Music was the universal language that knew no boundaries. Though Amy's piano skills weren't as refined as her violin mastery, she could easily breeze through a Grade 8 exam without breaking a sweat.

On stage, a mother-daughter duo performed a breathtaking duet.

The mother played with effortless grace, her fingers dancing across the keys. When little Audrey faltered on a few notes, her mother didn't miss a beat, seamlessly covering for her with a reassuring smile.

Oliver, seated beside Amy, leaned in with a whisper.

"That's Audrey Winslow. Her mother is the heiress of Windsor Jewelers. Rumor has it she's a world-class pianist who still performs professionally."

"She's been playing since she was three."

Amy gave a soft nod.

Audrey's mother was undeniably skilled, but the little girl held her own. Despite the slip-ups, she recovered quickly, her poise unshaken.

For a child her age, that kind of resilience was impressive—enough to earn extra points rather than deductions.

Together, they were mesmerizing—the mother, elegant and composed; the daughter, bright and full of youthful energy. When their performance ended, the audience erupted in thunderous applause.

Samantha, watching from the sidelines, clapped enthusiastically.

"What a stunning opening! Oh, Celeste, while you were getting ready, the teacher told us we're closing the show."

"The finale?" Amy arched a brow. "So Victoria's performing right before me?"

Samantha huffed. "She insisted on redoing her entire look and demanded extra time for makeup. Shameless, really."

Oliver frowned. "Aunt Samantha, isn't the finale the best spot?"

Samantha shook her head. "In theory, yes. The opening grabs attention, and the finale is supposed to leave a lasting impression."

"But in reality? Audiences have short attention spans. By the end, the judges are exhausted. Minor flaws stand out more, and unless you're spectacular, you'll just blend into the background."

Oliver mused, "I always thought closing was the most prestigious."

Samantha smirked. "If that were true, why would all those competitive parents happily hand us the spot? Think about it—after hours of performances, people start checking their watches. If the finale isn't mind-blowing, they'll just leave early."

She glanced at the scoreboard. "Look. The opening act? That's where you want to be."

Audrey and her mother had already set the bar high—with an average score of ninety-six.