The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 696

But there was nothing anyone could do about it.

Even if they kept streaming Stella, there was still a chance her popularity would eventually dip.

Meanwhile, the chat was exploding with comments, messages scrolling by faster than anyone could read.

"This is nothing. Compared to Stella's performance, it's just not on the same level."

"It was energetic, sure, but I still prefer the calm and comfort of Stella's music." "Ugh, I'm not into that whole 'delicate and helpless' look. I'm out, I'm out!" "Hey, Rachel's really talented too! Don't leave, everyone-give her a chance!"

Out in the front row, Rena and the others exchanged puzzled glances after Rachel's performance.

Rena couldn't help asking, “So... this is what our junior's really capable of?"

Johnny looked genuinely stunned. "This is just... way too—"

Before he could finish, David nudged him and shot him a warning look.

Johnny caught himself, paused, and quickly changed tack. "I mean, you can tell her fundamentals are solid. She's got some real skill..."

Still, he couldn't quite swallow his disappointment, and he asked, "Professor, was Rachel just having an off day? She didn't seem to play at her usual level, did she?"

Rena both turned to Mr. Walden, sharing the

that they thought Rachel wasn't

was quite skilled-but compared to the dazzling group of prodigies Mr. Walden had mentored, she seemed... painfully

brilliance right before their eyes,

actually turned down Stella's request

must be even

else's cast-off? Stella's performance had set

ordinary day and they'd just heard Rachel play on ker own, maybe they would've thought she was impressive

been ages since anyone truly outstanding had come up in their

Walden saw something special in

comparisons are

all been so eager to hear Rachel perform,

were far beyond a

They were downright disillusioned.

to believe their teacher had

only to pick a seemingly mediocre

come up

Mr.

one to speak ill of others, and he honestly didn't know how to

all.