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.

it all boiled down to Sierra.

feedback on Sierra. Despite a few subtle hints

are through the roof, both inside and outside the venue,” the host exclaimed, peering at the latest stats with a hint of

venue! That’s a staggering number! Bagging the top spot

Maggie eagerly awaited the host’s rundown of the votes

for

duke it out with their counterparts from

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

“Don’t go

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

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

across.

Maggie. But mark my words, I’m gonna come out on top! The championship trophy

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 clicked into

the Camerons had teamed up, hell–bent on propelling

on Maggie, she couldn’t

supposedly random song selections in the competition could be rigged, hiding some sneaky tricks

Maggie strode past Sierra, she swiftly

as he picked

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

it, I’ll get on it ASAP, Lucas replied, his tone

keeping tabs on the competition, Lucas wasted no 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,”

finally understanding why she got stuck

she asked,

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

pause, Maggie spoke softly, “Help her

way, she gets to feel what it’s

278 Yearning for a Kiss

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

been on edge, now seemed confident, probably thanks to

waltz.

juggling multiple pieces, Sierra had been honing in on perfecting

bring her