The auditorium erupted in electrified whispers.

"Good heavens! Who knew Victoria Langley possessed such mastery of the violin?"

"That performance eclipses even my daughter's private instructor at Royal Solmaris Conservatory!"

"I've attended concerts by Vivian Cooper herself, and Victoria's technique rivals hers!"

"No wonder Alexander Blackwood cherishes her so. Her music could soothe even the most troubled soul."

The judging panel awarded a near-perfect 99.9 score.

The missing 0.1? A courtesy nod to Liam Blackwood's accompaniment.

Victoria and Liam soared to first place on the leaderboard.

Victoria's crimson lips curved in satisfaction as she and Liam took their bows. The spotlight loved her as she gracefully exited stage left.

Nathan Prescott flashed an enthusiastic thumbs-up. "Magnificent! You've bewitched the entire audience. When Amy Sinclair appears, they'll be comparing her to your brilliance!"

He suddenly remembered his phone, hastily launching a live broadcast.

"Let the world witness your humiliation, Amy Sinclair!"

Just as Nathan predicted...

Even as the house lights dimmed, the crowd's excited chatter continued unabated.

When the stage illuminated again, revealing Amy Sinclair and Oliver Kingsley, all eyes remained fixed on Victoria's empty seat.

Samantha Reynolds scanned the distracted crowd, her expression darkening. Even the judges appeared lost in reverie about the previous performance.

Her nails dug into her palms. Of course. Victoria had strategically performed first, ensuring Amy's act would pale in comparison.

"Scheming witch," Samantha muttered.

Sebastian Kingsley remained composed, his gaze unwavering on the stage.

As the first violin notes sounded, the audience's attention still wandered.

But then...

A hush fell over the auditorium.

All eyes locked onto the stage.

They remembered Amy Sinclair from the scandal.

The society pages had painted her as talentless, uneducated, and unremarkable.

In their world, pedigree and accomplishments mattered most. Beauty was merely decorative.

But the woman on stage now...

She moved differently. Her entire being radiated focus, as if the violin had become an extension of her soul.

Golden stage lights caressed her porcelain features as delicate fingers coaxed breathtaking melodies from the instrument.

The music flowed like liquid moonlight - ethereal, haunting, transcendent.

In that suspended moment, time itself seemed to pause.

The world held its breath.