"Nicole..." Charles’s voice shook slightly.

I glared at him, my tone cold. "Nicole, make him leave.”

"Nicole..." Charles pleaded, his voice trembled even more.

"Nicole!" I snapped, clenched my teeth, anger swelling in my chest. "This is his fault!"

Nicole hesitated for a moment. Then, with a reluctant sigh, she raised her hand.

Nicole took off Charles’s brooch and said, "Lawrence, change clothes with him."

I thought I misheard. "You... want me to admit that I played that kind of song?"

Nicole didn’t respond, but simply nodded in agreement.

"My father was a revolutionary musician! How could I play that kind of music? It’s Charles’s lack of skill and improper stance! What does it have to do with me?"

"Charles just made a momentary mistake!" Nicole raised her voice, her frustration growing. " He didn’t have the same formal training you did. He doesn’t know as much about musicians as you do, so you can’t blame him.

Then, with a sigh, she said, "I promise, just this once, after it’s over, I’ll marry you."

Still, I adamantly replied, “I refuse!”

I took a step forward, trying to grab the brooch, but Nicole was quick. She easily dodged me and held the brooch out the window.

In panic, I yelled, "Don’t!"

Nicole extended her hand out the window, her voice calm but firm. “You’d really let him bear this humiliation?”

My eyes reddened as I fought to keep my composure.

"And what about me?" I snapped. "Can I bear it?"

For a brief moment, I saw a flicker of hesitation in her eyes.

"Sorry, Lawrence. I’ll marry you," she said. "No one will dare to bully my person."

I clenched my fists, still feeling the weight of her words.

"But," Nicole suddenly switched gears, her voice colder. "If you don’t agree, I’ll have no choice but to destroy the brooch."

"Wait!"

I watched in helpless frustration as the brooch dangled loosely from her fingers, swaying in the wind.

My hands trembled. "I’ll go..."

Before I could finish, the curtain was lifted, and I was pushed out onto the stage in Charles’s suit.

The microphone slammed into my forehead with a loud bang!

Angry shouts filled my ears:

"Traitor! How can you live with yourself after your father’s teachings?"

"When your father hears what you played from the afterlife, how can he rest in peace?"

I gritted my teeth, my anger rising. "I'm sorry..."

The audience continued hollering:

"What good is saying sorry! If you truly feel guilty, then go die!"

"That’s right! Go die!"