectfully. If negotiation is impossible, then it’s time to tear things apart. Isla discarded her dignity, so Serena would not afford her any! "Serena, how dare you!" Isla’s eyes were ruthless, she raised her hand, intending to slap Serena. But in the next moment, Isla’s wrist was held by Julian, who hurried over. "Bro!" Isla was furious, her eyes turning red, "Serena ruined my homecoming introduction event!" In the next moment, Julian turned to Serena. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novelꞁire.net "Apologize." The cold words spat from his mouth. He knew nothing, yet the first thing he said was to demand an apology. Did he think, who was he to her? Lagging behind, Vera also rushed over, looking quite surprised at everything. The whole hall was filled with discussions, a loud buzzing noise spread throughout the venue. "Serena," Julian called her name, his voice full of warning. Serena chuckled softly, her gaze sweeping across Julian and Vera’s faces. "Alright then." Serena said breezily, turning around, and walked directly to the performer nearby. The pianist playing earlier stopped, looking nervously this way. Serena then took out a violin from the case beside her. She lightly closed her eyes, and when opened them, her mind was already made up. With the movement of her hands, the violin sound flowed forth. The melody carried a joyful, bouncy feeling, with strong rhythm, the violin in Serena’s hands seemed to merge with her. "Spanish Bullfighting Song" A widely known piece. Serena improvised a bit with the bullfighting song, as the music progressed, the violin sound rose high and sharp, like someone laughing loudly. Once the piece ended, the violin sound broke through all prior discussion and awkwardness, welcoming applause from the audience. This is the bullfighting song. Or perhaps the matador’s march. With Serena as the performer, then who is the bull? Naturally, it was Isla, the one doused in red wine. And, Julian who knew nothing and arbitrarily demanded an apology. In ancient times, there was playing music to cows, now playing music for fools. Serena slightly bowed, and as she stood up, she saw someone in a distant corner lightly laughing, raising a glass towards her. The little trick just now, was tacitly agreed upon by both. Serena laughed lightly, putting down the violin, turned back to see Isla whose teeth were about to be gritted apart. "Satisfied?" Serena said with a smile. Of course, Isla understood the meaning of Serena’s mockery, unable to contain her anger, she wanted to rush forward, but was held back by Julian. "Isla, that’s enough!" Julian frowned and said. If this continues, the introduction event would truly be ruined. Isla understood this too, and moreover, she dared not let Julian know she had just pressured Serena about the matter in Frelia. Thus, she could only look at Serena, whose face carried a faint smile of sarcasm. "Just an accident." Finally, Isla forced out a smile, squeezing out this sentence through gritted teeth. "It’s just a wine tasting, perfectly normal." She said. Serena looked at Isla after she finished speaking, and turned to leave. "Serena." Julian reached to grab her hand. In the next second, Serena fiercely shook him off. "Next time, if you’re bringing Vera, please notify me first." Serena said word by word: "I don’t want to be in the same place as a homewrecker, it makes me feel..." Serena’s gaze fell upon Vera. "Serena!" Julian’s voice was full of warning, anger swelling. But in the next second, he saw Serena’s cold eyes. With just one look, she retracted everything, turning around decisively and leaving. Only Julian remained, clutching his fists, watching her elegant figure in a gown leaving. Julian’s eyes squinted slightly, looking down at Isla who was pretending to be busy cleaning her dress. At this moment, they had already left the hall, heading backstage to clean up. Vera didn’t come in, saying she had already caused trouble, and went to wait in the car outside. Moreover, Vera just softly apologized, said she merely wanted to discuss Preston Langley’s matter with Julian, not expecting an accident would arise making Serena misunderstand. At this moment, only Julian and Isla, the cousins, were backstage. "What exactly did you say to her?" Julian questioned. Isla’s hand holding the towel paused slightly. "Bro, she poured wine on me!" Isla protested. But Julian just stared at Isla. His cold eyes carried a deadly penetrating power. He knew Serena, without necessity, Serena would not act . Isla still wanted to bluff her way through. But Julian’s words blocked her escape route completely. "Will you say it yourself, or should I check the surveillance?" Julian said. Isla gritted her teeth. Although the surveillance probably didn’t catch their voices, based on the trajectory of their actions, it would be evident that she provoked Serena first. Thus, Isla could only lower her head, muttering, "I told her, I want to join Lawson’s finance department, the department previously consolidated from the Sheridan Family." She completely covered up the topic about Frelia and erased the threats, lying by downplaying it as joining the department. "Speak the truth!" Julian voiced sternly. Isla’s eyes reddened, filled with tears. "Yes, I did tell her, with my Ivy League Masters in Finance, I’m certainly qualified to manage that department, but so what!" "Does that give her the right to treat me this way?" "To pour wine on me in public?" "What does Serena think I am, what does she think she is!" "She clearly knows everyone’s watching, yet she made me lose face!" Isla still avoided mentioning Frelia and the bet, these were things she completely dared not bring up. She could only amplify her emotions, feign fury, and start crying.