The competition kicked off and the first contestant, a guy from France, stepped up to the piano. He took his seat with practiced grace, adjusted himself, and let his fingers brush the keys. Within seconds, the music started to pour out, quick and lively, every note dancing from his hands. The whole audience seemed to sink right into the melody, caught up in the ebb and flow. Some people nodded along, others closed their eyes to listen, all of them wearing that dreamy, faraway look.
One by one, more contestants took their turns. In the middle of it all, Connor leaned over and asked Lydia, “So, what do you think of them?”
This first round was about everyone performing before any judging happened, and Connor really wanted to know what Lydia thought. Even though his background was in the military, he’d grown up learning music and the arts, so he knew a thing or two. He’d seen Lydia editing sheet music on her phone yesterday, which made it pretty clear she was on another level.
Lydia answered, “Number one and number seven were solid.”
The rest, not so much.
Connor nodded right away. “That’s what I thought too.”
Soon enough, contestant number eight finished and number nine was up next. The host called out Lucinda’s name and suddenly, Kylie grinned. “Finally, Lucinda’s turn.”
Today was her chance to show them what real, high-end art looked like. Lydia’s so-called skills didn’t even count. Lucinda was determined to make Lydia feel so outclassed she wouldn’t know what to do with herself.
With that thought, Lucinda took her seat at the piano, her dress spreading out around her like she was wrapped in light. She looked every bit the musical fairy, ready to shine. As she pressed the first key, her confidence soared. She could already picture Lydia’s embarrassment at the end of the competition.
Connor would definitely regret not choosing her. Lydia? Please. She could never be as graceful, as beautiful, or as refined.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Ready to Rule: The Real Heiress Strikes Back
thank u!...
Olha a história bem boa só algumas coisas são chatas ( nesse tipo de história sempre troca as filhas pela a da empregada ou então pegam uma menina pra criar) pelo menos eles tratam a filha bem só enche o saco que até agora a Lucinda tá lá enchendo ! Fora isso tá bom Connor é um fofo a família dela a ama muito só Lucinda pra abaixar o nível do livro já era pra ter resolvido isso e fazer ela pagar mais tudo bem li um livro chinês que era parecido só algumas coisas diferentes ,ais mesma coisa tipo ela salvou o Connor no início lá ela salvava o avô dele , no chinês ela não tinha um irmão mais novo com os pais adotivos , a mãe dela tinha 2 irmãos e todos os avós estavam vivos mais história quase igual e tem coisas tipo o triângulo que lá TB tinha até a Lucinda que no chines TB ficou o livro todo aprontando só no final a família descobria e se livrava dela aí ela ia morar com o cara que ela usa pra disfarçar que não gosta do Connor aí depois ainda quase matava a irmã dele e a mãe dele que ele via como ela era...
thank u for the upload...
the next chapter is exciting...
the next upload is exciting. i cant wait....
Every chapter is missing a sentence from the end of every chapter. It’s frustrating to try guess what’s missing or said...
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