Semua Bab Side Chick Era… Over: Bab 171 - Bab 180

"Since the judges haven't seen anyone else yet, the opening act just has to avoid mistakes and deliver a few standout moments—it's an easy way to rack up a high score," Wendy said. "Even if the performers after are just as talented, it's tough for them to beat that first score."And just like she said, the next five or six acts couldn't top the opener. Not a single one managed to surpass that score.Watching the stage, Wendy tilted her head, a bit puzzled. "Huh? Isn't this supposed to be a talent showcase? Why is everyone just playing instruments? No singing or dancing?"After all, singing and dancing counted as talents too.That's when Xavier, who had been quietly observing the show, finally spoke up in a lazy drawl. "Singing and dancing don't really belong on stage in our circles. In families like ours, we grow up learning music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Even if we never use those skills later, they're good for maintaining… a certain image."Wendy nodded, suddenly getti

Carter suddenly came to a realization—he had never actually done anything for Sharon.Seeing the irony in her eyes, his own gaze wavered for a moment.His voice was low, heavy with emotion. "You've got it wrong. I just want to help you."Sharon's reply was cool and sharp. "Don't try to pass off helping Kelly as some noble gesture. If you really wanted to help me, you wouldn't have stood by while they dragged my name through the mud. And you definitely wouldn't be here, asking me to back out of the performance."Carter looked at her intently. "Sharon, don't be impulsive. Kelly's really talented. You're not going to win this bet. The only way to avoid losing is not to perform. Do you really want Theo to see you fall flat on your face?"He paused, then added, "As for the necklace—if you're willing to lend Kelly your violin, she'll return it. Once her concert is over, Shaluna will be back in your hands. If you agree, I'll take care of everything. Don't worry—Kelly won't make things ha

"If I'd known Carter would end up marrying someone like Sharon—a clueless girl who didn't even finish high school—I would've just let him be with Kelly from the beginning," Madeline said bitterly.From the side, Nate chimed in, "I seriously can't wait to watch Sharon get humiliated."Since Kelly needed to shower and redo her makeup, they had originally planned for her to perform last. It would buy her more time.But then Nate came up with a better plan.If Kelly performed last, Sharon would have to go on before her.Sure, Sharon didn't stand a chance—Kelly's talent was on a whole different level—but Nate wanted Sharon to see that for herself. To witness firsthand just how far apart they really were.Let her fall apart on stage. Let that be the last time she dared to compete with Kelly.And if Kelly went first—dazzling the judges, stunning the audience—then by the time Sharon stepped onstage, everyone would still be wrapped up in the glow of Kelly's performance. No one would care

The music filled the hall, wrapping around every ear like a spell. There was nothing else—just the voice of the violin, echoing again and again in everyone's mind, too beautiful, too surreal to be real.The entire hall was silent. Not a single cough, not a rustle. Everyone sat frozen, their eyes fixed on Sharon—wide-eyed, stunned, caught somewhere between disbelief and awe.Even Nate, who still held his phone ready to broadcast her humiliation to the world, couldn't look away.He'd gone all in to ruin her. Poured hundreds of thousands into pushing his livestream to the front page, front and center—top of the homepage, impossible to miss.The second he hit "Go Live," tens of thousands of viewers flooded in.Before Sharon started playing, the feed was filled with noise—chatter from the crowd, the messy buzz of people anticipating drama. Viewers assumed there'd been some mistake or accident. Maybe even a scandal. Something juicy.This was the internet at its best—nobody looked away

"This time, Sharon rearranged the piece," Wendy said. "She tailored it to fit Matty’s strengths—recomposed it with him in mind. From now on, White Moonlight can be performed as a duet."Xavier spoke up. “I believe you now.”The audience seats were still shrouded in darkness. No one could see Xavier’s face—just his voice, low, husky, and resonant.“She’s… truly extraordinary.”Wendy shifted her gaze toward the Biggs family’s section.“They said Sharon was just copying Kelly. Said she was nothing but an imitator…” A small, cold smile curved her lips. “Well, now they’ve seen what she’s capable of.”Across the aisle, Madeline and Denise sat frozen, staring at the stage.When Sharon had first started playing, they’d still been sneering, tossing out their usual insults in low murmurs.But somewhere along the way, the mockery had stopped. Neither of them could say exactly when.Denise’s jaw hung slack. “Mom… wasn’t Sharon supposed to be useless? Just some pretty little airhead? How t