Chapter 625

Cassandra Brown burned with fury. "If Isabella hadn't convinced me Evelyn's composition was a serious threat, I would never have touched that cello! With all eyes on me, was I supposed to be that reckless?"

Her hands trembled as she realized Isabella wasn't protecting her - she was throwing her to the wolves.

"I contributed plenty to that composition! I gave Isabella countless suggestions!"

The realization struck Cassandra like lightning. She'd been played.

Yes, she'd sabotaged Evelyn's instrument, but every step had been orchestrated by Isabella.

Bitter resentment twisted Cassandra's features as she glared at her supposed ally.

"She manipulated me into this!"

The thought chilled her. "What a perfect way to sacrifice a pawn."

Now all that remained was crushing regret.

She only had herself to blame for trusting a viper.

"Isabella, stop lying! This was all your idea!"

"Just because we're teammates doesn't mean I knew about your schemes!"

"You got caught - don't drag me down with you! Supervisor, you must believe me!"

Isabella's voice trembled with theatrical distress, her performance worthy of an Oscar.

Cassandra gaped at the audacity. "How does she live with such shamelessness?"

She clenched her fists, nails biting into her palms, desperate to wipe that calculated innocence off Isabella's face.

While backstage erupted in chaos, the live broadcast continued seamlessly.

Scores had been tallied. The award ceremony commenced.

Staff herded contestants toward the stage for the presentation.

Isabella burned to know her ranking, but Cassandra's outburst posed a greater threat. She turned with calculated sweetness. "Listen..."

"...when our piece wins, I'll ensure you're credited on the recording. You'll share the glory."

A transparent ploy to silence dissent.

Cassandra's expression wavered. Though disqualified, the quiet handling meant her name could still appear as co-composer.

On screen, the results prepared to unveil.

Evelyn expected nothing - the competition was fierce, and she was still new to composition.

The ten finalists lined up on stage.

Isabella's pulse raced. This major competition marked her live broadcast debut.

She'd crafted the perfect ingenue image - soft pink lips, wide innocent eyes.

A carefully constructed persona.

In entertainment's cutthroat world, beauty alone wasn't enough. "Talented composer" paired with "girl-next-door" charm? That was her golden ticket.

The special award mattered most - audience votes meant commercial potential.

Nerves twisted Isabella's stomach as she edged closer to Evelyn.

Their entry numbers placed them side by side.

Evelyn seemed distracted. Isabella scoffed internally. "A national broadcast! How can she zone out?"

Then reconsidered. "She must be terrified. Good."

Third place was announced. Then second.

Winners clutched trophies, stammering through joy-filled speeches.

Only first place and the special award remained.

Isabella's confidence surged. Her composition surpassed those already awarded.

But she didn't want first place called yet - the special award was her target.

The host gripped the envelope, spotlight intensifying.

"First place goes to..."

The audience held its breath.

Then - infuriatingly - the host set down the envelope, grabbed water, and read an ad.

Online viewers erupted.

[Get on with it! My hair's turning gray here!]

[The suspense is killing me!]

Finally, the host continued, gaze flicking toward Evelyn.

"First place... entry fifty! Evelyn Carter!"

Thunderous applause.

The classical-leaning piece had charmed the judges - a predictable choice.

Isabella exhaled. Evelyn's win removed her toughest competition for the special award.

Now for the main event.

Record executives leaned forward, contracts at the ready.

Isabella straightened, radiating confidence. She'd practiced her acceptance smile for hours.

The host's gaze landed on her.

Isabella's heart leapt. "It's happening. She's looking right at me."

She clasped her hands demurely, ready for her close-up.

"And the special award goes to... entry fifty! Evelyn Carter!"

Isabella had already stepped forward.

She froze.

The world tilted.

"How? Both awards? This can't be real!"