Chapter 167

The atmosphere around the guqin platform grew instantly tense.

Vivienne Archer's red lips curved slightly as her gaze swept over Serena Blake. "Ms. Blake seems quite confident. Does this mean you've already secured victory?"

Serena's fingers trembled imperceptibly as she forced a gentle smile. "You flatter me, Ms. Archer. I'm merely doing my best."

Her peripheral vision caught Aria Bennett's composed demeanor, and it felt like a thorn piercing her heart.

"Which of you would like to perform first?" the young attendant holding the guqin asked softly.

Aria gestured gracefully. "Shall Ms. Blake go first?"

Serena gritted her teeth. This woman clearly wanted to watch her fail!

"Very well." She straightened her back and approached the instrument, deliberately plucking the strings to produce a crisp, clear tone as she took her position.

[Wow, that opening was professional!]

[Who knew the actress had such hidden talent?]

[This round's in the bag]

As the melody flowed, Serena glimpsed the audience's captivated expressions and couldn't suppress a smug smile. But when she caught Aria's knowing look, her fingers faltered for half a beat.

"Screech—"

The jarring dissonance drained the color from Serena's face.

As the music stopped abruptly, two silver-haired elders emerged from the corridor. Dean Rosalind frowned slightly. "Technically adequate, but..."

Serena stood abruptly. "Please enlighten me, Dean!"

"It lacks soul." Dean Rosalind shook her head. "The guqin reflects the heart. Your performance had only superficial beauty."

Serena's nails dug into her palms. She saw it clearly—the dean's expectant glance toward Aria!

"Allow me to try." Aria brushed her sleeves and took her seat.

At the first note, even the falling leaves in the garden seemed to still.

Serena stared fixedly at those nimble fingers dancing across the strings, her ears gradually filling with the sounds of mountain streams and roaring waterfalls. A sudden realization struck—she'd lost completely.

"Magnificent!" Dean Rosalind applauded enthusiastically. "Now this is the true 'River's Echo'!"

Darkness clouded Serena's vision. How? How could this amateur outperform her years of dedicated practice?

From an angle hidden from cameras, her bloodshot eyes burned into Aria's retreating figure.