Chapter 165:
She had never questioned the authenticity of his deep emotions, though she understood with painful clarity how swiftly they could transform into something entirely unrecognizable.
He occupied that seat tonight solely because another woman had captured his heart.
The second live broadcast of Heavenly Melody rolled forward with relentless momentum.
Millie had claimed the fifth performance slot, while several other vocalists remained poised to take their turns.
The production quality soared to exceptional heights, transforming the voting rounds into a fierce battlefield of supremacy.
Millie’s live audience votes climbed to impressive heights, but puzzlingly, her online support lingered stubbornly in mediocre territory.
She wasn’t drowning in last place, but a noticeable chasm stretched between her in-person admirers and her digital backing.
Consequently, when the crew calculated the weighted scores, her overall ranking settled into respectable territory above average, though it fell short of the coveted top tier.
When Charles pushed through the dressing room door, defeat shadowed his weathered features as he shook his head in disappointment. He had exhausted every strategy and pulled every string within his reach, yet success continued to slip through his fingers. Meanwhile, Oakley continued weaving his web of sabotage from the shadows, determined to undermine Millie’s chances.
Millie dismissed Charles’ worried expression with a gentle wave, communicating that she could weather this storm. She harbored unwavering faith that once he managed to wrest control of the situation, justice would finally prevail. For the moment, survival was her only goal—avoiding elimination—and she sensed that victory wouldn’t demand much more patience.
In the audience, Alexia practically vibrated with excitement and joy. Experiencing the performance live surpassed every expectation she had formed from watching grainy phone streams or those frustratingly low-quality clips that circulated online. She had always harbored unwavering faith in Millie’s extraordinary abilities and knew this moment would vindicate her belief.
During the commercial intermission, she found herself bubbling with enthusiasm, engaging anyone within earshot in animated discussions about the breathtaking performance they had just witnessed. Suddenly, her attention snagged on something peculiar happening in her peripheral vision. Someone was conducting clandestine recording activities nearby. Without creating any disturbance or drawing unwanted scrutiny, she maneuvered herself closer to investigate the mysterious person’s electronic equipment.
The gadget was unmistakably a recording instrument, despite its compact and discreet design. Her eyes blazed with newfound curiosity and intrigue. As Alexia deliberated her next course of action, she overheard the person grumbling with bitter frustration, “I hemorrhaged money for these overpriced resale tickets from Taylor, but at least this time I managed to capture my own pristine recording. Let’s see what those venomous haters have to say now! Serena truly embodies perfection and transforms every stage she graces into pure magic! Whatever happens, I’m evolving into a devoted, hardcore…”
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