Chapter 355 Skill Issue

Maggie remained silent, engrossed in fiddling with the necklace in front of the mirror, seemingly oblivious to Sierra’s frustration.

Enraged, Sierra dashed forward and seized Maggie’s necklace. “Are you even listening to me?” she yelled.

In an instant, the necklace constricted, leaving a crimson mark on Maggie’s neck as the delicate threads of the chain left two small scratches.

Her forehead creasing, Maggie shoved her off. “What’s the matter with you?”

Sierra was on the brink of insanity, consumed by rage. She shot Maggie a killer glare, her eyes filled with hatred and dismay.

Maggie responded with an icy stare. A sneer crept up her face. “You’re a fool if you think your family is enough for a good life. Don’t you see your father for the man he is? When the family’s doing well, they spoil you like no tomorrow. But the moment trouble comes knocking, they pawn you off like a chip for bargain.”

Maggie didn’t mince words. She continued, “I might not be as posh as you are, but at least I’m useful. I can keep Nathael interested and deal with the company. I can even win competitions. But what about you?”

Sierra felt like she was hit over the head by something heavy. Her mind was blank.

“Dad loves you conditionally. The moment you make a blunder, he tosses you aside and gives me the jewelry. And you’ll be having an arranged marriage. Family’s orders. Three guesses what kind of man you’ll be marrying, factoring in the family’s situation.”

A mocking smirk curled Maggie’s lips. Every word she said tore Sierra’s heart apart bit by bit.

Sierra hobbled backwards. She chuntered, “No. That’s a lie. I’m not falling for it.”

“You’re just a pawn the Camerons won’t hesitate to throw away. Snap out of it. You’d better come up with an exit strategy while you can.” Maggie swooped away, a sneer on her face.

Sierra remained petrified, her throat parched. She didn’t want to believe Maggie, but when she went through everything that’d happened lately, she knew she couldn’t lie to herself.

After Maggie left the room, she went into an unoccupied chamber and took off the necklace.

She calculated every step so Sierra would hit her.

As long as she touched the necklace, Maggie’s plan could go on.

She draped a pair of gloves over her hands and took out a couple tools from her bag. First, she checked the damage done to the necklace after the little scuffle.

The marks weren’t that obvious. A part of the necklace was misshapen. The little emeralds on one side were wobbling dangerously.

Quickly, Maggie loosened up the necklace, adjusted the angle, and wore it again. All she had to do was make some exaggerated movements, and the necklace would snap and fall.

Ronald wants me to wear Luster Corporation’s jewelry? Fine by me.

I’ll show everyone the quality, or lack thereof, of their products.

In for a penny, in for a pound. I’m going for total destruction.

It wasn't until Maggie came back to the dressing room that Sierra entered, but she looked crestfallen and withdrawn.

Maggie leaned on her seat, unfazed. She started resting her eyes.

Sierra wanted to go before Maggie. Less than half an hour later, it was Sierra’s turn to take the stage.

Sierra forced herself to focus on the challenge ahead. She inhaled deeply and stepped onto the stage.

Sierra sat at the piano, her mind nearly empty, yet this time, she managed to avoid any errors. Just being at the keys triggered her muscle memory.

Sierra’s performance, though lacking strong emotion, flowed effortlessly, a testament to her thorough practice.

As they watched the competition, the Camerons finally relaxed, exhaling in relief.

Olivia’s face softened with a gentle smile. “Sierra did great this time. Luckily, yesterday’s drama didn’t affect her.”

Meanwhile, online, discussions about the competition ignited among netizens, one after another.

“Whoa, Sierra made this herself? She’s a genius pianist!”

“It’s nice, but I can’t shake the feeling that the second half should have more oomph in it. She doesn’t have that kind of energy.”

“It’s so good. My heart soars when I listen to it.”

“I think she must be under the weather last time.”

“The rules are flawed, though. Who can prove that she’s the one who composed the piece? Or anyone for that matter. If she’s rich, she can just get someone to make one for her.”

“True. But I don’t think the competition’s held to find any genius composer. They just want to get some classic stuff. The pieces are what’s important.”

“Yeah. Fame’s temporary. If they don’t make more music, they’ll be pushed out of the hype train. Music’s different. Good music can stand the test of time. That’s why this competition is held.”

“Still, it’s a good piece. But something tells me Sierra is out of it.”

The discussion went on.

After Sierra left the stage, she dove into the online chatter. Seeing her fan base swell and her reputation soar, she couldn’t help but exhale with relief.

Reposting her performance video, she garnered a flood of votes, basking in the high score she’d just received, feeling a shift in her fortunes.

My luck will turn around.

Even if Maggie’s right, I’ll prove that I’m useful.

In that moment, Sierra appeared to have brushed aside the fact that the song was plagiarized, embracing it as her own simply by being the first to claim and share it publicly.

Back in the dressing room, Danielle approached her with a genuine smile. “You nailed it this time. That song was beautiful and so artistic. Did you spend a lot of time thinking about it?”

Sierra exchanged a few casual remarks with Danielle before her attention shifted to Maggie.

Their gazes met, and in that moment, unspoken words hung between them. An unspoken tension seemed to simmer beneath the surface, connecting them in an unspoken understanding.

Maggie remained silent, her expression subdued, but she didn’t utter a word.

Sierra’s lips curled into a smug smile. “Eh, not too much, really. Ms. Joyton, I bet I’ve secured a high ranking this time, huh?”