Fake Smile

##1 — Head of the New Foundation

##1 — Head of the New Foundation

As a professional pianist, Alexa Reinhard's career was smooth in Hollywood. She has even participated in prestigious music events and received awards in the international arena. Every time she did a solo performance, the piano recital tickets were always sold out. There is nothing wrong with her musical career. Her actions are qualified and she is indeed a professional.

Until finally Alexa Reinhard returned to her birthplace. She was warmly welcomed by her husband who had been in a long-distance relationship with her for two years. She thought that their relationship was still quite sweet and close. But who would have thought, it was only a week after she returned to Toho, but she had to see Devin's intimacy with other women.

The woman was not unfamiliar enough to Alexa.

A dozen years ago before he decided to leave New Island, it was also the woman who had won her first love. But now it's not about the first man who disappointed her, but about the husband who betrayed her.

Alexa clutched the edge of the sink after washing her face, and then looked at her face soaked in water. Her appearance was very messy, her long hair of several strands draped over her cheeks.

After realizing how she was this morning in front of the mirror, Alexa decided to clean up. Today she remembers having an appointment with her father, Adrian Ricolas.

Just coming out of the bathroom, Alexa saw Devin sitting on the edge of the bed. He put on a nightrobe and immediately looked up to look at Alexa who was busy picking up a change of clothes. "Alexa, I can explain what happened last night!"

"Let's talk about it later!" Alexa replied like a wind ago. She quickly changed her clothes and then sat on the dressing chair.

Devin sighed in frustration. He went up to his wife and tried to massage her shoulders. "Where are you going this morning? Do you still feel dizzy from last night's drunkenness?" asked Devin.

"I'm fine," Alexa shook off the big hands on her shoulders and then began to lean in front of the mirror to give lipstick on her lips.

"I'll go to Dad's house." Alexa stood up and then looked down at Devin with her cold face. There was no tenderness on the woman's face at all now.

"I can accompany you. I can drive too," Devin tries to win his wife's heart. But strangely, Alexa just smiled faintly.

"I'm leaving now, Devin!" Alexa didn't care at all. The woman looked down again respectfully at him, then left Devin in great guilt.

***

Alexa got out of her white Range Rover and walked towards the violin shop where her father worked. Calming down for a while, Alexa also smiled sweetly as she opened the store door in front of her.

Someone inside the violin shop seemed to be busy. He turned his back to the customer's door and Alexa did not say hello while looking at her father's old back. 'Father's back is more hunched now. Age really eats that sturdy back,' Alexa thought with a somber smile.

When unmoved for a while, Adrian, who finally turned his head, also smiled softly when he finally saw the figure of his daughter. "Alexa...."

"Dad," Alexa teary-eyed as she called out to her father. The tone was already like a whining little girl.

Adrian nodded and then walked out of his desk. He approached Alexa and the two hugged each other to release the miss. "Dad misses you, Alexa."

Alexa smiled soberly while nodding her head. "I miss Dad too."

After expressing each other's feelings, Adrian looked around and then looked at Alexa in surprise. "You came alone? Didn't go with Devin?"

Alexa gave a wry smile for a moment, then shook her head. "Devin has to work, he can't come. Maybe next time," Alexa replied. She ended her sentence with a gentle smile. The woman tries to forget about the problems that occurred to focus on enjoying the day with her biological father.

"Yeah, I'm hungry. How about we find breakfast?" asked Alexa.

"You haven't had breakfast yet, Alexa?" Adrian scowled when he heard his daughter's invitation.

"I don't have time, so how about we have breakfast together, Dad?" Alexa hugged Adrian affectionately.

The old man with long gray hair also finally nodded. "Well! What do you want to eat, hm?" asked Adrian.

Alexa was unmoved for a while before finally thinking of something. "How about we just have some coffee and a little walnut cake this morning?"

Adrian shook his head lightly. He finished locking the door of his violin shop and walked beside Alexa. They passed the path hand in hand and then headed to the café that his daughter wanted.

***

"Have you met your mother?" asked Adrian as they were enjoying coffee together at the café.

"I haven't had time yet. Maybe next time." Alexa replied while covering part of her face with a coffee cup. When she finished drinking, Alexa got a phone call. She accepted it and put it back down.

"Dad, it seems that I have to go." Alexa enjoyed the coffee one last time, and then picked up the bag beside her chair. "Dad, is it okay to go home by yourself?"

"Sure," Adrian nodded his head. "Dad will be fine. You go!"

Alexa let out a sigh of relief. She put her phone in her bag and looked down at Adrian as a final tribute. "I'm leaving first, Dad."

After saying goodbye, Alexa went outside the café.

***

"Alexa, sorry... You have to come here even though there is no class," said the vice chancellor when he saw Alexa had gathered in the meeting room. "The new head of the foundation is willing to introduce himself. So we should all get together now."

"Yeah, Aidan." Alexa smiled slightly and then sat down on the chair, beside Aidan. Although she is a new lecturer at this prestigious music campus, her track record as a pianist abroad determines her existence as a lecturer figure who is quite calculated.

Sitting quietly, Alexa actually thought of her husband who spent time with Emma. 'That woman again wants to seize the precious man in my life!' thought Alexa.

'A lowly woman may forever behave like a lowly. She'll just snatch all the men I have,' Alexa subconsciously smiled wryly.

Aidan, who had wanted to invite Alexa to talk, ignored her again. He decided not to disturb the music lecturer who taught the piano.

While waiting, a man walked over at a brisk pace. He climbed onto the podium with the campus rector and the self-introduction session made Alexa feel even more tired.

"Greetings, know everyone. My name is Sean Linford, I officially became the head of the new foundation starting today. Please cooperate!" Sean lowered his head to beg for help, then raised his head again to look at Alexa.

The two looked at each other and Sean couldn't hide his arrogant smile because he managed to acquire the private foundation that houses the elite music campus in New Island. Yes, nothing is impossible for Sean. He's a billionaire who can do anything to steal the attention of his first love.

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