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

on Sierra. Despite a few subtle hints for improvement, it was mostly a shower of compliments. It was clear what was up.

the host exclaimed,

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

host’s rundown of the votes for the other

for a

to duke it out with

the stage, only to bump into Sierra

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

casual smile, her tone light. “Ah well, gotta give

she was punching

across.

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

the two judges up there who seemed friendly with the Pierces. Seeing Sierra’s unwavering

had teamed up, hell–bent on propelling Sierra to the

couldn’t help but dive

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

strode past Sierra, she swiftly dialed

she greeted as he picked up.

me a favour and look into any fishy business with the song selection for the university

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

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

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

why she

Sierra’s?” she asked,

Her song was preselected. She’s got ‘Waltz

pause, Maggie spoke softly, “Help her get rid of

piece for her? That way, she gets to feel what

for a Kiss

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

seemed confident, probably thanks to

waltz.

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

it was time to bring her down a peg or