Chapter 103

As the music swelled, Serena's dance, voice, and shimmering lyre wove together, casting a luminous,otherworldly spell across the stage.

She moved like a vision conjured from a dream-so light, so mesmerizing, the audience barely dared to breathe.

All at once, the audience and the livestream viewers fell under her enchantment, captivated beyond words

Jayceon, who had been a bundle of nerves at the start, now sat transfixed, his eyes wide with amazement.

"That was flawless!" he blurted, unable to contain his awe. "Two languages, two instruments, two completely different stage styles-and she's blended them into this seamless, beautiful journey. There's nothing forced about it! The song's name is 'Journey,and it fits perfectly!"

He practically vibrated with excitement, unable to sit still as Serena's fanboy energy took over.

Even Adriana forgot to bicker with her brother this d Rise time,completely caught up in the sheer spectacle.

Beside them, Myron lingered in the shadows, lips curving into a subtle, knowing smile.

The crowd buzzed with astonishment, and online,where arguments had raged just moments earlier, the comment section exploded with admiration instead.

"Unbelievable!"

"She's out of this world!"

"There's nothing left to say that captures how I feel!"

"Watching her play the lyre was simply mesmerizing."

For a moment, every heated argument faded into silence.

But that was only the opening act.

The night held far more surprises in store.

As the stage went dark again, Serena's performance soared to even greater heights. Panoramas of distant lands appeared, painting the backdrop with scenes from another world.

Iconic moments from classic operas flickered across the screen, captivating the entire audience.

Then Serena reappeared, dressed in a sweeping gown Would Rise that shimmered beneath the spotlights.

A mask adorned her face, heightening the sense of drama, and she carried a violin with regal poise.

Serena drew her bow, and the violin burst to life,weaving an utterly spellbinding tapestry of sound.

As the song swelled, Vivian's easy smile curdled into a strained grimace.

They'd all practiced together, but every contestant kept a personal trick up their sleeve-as long as it passed staff approval, anything went.

With the semifinals underway, alliances had dissolved;there were no teams now.

Each person was out for themselves.

Jaw clenched, Vivian darted a covert glance around the table, and then fired off a discreet message to Oakley. "Didn't you promise to talk to Napier and keep Charles in check? What's happening? Why is there nothing wrong with the live stream?"

Oakley's response came back just as fast. "How would I know? | already told Grandpa about Charles messing around with Serena-about her getting pregnant,too.He was pissed. But after that mess with Millie, I tried again, and guess what he said?"

"What?"

"He just shrugged it off. He told me to focus on the company and stop bringing him any more dirt on Charles. I'm so fed up!" Oakley paced restlessly,frustration simmering just beneath his skin.

He'd thought everything was locked down-Napier had always been eager to help, yet suddenly,the man was acting like none of it mattered.

Where had things gone off the rails?

He replayed the timeline in his mind, every detail grating on his nerves. The shift started right after Serena and Napier's meeting at that auction.

Of course-Serena!

HHe shot a sharp, calculating look toward the stage,watching Serena bask in the spotlight. A knot of resentment twisted inside him.

Just then, Vivian's message flashed across his screen again. "I don't care. Make something happen, Oakley.We're in this together. If Serena gets ahead, we're both finished."

Oakley bristled, his jaw tightening. He still hadn't forgiven Vivian for seling him out last time, but he tamped down the urge to snap at her. Instead, his Would Rise reply was curt and tight. "I get it."

Pocketing his phone, Oakley stepped away from the sidelines and headed straight for the control room, his mind racing.

If he was going to sabotage Serena, there was no move more direct and effective than pulling the plug.

This was already the fourth live show-if Serena managed to reach the finals now, neither of them would ever catch up.

He was convinced now-someone in his crew was leaking information.

How else could Charles keep preempting his every move?

With a scowl, he crept toward the master switch,heart thudding as he reached out.

A heavy fist crashed into his jaw before he could touch it.

"Damn!" Oakley hit the floor hard, dazed, pain radiating through his cheek.

Charles stepped from the shadows, a self-satisfied grin tugging at his lips as he casually shook out his knuckles.

"Told you, Oakley. You're way too predictable,"Charles drawled, voice edged with mockery.

Oakley scrambled up, fists clenched, but before he could make a move, a wall of bodyguards swarmed out of the darkness, hemming him in from every side.

Charles let out a booming laugh, genuinely amused by the fury twisting Oakley's face.

"Come on, Oakley. Stop resorting to these cheap tricks." He sneered, pausing for effect. "If you want to win, maybe try using your head for once."

Oakley huffed, his eyes rolling skyward.

The irony of Charles-renowned for his explosive outbursts-lecturing him about using his head was almost laughable.

"You lucked out with Serena, didn't you? Let's see how you handle things without her for once!" Oakley shot back, voice bristling with challenge.

Charles arched a brow, unbothered. "You want a girlfriend? Go get one. Not my problem," he remarked,waving a lazy hand at his subordinates to stay sharp.

He then smirked, snapping, "Some of us have actual charisma. Wouldn't expect you to get it,though."

Without waiting for a response, Charles turned and strode toward the stage.

He paused at the edge, eyes fixed on Serena under the spotlight, a sly satisfaction playing at his lips.

He hadn't told Oakley the truth-that there was nothing going on between him and Serena. But who cared? There was nothing better than watching him pissed and frustrated.

At that moment, Serena's performance swept into its fourth act, capturing the essence of yet another country with every bold,passionate movement.

The spotlight found her in a scarlet dress, her solo tango radiating such energy that even without a partner, the romance of the dance seemed to swirl around her like living fire. The accordion's notes flickered through the theater, electrifying the air.

Charles' gaze locked on Millie as she commanded the stage.

He hadn't anticipated a break like this, but he recognized a gift when it landed in his lap.

Millie-once obsessed with the Watson Group and shackled to restoring the Bennett family's glories-had been forced by their alliance to rely on him for the first time. He'd grabbed that chance with both hands.

A quick glance at his phone revealed a frenzy: Evans Entertainment, Seville, and Alexia had whipped the public-opinion machine into a storm, fueling the hype online.

What had seemed an uphill battle was now tipping effortlessly in their favor, all because Millie's performance was too dazzling to deny.

Charles pocketed his phone, unable to suppress a sharp,satisfied laugh.

The Internet had labeled Millie a pitiful, clingy housewife-someone desperate to clutch at the Watson family's money. They couldn't have been more wrong.

The truth was simple-whoever Millie stood with would rise.

Charles knew it firsthand.

He'd spent years scraping for scraps behind his older brothers, barely a blip on his grandfather's radar. But since joining forces with Millie on Heavenly Melody,everything had changed. For the first time,his family saw him as someone worth betting on.