My Beloved Has Risen from Death's Embrace novel Chapter 30

"No need, it's not Xan's fault."

Miranda looked down, shaking her head slightly as she picked up a cup of coffee and offered it to Xanthea. "Xan, congrats on winning the championship."

She hadn't finished her sentence when she burst into tears.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry I'm falling apart. It's just that I feel so useless, such a failure. I've tried so hard, for so long, and in the end, I'm nothing. My carefully prepared song couldn't even match up to the one you sang offhand. I just don't know what I can do anymore."

Tears streamed down her face, and though she spoke no blame towards Xanthea, every word seemed to point towards her.

Xanthea observed the silent tension at the table and the accusing looks from her parents, and she smirked inwardly.

What a bitch!

In her past life, it was with this masterful strategy that Miranda had won her father's heart, infuriated her mother, and ended up with Matthew. This time around, Xanthea wouldn't let it happen again.

"Sorry, Miranda, I didn't mean to steal your thunder. You know I'm not really interested in fame or championships; otherwise, I would have launched my career long ago," Xanthea said, biting her lip, her face a mask of guilt. "But last night Uncle suddenly called me, saying the third surprise guest for 'The Masked Singer' had backed out at the last minute, and he couldn't find a replacement. He thought of me. I wanted to refuse, but he said if no one could fill in, the show would suffer a huge loss and might even be canceled under suspicions of foul play."

"Oliver called you?" Susanna asked, surprised.

Xanthea nodded. "Yeah, you can call him if you don't believe it."

She thought, "Sorry, dear uncle, but sometimes you have to play your cards."

"I see." Susanna's expression softened. "Well, I can't blame you then. Oliver is careful with his decisions; he wouldn't have asked you unless it was absolutely necessary."

Xanthea continued, "And I didn't expect that the song I threw together last night would surpass the one you worked on for a month, Miranda. 'Whispers in the Dark' was something I crafted with care!"