Chapter 214
Chapter 214:
From the crowd, faint laughter rippled through the silence. Sweat beaded on Paola’s brow, her carefully arranged hairstyle falling apart, loose strands clinging to her flushed face.
She gritted her teeth, recalling the expensive score she had bought, and pressed her fingers onto the keys.
Relying on habit and training, she played the piece flawlessly. Five minutes later, it was done. The room responded with polite applause.
Trying to maintain her composure, Paola rose and gave a modest bow. “I came up with this piece just recently, inspired by a storm I witnessed while traveling in the countryside. The way the wind moved the plants stayed with me. I haven’t named it yet, but I hope you liked it.”
The judges exchanged subtle looks. All of them had taken bribes from her mother. They knew Paola hadn’t written the music herself. It was too refined, too polished for a last-minute creation. Still, they clapped.
One of them leaned forward. “Creating something so intricate in minutes? Remarkable.”
Another quickly added, “Now it’s time to hear Mr. X. Aria’s protégé. Rylie, the stage is yours.”
Before stepping away, Paola leaned toward her rival and whispered, “That piece was composed over the course of a year. I paid ten million to own it. Do you really think you can top that with something off the cuff?” Her tone sharpened. “I can’t wait for X. Aria to drop you. He needs someone with real ability like me.”
Rylie looked at her with a quiet grin. “X. Aria? He wouldn’t take you even if you begged.”
Settling herself at the piano bench, Rylie turned to Paola and remarked, “If you really made this up on the fly, I’m impressed. Still, I see a few areas that could use some work.”
Without waiting for a response, she let her hands glide across the keys, breathing new life into the same melody. Every note carried a depth and artistry that Paola’s earlier attempt lacked, weaving in flourishes and dramatic touches that transformed the piece entirely. Even those with little musical training could not miss the gulf between the two performances.
Paola’s relief had barely touched her face before the true weight of Rylie’s talent hit her.
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No one except Paola, her mother, and the composer had ever seen that sheet music. This performance was supposed to be Paola’s debut, yet after hearing it just once, Rylie had not only repeated every measure but also made it her own. Thunderous applause exploded through the auditorium as the last note faded, the judges themselves rising in a standing ovation.
With only a modest dip of her head, Rylie addressed the audience, her tone warm and inviting. “That was my interpretation of contestant thirty-four’s work. Now, I’d like to offer an improvisation.”
Beyond the venue’s doors, a sleek black Bentley rolled to a halt. Brock emerged, clutching a USB drive, and wasted no time delivering it to the event organizer, his voice low and urgent.
The organizer’s expression turned sour. “I understand. As long as the bribery of the judges doesn’t get leaked, I’ll comply.”
A look of approval flickered across Brock’s face. He gave Rylie a final glance from the wings, her aura impossible to ignore beneath the stage lights, and silently admitted she was indeed someone on Brad’s level.