The first on stage was a cute round–faced girl named Giselle.


    She had chosen a Level 6 piece, “Alternating Thirds,” which was unremarkable. It wasn’t special, but she performed without mistakes


    Zion gave Giselle a score of seven and gave her some encouraging words..


    Giselle knew she didn’t have much chance of winning, so she left the stage cheerfully upon Zion’s encouragement.


    Subsequently, contestants performed one after another, but most chose Level 5 or Level 6 pieces. Only one girl from the” chemistry department attempted a Level 7 piece and upon watching her performance, Zion didn’t hold back his praise


    Given everyone knew the highlight today wasn’t these performers, they all appeared disinterested. Ultimately, they knew the highlights were Yvette and Ruby.


    After all. Ruby was recognized as Argrol University’s best pianist and had the most advanced piano grade among the contestants. She already reached Level 8.


    Meanwhile–Yvette, who came from the countryside, had only been at Argrol University for just over a month. Although she won a Frixyian contest, and everyone acknowledged her intelligence, this was a pianopetition–allpeting students had been learning to y the piano since young.


    Everyone knew one couldn’t excel at piano simply by having a photographic memory. Piano required years of consistency. ongoing practice, and continual practice. Even if Yvette was smart and talented, there was no way she could master the piano in a few days.


    Even if Yvette had learned some basics, she wouldn’tpare to them, let alone Ruby, who had already passed Level 8.


    The oue was obvious.


    After three full hours, the majority of Argrol University students couldn’t sit still any longer. Even Andrew and Bonnie felt their backsides grow sore from sitting for so long.


    Meanwhile, Sawyer grewpletely disinterested after watching a few performances, and when Zion wasn’t looking, he sneakily nced elsewhere and daydreamed.


    Simon and Jaiden were older, thus sitting for such a long time was hard on them. However, it wasn’t appropriate for either of them to leave earlier in this event, so they just sat there idly and chatted asionally to pass the tire..


    Reba wanted to put down her ego and speak to Zachary, but he didn’t spare her a nce. Moreover, with so many watching, she knew she couldn’t force a conversation, or it could disgrace the Carter family.


    Zachary and Nellie were fine overall. However, Nellie persevered out of sheer willpower to see Yvette embarrass herself Her back pain was excruciating, but she had to maintain her image as a dignifieddy, so she forced herself to maintain her posture.


    The only ones who werefortable there were Zion and Yvette.


    Zion carefully critiqued each contestant’s performance, pointing out their strengths and weaknesses with precisements, and offered them appropriate advice.


    Except for a few sips of water, he had barely moved because he knew everyone could see his every action.


    Everyone’s regard for Zion rose considerably at his dedication. It was no wonder he was Clusia’s most outstanding pianist. His serious and responsible attitude alone deserved admiration and respect.


    ?


    @ Y


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    Knowing Yvette was participating in the pianopetition today, Andrew came to support her, hoping his presence would help her stay rxed and calm.


    However, when Andrew turned, he saw Yvette leisurely leaning back in her chair, bouncing her foot with her legs crossed.


    An incredulous expression appeared on Andrew’s face as he thought, ‘Huh. I was worried for nothing. She doesn’t look nervous at all. Hah! I might be more anxious about thepetition than she is. How funny


    Andrew’s gaze was so focused on Yvette that she opened her eyes, rested her chin on her hand, tilted her head, and shot him an indifferent look. “What’s up?”


    Andrew really wanted to shout. Yeah, something up! Something big is happening. Can’t you see there are only two more contestants before Ruby’s tum? After Ruby, you’re next! he eximed internally.


    He wanted to ask where she got her confidence but instead, he questioned, “It’s almost your turn. Aren’t you going backstage to prepare Then, he nced at Yvette’s outfit. “Where’s your dress! If you don’t change soon, you won’t have enough time.”


    Yvette narrowed her eyes and then lifted an eyebrow. She dered nonchntly, I don’t have one.”


