"What nonsense are you talking about?"
Mr. Kessler shot Karen a disdainful look. "When I said I couldn't judge, I meant... I am in no way qualified to judge Miss Serena's skill!"
He said, turning back to Serena, his eyes suddenly becoming fervent and joyful. "Miss Serena's skill is far superior to my own! How can I judge? What qualifications do I have to judge?"
"In that performance just now, Miss Serena's understanding and handling of the piece reached the pinnacle of perfection! I... even if I studied for another half a lifetime, I doubt I could reach such a level!"
"And you want me to compare Miss Serena's skill with Miss Lancaster's?"
Mr. Kessler's voice grew loud with excitement, his tone filled with absurd mockery as he said this. "There's simply no comparison! To make such a judgment would be an insult to Miss Serena!"
Those fervent, impassioned words elevated Serena's performance to the status of a divine miracle.
"Well said! Well said!" Old Mr. Blackwood clapped vigorously, his face flushed with excitement.
The other guests immediately followed suit with applause.
The thunderous applause was like a series of slaps, each one striking Isabella and Karen's faces.
The two of them looked as if they'd been struck by lightning, their pale faces turning ashen.
Mr. Kessler excitedly walked up to Serena, his attitude incredibly deferential. "Mas—ahem, Miss Serena, just now in the third measure, your handling of the modulation, was it because of this, and then in the eighth beat, the way you handled that..."
Countless professional terms poured from Mr. Kessler's mouth.
His face was a picture of humility as he asked, "I've been studying this for so long without grasping the key. I humbly ask for Miss Serena's guidance!"
That... That was Mr. Kessler, the living legend of the piano world!
The vice president of the International Music Association, Mr. Kessler!

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