Chapter 248

Would Alaricka risk everything to spite her?

Besides, the audience brimmed with Roschelle’s supporters. Their jeers toward Alarieka were unmistakable. Surely others heard them too.

This reasoning steadied Roschelle’s nerves.

She turned, seeking reassurance in a familiar presence.

Her breath caught anew at Kieran Argent’s flawlessly sculpted profile.

Roschelle leaned forward, her slender arms wrapped around Kieran’s arm, cheek resting against his shoulder.

She murmured softly: “Kieran, after the competition, let’s go traveling, okay?”

Kieran always answered her promptly, replying without hesitation: “Alright.”

Roschelle whispered: “Are you sure? Won’t your company keep you too busy?”

Kieran’s voice grew husky: “For you, I’ll make time.”

Warmth flooded Roschelle’s heart hearing those words.

A shy smile touched her lips: “Then let’s go to City B, okay? I’ve always wanted to see the grasslands, but never found the time. Now we can finally go together.”

Kieran said quietly: “Good. I’ll have my assistant arrange everything. Don’t worry about it.”

Roschelle pressed her lips into a smile: “Thank you, Kieran.”

Paloma frowned, lowering her head with a hint of regret.

The Mcintosh Piano Competition finals always valued originality. The scoring criteria differed from earlier rounds, with independent composition weighted at five percent. Though seemingly small, this could decisively impact rankings.

Thus, every other finalist performed their own composition.

Except Alarieka.

She wasn’t playing her own piece.

She was playing Roschelle’s composition.

This meant Alarieka had already lost those five points. Unless her performance was truly transcendent, competing against other top contenders would be difficult.

Considering the delicate history between Alarieka and Roschelle, Paloma felt a headache coming on.

With the audience mostly Roschelle’s fans, Paloma prayed they wouldn’t disrupt the event.

Just then, shouts erupted from the stands behind her.

“Alarieka, get off the stage!”

“Alarieka, withdraw!”

Paloma’s heart sank as she turned toward the commotion.

Fortunately, learning from Sammy’s incident, security reacted instantly. Guards stood like sentinels beside the stands, sternly watching the protesters.

“Remain silent. Further disruption will result in immediate removal.”

The protesters paled, reluctantly falling silent. They crossed their arms, glaring at the guards.

The swift response prevented any disruption to Alarieka’s performance.

Alarieka remained immersed in the music, fingers dancing across the keys.

Gradually, the audience became aware of something unusual.

Paloma frowned.

Something was wrong. This wasn’t “Love’s Affection.”

Alarieka’s piece held subtle differences from “Love’s Affection,” altering its entire trajectory.

One melody twisted and turned; this one surged with sudden intensity, then stretched into lingering notes.

Minor changes yielded profound effects.

Paloma reached her conclusion.

Alarieka’s current performance of this piece was worlds apart from Roschelle’s “Love’s Affection” – utterly incomparable.

The two compositions were so similar, however, they invited accusations of plagiarism.

As for the piece Alarieka was playing, Paloma recalled hearing it somewhere but couldn’t quite place it.

Moments later, Paloma dismissed it as an illusion caused by the striking resemblance between the two works.

She pushed the thought aside.

Her face darkened as she fixed Alarieka with a stern and condemning gaze.

More than Alarieka performing another composer’s work at such a crucial competition, Paloma despised the possibility of plagiarism.

Plagiarism remained an unforgivable sin in any field!

Alarieka was utterly shameless, brazenly copying Roschelle's creation to the point of instant recognition.

No matter the piece’s brilliance, theft was theft – a disgraceful act!

It spat contempt upon judges, contestants, and organizers alike.

Paloma pressed her lips together, displeasure written across her face.

Her earlier sympathy for Alarieka now felt entirely misplaced.

This final round would grant Alarieka no score – only expulsion from the stage.

Just as Paloma lifted the microphone to halt the performance, a rustling stirred behind her.