It wasn''t that Ste''s team had done poorly—far from it.


    "Is Ste seriously this amazing? She''s actually on par with someone like Harry now?"


    “Mr. Walden brought in Harry to lend some star power, but honestly, that just seems beneath him. Even though they both got perfect scores... in the end, Rachel still couldn''t beat Ste.”


    “I just don''t get it. Why would Mr. Walden choose Rachel as his apprentice over Ste?"


    "Exactly. In terms of skill, looks, charisma, even talent-how could Rachel everpare to Ste?”


    One of the judges spoke up, “Our scoring is always fair and impartial. This was a team event, and Ste and Antoney worked together seamlessly. Every section was executed wlessly.


    If anyone has doubts, you''re wee to submit the full recording of thepetition to the world''s leading adjudication board."


    Mr. Walden and the others looked visibly unsettled.


    They were, after all, the top musicians in the field-no strangers to how these things worked.


    They knew the judges hadn''t yed favorites.


    The chemistry in Ste''s group really did deserve a perfect score.


    The host called the previous teams back onstage to announce the scores and the overall rankings.


    Harry stood with a stony expression.


    A tie was not the oue he wanted.


    Gripping the microphone, the host proimed, “Currently in second ce, we have Miss Rachel.


    And now, the undefeated champions of thispetition—”


    "Hold on."


    Before the host could finish, another voice cut through the auditorium.


    The host blinked, turning toward Harry.


    "Mr. Harry, is there something you''d like to say?"


    Harry stepped forward, raising his voice so the whole room could hear. "Ste and I made a wager backstage on the oue of this match.


    So, there can''t be a tie. There needs to be a clear winner.


    I respectfully ask the judges to decide."


    Antoney''s face darkened. "Despicable!"


    By bringing up the bet in front of everyone, Harry had cornered Ste, leaving her no way out-no room to back down.


    He wanted the whole world to know: if Ste lost, she''d have to quit the industry, never to y the violin again.


    The host was taken aback. “A wager? What wager?"


    Harry lifted his chin, voice cold. "If


    lose, I''ll apologize to Ste''s mother and her mentor in front of


    everyone-and get down on my knees and bark like a dog."


    5


    The crowd nced at each other, momentarily stunned.


    Wasn''t that a bit childish?


    The host pressed on, "And if Miss Ste loses?"


    A sinister smile flickered across


    e


    Harry''s lips. "If Ste loses, she''s ne never allowed to y the violin again. Ever."


    A collective gasp erupted through the audience.


    Up onstage, the judges recovered first.


    “Mr. Harry, this is apetition—not a casino.


    What wagers you make in private are none of our business, but this stage is not your betting table!"


    Harry shot the judge a sideways nce. "What''s the matter? Afraid that if Ste loses, she won''t be able to represent your division in futurepetitions?"


    The judge stiffened, caught off guard.


    That was exactly his worry.


    Geniuses like Ste didn''te along often in this region; he couldn''t let Harry destroy her future.


    Harry continued, "A bet''s a bet. Ste agreed to it herself.


    Need me to show everyone the video of our conversation from backstage?"