His Genius Wife Is A Superstar Chapter 1660: Jam Session

The dinner spread was truly magnificent.

As usual, Dom exhibited his stomach’s incredible ability to consume everything in sight. To everyone's surprise, he wasn't alone in his mission to devour the food and drink as if there were no tomorrow.

Dina Bendita’s teenage grandsons, being in the middle of growth spurts, ate like famished ghosts. The massive variety of dishes and refreshments certainly did not go to waste with them around.

Meanwhile, Lin Yehan and his wife, Jiang Ying Yue, accompanied one of Dina’s children for a guided tour of the sprawling estate.

The remaining members of Iris Long’s team also paired off with others to engage in post-dinner pleasantries.

Dina, alongside Albert Alcala and Virginia Velasco, escorted Iris and Jin Liwei toward the music room. Dom naturally followed, as did Dina’s only granddaughter.

Functioning as a secondary lounge, the music room was equipped with a grand piano and various other instruments. Speakers and microphones were already prepared, and a modest recording station occupied one corner.

Iris was particularly struck by the professional acoustic panels lining the walls. While it didn't quite reach the level of her personal studio back home, it was nonetheless impressive. It was clear that Dina Bendita shared her deep-seated passion for music.

Scanning the area, Iris noticed signs of frequent use on the equipment. This room wasn't a showpiece for guests; it was a workspace where Dina and others spent significant time.

“Are you interested in playing something?” Albert inquired.

“I can manage any instrument,” Iris replied confidently.

“I wish I possessed that kind of versatility,” Virginia remarked with a smile. “I’ve always been slightly jealous of my husband’s ability to compose and master so many instruments. He’s even a talented singer... provided he’s in the right condition.”

Dina offered a comforting pat to her hand.

“You take the piano,” Albert suggested to Iris. “I’ll accompany you on guitar. I’ve heard the piano is your primary instrument, and I’m eager to witness your skill firsthand.”

“That works for me.” Iris had no objections.

She leaned over to give her husband a brief kiss before walking toward the grand piano.

“Exquisite,” she whispered, her fingers trailing over the smooth, polished wood.

Taking her seat, she tested the keys with a lightning-fast run that left her fingers looking like a blur.

“Impressive.” Albert nodded in approval while he began tuning his acoustic guitar.

Dom was busy positioning his phone on a tripod with the help of Dina’s granddaughter. Soon, the teenage boys who had earlier declared themselves as Black Stars began filtering into the room.

Dina shot them a stern look. “If any of you are noisy, you’re out!”

“Don’t worry, Grandma. We’ll be silent.”

“Exactly. We just want to see you, Boss Iris, and Auntie Virginia perform together.”

“What about me?” Albert asked, feigning a wounded ego.

“Just stick to the guitar, Uncle Albert. We all know your singing is nothing to write home about.”

Dina glared at her bold grandson. “Watch your tongue! Apologize to your Uncle Albert immediately.”

“My apologies, Uncle. I was just joking.”

Albert chuckled, dismissing the comment with a wave. “It’s alright. I’m fully aware I can’t compete with the vocalists in this room. However, I do pride myself on my songwriting.”

“That is true,” Iris agreed.

As a fellow creator, Iris recognized the genuine talent Albert Alcala possessed. His specialty lay in romantic ballads, likely fueled by his devotion to his wife. Nearly every love song he penned became a massive success, particularly when Virginia was the one performing it.

His work outside of that specific genre, however, rarely met the same standard.

From the information Dom had shared, it seemed Albert had accepted his niche and focused his energy on ballads. Many of his compositions served as popular themes for television series and films.

Iris respected his focus, even if her own approach was different. She thrived on pushing boundaries and testing her limits. Staying confined to one style wasn't her way; she lived to explore the full spectrum of music.

“Is everyone ready?” she asked.

Dina, Virginia, and Albert gave her the signal.

The moment Iris struck the first chords on the piano, the room went silent.

Albert hesitated for only a brief second before his guitar joined the melody.

Dina laughed softly before letting the music take over. With eyes closed, she began to sing into the microphone.

The chosen piece was one of Dina’s legendary hits, a classic titled “Please Don’t Hurt Me Anymore.”

Albert watched Iris with fascination. Her arrangement was a total departure from the original version. It felt more expansive and complex, yet it never lost the core soul of the melody.