    Andrew had just picked up his water for a sip when his hand froze mid–air. “Are you saying you didn’t even prepare a dress?”


    Yvette nodded.


    Andrew put down the ss and briefly wondered about the sess rate of simply taking off with Yvette now. He pondered, This is ridiculous. Yvette never even prepared a dress. Is she really just going to perform in ck sportswear!


    Amazing music would be wasted. All the performers earlier wore carefully selected attire and looked stunning and elegant.


    Pfft. You’d think anyone who can spend 100 million dors like that could afford a dress. There’s only one exnation- Yvette never intended to wear one. Andrew sighed and wondered. Why’s my life so difficult? How did I end up mingling with entrics like Jeremiah and Yvette?


    There is nothing we can do now. It’d be futile to say anything more. All I hope is Yvette won’t lose too badly. With me here, surely Ruby wouldn’t dare to misbehave, right?”


    Finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for had arrived.


    All other contestants had finished performing. Now only Yvette and Ruby were left.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    The entire audience suddenly livened up, as if they had just been revived. Those who were dozing woke up, sneaky snackers stopped eating, and those chatting quietly stopped talking.


    Almost everyone had waited three hours for this. Even the students peeking in from outside sat in their seats with anticipation.


    Just like everyone inside, they might not have known what happened before the event, but Yvette’s reputation at Argeol University was no joke.


    The showdown between Yvette and the student council president Ruby was highly anticipated; no one wanted to miss it.


    From backstage, Ruby walked onto the stage with a powerful aura once the host finished announcing. There were no signs. of her earlier embarrassment.


    In those past few hours, Ruby had already rewired her mindset.


    Ruby firmly believed that as long as she won today’spetition, no one would care about what happened before. Once she won, whenever people talked about her and Yvette, they’d only mention that she beat her.


    Ruby nced briefly at the few people in the front who had stood up for Yvette earlier and scoffed inwardly thinking, Pift


    No matter how many people speak up for Yvette, thispetition is judged based on skill.


    With so many people watching. Yvette wasn’t worried Zion would be biased toward Yvette. Unless he wanted to destroy his reputation and cheat openly, she was sure she would win today’spetition..


    Ruby’s piece of choice for today’spetition was “Dream” by Bryan Brooks


    This was one of his most famous pieces. It was graded at Level and far more difficult than the “Second Life Concerto” piece. she yed at the opening


    This would be her most brilliant moment.


    Ruby bowed to the audience, walked to the piano, sat down, and took a deep breath. Subsequently, beautiful music flowed seamlessly from her fingertips.


    This time, even Zion nodded in agreement. He had to admit Ruby yed this piece very well. Unlike before, her music now carried a deep sense of romance.


    Zion nced sideways at Yvette, who had her eyes closed, and wondered if she was going to surprise himter. Ruby had truly excelled, and Yvette would have a hard time topping her performance.


    Yet, Zion still had high hopes for her. After all, anyone who could offer such critiques must have profound piano expertise. Thus, he highly anticipated Yvette’s performance.


    Ruby infused her feelings for Ethan into the music and transformed the entire piece.


    She took a big risk given Zion often critiqued that her yingcked emotion. This time, she was determined to impress


    Entranced, the audience listened attentively as her moving and emotive music struck a chord. Once Ruby ended her piece. the auditorium erupted into enthusiastic apuse, Everyone was cheering.


    “Ruby yed excellently, a member of the audience praised.


    “I may be clueless about music, but I feel like Ruby’s performance now is better than the opening one,” anothermented


    “Bro, you’re not the only one. I agree,” another said.


    “Seems like Ruby showcased her best this time, another said.


    “That was incredible!” One apuded.


    Ruby stood on stage. Now, she appeared humble instead of her usual arrogant self and asked politely and respectfully, “Mr. Holmes, could you please share your thoughts on my ying?”