Jason didn't make a spectacle out of what had happened.
After the professors and company bosses finished their anxious apologies, he acted as if nothing had occurred. He drank with them, chatted about mundane topics, and even sang a song or two when the mood called for it. The tension in the private room dissipated bit by bit, though no one dared to relax their guard.
Clara watched him from across the table. She wanted to express her gratitude, but the words stuck in her throat. After another round of drinks, she stood and raised her glass to Jason.
"I'd like to sing something for you," she said. "As thanks."
Jason nodded.
She selected a song on the karaoke machine and picked up the microphone. Her voice wasn't as polished as her piano playing. It carried the hoarseness of someone who had cried too much earlier that evening, and she couldn't bring out her full technique. But the sincerity in her tone made up for the imperfections. The song was gentle and pleasant.
When she finished, Jason nodded. "You still have a competition tomorrow. You should head back and rest."
Clara blinked. "Right. I'll go now, then."
She hesitated, her ears turning red. "You… you shouldn't drink too much. It's not good for your health."
Before Jason could respond, she grabbed Rick and Lily by their arms and hurried out of the room.
Jason watched her retreating figure and smiled. So the aloof campus beauty knows how to care about people now.
After the three students left, Professor Miller leaned forward. His voice was cautious. "Mr. Carter… about Clara's ranking in the finals tomorrow. How should we arrange it?"
Jason swirled the drink in his glass. "Judge by ability. She should be ranked wherever her skill places her."
He meant it.
But to the professors and the bosses, those words carried a different weight. They exchanged glances. The message was clear: top three at minimum. If they hadn't already known that Ava Summers was living with Jason, Ava would have been the undisputed choice for first place. Now, with Jason's words regarding Clara, they had to consider whether Clara should take the championship instead.
The next morning, the Pengcheng Piano Open Finals began.
Backstage, contestants sat in clusters, warming up their fingers on practice keyboards or reviewing sheet music one last time. The air hummed with nervous energy.
Then a commotion erupted near the entrance.
Staff members and event managers rushed forward, their expressions respectful and alert.
Clara and Lily turned to look.
Jason's tall figure walked through the doorway. His posture was relaxed, his expression calm. Beside him, holding his arm, was a woman.
Clara had heard rumors that Jason had more than one girlfriend, so she wasn't shocked to see him with someone. What surprised her was who that woman was.
"Ava Summers," Lily whispered. "Top contender for the championship. Stunningly beautiful. Master of piano, chess, calligraphy, and painting."
She sighed. "Jason is blessed by fate. He's perfect at everything. Except he's way too much of a playboy."
Clara didn't reply. She watched Jason and Ava walk past, her expression calm but her thoughts complicated.
Despite herself, she smiled.
Lily noticed immediately. "Wait. You're smiling?"
Clara rarely smiled like that. And now, just watching Jason was enough to bring it out?
Lily nudged her with her elbow. "Ava Summers has already claimed Jason. What do you think about that?"
Clara's voice remained calm. "I heard Ava taught him piano. If that's the case, it's normal for him to like her."
Lily laughed. "Then how come I remember you messaging Jason first? Back when you thought he went bankrupt?"
Clara shook her head. "That was different. I only sent him one message because I mistook the situation. I felt bad for him."
Before Lily could tease her further, Jason left the backstage area.
For some reason, the moment he disappeared from view, a faint unease rose in Clara's chest. She didn't understand why.
Not long after, the finals began.
Before Clara went on stage, she overheard several contestants who had already performed chatting excitedly near the wing.
"Did you see the guy sitting in the first row of the VIP section? He's insanely handsome."
"I know. I almost forgot I was competing."
Clara's heart skipped a beat. Based on their descriptions, she knew who they meant.
Jason.
Her nerves settled at once.
When Clara stepped onto the stage, the lights blazed down on her. The piano waited, black and gleaming. She instinctively glanced toward the VIP section.
Jason sat in the very first seat.
The moment she saw him, her anxiety vanished. Her fingers touched the keys, and the music flowed out—clear, controlled, and filled with emotion. She played at her absolute best. Every note landed where it should. Every phrase carried the weight she intended.
One contestant after another finished their performances. The audience clapped politely, murmuring their impressions. Then Ava Summers took the stage.
Ava's performance was flawless. Her technique was impeccable, her interpretation mature and confident. When she finished, the applause was thunderous.
The results were announced immediately after the final contestant.
"First place: Ava Summers."
"Second place: Clara."
Hearing the result, Clara didn't feel the excitement she had imagined. She understood now that this ranking was not purely a reflection of skill. A large part of it came from Jason's influence.
Instead of joy, what she felt was gratitude.
And a deeper realization.
In this world, wealth and power were the greatest guarantees for protecting one's dreams. Talent alone was never enough.
She looked toward the VIP section again. Jason was standing, preparing to leave. His expression was calm, his posture composed, as if everything on stage was a passing scene that didn't concern him.
Clara's chest tightened.
She wanted to call out to him. To thank him properly. But the words wouldn't come.
The applause echoed through the hall. Jason walked toward the exit. Ava followed him, still holding his arm. They disappeared through the doorway together.
Clara stood on the stage, holding her silver medal, watching them go.
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