Chapter 216: The Latest Creation
To those attuned to subtleties, Sierra's irregular practice sessions might have made her music seem unpolished and disjointed. Yet, objectively, Sierra's abilities surpassed many competitors. Maggie's evaluation suggested that, with a little luck, Sierra could reach the top ten.
After her performance, Sierra rose gracefully, bowed, and appealed for the audience's support and votes. The audience applauded vigorously as she left the stage.
Backstage, she gave Maggie a self-assured glance. "You're still here? Aren't you even a little concerned about not making it to the finals and looking foolish?" Sierra jeered, needling her rival, though confident Maggie would advance easily. She glanced at Maggie's necklace, then touched her own. "You might be an adopted wild seed," she bragged, "but my folks gave me the Luster treasure set. You're not bad yourself, though. I wonder what you did to make Mr. Harris fall head over heels for you and give you something so precious?"
Maggie raised an eyebrow, her gaze drifting to Sierra's necklace. "Oh? So, your necklace is from the Luster Corporation?"
"That's right!" Sierra swelled with pride, noting the similarity to Maggie's. While lacking historical or cultural significance, Sierra's jewelry was exquisite in style and quality.
Maggie and Mia exchanged a playful glance. Maggie blinked. "I didn't anticipate such refined taste. This jewelry set is genuinely stunning. It suits you perfectly," she added sincerely.
Sierra felt a flicker of uncertainty at Maggie's shift in demeanor, sensing something was amiss but unable to pinpoint it.
After Sierra's group finished their performance, Maggie's group of six took the stage to receive feedback and await the vote count.
The six judges offered sequential feedback. One judge commented, "Lily displays variations in her interpretation, yet her technique is commendable. While skilled and fluid, she could deepen her emotional expression and ambiance. You should work harder"
Another judge praised Maggie: "Maggie's performance was outstanding, nearly professional. I found it profoundly moving; she adeptly combined technical prowess with emotional depth, evoking the imagery of a young man's departure and the sorrow of a changed homecoming"
However, a middle-aged judge countered, criticizing Maggie's performance as lacking authenticity, overly focused on emotion and atmosphere, and artificially sentimental. He suggested a more genuine approach.
Maggie welcomed constructive criticism but dismissed baseless comments. She eyed Connor Forrest, a slightly chubby man in a vintage suit, whose face seemed vaguely familiar, though she couldn't place him. After a moment, she dismissed it; she'd already reviewed the judges' bios. Most were top-notch pianists or famous musicians. One noteworthy judge was Sierra's teacher, Ivan Reed, hired by the Camerons years ago to teach both Sierra and Maggie. Known for vanity and opportunism, he'd sided with Sierra, telling Ronald and others that Maggie lacked talent.
While not exceptionally gifted, Maggie considered herself diligent and hardworking, superior to Sierra. Ivan, however, had shamelessly lied, disregarding her efforts. Reflecting, Maggie acknowledged that his actions ultimately led her to meet Kevin, making it a fortunate event in retrospect. Staying with Ivan would have been a mistake.
Sierra, Ivan's dedicated student for years, was considered his esteemed disciple. However, after Sierra won numerous awards, Ronald hired foreign experts to further her training. Ivan, having achieved his goals, gracefully withdrew from the Cameron family, but his mentor-pupil relationship with Sierra remained steadfast.
Maggie listened to the results. "Maggie Adam, congratulations on advancing with the highest number of votes! The second contestant is Morgan Shaw from East University! And the third is"
The host energetically announced the results, unsurprising to Maggie. After Maggie left the stage, more contestants performed. Sierra's group was scheduled later, allowing for two more rounds before the morning session concluded. Reporters then swarmed in. Thanks to Ronald's influence, Sierra received the most attention.
Exiting the venue, reporters surrounded the First Institute members, including Maggie and Sierra.
"Ms. Cameron, how do you feel about your performance? Do you believe you can win?"
"Is that necklace from Luster Corporation's luxury line? What are your thoughts on criticisms about Luster Corporation's lack of materials and designers, and your father's actions? Luster Corporation is facing criticism for its quality. What's your take on that?"
"By wearing Luster Corporation's jewelry, are you aiming to improve its reputation? And who do you think will win, you or Ms. Adam?"
Reporters bombarded Sierra with questions, microphones nearly hitting her. Maggie stayed behind Jack and Grace, avoiding the press.
Sierra ran her fingers over her necklace and smiled. "Yes, this is Luster Corporation's latest creation, showcasing our top-notch craftsmanship and technology. There may have been some misconceptions about Luster Corporation, but I hope everyone can see our dedication to producing exquisite jewelry"
Reporters zoomed in on the necklace, cameras flashing incessantly.