The Princess and the Pauper

Chapter 196

The eighth–place winner was performing his original piano composition.

This year’s competition not only tested the contestants‘ piano playing skills but also required them to

compose their own music. Many people who were adept at playing the piano couldn’t participate in

this year’s competition because they didn’t know how to compose.

At this moment, the eighth–place winner finished his performance, stood up gracefully, and bowed to

express his gratitude. And the host started applauding, then invited the seventh–place winner to

perform on stage.

Suddenly, Louisa received a phone call and whispered to her two daughters, “Your grandmother has

been in a coma for many days, and she has finally woken up. We are going to see her, we’ll be back

soon.”

“Dad, Mom, don’t worry about us.” Serena was very understanding, “My award ceremony still has

some time, so no need to rush.”

“We’ll try to come back before your performance.” Louisa kindly said, then looked at Arabella, “Bella,

call Mom anytime if you need anything.”

“Okay.” Arabella said.

After Kenneth and Louisa left, Serena looked at Arabella with pride and asked, “Sister, have you ever

learned to play the piano? Have you won any awards?”

She looked at the stage and confidently said, “I started learning the piano at the age of four, and that

teacher Andy, who doesn’t accept students, took me under her wing after watching my performance.

Do you know who Andy–is?-She’s a famous piano master in the country. Many people want to learn

from her but don’t have the qualification. Under her guidance, my piano skills have improved rapidly,

and I have won over–fifty first prizes from a young age!”

Her tone was full of pride as she raised her head and asked, “What’s the name of your former private

tutor? Has she won any awards in this field?”

However, Arabella might not have heard her question because she turned her head and noticed that

Arabella had already put on her headphones and was fully focused on playing a game.

Serena got a bit angry, but thinking that this country girl might only be capable of that, she didn’t feel it

was a big deal.

After a while, the host held the microphone and said passionately, “Next up is the second–place winner

of this competition, Yolanda Murphy. She will perform a piece called ‘Misery‘ for everyone.”

Yolanda heard the host’s voice, smiled, and stood up, wearing a dress worth millions. She walked onto

the stage.

Yolanda sat at the piano, took a deep breath, and then slowly began to play this beautiful piece that

won her second place.

Jasmine, sitting in the front row, felt a bit displeased during the first half of the piece. But when the

entire composition was played, she felt a sense of familiarity,las if she had heard it somewhere before.

In the audience, many people were privately discussing.

“The climax of her piece is really beautiful! It’s so evocative!”

“It’s just that her playing skills are a bit rusty. Maybe it’s because she’s too nervous.”

“If we don’t consider the beginning and ending of the composition, the climax she created is really

good. A teenage girl managed to write such a beautiful piece.” Many people praised Yolanda’s

performance, including the piano master Kent, who couldn’t help but smile and turned to Jasmine, saying, “President Jasmine, weren’t you looking for qualified students recently? What do you think of

this Yolanda?”

Jasmine didn’t have a favorable opinion of the Murphy family, so she didn’t have much goodwill

towards Yolanda. When it came to talent, she hadn’t seen a more talented child than Arabella in all

these years! Arabella’s piano skills surpassed hers, to the point where it could be said that Arabella

was far superior. Even if she were to take on a student, it would be Arabella taking her as an

apprentice.

However, a young and talented master like Arabella would never consider taking on a student. The

thought of it was out of the question!

“That second–place winner not only knows how to compose music, but she does it well, especially the

climax. It’s truly beautiful.”

“I was also captivated by the climax of the piece. It’s like being hypnotized. After listening to it once, I

want to listen to it again.”

“Me too!”

“While the composition’s beginning and ending weren’t well–written, the climax she created is truly

impressive!”

Several important guests around Jasmine were praising Yolanda’s piece. After her performance, NôvelDrama.Org © content.

Yolanda stood up gracefully and bowed to everyone present. As she lifted her eyes, she happened to

see Zachary in the audience, his eyes filled with love and admiration, applauding for her.

Yolanda felt a bit excited. Then she looked at Jasmine, expecting to see a regretful expression on her

face. After all, missing out on such a talented female student would surely be a loss for Jasmine!

However, Jasmine’s expression didn’t look good. She furrowed her brows and tapped her fingers on

the table, seemingly lost in thought. Did she think the performance just now wasn’t good?

As Yolanda was about to shift her gaze, she unintentionally caught sight of Arabella sitting in the third

row, just two seats away from the daughter of the billionaire, Serena! She was extremely surprised.

How was that possible?

Those seats were either occupied by people of status and position or by the winners or their family

members. But Arabella was none of those. What qualified her to

sit there?

Was it because Serena, being beautiful and kind–hearted, didn’t mind? Or was it that she was

accompanying some wealthy sponsor?

Yolanda deliberately looked to the side, but there was no one of the opposite sex beside Arabella.

She couldn’t figure out what kind of sponsor could make Arabella sit on the same level as the daughter

of a billionaire.

Arabella was incredibly lucky!

At the sight of Yolanda’s graceful bow, enthusiastic applause resounded from the audience, even the

judges and seniors on the award stage couldn’t stop praising the child.

“The name of this piano piece is ‘Misery, but I could hear hope in the climax, like encouraging those

who have experienced natural disasters and man–made calamities to bravely live on. There are still

many beautiful things waiting for us in life.”

“Yes, when I heard the climax, images of earthquake ruins and the courage to start anew came to my mind.”

“I had the same feeling. It made me think of scenes of natural disasters.”

“Me too.”

Jasmine suddenly realized where this familiar feeling came from–earthquake, inspiration, bravery, resilience. She looked at Yolanda as she stepped down from the stage, her eyes filled with

displeasure.

Next, Serena was invited to perform on stage. As the final performer of the award ceremony, she

received a warm round of applause as soon as she appeared. Even though Romeo and his

grandfather weren’t present to watch her award ceremony, seeing Arabella’s envious and jealous

expression made her feel satisfied. Serena sat gracefully at the piano and confidently played her own

composition. Five minutes later, she stood up to thank the audience. But when she looked towards the

audience seats, she noticed that her parents hadn’t returned yet, and Arabella was still playing her

game, showing no sign of envy or jealousy. Serena immediately became angry.

The applause from the audience continued.

“Serena’s piece is really good! Just like her, it’s outstanding.”

“No wonder she’s the daughter of a billionaire. She has been exceptional from a young age!”