Ruby saw everyone’s gaze and forced herself to suppress the jealousy and resentment in her heart. She nced at Yvette, who was on the stage lowering her eyes, and said coldly. “Mr. Holmes, I just want to ask, does what you said before still count?”


    The crowd was puzzled, even Zion was a bit taken aback, not understanding why Ruby suddenly asked that. He nodded and said, “Ruby, I stand by my words, rest assured.”


    Ruby gave a smug smile. That was exactly what she wanted to hear from Zion. “Mr. Holmes, I admit that Yvette ys better than I do. I won’t argue. But you once told me that ying the piano isn’t just about focusing on technique. It’s about capturing the true emotions of the piece. Only by doing so can the performance truly move people, right?” she said.


    Zion remembered his own words clearly. Ruby was not wrong. He had indeed said that, and not just once. “Yes, that’s what I said, he replied.


    Ruby looked at Yvette triumphantly, then raised her voice and said, “We pianists all know the love story of Bryan Brooks and his wife. This piece, Dream, was a birthday gift heposed for his wife. The piece expresses Mr. Brooks‘ love and promise to his wife. But just now, what Yvette yed waspletely off the mark. Did you hear any lingering love in her performance! No matter how well it was yed, if it doesn’t capture theposer’s true intent, how can she deserve a perfect score?


    The contestants murmured in agreement. Although Yvette’s performance was excellent, the emotional interpretation was indeed off. The rest of the students in the auditorium, who did not understand music, whispered to those who did, asking if Ruby was right. After receiving confirmation, some started murmuring about how unfair it was that Yvette received a perfect score despite her ws.


    Zion was stunned for a moment. He had to admit that Ruby was right. Yvette’s interpretation of the piece did not align with the emotional context of the story. Based on her skill level, she surely would not have missed this backstory.


    Zion could not figure out what was going on either Yvette’s ying did not convey the sense of love the story was supposed to evoke, only a kind of mutual respect with a hint of sorrow for a departed soul.


    Zion directed his gaze toward Yvette. Only she could answer the question now.


    The people in the first two rows–Andrew, Simon, Zachary, Jaiden, and others–also turned their attention to the stage. The entire auditorium wanted to hear how Yvette would respond. They wondered if she truly deserved that perfect score.


    Yvette scanned the room and narrowed her eyes slightly, pondering for a moment before she spoke, unusually serious. “It’s fake”


    The auditorium erupted into chaos.


    “Yvette says it’s fake? What does she mean? Is she saying the story behind the piece is fake?”


    “How could that be? I learned piano too, and our teacher told us the e same story. Ruby wasn’t wrong”


    “Is she just making things up to defend her perfect score?”


    “Who knows?


    Ruby sneered, folding her arms across her chest. Zion wouldn’t give me a chance, why should Yvette get one? Her face was full of mockery and disdain as she said, “Yvette, are you out of your mind? If you want to argue, at leaste up with a better reason. Fake? Are you saying Mr. Brooks was lying? And to think you y his music without even knowing the story behind it. How embarrassing”


    She turned to Zion and asked, “Mr. Holmes, you don’t agree with Yvette, do you?”


    Ruby was like a mad dog, biting at anyone she could. She no longer cared about being polite to Zion, her attitude.pletely changed from before.


    Andrew took a step forward, and Ruby instinctively took a step back, visibly intimidated. He said, “You… Ruby, right? You lost. Stop making excuses. If you can’t handle defeat, why enter thepetition?”


    Ruby could not understand why such an outstanding, handsome man always defended Yvette. She gritted her teeth in anger but said nothing, her face still showing signs of defiance as she red at Zion. She could not provoke Andrew, but she had already gone too far to back out now. She waited, hoping to hear what Zion would say.


    Zachary, Simon, and the others remained silent. Since they were not as familiar with piano, they did not feel qualified to weigh in. Ultimately, it was up to Zachary to decide whether Yvelle’s perfect score was justified.


    Zachary wanted to speak up for Yvette but held back. He knew that if he spoke, no one would be convinced. All he could do was anxiously wait for Zion’s response.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Everyone exchanged nces, waiting for Zion’s verdict. After a long pause, Zion sighed softly. “Yvette, what’s your thought on Ruby’s question? Why do you say the story is fake?” he asked


    As Zion’s words echoed in the room, all eyes turned to the center of the stage. Under the bright lights, Yvette, dressed in all ck, exuded a cold arrogance, her sharp gaze making her look fierce. Her entire aura was dark and foreboding, sending chills down people’s spines.


    Yvette casually put away her phone. A moment ago, during the conversation between Ruby and Andrew, Yvette’s phone had buzzed, though only the nearby host had noticed.


    “Wait” Yvette said calmly. Zion paused and replied, “Alright.”


    Ruby would not give Yvette any chances. She said, “What are we waiting for? You owe us an exnation. Over a thousand people are waiting here. Isn’t that a bit too much?”


    Yvette frowned slightly, giving Ruby a cold nce. That single look sent shivers down Ruby’s spine, and the words she was about to say got stuc in her throat.


    Yvette said, “It’s here.”


    The next second, a phone rang, ying a unique ringtone. Zion found the melody familiar but could not ce it.


    Yvette answered the phone, pressing a button, and instantly, the screen disyed a video call with an elderly foreign man, around seventy, wearing reading sses and a straw hat. His blonde hair had mostly turned white, with a few golden strands still visible. His deep–set eyes hinted at the handsomeness of his youth. Behind him was a field of vibrant roses.


    In broken Clusian, the old man said, “You finally decided to call me, you heartless girl! You have no conscience at all!”


    No one in the auditorium knew why Yvette was suddenly on a video call with an elderly man, let alone a foreigner. But Zion could not stay calm.


    He would never forget that voice. Five years ago, he had been fortunate enough to meet and converse briefly with that very man. There was no mistake about it. He was sure it was the famous pianist.


    Does Yvette know him? Zion wondered. Hisposure shattered as he stared at Yvette’s phone, his face full of excitement. At first, no one noticed his strange behavior, but when he spoke tremblingly, everyone became aware of his shock. “Yvette, is that person in the video… is it him?”


    The entire auditorium was confused when they saw Zion lose his calm. Who is it? Who could make Zion this emotional they wondered.