Chapter 250

“Not enough money? Should I just put myself up as collateral?”
Charlotte arched an eyebrow, her lips curving with mischief. “Add yourself in, and that’s more than enough.”
“To belong to you? That would be my privilege.”
Anthony’s lips twitched in a soft smile. He reached out and tapped the tip of her nose, his gaze warm and impossibly tender.
They left the storage room together, Anthony holding Charlotte’s hand as they made their way to the main hall. Inside, the maids were clustered around something big, draped in deep red velvet, buzzing with excitement.
“Anthony, Ms. Main!”
The moment the two of them appeared, the maids quickly stepped aside and greeted them with respect.
“A gift for you,” Anthony said, letting go of her hand to gently slip his arm around her waist. He led her to the covered object, leaning close to murmur in her ear, “Go ahead, see if you like it.”
Charlotte glanced at the gift, a smile tugging at her lips. She reached out and lifted the velvet cloth.
The maids gasped in unison. There, gleaming under the lights, was a crystal piano so stunning it almost didn’t look real. Every inch except the black and white keys was made from pure crystal. It was a masterpiece from a famous maker, one of the ten most expensive pianos in the world, worth over twenty million.
Charlotte’s eyes widened, a hint of awe flashing across her face. She remembered seeing this piano years ago at an auction abroad. It was the kind collectors dreamed about. After a mysterious buyer had claimed it, it had vanished from public view. For Anthony to track it down and bring it all the way to Cabinda, and so quickly, he must have gone through a lot of trouble.
“You like it?” Anthony asked, catching the happiness in her eyes. He looked relieved, pulling a bench over himself and coaxing her, “Play something for us?”
Charlotte’s smile grew. She sat down gracefully, adjusting her seat, wiping the keys, testing the sound. Every move she made was practiced and elegant.
Word had gotten out that Ms. Main was the legendary Echo. No one wanted to miss the chance to hear her play. The maids lined up against the wall, eyes shining with
anticipation.
Charlotte’s slender, pale fingers hovered over the keys. The soft orange glow from above settled on her hair and shoulders, making her shine Anthony stood close by, arms folded watching her with a look so loving it almost spilled over.
When her fingers finally touched the keys, the melody floated through the entire house, beautiful and mesmerizing.
“She really is Echo. It’s magical.”
“I can’t believe the famous musician everyone’s been searching for is actually our sweet Ms. Main.”
“A world-class piano for a world-class pianist. Nothing could be better.”
Meanwhile, at the entrance, Kenneth was barking orders at the movers, helping them unload a big, heavy crate. Once he found out that bottle was Echo, he’d pulled every string possible and spent ten million to buy a famous piano, hoping to impress her.
But just as they managed to get the piano to the door, powerful, emotional music drifted out from inside.
Kenneth craned his neck for a peek. When he saw what was happening, his face dropped.
Anthony had beaten him to it again.
Winning over Charlotte was starting to feel impossible. Maybe it was time to let Roger handle things when he got back in a few days.