Ashlyn could not resist remarking, “You have made such great progress in a short time. That was an excellent performance.”
Mollified by Ashlyn's praise, Olivia beamed. She looked beautiful and charismatic when she smiled.
“Thank you, Ms. Berry,” she said appreciatively.
The other judges also had comments to offer.
A scowl instantly appeared on her face when Hera saw from backstage that her rival's score was two points higher than her own.
D*mn it! How could Olivia have made such huge progress?
Positive comments from the viewers constantly flashed across the screen on the live broadcast. “It sounded amazing.”
“She really demonstrated Jonathan's style back then.”
“What a delightful performance! She fully brought out that solemnity of going to war.”
“Yes, you're right!”
Situated backstage at that moment, Charlotte was the only contestant who had yet to take the stage.
At the prompt of the director's voice, she started forward with grim determination.
Although Ms. Warhol played very well, I have no intention of losing!
Charlotte, too, desired Ashlyn's praise. She wanted nothing more than to stand on stage before the eyes of the world and bask in the gaze of admiration from the crowd below. I just want the Field family and Ashlyn to be proud of me! I cannot let the Fields down after all their kindness toward me.
She had never wanted to succeed more in an endeavor.
The audience watched as the slender girl stepped slowly onto the stage and seated herself at the piano.
The audience watched as the slender girl stepped slowly onto the stage and seated herself at the piano.
To their surprise, the piece she played was one they have never heard before.
How refreshing!
Ashlyn knew in a matter of seconds that it was a piece Charlotte had written herself.
The girl was musically talented. Aside from being adept at the cello, she played the piano well enough to compose her own piece.
A rare musical genius, indeed.
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