Chapter 358 How Do You Intend to Prove That?

As the initial question was raised, Sierra felt a slight clenching in her heart. Since she was aware of the inevitability of the moment, she was bracing for what was to come.

Realizing Maggie might have more persuasive evidence, Sierra recognized the advantage of presenting her evidence early to establish credibility.

“One important rule to remember for this competition is that we have a zero-tolerance policy for plagiarism and theft," stated one of the judges emphatically. “While collaboration and assistance are permitted, any acts of plagiarism will be strictly prohibited.”

Sierra acknowledged with a nod, replying, “Understood.”

Maggie offered a brief nod in agreement. Ralph, previously partial to Sierra, asked her, “Do you understand the seriousness of this issue?”

Maggie met his stare with a smile that did not quite reach her eyes and answered, “Yes.”

Sierra then displayed her evidence, including ancient manuscripts authored by someone else and a video of her playing the piano at the Cameron residence a week earlier.

“These manuscripts were written three months ago, as shown by the dated and revised pages. Here is also a video of me playing the piano just last week,” Sierra detailed.

The judges scrutinized Sierra’s manuscripts, observing the edits and the aged look of the papers.

Yet, someone stood up, advocating for thoroughness, “Sierra, although these manuscripts are dated, such dates can be altered. Do you have any other evidence?”

Sierra paused briefly. She had prepared for the possibility that Maggie might perform the same piece, in which case Ivan would have testified for her.

Unfortunately, Ivan’s absence rendered this plan unfeasible, and with Kehlani causing trouble at home, Sierra found herself without any witnesses.

Subconsciously, Sierra had not expected Maggie to change the piece, so she had not taken extensive precautions. Yet…

Maggie submitted several manuscripts and asked the host to display a video of her piano practice from six months prior on the large screen.

The piece had been composed shortly after her rebirth, with most practice sessions occurring at Kevin’s place and her own home.

Although Kevin’s piano room lacked home surveillance, it had cameras, providing solid evidence.

“This piece was revised multiple times, with my teacher’s input on two occasions, evident in these recordings,” Maggie stated gently.

She chose clips showing Kevin in the background, ensuring the focus remained undisturbed.

The sequential videos, dated six months back, visibly shook Sierra, turning her complexion from pale to red and her hands sweaty with anxiety.

“Any further comments, Sierra?”

Sierra replied skeptically. “Even if she has a video from six months ago, it doesn’t conclusively prove she composed the piece. Everyone knows she was adopted into our family and had access to my piano and compositions. It’s entirely possible she was influenced by those.”

Sierra aimed to highlight Maggie’s background publicly, seeking to stir feelings of inferiority or guilt.

Nonetheless, Maggie maintained her poise, her elegance accentuated by a moon-white gown, giving her the appearance of a serene fairy.

Looking calmly at Sierra, Maggie smiled gently and said, “But didn’t you just argue that I lack any understanding of the piano, let alone the skill to compose?”

Quick to respond, Sierra shot back. “You must have hidden your talents well. It’s unclear when you developed these abilities–how crafty!”

Maggie gave a soft laugh. “Is that so? I have more evidence. Let’s see what it reveals.”

Attention then turned to the big screen, where a new video began playing.

It showed Maggie in the Camerons’ living room, making adjustments to a score, while Sierra stormed out, visibly irritated.

“Can you stop? You’re so loud! How do you expect anyone to sleep like this?” Sierra had snapped.

Shortly thereafter, Maggie got up to leave, inadvertently dropping a manuscript on the floor. The crowd then saw Sierra pick up the manuscript and take it home, where she played it the following day.

Sierra blanched, stammering, “How did you…”

The household surveillance was usually off, but at that moment, Sierra realized she had unwittingly played into Maggie’s hands.

“You planned this!” Sierra hissed, her anger palpable. She looked as though she was on the verge of confronting Maggie physically.

Remaining calm, Maggie softly explained, “I was suspicious when you played that piece earlier. Coincidentally, I had misplaced a manuscript that day, so I asked someone to review the surveillance, and to our surprise…”

Her explanation laid out why she had that footage, leaving Sierra seething, her vision clouding with fury.

If not for being on stage, she might have erupted in curses.

Maggie faced her, her gaze icy and challenging.

“Even if you prove this piece is yours, it doesn’t mean you wrote it. Perhaps you paid someone a handsome sum to create it, aiming to leverage this contest for your own fame!”

Maggie was surprised by the illogical arguments, yet she did not expect that some judges would support such reasoning.

The other two judges, influenced by the Pierces, kept their silence, wary of potential repercussions. Only Ralph continued to advocate for Sierra.

“Maggie, is this composition genuinely your own? It’s unusual for a student of your experience to show such proficiency. If this work was ghostwritten, it’s better to admit it now,” Ralph asserted.

Maggie could not help but smile at this, musing that Sierra must have once done a significant favor for the Johnsons, considering how Ralph was now defending her, much like Ivan had.

This is getting interesting, she thought.

“It was indeed me,” Maggie stated confidently, meeting Ralph’s gaze without being overly humble or arrogant.

Ralph was visibly taken aback; his tone became more severe, “And how do you intend to prove that?”

Maggie replied. “I could ask you the same, Mr. Johnson. How do you prove that the compositions you claim to be yours are actually your own?”

Ralph’s expression darkened as he replied sternly, “Maggie, please mind your tone. I am the one conducting this inquiry.”

Maggie retorted, “So it seems you acknowledge you’re asking questions, though it feels more like an interrogation.”

“The performances Sierra has posted online clearly showcase her abilities, but what proof do you offer?” Ralph pressed, his voice deepening.

Maggie responded with a smile, “Are you referring to those piano videos that became popular online recently? As far as I’m aware, the performer’s identity was never disclosed. Are you certain that was Sierra?”