Chapter 1624

As the final notes faded, the audience rose in unison, applauding with heartfelt admiration. Kaylee stood gracefully, thanking them with a warm smile. Maddie reluctantly got to her feet as well. Suddenly, she noticed a staff member darting out from behind the curtain, handing a stunning bouquet of roses to Chandler. Chandler accepted the flowers, adjusted his jacket, and got ready to step onstage. In a moment of desperation, Maddie clutched his sleeve, her brow furrowing as she pleaded, "I'm still here—please, have a little consideration for me." Chandler remained unfazed. "This was in the contract. In moments like these, you need to play the role of a gracious ex." "But why here, of all places?" Maddie protested, frustration boiling over. "This is too much! What will people think of me if you give her those flowers?" "That's something you should have considered before signing the contract," Chandler replied coldly, pulling his hand away. "If it's not a high-profile moment, how would anyone know what I really feel?" With that, he strode onto the stage, presenting the roses to Helen. "You never fail to amaze me, honey. Your piano skills are as remarkable as ever," he whispered. Holding out his arms, he added, "Would you grant a hug to your most loyal fan, Ms. Kardashian?" Helen was both amused and a bit flustered, returning a brief hug before stepping back. Chandler's sudden boldness caught her off guard, and their public display of affection stirred up a wave of speculation. "Did you see that? Looks like Mr. Chandler has a new target!" "They look great together, honestly… they even have that couple's vibe!" "That's the power of money—he can have as many women as he wants, and no one dares to say a word." "Seriously, where does Mr. Chandler find these women? They're all stunning! If it were me, I'd have made a scene by now, but Maddie is just sitting there, totally composed!" Maddie stood frozen, her hands clutching the hem of her dress. Her expression hardened, a clear reflection of her inner turmoil. On stage, Helen and Chandler posed side by side as reporters captured close-up shots. After several minutes, Helen finally stepped away from Chandler and approached the host, requesting a microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here this evening. In addition to this performance, I'm also planning to publish a personal memoir. Any publishers out there with an eye for talent and a taste for boldness—please feel free to reach out!" … Watching the live broadcast from her couch, Isabelle furiously threw her remote at the TV screen. "That relentless little bitch! How dare she think she can publish her autobiography without me? How delusional! "Alright then, let's see who can play this game better!" With that, Isabelle grabbed her phone and sent out a message across the industry: "Any publishing house that dares to work with Kaylee Terzian—prepare to go out of business." … After the concert, Chandler and Maddie drifted further apart, but they both maintained a calm facade. Chandler continued to play the role of the gentleman, regularly taking Maddie's two children to school. On this particular day, it was family day at the school, and Chandler chose to stay behind to join Maddie in spending time with her kids. The morning was filled with laughter and games. As they finally settled down to catch their breath, a sweet, soft voice called out nearby. "Mr. Handsome!"