?<strong>Chapter 796:</strong>


    Sensing the tide turning, Freya blurted out in desperation, “R, why are you siding with her? Have you lost your mind?”


    R avoided Freya’s gaze, her voice faltering. “I…” Sophie observed the scene, her expression clouded with confusion. She doubted R would tell the truth. That seemed highly unlikely.


    Yet, in the next moment, R spoke up. “Actually, it belongs to Sophie. I took her piece.”


    R’s admission dropped like a bomb, sending shockwaves through the crowd. A hush fell over everyone for a brief moment.


    Freya lost it. She dashed over and seized R by the shoulders. Had fewer eyes been on them, Freya might have pped R.


    Freya shook R’s shoulders. “R, are you threatened or something? Speak up. Did they somehow mistreat you? It must be the case. Why else would you side with them? Don’t be afraid. I’m here to support you.”


    R nced nervously around as she shrugged off Freya’s grip. “There’s no threat or mistreatment. I’m simply stating the facts. I never liked Sophie, so I devised this scheme. Stop questioning me.”


    Freya felt her legs weaken. She had always known R to be a troublemaker. Her aid this time wasn’t for R’s benefit but to oppose Kallie. Yet, she hadn’t foreseen R’sst-minute betrayal.


    Freya feltpelled to remind R of their father’s looming threat. “If our dad learns of your shameful actions, he won’t spare you when you get home.”


    At the mention of their father, fear shed across R’s face. Nevertheless, she stood firm and said, “I stole the piece. It’s the truth.”


    Freya was almost shaking with rage. Yet, the next second, her eyes gleamed with a cunning light.


    Tears suddenly cascaded down Freya’s cheeks as she lifted her gaze. “Miss Nixon, it’s true that Sophie is a musical prodigy and her piano skills are exceptional. But does that mean no one else deserves a chance to shine in this field? I’m not sure what you told R to make her jeopardize her future, but one thing is clear. We cannot afford to cross the Nixon family. We are genuinely scared.”


    Freya’s words hinted that R had confessed to stealing Sophie’s piece under pressure from Kallie, who undoubtedly had the backing of the powerful Nixon family. Fearing a ban from thepetition, R had feltpelled to confess.


    With a calm smile, Kallie responded, “Well, let me make an announcement. Effective immediately, I’m pulling the Nixon family’s financial backing from this concert. They will no longer be the main sponsors here. Does this move demonstrate that the Nixon family hasn’t been manipting events to our advantage?”


    Kallie acted decisively, requesting thepetition host to sign the contract that would end the investment.


    As this involved a termination, Kallie provided a substantial sum of money. Yet, she showed no hesitation whatsoever.


    The host quickly rified that no deceitful actions had been involved, emphasizing that no individual investor could dictate whether any participant could continue to perform. The focus of thepetition was on the talent of the contestants, and their financial status was irrelevant. Kallie’s assertion highlighted theck of merit in Freya’s previous allegations.


    When thepetition concluded, the time came for the awards ceremony. Sophie was honored with an award, which subtly debunked the rumors and confirmed them as nothing more than unfounded gossip.


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