Chapter 626

Isabella's smile froze mid-curve.

The higher the expectations, the harder the fall. Her chest constricted painfully as hot tears pricked behind her eyelids.

"How can Natalie win both awards?"

Her mind reeled in disbelief. There must be some mistake in the judging process.

No competition had ever awarded both the special prize and first place to the same contestant - this defied all logic.

Just moments ago, Isabella had secretly checked the live voting rankings. She'd consistently placed in the top three. This outcome made no sense!

Meanwhile, Natalie stood motionless, utterly stunned by the announcement.

"Fate works in mysterious ways," she thought. "I entered on a whim, never expecting this!"

Her bewildered gaze sought out her mentor Leonard among the judging panel.

He responded with an approving thumbs-up, his usually stern features softened by a proud smile.

Natalie exhaled in relief.

"Leonard never gives praise lightly," she realized. "If he approves, my composition must have truly resonated with both the judges and audience."

As ceremony staff gestured for her to approach the stage, every camera lens focused on her reaction.

The presenter was none other than Natalie Riley - a living legend in the music industry whose mere presence elevated the competition's prestige.

Viewership numbers skyrocketed to 35 million as Natalie Riley, impeccably dressed in a navy suit, handed the trophy to her namesake.

"Congratulations!"

Their hands brushed during the exchange - the first real interaction between mentor and protege.

Earlier, Natalie had borrowed equipment through assistants, but seeing the celebrated musician up close, she was struck by her warmth.

"Thank you," Natalie murmured, accepting the award.

Just as her fingers closed around the trophy base, Isabella lunged forward.

She snatched the microphone with startling aggression.

"Something's rigged about this competition!" Isabella's voice rang through the auditorium. "My scores were equally high - how does she deserve two awards?"

Moments before Natalie's walk-up, Isabella had confirmed her ranking.

Even without the special prize, second place should have been hers!

Waving a crumpled score sheet before the cameras, her voice trembled with outrage.

"I demand transparency!"

The venue erupted in murmurs. Judges exchanged concerned glances while audience whispers grew to a dull roar.

Livestream comments flooded in:

[Plagiarism? After I voted for her!]

[In a prestigious competition like this? Unbelievable!]

[Ban plagiarists from music permanently!]

Isabella's knees threatened to buckle, but she forced steel into her posture.

"Accusations require proof," she challenged.

The host responded coolly, "A Twitter post surfaced days ago containing strikingly similar music."

"Per committee rules, plagiarized works are disqualified with potential further action."

As the original melody played, realization dawned:

[Now I recognize it! Just slightly modified!]

[How did this get past screening?]

[Is she seriously still standing there?]

Isabella straightened defiantly.

"That's my own composition! The rules never prohibited adapting previous works."

Producing her phone, she displayed her Twitter account - revealing herself as the mysterious "NoName" account that had recently accused "Melodic Fury" of theft.

[Wait...if she's adapting her own work...]

[Still unfair! Others created original pieces!]

[Wait - isn't Natalie Riley connected to "Melodic Fury"?]

[This tarnishes the competition's integrity!]

The tide of public opinion shifted dramatically in Isabella's favor.

Watching hateful comments about Natalie multiply, Isabella allowed herself a small, satisfied smile.

The host received urgent instructions through her earpiece.

"Ms. Morgan," she said gravely, "Can you verify this Twitter composition is authentically yours?"

Isabella's confidence wavered momentarily.

"No one could possibly know about those discarded drafts," she reassured herself.

"Of course it's mine!" she declared indignantly. "Who else's could it be?"

At that moment, a staff member approached bearing a forensic document analysis report.

The handwriting examination results silenced the room completely before triggering explosive reactions.