Chapter 229

As soon as the music started, the audience drew in a sharp breath. It was like everyone was caught in the same spell, their faces melting into expressions of pure delight.
Even Laura, who hadn’t liked Olivia from the start, looked up from her seat. There was a flicker of real surprise in her eyes. Olivia’s piano playing was just okay, nothing out of the ordinary, but the song itself—that was on another level. “Light” was honestly one of the best new pieces Laura had heard in years.
Laura couldn’t help but feel impressed. For someone not even twenty to compose something that sounded like it came from a seasoned master… that was seriously impressive. She found herself thinking about that melody, letting it linger in her mind.
The other judges were clearly just as taken. They leaned toward each other, voices low but full of excitement.
“I heard she’s the top pick to win this year. Now I get why!”
“Even someone with years of experience would have a hard time writing a piece like this.”
“Laura, this contestant is talented, and her composition is incredible. Have you thought about taking her on as a student?”
Laura’s eyebrows drew together, and she didn’t answer right away. Sure, Olivia was talented, but after seeing her act two-faced, Laura just couldn’t get past it. For her, a student didn’t need to be the best character mattered more.
Thinking of that, Laura glanced at the girl beside her, who was quietly tapping away at a game on her phone. Laura had no doubt which student she actually preferred.
Eight minutes later, the music faded to a stop. For a few heartbeats, the room was dead silent, and then the applause came, crashing through the auditorium in a wave of cheers and clapping.
Olivia lifted her hands from the keys and stood, her smile bright as she bowed gracefully to the crowd. The judges’ faces, the roaring applause—it all told her exactly what she wanted to hear. She was the standout performer tonight.
Soaking up the praise, Olivia glanced down at where Laura was sitting. She’d expected to see Laura just as
else
blown away as everyone. Instead, Laura had her head bent, scribbling something with a calm, almost distant look.
How could someone listen to a piece like this and stay so cold? Olivia felt her confidence wobble for just a second. She was about to look away when she caught sight of
someone familiar sitting with
Laura, and her eyes went wide with disbelief.
Charlotte?
What was she doing in the super VIP section? That spot was reserved for judges, top officials, and special guests. You couldn’t buy your way in, no matter how much money you had. But there Charlotte was sitting in one of the best seats in the house.
It had to be because of Samantha. Charlotte knew Samantha, and Samantha was Kenneth’s mother. Scoring a ticket would’ve been nothing for her.
Olivia felt a rush of scorn and rolled her eyes. Of course, Charlotte could only get into places like this by sucking up to powerful people.
Then Olivia’s score was announced: 98. The highest out of the eight contestants so far.
She left the stage, and the last two performers finished their pieces. When it was all over, nobody even needed to see the final scores to know who had won.
“There’s no way anyone else is taking first place. It’s Olivia, hands down.”
“That song, ‘Light,’ was unreal. If she doesn’t win, this whole competition is rigged!”
“Seriously, she deserves it more than anyone!”
Even before the official results came out, everyone already saw Olivia as the champion.