Chapter 36: The Face-Slapping Begins

Emma refused to believe that either Olivia or Isabella could have delivered such a stellar performance. Then there was the performer—masked with a black veil throughout, clearly hiding their true identity. There had to be some trickery involved!

The smile on Mr. Grayson’s face froze, and the prominent figures who had been inquiring about Olivia also stopped in their tracks.

“What do you mean?” Mr. Grayson asked with a frown.

Emma explained, “While both of them are in our department, their character is questionable. The performance was registered under both their names, but only one of them showed up, wearing a black veil to conceal their identity. It’s impossible to tell who was actually performing.”

“I know Olivia and Isabella’s skill levels very well. Neither of them could possibly deliver such an outstanding performance.”

Emma wouldn’t believe, even under threat, that the performer could truly be one of those two. Theatrics like that? It had to be a stunt, with someone secretly substituting for them.

Mr. Grayson’s expression darkened. If this was a case of someone being substituted, it would be a massive scandal for St. Rona Academy!

“If you don’t believe me, Mr. Grayson, I’ll prove it to you!” Emma declared, striding confidently to the stage.

Her sudden appearance startled the host, leaving the students in the audience utterly confused.

“Olivia has violated school rules by having someone else substitute for her performance. The first place doesn’t belong to her!” Emma announced loudly, snatching the microphone with a confident glare at the veiled young woman.

The audience erupted. Not Olivia?

Emma took a step forward and reached out to pull off the veil, shouting harshly.

“Conspiring to break school rules—you’re going to face disciplinary action alongside Olivia!”

The moment the veil was yanked off, Olivia’s face, framed by black-rimmed glasses, was revealed.

Emma froze in place. Olivia’s crimson lips parted slightly, her lazy gaze fixed on Emma.

“Ms. Emma, are you in such a rush to fulfill our wager and leave the school?”

Emma stood there, dumbfounded. Never in her wildest dreams had she thought the face beneath the veil would actually be Olivia’s.

“This… This is impossible…”

From the audience, Mr. Grayson watched in disbelief as his teacher caused such a commotion. His face turned livid as he immediately ordered someone to escort Emma off the stage.

Meanwhile, the middle-aged man, the only person uninterested in the chaos, was focused solely on finding the composer of the piece. He frowned and muttered impatiently.

“This is pointless. Sebastian, where’s that genius composer?”

Sebastian’s expression was subtle. Under the middle-aged man’s urging, he lifted his hand and pointed at Olivia on the stage.

“The person you’re looking for is her.”

The middle-aged man blinked in confusion. What?

“Sebastian, work with Mr. Grayson to arrange a meeting…”

Amid the chaos, order was finally restored. The students, who had been marveling at Olivia’s brilliance and beauty, were left stunned when they saw the awards presenter step onto the stage.

“What the heck! Someone tell me I’m not seeing things—Is that Asher Vaughn, the ‘Phantom of Composition,’ presenting the award?”

“No way! Asher never appears at public events, does he?”

“Sebastian and Asher? What kind of godly combo is this? Did Mr. Grayson strike oil or something to afford this extravagance?”

Asher, indifferent to the awe of the crowd, took the award in his hands and walked over to Olivia. Amidst the murmurs of disbelief, he handed her the trophy.