A Surprising Twist of Fates (Sierra and Theo) novel Chapter 228

Madison couldn't help but sigh dramatically. "Damn, Mr. Gray is kinda romantic when he's in love."

Sierra, already flustered, shot her an exasperated glare. "Stop making things up."

"Alright, my bad. You two take your time and talk." Madison grinned mischievously before darting into her room, phone in hand.

Sierra carried the bouquet over to find a vase. "Come in and have a seat," she said softly.

Theo took off his coat, his gaze never leaving her. He watched as she carefully arranged the sunflowers, his sharp eyes softening.

"I take it you saw what's happening online," he mentioned.

Sierra's smile faltered slightly. She nodded. "Yeah."

Theo stepped closer, his fingers instinctively reaching out to brush against the top of her head. "Don't worry. I'll take care of it."

Feeling the warmth of his touch, Sierra's body tensed slightly. She lifted her head quickly. "How?"

When he didn't answer, she already knew—buying bots to suppress the controversy and paying off organizers to guarantee her spot in the finals among others.

She didn't want that. She refused to be seen as someone who needed an unfair advantage.

"I want the competition to be live-streamed," she said firmly. "Let everyone—judges and the public—witness the competition in real-time."

The door slammed open. A panicked Madison turned to Sierra, disagreeing, "Your shoulder isn't even healed yet! What if you can't finish the performance?!"

She didn't even want to say the words, but the truth was brutal.

"People online won't care about why you are struggling. They'd just presume that you lack the skill. As of now, they are already questioning you, and you'd only prove them right if you mess up during the competition.

"At that point, they'll label you as talentless and just another person who got in through connections or favoritism."

This time, she wanted to be brave and prove her worth by using her skills to shut down the malicious assumptions online.

Madison looked at her friend, who seemed different than before, sighed, and then said helplessly, "Alright, just focus on practicing for now. I'll take care of you. We're going to show those online haters what a true master of the piano really looks like!"

Sierra's eyes welled up slightly at her friend's unwavering support.

Theo, on the other hand, looked at her, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes, while tuning out the chatter around him.

After leaving Sierra's place, he instructed someone to notify Fabian, asking them to change the recorded broadcast of the finals to a live stream.

Fabian quickly gathered the team for a meeting, and after discussion, they agreed that a live broadcast would be the best way to address the rumors.

Marisol Cup's official account posted again by 10:00 am the next morning, writing, "In light of the public concerns regarding the fairness and abilities of our contestants, the finals would be broadcast live. Professionals are invited to come and offer their judgments and opinions."