"This time, Star did a fresh arrangement, integrating Marvin''s unique characteristics and strengths for a new take."


    "From now on, this piece, ''Moonlight'', can be performed as an ensemble too." Suddenly, Neville spoke up, "Now, I finally believe what you said."


    The audience area remained shrouded in darkness, making it impossible to see Neville''s expression. Only his deep, raspy voice broke through the shadows.


    "She''s really... something else."


    Abby nced over at the O''Brien family section.


    "They said our Star was just mimicking Rachel... Ha, let them see what true ''Moonlight'' really means!"


    Meanwhile, on the other side, Deanna and Callie watched the stage in


    shock. When Ste''s performance began, they''d been snickering, sneering at her attempts. But at some point, their jeering stopped, and they didn''t even know when it happened.


    Callie''s mouth hung open in disbelief. "Mom, wasn''t Ste supposed to be a total airhead? How could she possibly y the violin like that?"


    And ying at Ste''s level was far beyond just knowing how to y. It was mastery!


    Deanna was just as stunned, her eyes wide with disbelief. To those unfamiliar with the violin, Ste''s music was like a refreshing spring, pleasing to the ear. But those who knew violins, they recognized her artistry as something extraordinary!


    Wasn''t Ste meant to be without any talent? Shouldn''t her attempts at music be nerve-gratingly terrible, something you couldn''t stand to listen to? Why was this so drastically different from what she''d expected?


    Rachel stood frozen, staring at Ste, biting her lip hard, her eyes wide with shock, her body trembling slightly from disbelief. She kept shaking her head, whispering to herself, "No, that can''t be..."


    Rachel had absolute confidence in her violin skills. She wouldn''t im to be world-ss, but she was sure she was at least at a master level. At the conservatory, her violin skills had always been in the top ten.


    Her admission to Neo-Vespera University was proof of her talent and skill.


    She knew she couldn''t hold a candle to Ste''s looks. But in the realm of violin, she had absolute confidence that she could outshine Ste.


    Deep down, Rachel had always looked down on Ste somewhat. Just a pretty face, a mere trophy wife with no substance, undeserving of Haynes, and certainly unfit to be Haynes'' wife.


    If Deanna hadn''t pressured her back then, she would have been Haynes'' wife


    now.


    Now that she was back, she intended to crush Ste from every angle, making her feel inferior at the mere sight of her!


    Today had seemed like the perfect opportunity. She had nned to proudly defeat Ste with the one thing she excelled at.


    But now, even in her strongest area, she couldn''t surpass Ste. Rachel''s pride


    was shatteredpletely. She didn''t want to ept it, couldn''t ept it!


    ...


    After the judges had given their scores, Ste and Marvin bowed in appreciation and slowly exited the stage.


    As she stepped off, she noticed someone standing in the wings.


    Haynes.


    The handsome, aloof man was quietly waiting not far away. His intense gaze was fixed on her, his eyes deep and mysterious like a midnight sky, twinkling with an extraordinary light.


    It was a look of depth and focus that she''d never seen before.