chapter483

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.

Lucinda's performance was so spectacular that everyone already saw her as the winner.

Meanwhile, Lydia finally looked up, catching a glimpse of Lucinda's figure leaving the stage. "It felt so empty," she muttered under her breath.

Sure, Lucinda had played every note perfectly. But she'd missed the heart of the piece entirely.

Richie felt it too with a small pang of disappointment. The rest of the audience thought Lucinda's playing was legendary, but he'd heard Lydia before.

He knew the truth. Very few people could bring out the real spirit of a pjece that Lydis had modified. Stiff Lucinda's performance was impressive. Even he couldn't have pulled it off completely.

It was no surprise when Lucinda won first place. She was the center of attention,

with everyone in the hall looking her way.

As soon as the awards ceremony

ended, a crowd surged from the VIP

section. Some wanted Lucinda to compose music for them. Others wanted her to endorse their pianos. There were even a few who tried to pitch her movie roles.

Everyone wanted a piece of Lucinda.

She practically glowed, basking in the spotlight.

But while the VIPs surrounded Lucinda, Richie and Juliette, the president of the international Pianos 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?