Chapter 118 Why Not Award the Second Place?
"That being said, I prefer Isla's piece. Setting aside the beginning and end, the climax in the middle is really catchy! Very inspiring!"
"I also like Isla's piece, but similarly, I only like the climax..."
Lola was walking off the stage when she heard someone say this. Her nails dug into her palm, but she remained calm on the surface, smiling and nodding at everyone.
One must admit, Isla's climax was indeed beautiful, her composition level is definitely above Lola's!
But unfortunately, the beginning and end fall flat, so she only got second place.
When Isla heard that everyone liked her piece, especially the climax, she felt happy and excited, thinking that she had stolen the spotlight.
"Just now, the top eight winners have already performed their winning pieces for everyone, and I believe everyone has a better understanding of their rankings."
"Now, we come to the most important part of today - the award ceremony."
"Please welcome our renowned piano master, Mr. Bing to present the honorary certificates to the fourth to eighth place winners!"
Warm applause echoed throughout the venue.
Mr. Bing buttoned up his suit, walked on stage gracefully, and presented the honorary certificates to each of the winners, taking commemorative photos.
After they left the stage, the host picked up the microphone again and excitedly said, "Next, let's invite Lady Rosemary, the president of the Piano Association, to present the honorary trophies to the first to third place winners!"
The applause from the audience became even louder, resounding like thunder.
Third place Lily, second place Isla, and first place Lola respectively left their seats and confidently walked towards the stage.
They were all seventeen or eighteen years old, talented, and outstanding in appearance, making them the stars of this year's competition.
When Isla greeted the others on the way, she also nodded to Lola, but it seemed that Lola didn't notice her gesture and didn't respond. Instead, Lola waved and smiled at the others.
Lady Rosemary, upon taking the stage, presented the championship trophy to Lola and the third-place trophy to Lily, while maintaining a very cold gaze towards Isla.
That gaze seemed as if she were looking at a thief!
The host was startled for a moment and quickly tried to defuse the situation,
"Lady Rosemary, there is also the second-place... You forgot to present the trophy for second place..."
Isla felt a bit embarrassed, but with so many eyes watching from the audience and the cameras of the journalists following her, she smiled and maintained her composure, "Lady Rosemary, I am the second-place winner of this competition, Isla."
"I know," Lady Rosemary's tone was very cold, and her gaze even sharper than before.
When Isla mentioned herself as the "second-place" winner, Lady Rosemary's eyes seemed like daggers, just longing to expose her lie.
Everyone was a bit confused, even the host didn't know what had happened, feeling that Lady Rosemary's gaze towards Isla was somewhat like that of an enemy...
He could only use his eyes to signal the usher holding the trophy, who understood and smiled, bringing the trophy before Lady Rosemary, indicating that the trophy for second place was right there, ready to be presented to her.
But Lady Rosemary remained standing still, like an imposing mountain, with her eyes frozen to the bone.
"You don't deserve to receive the second-place trophy!"
These words caused an uproar throughout the audience!
Even the color drained from Isla's face instantly, feeling extreme embarrassment.
Mr. Wilson and Mrs. Wilson in the audience stood up immediately, what was happening?
Even Remy was stunned, unable to believe that Lady Rosemary, who had always cherished and been kind to the younger generation, would say such words!
"What do you mean by that, Lady Rosemary?" the host smiled, trying to defuse the situation, "Could it be that you listened to Isla's performance just now and thought she deserved a higher rank?"
The host's words had a great impact. Those in the audience who had thought Isla's piece had problems were now relieved, realizing the reason why.
Did Lady Rosemary think Isla's skill level was worthy of first place?!
Lola, sitting beside Lady Rosemary, instinctively tightened her grip on the championship trophy. Could it be? Lady Rosemary wouldn't publicly announce that Isla was more deserving of the championship, would she?
"I'm asking you," Lady Rosemary didn't let the host's attempt to ease the situation sway her. She looked into Isla's eyes and asked, word by word, "The piece you played just now, did you compose it all by yourself?"
Isla had already realized what was happening, feeling extreme guilt and her heart pounding like a drum. She was shaking all over, "Yes, of course..."
"So, you're saying that this piece, from beginning to end, every tone, every melody, you came up with it yourself, unrelated to others?"
Isla was losing her balance and did not understand Lady Rosemary's meaning. Did Lady Rosemary know that she had taken Abella's climax section and therefore publicly questioned her?
No, it couldn't be. Who is Lady Rosemary? How could she know someone like Abella, who is insignificant?
Unless Abella found her and told her something... otherwise...
"Lady Rosemary, I don't know what others have told you." Isla planned to firmly deny it. The best way to divert attention was to create a diversion elsewhere!
"If you think it's ridiculous of me to admire you and want to be your apprentice, considering me naive and ignorant, then I apologize."
Isla maintained the demeanor of a noble young lady, neither humble nor domineering, using a retreat as an advance. "You just said that you don't take apprentices, and even if you did, you wouldn't accept anyone from the Wilson family.
I don't know what wrong the Wilson family has done... but you are a senior, you have the right to choose your favorite disciples... I understand, and I won't force it, I even feel that I am not good enough to receive your favor."
"But when you said on stage, in front of so many people, that I am not worthy of wearing Lady Margaret's clothes and jewelry, perhaps you don't know, but you have always been my idol in my heart. I worked hard to study the piano just to be closer to you..."
With just a few simple sentences, she portrayed Lady Rosemary as a negative character who was "rude," "bullying younger ones," and "arrogant!"
Lady Rosemary had never seen such a scheming little girl before—such a young age, but with so many tricks!
"I never expected Lady Rosemary to be like this. Isla worked so hard to learn the piano just to get closer to her. Even if she doesn't accept apprentices, she doesn't have to say such hurtful words. Isla must have been so upset listening to them."
"I think Isla looks good in Lady Margaret's clothes. Does Lady Rosemary have to interfere? It's none of her business what others want to wear or accessorize with."
"Lady Rosemary not only refuses to mentor and help younger ones, but she also deliberately embarrasses them in such an important occasion..."
"I think Lady Rosemary lacks manners..."
"It's fortunate that Isla has strong mental resilience. Being a noble young lady, her refinement and magnanimity are different from ordinary people..."
Most of the audience praised Isla.
Isla saw that she had turned the situation around with just a few words and looked at Lady Rosemary with a hint of provocation in her eyes.
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