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Chapter_88
The seating drama finally came to a close, and the audience slowly returned to their seats. Yvette decided to sit with Andrew, and Bonnie took a seat nearby.
Really? Was it that serious? Bonnie thought, rolling her eyes. It’s just a matter of two or three seats. Does it really matter? We’re all in the front row anyway. Why make such a big deal out of it?
Simon, meanwhile, didn’t seem to mind. With so many people around, even if he wanted to talk to Yvette, it would have been difficult. Zachary, who had become accustomed to Yvette’s indifference, wasn’t surprised that she didn’t sit with him. But Zion, on the other hand, was clearly disappointed, feeling as though he’d missed a golden opportunity to strike up a conversation with her.
Jaiden sat next to Simon. Originally, Simon had expected Lionel from the Lewis family to be there, but instead, it was Jaiden. They hadn’t seen each other in a while, so they switched seats to catch up.
Backstage, Ruby stormed into the dressing room, tears welling in her eyes. She slammed the door shut behind her and, in a fit of rage, knocked over the makeup on the table. She stared at her furious reflection in the mirror, wiping away her tears as she clenched her fists.
I swear I’m going to take Yvette down in the piano competition, she thought bitterly. The piano was Ruby’s domain, her true stage. She knew this competition was her moment to shine. The loud crashes from backstage made those around her step back cautiously, not wanting to be caught in the middle of her fury.
At 9:30 AM, the Art Festival officially kicked off. Four hosts took the stage to begin the opening ceremony, with Simon being the first to deliver his speech. His words encouraged the participants to compete with both grace and skill, and he ended with a hopeful wish for the festival’s success.
Next came the much-anticipated musical performances. Despite Ruby’s earlier outburst, the crowd was still buzzing with excitement. It was time for the piano performances to begin.
Backstage, Ruby quickly touched up her makeup and slipped into a flowing white dress. As she stepped under the spotlight, the audience’s eyes locked on her. This was where she felt she truly belonged—the stage was hers, and she was ready to claim it.
With a small, confident smile, she brushed off her earlier frustrations. Determined to stay positive, she didn’t even glance at Yvette. As she sat at the piano, her fingers danced across the keys, producing an enchanting melody that captivated the audience.
However, Zion, watching from the side, frowned slightly. She’s playing it just like in rehearsals. There’s no passion, just bitterness. He could tell Ruby had masked her emotions outwardly, but her resentment seeped into her music, dulling her performance.
Sawyer, seated behind Zion, watched with a smug expression on his face. Is this the person Mr. Holmes recommended to me? Her playing is average at best. She even missed a few notes. And this is supposed to be the opening performance? His disbelief only grew as he glanced around the auditorium. The audience seemed enthralled by Ruby’s playing, but when his gaze landed on Yvette, something made him pause.
Among the sea of admiring faces, only Zion and Yvette remained unimpressed. Yvette, in particular, was as stoic as ever. She had pulled her hood over her eyes and crossed her arms, looking almost bored. How tacky, Nellie thought, looking at Yvette with disdain. Falling asleep at an event like this?
Nellie, in her gown and holding her stomach, was struggling with discomfort but remained focused on maintaining her image. The only thing motivating her was the thought of Ruby taking Yvette down in the piano competition. The anticipation made her feel giddy.
Zachary, who was sitting next to her, noticed the excitement radiating from Nellie but couldn’t quite understand why she was so enthusiastic.
Rebecca, however, was more focused on Ruby’s performance. “Ruby’s playing is really impressive. No wonder she passed Level 8 in piano,” she commented, watching with admiration.
Andrew, who had been sitting nearby, seemed less interested in the music and more focused on Yvette. He glanced over at Bonnie, who was casually munching on snacks.
“Bonnie,” he said, trying to catch her attention.
Startled, Bonnie jumped, spilling her snacks everywhere. “What?” she exclaimed, looking up at Andrew. “You scared me! What’s wrong with you?”
Andrew gestured toward Yvette, who was still asleep. “Aren’t you worried about her?”
Bonnie shrugged, unbothered. “Worried? Nah, Yve knows what she’s doing. Relax. Here, have some chips.” She handed him the bag.
Andrew chuckled, giving her an affectionate pat on the head. “All you do is eat,” he teased.
Nearby, Nellie overheard the conversation about Ruby passing Level 8 and felt a surge of satisfaction. If Ruby has passed Level 8, there’s no way Yvette stands a chance, she thought, a wicked grin forming on her face. I can practically taste the victory.
When Ruby finished her piece, the applause was deafening. She basked in the attention, her earlier frustration melting away. Stepping off the stage, she was back to her usual smug self, already imagining the thrill of defeating Yvette in front of everyone.
The opening ceremony of the Art Festival lasted for two and a half hours, featuring performances from various departments. Once it ended, the crowd’s attention shifted to the next major event—the piano competition.
Rows of chairs filled the field, packed with eager students waiting to see who would take the championship. Most of the audience was rooting for Ruby, the talented pianist who had passed Level 8—an impressive achievement at the university.
However, Yvette had her own share of supporters. News of her entry into four events had ignited her fanbase, with students cheering her on through university forums. This year, the competition for the “Most Popular Award” was fiercer than ever.
The winner of this award would receive a rare piece of Simon’s calligraphy, a highly coveted prize. Simon, as an honorary member of the National Calligraphy Association, had works that were treasured by collectors and could fetch a hefty price on the market. Last year, the award had gone to Ryan, but who would take it this time?
The order of performances for the piano competition wasn’t decided by drawing lots; instead, a computer randomly generated the lineup, finalized the day before the festival. By sheer coincidence, Ruby was set to perform second to last, with Yvette following her.
Ruby was thrilled by this arrangement. She believed that her performance would be so impressive that it would intimidate Yvette to the point where she wouldn’t even have the courage to perform. To make matters worse for her rival, Ruby had chosen to perform “Dream,” the most famous piece in Bryan’s repertoire—a legendary composition written as a tribute to Bryan’s beloved wife. Ruby had spent three years perfecting the piece, and today would be her moment to shine.
Yvette’s nothing but a stepping stone, Ruby thought, consumed by the desire to claim victory. This song is my ticket to the top, and I’ll make sure everyone knows it.
The performance order was displayed on the big screen for all to see. The audience buzzed with excitement when they saw that Ruby and Yvette were performing back-to-back. Whispers spread through the crowd, anticipation building.
Some murmured, This is fate. When rivals clash, who will emerge victorious?
