Ready to Rule: The Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 483

Every note sparkled like a precious gem, each one shining atop the crown of music. Lucinda blended into the melody so completely that it felt like she and the piece were one, weaving together a performance no one in the audience would ever forget.

When her fingers struck the final key, the hall went completely silent.

Divine. That was the only word for it.

“Bravo!” shouted a white-haired judge, his voice trembling with excitement.

And then the applause erupted. It was deafening, like a wave crashing through the hall.

Lucinda stood, graceful as ever, and gave a deep bow. She could feel it—she had done it. She’d made her mark at the International Piano Competition. From this moment on, everyone would remember her name. Lucinda.

She glanced into the audience, searching for Lydia. When she finally found her, Lucinda froze. Lydia wasn’t clapping, or even looking up. She was staring down at her phone.

Seriously?

Lydia had her phone turned sideways, both hands wrapped around it. She was playing a game.

Lucinda could feel her face heat up with anger. This performance was everything, and yet Lydia, this total outsider, couldn’t even be bothered to listen. She was wasting the moment on a game?

Unbelievable. People with no sense for music shouldn’t be allowed to hear something this powerful.

Lucinda’s eyes darted to Connor, and her anger only grew. He was leaning back, head down, watching Lydia play on her phone. The two of them were sitting so close together it was obvious to anyone they were a couple.

If Lucinda hadn’t been on stage, she might have lost it right then and there.

As the applause continued, she forced herself to turn away, walking offstage with as much poise as she could manage. She needed to get out of sight before she said or did something that would ruin her champion’s image.

Just wait, Lydia. I’ll make sure you regret this.

But while the VIPs surrounded Lucinda, Richie and Juliette, the president of the International Piano Society, quietly slipped away from the crowd and headed toward Lydia.

Juliette was over fifty but didn’t look it at all. She was poised, elegant, and seemed to glide through the room.

“Lydia, it’s been ages,” Juliette called out.

As she passed, students and pianists tried to greet her, but she ignored them all. She was determined not to lose sight of the elusive Melody Maestro.

Cameron and Kylie recognized her right away. The famous president of the society was hard to miss.

At first, they assumed Juliette was there for Lucinda. But when she called out to Lydia, they were stunned.

What was going on? Did Lydia and Juliette actually know each other?