Rachel felt a twinge of curiosity but nodded gently.


    Before long, Peggie approached with a clipboard in hand. "Ms. Pearce, could you please sign this for me?"


    "Of course," Rachel said, taking the pen and scribbling her name.


    Peggie beamed as she took it back, then asked, "Are you here as a judge, Ms. Pearce?"


    "No," Rachel replied with a smile, pulling Keen to her side. "I''m here to support this kid in thepetition."


    Peggie nced at Keen, her eyes sparkling with admiration.


    "Clearly, the apple doesn''t fall far from the tree. With a mom like Ms. Pearce, you''re bound to take home the trophy."


    It was quite improper for a judge to speak such words openly, especially in the presence of so many people.


    Another judge arched an eyebrow, his voiceced with dry amusement. "Ms. Smith, do introduce us to your... esteemed acquaintance."


    Peggie didn''t miss a beat, unfazed by the implication. "Well, we''re not friends. Ms. Pearce here is a violinist I greatly admire, a graduate of Neo-Vespera University." Hearing this, the man''s dismissive demeanor shifted to one of respect.


    "A Neo-Vespera University alum?" His gaze towards Rachel softened with newfound respect. "We haven''t seen a music graduate from Neo-Vespera in Novaris for the past five years."


    While hard work is essential, the legacy of musicians is often built on talent.


    Unlike them, whose names might fade into obscurity, those from Neo-Vespera leave asting mark.


    The judges, upon learning of Rachel''s prestigious background, regarded her with increased admiration.


    Rachel noticed Peggie''s misunderstanding of her rtionship with Keen and instinctively nced at Haynes.


    Haynes seemed ready to rify, but Deanna stopped him with a whisper, "Haynie, exining now will only embarrass Keen. What good does it do? If the judges find out Keen''s mom is disgraced, how do you expect him to hold his head high? What will people say about the O''Brien family?"


    She shot a cold nce at Ste. "I''m trying to protect Ste''s reputation. These judges are influential. They might not remember just anyone, but they''ll certainly recall someone linked to the O''Brien family and use it against her."


    Meanwhile, the teacher maintaining order led the judges away. Abby, witnessing this, was ready to confront them.


    "This is outrageous! They''re letting the judges believe whatever they want about you and Keen."


    Ste held her back. "Once the divorce is final, I''ll have no ties with the O''Brien family. It''s better this way; it saves me a lot of trouble."


    Abby scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain. "Oh please-Deanna wouldn''t have spat on Rachelst year, and now she''s suddenly her biggest fan? Just wait, they''ll regret it soon enough!"


    Rachel, buoyed by thepliments, turned and caught Ste''s sarcastic gaze.


    With a calm and self-assured smile, Rachel''s eyes shed with a mix of disdain and challenge.


    "Ms. Cameron, if you''re willing to speak up, I might just pretend you were joking."