Let’s start all over again,shall we?

Chapter 278 Yearning for a Kiss

Once Maggie wrapped up her performance, her eyes were teary.

Not because of anything else but because tragedies tend to hit close to home.

She couldn’t shake off memories of her past life with Nathael and the lingering what–ifs of this one.

Mixing up feelings of relictance, excitement, and a dash of sweetness, it all boiled down to a sad soup.

Grace was dabbing her eyes back in the dressing room, and even Danielle seemed a bit misty–eyed.

“Maggie, you nailed it out there. I’m so moved, I could cry, Grace chimed in.

Danielle nodded along, adding, “Seriously, you aced it. You’re gonna get top marks for sure.”

“Thanks, Ms. Joyton, thanks, Grace. I’ll catch you guys in the audience seats later, Maggie murmured sofily.

“Sure thing. Once they announce the scores, you can bounce if you’ve got stuff to do,” Grace replied.

Sierra stayed quiet, her gaze fixed on Nathael’s Twitter feed, lost in her world.

Before they realised it, Maggie was next, ready to face the judges‘ feedback.

With a grin, the host piped up, “Any guesses on your score, Maggie?”

Maggie said, “Well, what do you think, Mr. Surrez?”

“If it were up to me, I’d toss you an eleven, with an extra point just to boost your ego,” the host quipped

back.

The room erupted in laughter, and Maggie couldn’t help but smile too.

The camera shifted to the judges below the stage, capturing their mixed reactions. Some showered her praise, while a couple seemed to find faults in every nook and cranny.

Maggie glanced at the two critics, recalling their lukewarm feedback from the first round, It felt like one of them had a bone to pick with the Pierces, and the other might’ve had some ties she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

all boiled

went over the feedback on Sierra. Despite a few subtle hints for improvement, it was

votes are through the roof, both inside and outside the venue,” the host exclaimed, peering at the latest

inside and outside the venue! That’s a staggering number! Bagging the

a grateful bow, Maggie eagerly awaited the host’s rundown of

for a Kiss

would have to duke it out

to bump into Sierra

“Don’t go thinking those votes mean you’re

casual smile, her tone light. “Ah well, gotta give credit where it’s due. Thanks to my sister.”

fuming, feeling like she was punching cotton, unable to get her

across.

championship trophy is as good as mine!” Sierra’s eyes blazed with determination, her voice icy, and her demeanour oozing

thoughts of the two judges up there who seemed friendly with the Pierces. Seeing Sierra’s unwavering confidence, it all clicked into place.

Pierces and the Camerons had teamed up, hell–bent on propelling Sierra

she couldn’t

the supposedly random song selections in the competition

strode past Sierra, she swiftly

she greeted as he picked up.

with the song selection for the university competition? Particularly, see if there’s anything shady going on with Sierra’s picks?”

it ASAP, Lucas replied, his tone

keeping tabs on the competition, Lucas wasted no time. He accessed the backstage system and delved into the investigation.

something, sis. It looks like most folks‘ songs are randomly picked, but is it yours? Not so much. Here’s the proof,” he explained, sending a code

down her spine, finally understanding why she got

she asked, her curiosity piqued.

was preselected. She’s got ‘Waltz in G Major,” Lucas informed

spoke softly, “Help her get rid of that

That way, she gets to feel what it’s like without any favouritism, Lucas proposed, a frown greasing his brow.

278 Yearning for

nodded in agreement. If the competition wasn’t playing fair,

on edge, now seemed confident, probably thanks to mastering the

waltz.

had been honing in on perfecting just one, undoubtedly making her

was time to bring her down a peg or