Chapter 280: The Challenge of Hard Work and Joy
As Sierra stood beside the host, her eyes fixed on the scrolling song list on the large screen, the moment of choice arrived. Many in the audience, and her fans watching online and on TV, watched nervously.
Maggie, seated close to the front, had a clear view of the screen and Sierra. From her long acquaintance with Sierra, Maggie sensed confidence, not nervousness, in her demeanor, despite Sierra’s grip on the microphone. Sierra's usually tense posture—straightened back and pursed lips—was absent; her facial muscles were relaxed as she focused on the screen. A confident smile played on her lips.
Seconds later, the screen froze. The host announced, "Congratulations, Sierra! You've chosen 'The Spring'! A challenging piece, to be sure, but with your record of awards, this should be a breeze!"
Sierra stared at the screen, her face rigid, unable to smile. What's going on? she thought. Why did it change? I never chose this song! Panic seized her. "The Spring," while difficult, wasn't as demanding as her prepared piece. She hadn't practiced it in ages!
Clutching the microphone, she barely heard the host. Her confidence had vanished, replaced by panic. "The Spring" "The Spring" her mind raced. Her grandfather and the Camerons had meticulously planned everything; she'd practiced diligently. Why the change?
"Sierra?" the host's voice broke through.
Sierra managed a strained smile. "This piece is quite difficult. Luck isn't on my side today."
"It's okay," the host reassured her. "Sometimes, strength outweighs luck. Take Maggie"
When Maggie's name was mentioned, Sierra's mood soured. Before she could react, the host announced, "Now, let's welcome Sierra, from First Institute, to perform 'The Spring!'"
As the lights dimmed, Sierra reluctantly approached the piano. Maggie watched with detached interest, confident in Sierra's foundational skills; she didn't expect any major mistakes. She reflected: many things are replaceable, but hard work and dedication are not. Only you truly understand your efforts.
The sweet sounds of the piano filled the room. Initially, Sierra's performance was acceptable, but lacked flow and the music's essence. She was inexplicably nervous and held back. As the piece built, her lack of practice became evident. She played several wrong notes, stumbled repeatedly—even novices could hear the disjointedness. Her palms were sweaty, her face pale beneath her mask. Panic overwhelmed her; she couldn't calm down. One mistake led to another, her tension mounting. Her mind went blank; she couldn't follow the score. Each second felt agonizing. She couldn't believe she finished. When the lights returned, she remained seated, motionless.
Murmurs arose in the audience: "What music was that? It wasn't very good." "Is she really the genius piano girl? Maybe she's hiding behind that mask." "I'm an amateur, and I could play better! If she hadn't hyped herself up, it would be fine, but" "Her skills don't seem as solid as they claim." "I remember her viral videos; one piece was similar to 'The Spring's' climax. How could she play so poorly now?"
Maggie felt a deep disappointment, not just at the performance, but at the wasted time and resources. Sierra's advice, along with Olivia's, had influenced her piano teacher to discourage Maggie, nearly ending her passion. If her former self saw Sierra's negligence, Maggie didn't know how she'd react. Sierra had effortlessly taken opportunities from others, yet failed to value her own, squandering time and money to achieve this poor result.
"Sierra seems a bit nervous; her performance wasn't up to par," the host commented.
Sierra, stiffly rising, muttered, "I'm not feeling well."
The host responded gently, "We know the dedication required. Take care of yourself."
Sierra forced a smile. "I will."
Lost in thought, Maggie didn't notice Nathael squeeze her hand. His voice cut through her reverie: "Have these years been tough?"
"Challenging, but fulfilling," she whispered, turning to him. Her opportunities weren't easy; she'd worked harder than most and cherished them. She was grateful to the Camerons, whose efforts had built her resilience, taught her to value resources, and instilled a drive to seize opportunities. She wondered what her life would be like if she'd grown up in the Adams household.
(The final balance and gift information is omitted as it's unrelated to the text cleanup.)