The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella)

Chapter 196 The eighth—place winner was performing his original piano composition.

This year’s competition not only tested the contestants‘ piano playing skills but also required them to compose their own music.

Many people who were adept at playing the piano couldn't participate in this year's competition because they didn’t know how to compose.

At this moment, the eighth—place winner finished his performance, stood up gracefully, and bowed to express his gratitude. And the host started applauding, then invited the seventh—place winner to perform on stage.

Suddenly, Louisa received a phone call and whispered to her two daughters, “Your grandmother has been in a coma for many days, and she has finally woken up. We are going to see her, we'll be back soon.” “Dad, Mom, don’t worry about us.” Serena was very understanding, “My award ceremony still has some time, so no need to rush.” “We'll try to come back before your performance.” Louisa kindly said, then looked at Arabella, “Bella, call Mom anytime if you need anything.” “Okay.” Arabella said.

After Kenneth and Louisa left, Serena looked at Arabella with pride and asked, “Sister, have you ever learned to play the piano? Have you won any awards?” She looked at the stage and confidently said, “I started learning the piano at the age of four, and that teacher Andy, who doesn’t accept students, took me under her wing after watching my performance. Do you know who Andy-is?-She’s a famous piano master in the country. Many people want to learn from her but don’t have the qualification. Under her guidance, my piano skills have improved rapidly, and | have won overfifty first prizes from a young age!” Her tone was full of pride as she raised her head and asked, “What's the name of your former private tutor? Has she won any awards in this field?” However, Arabella might not have heard her question because she turned her head and noticed that Arabella had already put on her headphones and was fully focused on playing a game.

Serena got a bit angry, but thinking that this country girl might only be capable of that, she didn’t feel it was a big deal.

After a while, the host held the microphone and said passionately, “Next up is the second-place winner of this competition, Yolanda Murphy. She will perform a piece called ‘Misery’ for everyone.” Yolanda heard the host's voice, smiled, and stood up, wearing a dress worth millions. She walked onto the stage.

Yolanda sat at the piano, took a deep breath, and then slowly began to play this beautiful piece that won her second place.

Jasmine, sitting in the front row, felt a bit displeased during the first half of the piece. But when the entire composition was played, she felt a sense of familiarity, las if she had heard it somewhere before.

In the audience, many people were privately discussing.

“The climax of her piece is really beautiful! It's so evocative!” “It's just that her playing skills are a bit rusty. Maybe it's because she’s too nervous.” “If we don’t consider the beginning and ending of the composition, the climax she created is really good. A teenage girl managed to write such a beautiful piece.” Many people praised Yolanda’s performance, including the piano master Kent, who couldn't help but smile and turned to Jasmine, saying, “President Jasmine, weren't you looking for qualified students recently? What do you think of this Yolanda?" Jasmine didn't have a favorable opinion of the Murphy family, so she didn’t have much goodwill towards Yolanda. When it came to talent, she hadn't seen a more talented child than Arabella in all these years! Arabella’s piano skills surpassed hers, to the point where it could be said that Arabella was far superior. Even if she were to take on a student, it would be Arabella taking her as an apprentice.

However, a young and talented master like Arabella would never consider taking on a student. The thought of it was out of the question! “That second-place winner not only knows how to compose music, but she does it well, especially the climax. It's truly beautiful.” “I was also captivated by the climax of the piece. It's like being hypnotized. After listening to it once, | want to listen to it again.” “Me too!" “While the composition’s beginning and ending weren't well-written, the climax she created is truly impressive!” Several important guests around Jasmine were praising Yolanda's piece. After her performance, Yolanda stood up gracefully and bowed to everyone present. As she lifted her eyes, she happened to see Zachary in the audience, his eyes filled with love and admiration, applauding for her.

Yolanda felt a bit excited. Then she looked at Jasmine, expecting to see a regretful expression on her face. After all, missing out on such a talented female student would surely be a loss for Jasmine! However, Jasmine’s expression didn’t look good. She furrowed her brows and tapped her fingers on the table, seemingly lost in thought. Did she think the performance just now wasn’t good? As Yolanda was about to shift her gaze, she unintentionally caught sight of Arabella sitting in the third row, just two seats away from the daughter of the billionaire, Serena! She was extremely surprised. How was that possible? Those seats were either occupied by people of status and position or by the winners or their family members. But Arabella was none of those. What qualified her to sit there? Was it because Serena, being beautiful and kind-hearted, didn’t mind? Or was it that she was accompanying some wealthy sponsor? Yolanda deliberately looked to the side, but there was no one of the opposite sex beside Arabella. She couldn't figure out what kind of sponsor could make Arabella sit on the same level as the daughter of a billionaire.

Arabella was incredibly lucky! At the sight of Yolanda’s graceful bow, enthusiastic applause resounded from the audience, even the judges and seniors on the award stage couldn't stop praising the child.

“The name of this piano piece is ‘Misery, but | could hear hope in the climax, like encouraging those who have experienced natural disasters and man-made calamities to bravely live on. There are still many beautiful things waiting for us in life.” “Yes, when | heard the climax, images of earthquake ruins and the courage to start anew came to my mind.” “1 had the same feeling. It made me think of scenes of natural disasters.” “Me too.” Jasmine suddenly realized where this familiar feeling came from—earthquake, inspiration, bravery, resilience. She looked at Yolanda as she stepped down from the stage, her eyes filled with displeasure.

Next, Serena was invited to perform on stage. As the final performer of the award ceremony, she received a warm round of applause as soon as she appeared. Even though Romeo and his grandfather weren't present to watch her award ceremony, seeing Arabella’s envious and jealous expression made her feel satisfied. Serena sat gracefully at the piano and confidently played her own composition. Five minutes later, she stood up to thank the audience. But when she looked towards the audience seats, she noticed that her parents hadn't returned yet, and Arabella was still playing her game, showing no sign of envy or jealousy. Serena immediately became angry.

The applause from the audience continued.

“Serena's piece is really good! Just like her, it's outstanding.” “No wonder she’s the daughter of a billionaire. She has been exceptional from a young age!” mmMwWLIII0fifl0&1 mmMwWLIII0fifl0&1 mmMwWLII0fiflO& 1 mmMwWLIII0fifl0&1 mmMwWL1i10fif10&1 mmMwWLIiI0fiflO&1