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

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

and outside the venue,” the host exclaimed, peering at the

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!

Maggie eagerly awaited the host’s rundown of

278 Yearning for

to duke it out

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

shot 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 coattails.”

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

like she was punching cotton, unable to

across.

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

quiet, but in her mind, she couldn’t shake off thoughts of the two judges up

the Camerons had teamed up, hell–bent on propelling Sierra to the championship spot, hence

Maggie, she couldn’t help

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

past Sierra, she swiftly

as he picked up.

selection for the university

it ASAP, Lucas replied,

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

It looks like most folks‘ songs are randomly picked, but is it yours? Not so much. Here’s the proof,”

spine, finally understanding why she got stuck with one of the most challenging

Sierra’s?” she asked, her curiosity

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

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

That way, she gets to feel what it’s like without any favouritism, Lucas proposed, a frown greasing

for a

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

seemed confident, probably thanks to mastering the

waltz.

in on perfecting just one, undoubtedly making her

now, it was time to bring her down