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

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

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

number! Bagging the top spot

rundown

278 Yearning for a

duke it out with their counterparts

to bump into Sierra backstage, who seemed to be lingering there as if

at her side. “Don’t go thinking those votes mean you’re soine talent. You’re just riding on Nathael’s coattails.”

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

like she was

across.

come out on top! The championship trophy is as good as mine!” Sierra’s eyes blazed with determination, her voice

she couldn’t shake off thoughts of the two judges up there who seemed friendly with the Pierces. Seeing Sierra’s

teamed up, hell–bent on propelling Sierra

this dawned on Maggie, she couldn’t help but dive deeper

selections in the

past Sierra, she swiftly dialed

as he picked

you do me a favour and look into any fishy business with the song selection for the university competition? Particularly, see if there’s anything shady going

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

tabs on the competition, Lucas wasted no time. He accessed the backstage

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

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

she asked, her curiosity piqued.

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

“Help her get rid

not pick a similar piece for her? That way, she gets to feel what it’s

278 Yearning for a Kiss

playing fair, they had no reason to

previously been on edge, now seemed confident, probably thanks to

waltz.

juggling multiple pieces, Sierra had been honing in on perfecting just one, undoubtedly making

it was time to bring her down a peg or two.