The Return Of the Invincible Heiress
Chapter 174

Chapter 174: Chapter 174

Saturday marked the start of the holidays. Rosemont University’s Independence Day and New Students’ Welcome Party would begin at 7 pm. Under normal circumstances, most students would go home or travel during the vacation, and not many would attend the gala. However, after learning that Joy and Avery were going to perform on the same stage, the entire school was in an uproar. Moreover, both would be playing the piano. Everyone wanted to know who would come out on top in the first confrontation between the two school belles. As a result, the auditorium, which could accommodate more than 2,000 people, was filled to capacity. Even the aisles upstairs and downstairs were packed with people eager to witness the match between the two campus stars.

When the host announced the official start of the gala, two guys in white shirts, black pants, and masks squeezed through the crowd in the aisle and stopped at the seats on the far right in the third row on the first floor. They took out tickets and politely asked the two students occupying the seats to give them up. Being reasonable and respectful, the students stood up and relinquished their seats without protest. The two masked individuals sat down. Noticing that everyone’s attention was focused on the stage and that the lighting at the side was dim, they finally felt at ease enough to remove their masks.

The student in charge of organizing the gala had cleverly scheduled Joy and Avery’s performances for the end. Although the audience had some complaints about this, it was fitting for the two school belles to appear as the finale. Besides, the preceding programs were not bad, and the audience watched with relish, finding the wait far from boring.

Finally, at around nine o’clock, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived. The audience fell silent, waiting eagerly for the show to begin. Even the host’s voice betrayed a hint of excitement. "Now, let’s welcome the history major freshman, Joy Lambert. She will be performing Franz Liszt’s ’Harmonies du Soir’ (Harmony of the Night)."

The audience erupted into enthusiastic applause. Those familiar with classical piano music knew this piece well. It was notoriously difficult to play but breathtakingly beautiful when executed well. A music major student remarked, "Since Joy dares to play this piece on such an occasion, she must be very confident in her skills."

Someone else disagreed. "She’s a history major. How good can she be at playing the piano? Even if she was once capable, she’s probably out of practice now."

Most students, however, were captivated by Joy’s beauty. "Joy, the goddess, is so stunning. When she steps on stage, no one can look away. It doesn’t matter how well she plays."

Under the eager gazes of the audience, Joy walked onto the stage in a white off-shoulder dress. After bowing gracefully, she made her way to the piano and sat down. Her impeccable taste in fashion, combined with her charming figure, elegant bearing, and unhurried demeanor, won her widespread admiration.

Whispers filled the auditorium. "Wow. If this weren’t the school’s auditorium, I’d think she was a princess or a noble lady attending a high-society salon."

Others remarked, "I’m really curious about what kind of family she comes from."

All the amazement and whispers quickly faded the moment Joy began to play. At first, the music was soothing, and the audience was more focused on her beauty and poise. However, her piano skills soon captivated everyone, and her appearance became secondary. The audience was completely immersed in the sound of her music.

When the piece ended, the music seemed to linger in the air, leaving everyone in awe. The auditorium fell into a stunned silence. Even after Joy had bowed and walked off the stage, no one remembered to applaud.

When the host finally regained her composure, she stepped back onto the stage and praised, "Joy’s piano performance was absolutely wonderful. It left a stunning impression on everyone, including me. Let us thank Joy with a round of applause. I hope we’ll have more opportunities to listen to her performances in the future."

Only then did the audience react. As if waking from a dream, they erupted into deafening applause. Students from the music academy even stood up and cheered. "This was incredible! She’s a true piano virtuoso. I didn’t expect to hear such a perfect performance at the school’s gala. With such talent, she could easily give concerts. I’ve no idea why she’s studying history when she’s this good."

Zoe, Gia, and the others sat below the stage, clapping reluctantly. They had to admit that Joy’s performance was flawless. Gia gritted her teeth, her eyes filled with jealousy. "Joy’s piano playing is exceptional. I don’t believe Avery can play better than her."

Zoe nodded. "The Murphy family once sent Avery to learn the piano, but she didn’t seem to stick with it for long. No one has seen her play before. She probably isn’t very good."

Jodie pouted. "Then she’s going to make a fool of herself this time."

Not only did they think so, but almost everyone else shared the same sentiment. Moreover, Joy had performed first, setting a high standard that would be hard to surpass.

The host did her best to calm the excitement Joy’s performance had generated and announced, "Next, we have a new student from the Aerospace major, Avery Carter. She will be performing the piece ’Song from Heavens.’ This is also the final program of tonight’s gala. Please enjoy."

Avery’s long hair cascaded down to her waist like a waterfall. She wore a light yellow linen dress and walked gracefully onto the stage. After bowing to the audience, she made her way to the piano and sat down.

Another wave of exclamations rippled through the audience. "She’s indeed beautiful and looks very otherworldly. She’s really pleasing to the eye," someone remarked.

Another added, "Avery looks less regal than Joy but more natural and approachable. How refreshing."

Without any distractions, Avery took a deep breath, placed her hands on the black and white keys, and closed her eyes. The venue fell silent. Everyone was watching her intently.

With the press of a key, a faint, distant roar seemed to emerge from the depths of the abyss. A storm appeared to brew in the distance. The audience’s hearts skipped a beat, and their eyelids twitched. They held their breath, feeling as if the sky itself was about to collapse.

The distant sounds grew louder and more chaotic, evoking both fear and curiosity. Suddenly, there was a resounding ’bang’, as if something had exploded. A student from the astronomy major shouted, "It’s the singularity explosion—the birth of the universe! As matter dispersed, space expanded. The temperature dropped, and galaxies formed. Over time, life emerged. This is the first cry of mankind..."

The audience was enlightened. So this was the ’Song from Heavens.’ At this point, no one cared about Avery’s beauty or how she compared to Joy. Everyone was fully immersed in her music, imagining the birth of the universe and feeling the call of the heavens.

When the piece ended, the audience applauded enthusiastically. However, the reaction seemed more subdued compared to Joy’s. Avery, unfazed, bowed to the audience and prepared to leave. But the host quickly approached and said, "Avery, please wait."

Avery stopped and blinked.

The host stood beside her and addressed the audience. "The thirteen judges will now evaluate the performances to determine the first, second, and third prizes of this gala. While the judges deliberate, I’d like to conduct a short interview with Avery, the top scorer of the SAT, and Joy, who has returned from overseas, on behalf of the students."

The host glanced backstage. "Joy, could you join us on stage for this interview?"

Joy nodded and stepped onto the stage, standing beside Avery. Another round of exclamations erupted from the audience. The two girls were breathtakingly beautiful, and their combined presence was even more dazzling than when they stood alone.

The host began, "Avery, I’d like to ask about the piece you just performed. ’Song from Heavens’ is grand and far-reaching—majestic yet tranquil and lonely. It evokes vivid imagery. Some say this piece represents the birth of the universe and the evolution of life. Is that correct?"

Avery smiled. "Yes."

The host continued, "I love this piece. Can you tell us who composed it?"

Avery answered simply, "I did."

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