CHAPTER 29: CHAPTER 29: BEAUTY EMERGING FROM THE BATH, WHAT A SEDUCTRESS!

After tidying up the kitchen, Seraphina Thorne went back to the guest room where she was staying.

Seeing her phone screen light up, she casually picked it up.

On the screen, a WeChat message from Ethan Sterling popped up.

[Ethan Sterling: Reporting in, wifey, safely arrived at the hotel, about to obediently get in bed and sleep.]

Attached below was a photo.

In the photo, Ethan Sterling looked like he had just gotten out of the shower.

A white bath towel was carelessly wrapped around his waist, his hair damp and slightly tousled.

Below his beautiful shoulder line, drops of water clung to his perfectly sculpted chest, while his right hand casually held a cigarette.

His demeanor was languid, rebellious, and sexy all at once.

Behind him was the night sky over Elysian Beach, the hotel bedroom’s warm lighting casting his features in striking depth and handsomeness.

A photo like that could easily land on the cover of a fashion magazine and send that issue flying off the shelves.

Seraphina felt herself getting flustered by him, unconsciously taking a few extra looks.

Bzz—

Her phone vibrated.

[Ethan Sterling: Your husband’s hot, isn’t he?]

Even through the screen, Seraphina could imagine the wicked grin on his face.

This little devil!

Seraphina locked her phone and tossed it back on the table.

She picked up her pen again and continued working on her graduation composition.

Staring at the half-written sheet music on her desk, she found herself unable to write even a single note.

Compared to Adrian, Ethan Sterling was much more skilled at charming women.

She wondered just how many women he’d called wifey before.

Annoyed, Seraphina tossed her pencil onto the desk.

In the following days, Ethan Sterling truly kept his word, reporting his whereabouts to her daily.

Eating breakfast—he’d send her a picture of his meal.

Meeting clients—he’d snap a shot of his laptop with a document open.

...

The sunrise at Elysian Harbor.

A rainbow stretching over the Mirewood Bridge after a rain.

The dazzling city lights seen through an airplane window at night.

One time, he even sent her a photo of two stray cats cuddling in a roadside flowerbed, basking in the sun.

...

Through his lens, Seraphina accompanied him in witnessing all those beautiful moments.

Sometimes she replied, sometimes she was too busy and only looked at his messages.

Occasionally, she’d send him glimpses of her own day.

Half-written sheet music, or sunsets seen from the subway during her commute, things like that.

Seraphina didn’t realize that the way the two of them were interacting now basically mirrored a couple in love.

Without knowing it, she’d grown used to Ethan Sterling’s WeChat messages, always reaching for her phone to check them whenever she had free time.

On Friday afternoon, after coming home from the hospital,

Seraphina changed into a formal dress, applied light makeup, and headed to the municipal building.

The city’s cultural events season was coming to a close, marked by a special thank-you gala.

Seraphina and Dr. Bennett from her department received invitations as representatives of the Conservatory Orchestra.

Still in the taxi, Ethan Sterling sent another WeChat message.

[Ethan Sterling: Wifey, what are you up to?]

The photo attached was an airport shot.

[Cherish: It’s the closing gala for the municipal cultural season. I got an invite too, just going to make an appearance.]

The cab stopped by the curb, and Seraphina needed to pay the fare with her phone.

Judging from the photo, Ethan Sterling was probably at the airport heading back, so she quickly replied, "Safe travels, see you tonight," and exited WeChat.

Showing her invitation and following the staff’s directions, she soon arrived at the banquet hall.

"Seraphina, over here!"

Seraphina was just about to call Dr. Bennett.

Not far away, Dr. Bennett spotted her, smiling and beckoning her over.

"Come on, let me introduce you all."

"No introduction needed." Tristan Quincy, standing by Dr. Bennett’s side, waved with a smile. "Seraphina, right? I saw your performance the other night—the music was incredibly dynamic."

Tristan Quincy was a violinist himself, renowned since his youth, now serving as conductor of the national-level orchestra—the Eastern Aethel Philharmonic.

He was a notable figure not only domestically, but in international symphonic circles as well.

Seraphina had often seen him in related reports, so she naturally recognized him.

"You flatter me, Commander Quincy."

She smiled and shook hands, showing no sign of arrogance.

She’d once won a national championship, even reaching the semifinals of the so-called Oscars of violin—the Paganini International Violin Competition.

Compliments like these, she’d heard too many times.

Tristan Quincy nodded in satisfaction; after meeting so many young stars in the field, few had Seraphina’s humble composure.

He very much appreciated juniors like her who stayed calm and grounded.

"I hear from Dr. Bennett that you haven’t found an orchestra for your internship yet—are you interested in trying out with us?"

Seraphina’s face lit up in surprise. "Absolutely interested! Thank you so much for the opportunity, Commander Quincy."

She’d planned to study abroad, so she hadn’t attended her school’s intern recruiting event.

You needed real internship experience in senior year to graduate smoothly.

Lately, between taking care of her father at the hospital and tutoring students, she’d been busy looking for an orchestra to intern with.

Normally, for a major orchestra like the Eastern Aethel, intern recruitment would be over by summer, and Seraphina hadn’t thought she’d have a chance.

"But let’s be clear up front—I can only offer you a chance, but you’ll still have to go through the normal recruitment process." Tristan Quincy gave her a gentle smile. "Of course, with your skills, Thorne, I’m sure you’ll make it through the selection."

Seraphina nodded seriously. "I’ll give it everything, and I won’t let you down."

A waiter passing by with a tray happened to approach.

He accidentally bumped Seraphina’s glass, making her spill her drink and soaking the gauze on her hand.

The waiter hurriedly apologized; Seraphina waved off the concern.

"It’s fine, I’ll just clean up in the restroom."

After saying goodbye to Dr. Bennett and Tristan Quincy, she followed the waiter’s directions toward the restroom corridor.

At the entrance, the city’s leadership walked in together.

In the center was Vice Mayor Donovan, in charge of attracting investments.

Beside him, his daughter Diane Dawson wore a wine-red gown, gracious and elegant.

On Diane’s other side was the strikingly handsome Adrian.

With Vice Mayor Donovan arriving, the guests all hurried to greet him.

Minister Caldwell, head of this cultural season, noticed Dr. Bennett and promptly smiled, making introductions.

"Vice Mayor Donovan, this is Dr. Bennett, head of the Department of Orchestral Studies at Jadeston Conservatory of Music. Their orchestra was truly pivotal in this year’s performances."

Handshakes and pleasantries exchanged, Minister Caldwell glanced around.

"Hmm, where’s our violinist, Thorne?"

"Since you personally invited her, of course she’d come. She just accidentally spilled a drink and went to the restroom to clean up." Dr. Bennett explained with a smile.

"I see. Well, you can introduce her to the mayor later."

Minister Caldwell was merely asking in passing, not pressing further.

But Adrian overheard.

Spilled her drink?

He was convinced it was seeing him and Diane Dawson together that made Seraphina lose her composure.

Clearly, no matter how much Seraphina denied it, deep down she still loved him, still cared.

After a few words with the guests, Adrian found an excuse to slip away from the crowd, turning down the corridor toward the restroom.