The Draw

Before I could think further, I instinctively swatted Sophia's arm away.

In my previous life, she had also linked her arm through mine along this same path.

'Could it be physical contact? Can she steal my thoughts through physical contact?' I thought.

The more I thought about it, the more horrifying it felt. However, Sophia didn't give me time to think as she fell to the ground and looked at me with reddened eyes.

"I just wanted to help you, Vanessa. Why did you push me away? I think I sprained my ankle. It hurts so much. Can you help me get up?" As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes, making her look pitiful.

However, I didn't move. After all, if Sophia truly stole my work through physical contact, then avoiding any contact with her might allow me to take control of my destiny.

As I thought about it, I shuddered and hurried into my room without wasting another second. Then, I started to piece together the melody from my past life.

Since God had given me another chance, I was determined not to fall into Sophia's trap again!

Soon, ten minutes passed by.

Before I could calm myself down, there was a knock at the door. When I opened the door, the staff rolled her eyes and eyed me up and down before saying unkindly, "Time's up. Let's go."

Only then did I realize the path we had just walked was under surveillance. That meant the audience had seen Sophia's attempt to get close to me but was being pushed away.

In that split second, memories of being vilified by the public flooded my mind, leaving my heart in turmoil. Still, I gritted my teeth and forced myself to step onto the stage.

On the other hand, Sophia had already returned ahead of me. She sat gracefully under the spotlight and looked at me with confidence.

When I stepped on the stage, the cheering quietened down. The audience began whispering as they looked at me with disapproval.

"What's wrong with Vanessa? Sophia was so kind, yet she didn't appreciate it at all."

"Did she think there's no surveillance backstage? I bet she thought we didn't see her true colors."

"No matter how talented she is, she has bad character. I'm voting for Sophia."

Listening to their words, Sophia smiled even wider. Then, she mouthed something in my direction. When I made out the words, I felt chills run down my spine.

She had told me to go and die.

It felt as if lightning had struck me. My hands trembled as I looked at the paper in my hand.

On it was a number two.

Just like in my previous life, Sophia would play first, and I would follow suit.

At that moment, I began shaking uncontrollably.

'I pushed her away the moment she touched me. Why is she still so confident? Could it be that standing next to me alone is enough to steal my thoughts?' I couldn't help but wonder. After all, her confident look made it clear that she already knew my work!

My mind was in chaos, and I almost broke down in panic.

In the meantime, the host casually took the paper from my hand and announced it to the audience. "Vanessa has drawn the number 'two' and will play after Sophia. Now, let's welcome Sophia…"

"Wait!" Before the host could finish his words, I shouted desperately.

My reaction silenced the lively atmosphere, and the audience was confused.

On the other hand, my mind was racing wildly. I started to piece together the connections between Sophia's powerful background and the possible manipulations in this show.

I wondered why the host insisted on checking my paper first in both lifetimes.

'Could it be that both papers were marked with the number two?' I thought. 'Did they plan this to ensure Sophia would perform first?'

Amidst skeptical and scornful gazes, I snatched the microphone from the host and said, "I want to see Sophia's draw."

Hearing my words, the host froze momentarily before quickly regaining his composure and said, "I'm not sure what's troubling you today, Vanessa. Are you suspecting that we deliberately placed you in second? If that's the case, let's ask Sophia to show us her draw."

Questioning

Sophia turned to the camera with a smile and said, "What's wrong with you today, Vanessa? Do you really want to win so much? It's okay. If you want to perform first, I'll let you have it." As she spoke, she moved her hand, which was holding the paper, backward.

Watching her gesture, I further confirmed my suspicions.

"I don't need that," I said coldly. "I just want to see what number you drew."

Looking at my solemn expression, Sophia smiled and said, "Vanessa, although we're competitors, winning or losing is not a big deal. I hope you can relax instead of always being so tense. Look, I drew number one."

With those words, she held up her paper toward the camera and blinked innocently.

My face turned pale as I looked at the number one written on her paper.

So, this wasn't the problem. Perhaps the manipulation was elsewhere, but Sophia had guessed my suspicions. That was why she deliberately withdrew her hand slightly. It was to make me believe my own assumptions!

I tried to say something, but it was too late.

At that moment, the audience erupted in jeers.

"Is Vanessa out of her mind? Even if she's more talented than Sophia, there's no need to make things so difficult for her."

"Is she running out of inspiration? Is that why she was afraid that performing after Sophia would make her lose her spotlight?"

"I'm so disappointed in Vanessa. She acts like a reckless child. How can she call herself a star?"

The flood of criticism mirrored the condemnation from my past life, and I was reminded of my tragic death. I stood frozen in the corner of the stage, my nails digging into my palms as I tried to stay calm.

'Sophia plagiarized the melody in my mind, which means she has to perform before me. She's too clever to leave such an obvious loophole, so there's definitely something wrong with the drawing process! But where exactly is it?' I thought.

Overwhelmed by agitation, my body trembled uncontrollably as cold sweat trickled down my forehead.

The curses from the audience lessened somewhat when they noticed my state. Taking advantage of the moment, I closed my eyes and replayed the drawing process in my mind.

At the same time, the host stepped forward with a smile. He gently nudged me and said, "Vanessa, are you feeling unwell? If you don't want to compete, I can help you withdraw…"

Before he could finish, I opened my eyes and grabbed his microphone. "There's something wrong with your drawing process!"

Seeing that I was still insisting on this matter, the audience gasped in unison.

"What's gotten into Vanessa today? What difference does the order make? Does she think the sequence can affect the music?"

"Plus, this is an improvisation. Performing in second place gives her more time to think."

"Sophia is so calm. As expected from a prestigious family. No matter how talented Vanessa is, she can't compare to Sophia in terms of family background."

I shook my head, ignoring their ridicule, and turned to look at the draw box from earlier.

To ensure I always drew the second slot, the problem must lie there! If I could expose the trick and perform before Sophia, she would never be able to steal my melody again.

Thinking about it, I stormed over to the draw box, picked it up, and smashed it directly on the ground. As glass shards scattered, a crumpled piece of paper rolled out.

I picked it up, held it before my chest, and slowly unfolded it in front of the camera.

Another number two was written on it.