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.