Chapter 169
As Shirley finished speaking, whispers rippled through the audience
“Yeah, Shirley’s performance was flawless. Why not a perfect score?
“Haven’t you heard? Shirley and that judge Arlina–Cherise–they’re half–sisters. An 8 must mean Cherise is giving her at hand time.”
“Ah, that explains it. Let’s see how this unfolds in front of so many people?
“I’d love to see how incredible Arlina’s live performance is supposed to be.”
“Same here! Arlina has been a legend for so long, but we’ve only heard recordings. Can she really perform live?”
“This should be interesting. Many so–called legends can’t even match up to amateurs on stage. I’m eager to see what happens.”
“No matter her fame, Liam, the president of the Clusia Pianists‘ Association, gave a 10. What’s Cherise’s deal with an 8? If not a feud, what else?”
Amidst the crowd, someone boldly shouted in Clusia’s grand piano hall, “Arlina, Arlina, play something for us..
Another voice joined in. “Arlina, are you scared or something?”
-Standing on stage, Shirley was secretly delighted by the growing commotion.
Henry and his group felt their earlier gloom lifting considerably
Mandy especially allowed herself a smug smile, thinking to herself. Let’s see how you handle this. Hopefully, it’s just all hype, and you mess up big time when it counts,
Tina looked over at Cherise with a hint of concern. She knew Cherise could handle it, but still, being taunted like that in front of everyone had to sting a bit.
Liam, on the other hand, seemed thoroughly entertained, almost like he was waiting for snacks to appear to complete the
show.
In the middle, Cherise slowly raised her gaze, moving it from Shirley’s feet upward until she locked eyes with her. She said nothing, maintaining an unhurried demeanor.
Shirley felt a strange chill as Cherise fixated on her. However, with so many people present, she held her ground and took another step forward. “Master Arlina, could you kindly point out where I fell short?
“And of course, we all hope you’ll grant us this chance to enjoy the sight and sound of your performance.”
Shirley appeared to be humbly pleading with Cherise. Then she turned to the audience and said sweetly, “Dear audience members and fellow contestants, don’t you all, like me, want to witness the Master Arlina perform live?”
The crowd responded with a chorus of agreement followed by thunderous applause from everyone–except the students from the Traditional Medicine Department in the third row
Calvin patted Zander on the shoulder. “Zander, doesn’t Shirley remind you of some scheming stepsister from an old fairy tale? She seems so two–faced.
“What if our Ms. Leach can’t handle all this pressure? I just want to drag that stepsister offstage. She’s already got the highest score! Why can’t she just stop yammering?”
Chapter 169
Zander remained silent simply watching the judges panel. Inside, though, he had every confidence that Cherise could handle this small interruption effortlessly.
Cherise on the judges‘ panel stood up calmly, left the panel, and walked towards the stage.
She wore a sleeveless light blue dress of high quality. The dress–line in shape, stopped just above her knees, revealing her anns and slender, slightly toned calves. Her every step exuded poise and grace.
Reaching the center of the stage, she stopped exactly a meter away from Shirley.
Up until now, Cherise had been sitting with her back to most of the audience, so they hadn’t had a clear view of her face. With her now standing so close, Shirley’s initial glow seemed to diminish instantly.
In terms of beauty, poise, and presence, Cherise stood head and shoulders above Shirley, who appeared no more than a sidekick by comparison.
A few audience members whispered among themselves, “Shirley looked pretty good on her own, but once Arlina stepped up there? Man, it’s like a pigeon next to a peacock.”
“No kidding. Look at those features, that aura. She’s like a masterpiece come to life.”
“So beautiful and talented. It’s like the world’s playing favorites… not fair!”
As Arlina took the stage, the crowd settled down immediately. An assistant handed her a microphone shortly after. Glancing briefly at Shirley with a faintly mocking smile, she said. “Your performance of “The Laurel was technically proficient. To the audience and even Mr. Wilson, it seemed flawless.
“The piece is inspired by the composer’s personal story about a blind girl striving to become a pianist.
captured the ambition as her fame grew in the latter parts of the piece, but you missed expressing the heartache and le of being mocked for her blindness in the first sections. It came across too flat, with no real highs or lows.”
Shirley’s expression soured at Cherise’s critique.
“Moreover,” Cherise continued, “you didn’t just fall short emotionally; there were two transitions between segments that you didn’t nail either. But you were clever enough to gloss over them and fool the audience.”
Shirley was taken aback. Panic and unease stirred inside her because she knew those transitions weren’t up to par. She had hoped they’d go unnoticed and played boldly through them.
SEND GIFT
