The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

"Stella! Stella! Stella!"

At some point, the crowd's cheers swelled into a tidal wave, thundering through the entire concert hall.

Everyone was on their feet, swept up in the moment, unable to hold back their applause for Stella.

Tonight, they'd witnessed a miracle.

Even Abby Murphy found herself carried away by the electric atmosphere.

Standing amid the sea of people, she gazed at Stella on stage, tears brimming in

her eyes.

This was the glory Stella had always deserved.

Over in the audience, Mr. Walden had collapsed back into his seat, looking utterly shell-shocked.

He muttered under his breath, "How... how is this possible?"

Rena and the others were equally stunned, their faces a picture of disbelief.

"How can this be? She actually outplayed Harry?"

over. The easy smile he'd worn earlier had vanished, replaced by a ghostly pallor and a look of

of

be! There's no way she could play The Gaze in a higher key and still pull

accept it, Stella had

and

gestured for quiet, though his own hand trembled with excitement, his

you! However, we do still have to finish today's

between Stella and Harry had all started

walked to the stage, looking utterly

venomous it

a seasoned master, he knew all too well-he had

raised the difficulty, she had delivered a flawless rendition of

even a casual music lover could

they see her as just another

stature,

announced, "After discussion, the judges have decided the

and cheers erupted

that moment, Stella was the pride of everyone in

from our region actually beat the violin virtuoso Harry! I can't believe

He's always looking down on the other contestants. That's