‘It’s as if she’s coaxing an entire orchestra out of a single piano,’ he thought. ‘I need to step up my game.’

He increased the presence of his guitar, and Iris reacted instantly.

Rather than competing for the spotlight, she shifted her playing style to perfectly complement his strings.

Dina Bendita sang on, unfazed. As a seasoned professional, she might not have been a master composer, but her understanding of music theory was solid. She knew exactly how to mold her vocals to the changing flow of the instruments.

Though time had taken a toll on her voice compared to her glory days, she still commanded the room, hitting every difficult note with precision.

She then signaled for the next vocalist to take over.

Virginia stepped in seamlessly, her voice picking up the next verse.

Iris observed her closely while her hands danced across the keys. While Virginia was approaching the later stages of her career, her technical proficiency remained elite.

‘Stunning,’ Iris thought. ‘Hearing such a technically gifted singer live is a rare pleasure.’

When their eyes met, Virginia gave a nod. Iris understood the signal.

Finally, Iris joined in with her own vocals.

Dina’s eyes flew open in shock before she closed them again, swaying to the rhythm of Iris’s voice.

Virginia and Albert watched Iris with expressions of pure wonder and respect.

Iris brought her unique flair to the song, diverging heavily from Dina’s traditional style. She took the notes an octave higher and introduced intricate vocal runs, transforming the ballad into a soulful R&B masterpiece.

Virginia then merged her voice with Iris’s, creating a powerful duet. Both were exceptional vocalists with immense power, yet their tones were distinct.

Virginia’s voice was crystalline and sharp, perfect for the demands of musical theater. Her upper register was her greatest strength.

In contrast, Iris possessed incredible vocal flexibility. Her transitions between high and low registers were as natural as breathing, and both were equally captivating.

Despite their different styles, they didn't clash. Instead, their voices blended into a harmony that sent visible shivers through the audience.

Tears began to well in Dina’s eyes as she heard these two phenomenal women breathe new life into her old song.

Dina’s granddaughter rubbed her arms to soothe the goosebumps, while her male relatives stood frozen, mesmerized by the performance.

‘This beats any concert I’ve ever been to.’

‘Incredible! This is amazing!’

‘I can’t wait to tell everyone at school about this!’

Jin Liwei remained on the sofa, looking like a relaxed lion in his territory. No one dared crowd his space, which he preferred.

His gaze was soft and filled with pride. He watched his wife hold her own against these legendary Filipino icons. It didn't matter where she was; Iris would always be the brightest star.

As the final note faded, the room erupted in applause.

“Are we sufficiently warmed up?” Iris asked, feeling energized.

Virginia laughed heartily. “Yes, definitely. It’s been far too long since I’ve had this much fun.”

Dina smiled warmly. “I might be getting on in years, but I’ve got enough left for a few more songs.”

Iris looked toward Albert and, without a word, began the next melody.

Albert and Virginia shared a knowing giggle.

It was their signature duet, “I’ll Love You Tomorrow and Today.”

This time, Albert added his voice to the mix.

Iris nodded along, suppressed a slight wince. Dom was right—Albert wasn't a natural singer. He could stay on key, but that was about it.

Just like before, she provided a fresh piano arrangement, and Albert followed her lead on the guitar.

Iris stayed back, allowing the husband and wife to share their moment during the duet. It was only when they gestured to her that she and Dina joined in.

Where the first song was about pain, this one was a celebration of devotion. The emotions were different, but Iris appreciated the high level of musicality in both. The lyrics were like poetry, and the melodies were timelessly elegant.

To her, it was the musical equivalent of a five-star meal.

When they finished, another round of cheering broke out.

“Iris, I’d love to perform one of your songs with you,” Virginia suggested.

“I’d be honored,” Iris replied. “Which one did you have in mind?”

“Your latest release. I’ve been practicing it quite a bit.”

“Let’s do it!”

Dina waved a hand dismissively. “I’ll sit this one out. That song is a bit too demanding for my old lungs. I’ll jump back in for something simpler later. Go ahead, ladies.”

“I’ll watch this one from the sidelines too,” Albert added, setting his guitar aside. “I want to give my full attention to this collaboration.”

Iris and Virginia locked eyes, both radiating a fierce, competitive excitement.