Chapter 209
Chapter 209:
The performances had already begun. Lilian opened the round with a flawed routine, which dropped her score significantly. Paola followed next, delivering a clean performance that pleased the judges and placed her in the lead.
Then came Novalee’s turn.
From her seat among the contestants, Paola sat poised, flanked by a group of admiring girls.
“This time, the title’s yours for sure,” said Isabella, handing over a bottle of water. “Novalee’s probably hiding because of that injured hand. Bet she can’t even play anymore.”
“You’re right,” said a girl in pink, barely containing her laughter. “She comes from nowhere. How can she expect to stand against Paola?”
Paola took a sip, still pretending to stay humble. “Let’s not jump to conclusions. It’s not over yet.” Her gaze moved toward the vacant waiting area, and her lips curled faintly. “Then again, maybe some people don’t have the courage to show up.”
Right then, the crowd stirred. The lights dimmed, and a single spotlight swung toward the entrance. Novalee stepped into its glow, moving at a steady pace, with Rylie by her side, dressed in white, elegant and calm.
“Wait, who is that? Is she one of the judges?” murmurs spread throughout the room.
“Why does she look familiar?”
“That’s Rylie. But what’s she doing on stage? Did she just enter the finals now?”
“No way. If she were a contestant, why would she be walking with Novalee? Shouldn’t she be with a judge she picked? That doesn’t add up.”
Paola’s grip loosened. Her water bottle slipped from her hands and hit the floor with a dull thud. She kept her eyes locked on the stage, her fingers curling so tightly that her nails dug into her skin.
The host stepped forward, addressing the crowd. “Our contestant experienced a wrist injury, but that hasn’t shaken her resolve. Let’s welcome Novalee Adams for her impromptu performance.”
With quiet poise, Rylie lifted the lid of the piano and leaned close. “Music never lies,” she whispered.
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The moment her fingers touched the keys, the entire hall went silent.
The melody poured out smoothly. Despite her injury, Novalee’s hands moved across the piano as if nothing had changed. Each note seemed to come alive beneath her touch.
Paola shot up from her seat, her expression twisted in disbelief. “How is that even possible? That hand wasn’t supposed to—”
Before she could finish, the tempo shifted. Rylie removed her left hand and continued playing the most intricate passage with just one hand. The audience gasped. The judges rose to their feet, their applause erupting as the complexity unfolded.
By the time the final chord faded, the auditorium buzzed with awe. Someone in the back exclaimed, “I’ve never seen anything like this. Every other performance now feels forgettable!”
Moments later, the scoreboards lit up. Both the audience and the judges had placed Novalee and Rylie at the top. Their performance had surpassed Paola’s, claiming first place with ease.