Save Myself From Desperation by Cara Agnes novel Chapter 59

Chapter 59

Finally, the contestants for both teams were finally confirmed.

The director gave them considerable freedom. “Ashley and Shirley, either of you can start playing first. It’s up to you to decide.”

Shirley was quick to respond and stepped forward. “I’ll go first.”

She was always confident in her harp skills, especially being a student of the harp maestro Eddy. She believed she could surely outperform Ashley.

Moreover, she thought that by playing first, she could set high expectations for the audience, making Ashley’s performance seem mediocre in comparison.

Shirley glanced at Ashley with a slight smile. “I’ll play first, then you can follow. Do you have any objections?”

Ashley glanced at her in a nonchalant manner. “I’m fine with anything

Shirley turned to the camera, her smile warm and modest. “I really admire Ash and love the piece The Land. Please don’t mind if there are any flaws in my performance.”

[Shirley is being too modest. I remember her playing the harp on a show, outshining all the professional harpists that time!]

Shirley took a seat in front of the harp, took a few deep breaths to calm herself, placed her hands on the strings, and began playing The Land.

Her posture was clearly professional.

The music from the harp was lingering and evocative.

After she finished, applause immediately filled the room.

Hayes couldn’t help but praise, “Shirley, you truly are a student of the harp maestro Eddy. Your performance was enchanting! I’ve never heard such a beautiful harp playing!”

Flattered by the compliments, Shirley felt proud but maintained a humble demeanor when she faced the camera. “Hayes, you’re exaggerating

Hayes insisted, “Not at all. Your exquisite harp skills combined with Ash’s composition are a perfect match! Matthew, don’t you agree?”

Matthew nodded. “Indeed, it was very well played.”

In Matthew’s mind, the best rendition was by his mentor, Ash.

The director raised the microphone towards Ashley’s team. “Shirley has finished playing. It’s time for your team to comment.”

Miranda, not well–versed in the harp, commented first, “It was pretty good.”

Then Bryce spoke casually. “It was okay.”

Hayes jokingly teased, “Bryce, you can’t downplay our team just because we’re competitors.”

Bryce casually cleaned his ear and nonchalantly replied, “What can I say? I don’t know much about harps. I can only give a general opinion.”

“Alright, let’s leave it at that,” Hayes said, turning to Ashley with a smile, “What do you think about Bryce’s comment?”

Ashley glanced at Bryce and spoke calmly. “He was being too polite.

He thought, “What?”

Hayes was taken aback.

Shirley’s face turned sour as she looked at Ashley discontentedly. “Ashley, what do you mean by that?”

Ashley looked directly at her, unfazed. “The Land is divided into four parts. You played the first two parts well but struggled from the third part onwards, even could not play fluently, almost entirely focusing on technique rather than emotional expression.”

Matthew frowned slightly upon hearing this analysis.

The Land was divided into four parts. It was indeed challenging from the third part. Many people found it difficult to continue learning past the third part.

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Shirley’s performance did become strained from the third part, focusing more on avoiding mistakes rather than conveying emotions.

But compared to others, Shirley’s performance was commendable.

Shirley stood up abruptly upon hearing Ashley’s critique.

The harp was her pride and joy, and she couldn’t tolerate such criticism.

Shirley’s fans in the livestream were also unsettled.

[Seriously? Ashley dares to criticize Shirley this way? Does she think too highly of herself?!]