Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism

Chapter 687 Unexpected Melody

At that moment, the host heard a voice through his earpiece. "The music's coming soon! They're fixing it right now-oh no!"

After hearing those voices in his earpiece filled the host's eyes with panic.

What's going on?

She glanced at Violeta beside him.

Then, suddenly, a crisp, melodic tune filled the air.

The host's first thought was that the sound system had been fixed, and he sighed with relief-until he realized something was off. Wait a minute.

That wasn't the rehearsal music.

Turning his head toward the source of the sound, he saw that it was coming from a decorative piano at the back of the stage.

Meanwhile, Violeta had already started her speech, completely unaware. She assumed the background music had been restored and proceeded with her prepared remarks without hesitation, confidently facing the camera.

While everyone backstage scrambled to deal with the situation, only the host and a few staff members knew this was a full-blown stage malfunction.

But Violeta's quick reaction and the impromptu piano music skillfully covered up the mishap.

have suspected something was off-after all, the lack of music when Violeta initially walked up had been unusual. But the moment passed quickly, and most viewers at home would likely think the organizers had planned it that way on purpose. The host followed the music with her gaze, and to her

effortlessly gliding across the keys. He had no sheet music before him; he played the song purely from memory. His dark eyes gleamed like polished onyx, and every movement was graceful and poised, exuding an air of quiet

It was perfectly timed.

Jasper's piano playing came to

what had just happened, it might have seemed like this

stage with her award, thunderous applause broke out in the

there was one person who couldn't bring

Evelina.

expected an awkward minute of dead

would step in

her eyes filled with

backstage, she glanced over her shoulder and saw Jasper

aback for

next second,

the piano music she had just heard. "Jasper, you were the one playing the piano

"Yeah," he replied calmly.

reasons." Violeta still had a lingering sense of unease. When she'd been up on stage, she could feel the tension radiating from the host, but she'd had no choice but to keep going. Jasper didn't explain, letting Violeta think the hosts

seats, Jasper returned to the audience section, where his

sitting down, his gaze met Evelina's, locking eyes

heart skipped

washed over her,