She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 164

Meanwhile, Alicia was frantically calling the judges to ask about what had happened during the second round.

Only one judge picked up, and his tone was sharp. "Mr. X was furious when he found out we'd been bribed. While he didn't disqualify Ms. Seabrook outright, the rest of the competition format has been completely changed, and the new rules won't be announced until the day of the event. We can't help her anymore. Don't call me again, madam. I have no intention of throwing away my career over this."

Alicia's face hardened as she listened to the dial tone.

Sybil nervously wrung the hem of her dress. She had overheard the judge's words and was panicking. "Mom, what are we going to do? Mr. X knows I cheated. He knows..."

"He knows nothing," Alicia said sternly. "Calm down. The judges and contestants in the second round are separated. They only hear the music; they don't see the performers. As long as you haven't been disqualified, you still have a chance to win."

"But we don't even know what the final round will be like!"

Alicia looked at her daughter, a flicker of disappointment in her eyes. "Without me cheating for you, do you really have no confidence in yourself? Can't you compose anything worthwhile on your own?"

"I..." Sybil flinched at the sharp rebuke and burst into tears.

Alicia sighed. "Fine. Now that we know Loyce never even entered the auditions, it proves you're better than her. Even if you don't win first place at Harmony, it's enough. And didn't you have that incident with your wrist?"

Sybil didn't immediately understand what her mother was implying.

Alicia tapped her on the forehead. "If you don't place well, you just tell everyone at the competition that your wrist injury never fully healed and it caused you to make mistakes. It's a plausible excuse. You won’t look bad."

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