Chapter 328: Chapter 328: Cheating
Are you joking?
His intent was to divert Ashley Shaw’s attention so she wouldn’t have a gloomy face, looking quite unattractive.
It’s not to perform downstairs and be watched like a monkey by over a hundred people.
If it were only Ashley Shaw there, it wouldn’t matter.
But with other people, it’s a no-go.
Ariana Grant blurted out: "That’s not right, you’re cheating!"
As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized she was talking to Warren Prescott.
He’s a notorious hothead.
She quickly amended: "But since your leg is uncomfortable, let’s just leave it."
Shane Coleman noticed that despite Warren Prescott’s bad temper, he’s not one to blow up for no reason.
He chuckled, "Young Master Prescott, that won’t do, we agreed beforehand, didn’t we? Whoever the bottle points to has to perform. Saying your leg hurts doesn’t cut it, even if it’s broken, you’d still have to go down. A man should stick to his promises, right?"
Warren Prescott lifted his eyelids and glanced at Shane Coleman.
"Seems like Attorney Coleman is eager to see me perform. How about I reschedule when my leg is better and perform for you alone?"
Shane Coleman wasn’t into that idea, shaking his hands quickly: "No need for that."
Ariana Grant stood by the bottle, unsure what to do with her hands, eventually gathered her courage and asked, "So, what now? Spin it again?"
She wasn’t bold enough to speak to Warren Prescott like Shane Coleman did.
Warren isn’t afraid, he simply isn’t interested.
Moreover, his goal was already achieved, no need for all this.
Just about to end the game, Xavier Quincy suddenly spoke up: "I’ll substitute for Warren."
Warren looked at Xavier Quincy, his expression indecipherable.
"Alright," he said.
Xavier Quincy smoothly stood up and asked, "Should I go down directly? What about the current performer?"
"I’ll take care of it."
Warren Prescott pressed the service bell in the room, and the manager soon arrived.
Upon understanding the situation, the manager promptly went downstairs to arrange things.
After the performance below ended, Xavier Quincy was guided by the manager to the long stage in the center.
He wore ancient attire, looking exceedingly handsome, attracting everyone’s attention.
All the female guests were visibly delighted.
"Such a handsome man."
"The quality of performers at The Nocturne is really high."
"Of course, it’s The Nocturne."
But soon someone recognized Xavier Quincy.
Most of the crowd here were from the same social circle, recognizing him wasn’t surprising.
"Hasn’t Xavier Quincy already had a comeback? Why is he performing at The Nocturne?"
"What performance? Maybe he’s just here for fun. He’s quite a scientist now. I heard from a friend that he was spotted at the airport recently with two security guards protecting him. With such a status, why would he need to perform here?"
As the chatter continued, the music started.
The lights focused into a spotlight, landing on Xavier Quincy’s head, his face half-lit and half-shadowed, highlighting his sharp features.
Making his already otherworldly face even more striking.
Girls in the audience began to scream.
The intro ended, and Xavier Quincy lightly gripped the microphone, gazing toward a spot on the second floor, and began to sing slowly.
He sang a very old English song, "Yesterday Once More".
"wheniwasyoungi’dlistentotheradio..."
Xavier Quincy’s voice was already beautiful, and when he sang in English, it was indescribably sexy and soulful.
At some point, people gradually started to sing along with Xavier Quincy.
Soon, this old song transitioned from a solo to a chorus.
The screams and collective singing downstairs were overwhelming, even Ariana Grant upstairs hummed softly along.
"La la la la..."
It’s not that she didn’t want to sing the lyrics, her English was just too poor, so she could only hum softly.
Ashley Shaw similarly watched downstairs with shining eyes.
She had always loved this song!
In fact, just yesterday, she had changed her ringtone from "Castle in the Sky" to this "Yesterday Once More".
Now hearing Xavier Quincy singing this song, her heart was filled with joy.
Such a wonderful coincidence!
Moreover, she’d only heard the female version before, this was her first time hearing the male version.
Unexpectedly, the male version was just as beautiful, with its own unique retro charm.
Listening to it felt like being in a lonely cabin on a prairie, watching dandelions drifting past the windows.
Overall, it’s really beautiful!
Shane Coleman also sang along, halfway through, he praised: "No wonder he dared to perform, he indeed has some real ability."
Owen Sinclair remained silent but his nod said it all.
Indeed, he sang really well.
His voice was deep, yet carried a casual laziness, naturally gifted.
Warren Prescott observed everyone’s reactions without expression, letting out a slight scoff.
No one mentioned him, though it seemed every comment was a jab at his pride.
However, he didn’t mind.
He’s the type to only care about results, not the process.
Ashley Shaw was now completely rid of her earlier sadness, her attention thoroughly diverted, and that was enough.
Warren Prescott stood up and, while everyone was focused on Xavier Quincy singing, stepped out to call Assistant Lowell.
...
Half an hour later, Xavier Quincy returned upstairs.
A song only lasts a few minutes, but it had taken him half an hour to return because he sang so well and looked so handsome, he was surrounded by a group of wealthy women who didn’t know his identity.
They were about to take him thinking he was an actor from The Nocturne.
Eventually, it required intervention from The Nocturne’s security department to ensure his "safe" return to the private room.
Shane Coleman laughed and asked, "Are you alright? I just saw you almost get snatched away by a group of lady goblins."
Xavier Quincy replied unfazed: "Had I known, I should have let Attorney Coleman go down and sing. Maybe you’d seize the chance to find a partner."
Shane Coleman waved dismissively: "No need, my family has already arranged a blind date for me, apparently she’s pretty with a sweet voice and long legs. I wasn’t interested in those... aunts surrounding you earlier."
A lot of the ones around Xavier Quincy were indeed older ladies.
Young girls generally have thinner skin and often accompany their elders to gain some exposure.
Can’t act like that in front of their elders.
So as a result, only the older ladies were drawn in by Xavier’s singing.
Shane Coleman continued: "See? You’re quite popular with the aunts. Tell me honestly, was there anyone down there who seemed okay, who you might have liked?"
Xavier Quincy visibly stiffened.
Listening to this, Ashley Shaw unexpectedly recalled what Xavier Quincy said when they returned from outside, "I like her."
Could Leo like her?
But she’d always seen him as a brother.
Besides, logically speaking, Leo should only see her as a sister.
When Xavier Quincy was dating, he even brought those girlfriends to dine with her.
Each was a first-class beauty from a good family, who would be interested in her?
He must have said it just to alert Owen Sinclair.
Thinking this way, Ashley Shaw felt a lot more comfortable and at ease.