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 down to Sierra.

last competition wrapped up, Maggie went over the feedback on Sierra. Despite a few subtle hints for improvement, it was mostly a shower of compliments. It was clear what

the venue,” the host exclaimed, peering at the latest stats with a hint

it down: Maggie racked up 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 to the next round! Way to go,

Maggie eagerly awaited the host’s rundown of

for

would have to duke it out with their counterparts from different

results were out, Maggie swiftly exited from the stage, only to bump into Sierra backstage, who seemed to be lingering

hand clenched tightly at her side. “Don’t go thinking those

smile, her tone light. “Ah well, gotta give credit where it’s

calm reply left Sierra fuming, feeling like she was punching cotton, unable to

across.

my words, I’m gonna come out on top! The championship trophy is as good as mine!” Sierra’s eyes blazed

stayed quiet, but in her mind, she couldn’t shake off thoughts of the two judges up there who seemed friendly with the Pierces. Seeing Sierra’s unwavering confidence, it all

had teamed up, hell–bent on

Maggie, she couldn’t help but dive deeper

song selections in the competition could be rigged, hiding some sneaky tricks up their sleeves.

she swiftly

greeted as he picked up.

favour and look into any fishy business with the song selection

I’ll get on it ASAP,

the competition, Lucas wasted no time. He accessed the backstage system and delved

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

a shiver down her spine, finally understanding why she got stuck with one of

Sierra’s?” she asked,

got ‘Waltz in G Major,”

a brief pause, Maggie spoke softly, “Help her

her? That way, she gets to feel what it’s like

for a Kiss

nodded in agreement. If the competition wasn’t playing

who had previously been on edge, now seemed confident, probably thanks to mastering the

waltz.

in on perfecting just one, undoubtedly making her performance shine.

now, it was time to bring her down