Reborn, She's Back for Revenge novel Chapter 144

Chapter 144

Chapter 144

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The stage was huge. The seats were packed with people. Hallie was the twentieth performer. She wore a long, flowing white gown that trailed behind her.

She took her seat at the piano, and the moment the spotlight hit her, her aura instantly grew. Her star presence was undeniable.

A beautiful melody poured out from her fingertips, and in less than twenty seconds, all five judges lit up their green lights at once. With a unanimous pass, she advanced straight to the finals.

Hallie stood up and took a graceful bow. As she stepped off the stage, she caught sight of Edith making her way up for her turn.

Disbelief filled Hallie’s eyes. June and Kerrie had gone to draw lots together earlier, and when Kerrie told Hallie she’d gotten a number in the two hundred, meaning Edith’s performance would be late at night.

‘How on earth is that little snake Edith going right after me?‘ Hallie thought.

As the two brushed past each other, Hallie stopped and smirked, “With your pathetic skills, coming all the way to Bonrea for this competition is just one big joke.”

Edith just smiled. “Who’s the joke here? We’ll see soon enough.” She stepped confidently onto the stage and took her seat at the piano.

For the preliminaries, she was playing a piece hand–picked from Kerrie’s list, a lighthearted, rustic piano tune from Eoliadie.

Backstage, June had a mocking smile on her face. “This piece is so easy, and even little kids can play it. Choosing something like this for the competition? She’s got no chance at the finals.”

Karen, who wasn’t a professional, let out a sigh of relief when she heard June say that. “See, knowing people doesn’t matter. What really counts is having true skill.”

As they spoke, the sound of the piano filled the air. The moment the first note hit June’s ears, her face suddenly changed.

Sure, this piece was something an eight–year–old could play, but the way Edith played it was completely different from anyone else.

The song was meant to be light and cheerful, but Edith’s playing took that happiness and turned it up to eleven, something only a real pro could pull off. For a moment, June’s expression grew complicated.

In her memory, Edith learning the piano was a scene from over a decade ago. Back then, little Edith was spoiled by Melinda, always restless, always sneaking out to play halfway through a lesson.

June’s patience wore out, and she just gave up trying to teach her properly. That’s why Edith had taken so long just to pass the level three piano exam.

June had always assumed Edith was still stuck at that level. But at that moment, the depth of emotion and richness in her playing clearly showed she was at least level eight or nine.

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Chapter 144

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“She’s been playing for three or four minutes now and not a single judge has hit the green light,” Karen sneered. “With talent like that, what is she even doing in a national competition? How embarrassing.”

Hallie looked delighted. “No one’s given Edith a green light? You’d think she’d at least have the sense to get off the stage. Honestly, I hope nobody ever figures out she’s my half–sister.”

June was the only one who kept silent. She guessed the judges were holding off on the green lights because they wanted to hear the whole piece.

June couldn’t help but wonder how Edith would bring out those final emotions. She thought, ‘When happiness is pushed to its limit and starts to slip into an unexpected sadness, could a girl truly capture that bittersweet ache in her music?‘

Edith lost herself in the piano’s melody. Though the original ending of the piece was meant to evoke a bittersweet ache, a sense of longing for fleeting happiness.

Edith’s interpretation turned the mood on its head. Instead of sorrow, her music brimmed with hope. Her notes carried a gentle anticipation, a defiant, youthful promise that beauty didn’t have to end in regret.

As the final note faded, the crowd burst into thunderous applause. At the same moment, all five judges hit their green buttons together.

“How is this possible?” Hallie blanched. “She was so awful up there! How could this happen-”

“Hallie, you need to recognize what she’s got going for her,” June said seriously. “The way she pours emotion into her music is way out of your league. If you could learn even a tiny bit of that, you’d be set for life.”

Karen hesitated. “Was Edith really that good?”

June nodded. “It’s obvious she’s put in a ton of work. No wonder she could stand up for herself like that.”

Hallie’s heart was in her throat. “Aunt June, are you really saying Edith could actually snag first place?”

“Not likely,” June replied with a reassuring smile. “Kerrie’s best piano skills stop at this piece, honestly. But when the finals roll around in two days, the competition’s going to be fierce.

“Playing something this simple won’t be enough. Hallie, you’ve got to trust yourself. The top spot is meant for you?”

Honestly, Hallie could take second or third place on sheer ability. But with Harvey working things behind the curtain, plus Hallie getting a head start by meeting Joselyn, first place was pretty much locked down for her.

As soon as Edith stepped off the stage, Kerrie swept her up in a warm hug. Kerrie was so thrilled she could barely get the words out. “Edith, you were absolutely incredible. Really, I’m so proud of you.”

Edith could hardly breathe with the way Kerrie was hugging her, especially with both of them being pretty well–endowed. It was actually a little suffocating.

She hurried to break free. “Ms. Clark, can we save all this excitement for when I actually score big in the finals?”

20:10 Mon, Sep 15

Chapter 144

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Kerrie was still mumbling, “The finals have one first prize, two seconds, and three thirds. If you can even take a third place, which means sixth overall, then making the trip to Bonrea was totally worth it.

“Oh, but Edith, don’t let me stress you out. Honestly, I’m just really hoping for the best for you in two days. Just give it your all. Whatever place you get, it really doesn’t matter.”

After all, Edith was still a beginner when it came to the piano, and coming to Bonrea for this contest was all about building up her experience. Out of the fifty or sixty finalists, cracking the top twenty would be a massive win.

Kerrie thought, ‘Even landing in the thirties or forties would be fine. And if she were placed at the very bottom? Who cares? The experience alone is her real treasure.‘

When they entered the dressing room, to their surprise, Marcus was still hanging around. The TV in the dressing room was already switched on.

The broadcast was zoomed right in on the stage, letting him watch everything happening out there in crystal- clear detail.

Edith couldn’t help but suspect that Marcus had been hanging around just to catch her performance. Honestly, she was finding him harder to figure out.

Marcus stood up. “Yesterday, you said you’d come over for dinner at the Larson Residence when you had time. Your performance finished, so that means you’re free now, right?”

Edith was left speechless. It finally hit her. Marcus switched up her performance schedule, just because of that offhand comment she’d made yesterday.

She hesitated. “Uncle Marcus, I…”

Marcus’s expression turned cold. “Don’t call me that. I’m not your uncle.”

Edith was at a loss for words. ‘Didn’t he just say that calling him Mr. Larson was way too stiff? Now “Uncle Marcus” isn’t okay either? So, what am I supposed to call him now, Dodo?‘ she thought.

But seeing how stormy Marcus looked, Edith chickened out and kept the nickname “Dodo” to herself.

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