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

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

the venue,” the host exclaimed, peering at the

187,655 votes from inside and outside the venue! That’s a staggering number! Bagging the top spot in the group and sailing straight through

host’s rundown of the votes for the other

Yearning for a Kiss

it out with

out, Maggie swiftly exited from the stage, only to bump into Sierra backstage, who seemed to be lingering there as if

Maggie a cold glare, her hand clenched tightly at her side. “Don’t go thinking those votes mean you’re soine talent. You’re just riding on Nathael’s

“Ah well, gotta give credit where it’s due. Thanks to

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

across.

in the spotlight while you can, Maggie. But mark my words, I’m gonna come out on top! The championship trophy is as good as mine!” Sierra’s eyes blazed

quiet, but in her mind, she couldn’t shake off thoughts of the two judges up there who seemed friendly with the Pierces. Seeing

hell–bent

Maggie, she couldn’t help but dive

selections in the competition

Sierra, she

she greeted as he

business with the song selection for the university competition? Particularly,

it ASAP, Lucas replied,

time. He accessed the backstage system and delved

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

a shiver down her spine, finally understanding why she

she asked, her curiosity

got

a brief pause, Maggie spoke softly, “Help her get rid of that

similar piece for her? That way, she gets to feel what it’s like without any favouritism, Lucas proposed, a frown greasing his

278 Yearning for a Kiss

of thought. Maggie nodded in agreement. If the competition wasn’t playing fair, they had no reason to be fair to

now seemed confident, probably thanks

waltz.

multiple pieces, Sierra had been honing in on perfecting

was time to bring her down