The Return Of the Invincible Heiress
Chapter 314

Chapter 314: Chapter 314

A little girl dressed as a Greek goddess appeared on the screen, singing an opera.

Brandon and Avery immediately recognized the famous opera aria O Mio Babbino Caro.

"Ah, it is Lola!" Josie pointed at the television and exclaimed.

"Lola is also in the competition. Even though she is so annoying, she sings so well."

Everyone frowned when they heard that.

It seemed fate had it that Josie could run into Lola, even in a talent competition.

Maria said,

"If Josie and Lola can advance, they will meet in the finals."

"Josie is not afraid of her." Josie made a face.

"Every time I sing with her, the kids say I sing better than her."

As soon as she finished speaking, the camera on the television shifted to the judges’ seats.

The judges all wore expressions of admiration or appreciation. Paityn was the most beautiful and striking judge.

Paityn looked at Lola with admiration, nodding occasionally.

The camera then shifted again, this time focusing on the front row of the audience.

To their surprise, it was the Pittman family.

Aside from Avery, no one else recognized Konnor and Saanvi, but they immediately recognized the famous piano prodigy, Westin, who was Lola’s father.

The Carter family exchanged glances, their expressions filled with complexity.

The Pittman family would support Lola. If Josie and Lola faced each other in the finals, everyone wondered if the competition would be fair.

As they pondered this, Lola’s performance ended.

All five judges gave her high scores, and she smoothly advanced to the finals.

The host of the Star Quest Show was TV Valemont City.

The national finals were held at Valemont City’s television station in its broadcasting hall, and the event was broadcast live.

On the day of the competition, the Carter family woke up on time. After breakfast, they leisurely drove to Valemont City and checked into a five-star hotel near the television station. Afterward, they had lunch and took a short rest.

After finishing dinner at five o’clock in the afternoon, they walked to the television station and entered the broadcasting hall.

Avery and Maria led Josie backstage to check in, while the rest of the Carter family settled into corner seats below the stage, keeping a low profile.

Avery glanced around and noticed that the Pittman family was not present, which ensured there would be no conflict between them.

However, as the chief judge, Paityn was sure to attend that night.

It was not until the competition was about to start that Paityn walked into the broadcasting hall.

When she appeared, nearly everyone in the audience stood and waved at her. Many fans shouted her name, and the excitement she stirred was more noticeable than that of any contestant or judge.

She wore delicate makeup and a graceful, appropriate little dress. Smiling gently as she waved to the audience, she quietly sat down without trying to steal the spotlight.

At 7:30 PM, the competition officially began.

This competition was the second half of the 50-to-20 round, which would be narrowed down from 25 to 10. This indicated that at least 25 performances would take place tonight and that it would not be a short event.

The talent show featured a wide variety of acts. Not all participants were singers; there were dancers, acrobats, and lesser-known traditional art forms. In addition to grassroots and amateur performers, celebrities and professionals took part.

Josie was a child, and the production team was considerate of her, scheduling her performance in the middle of the show.

Around 9 p.m., it was finally Josie’s turn.

Avery patted her head and said, "Go, we’re right here."

Josie nodded, holding Hello Kitty, and stepped onto the stage.

The audience became immediately excited when they saw Josie appear, with murmurs filling the air.

"Last time, we had a seven-year-old musical prodigy, Lorelai. She played the piano beautifully, and her singing was impressive—especially her opera, which reached a professional level. Now we have another contestant of the same age. Kids these days are just too incredible."

"A musical prodigy like Lorelai only comes around once in ten years. There’s no way there could be another one on the same stage."

"Even if this little one sings well, can she compete with so many professionals? I guess she’ll sing this round and then go home, but this performance will still be something to be proud of."

Amidst these discussions, beautiful, mellow classical music began to play.

"’Rolled-up Pearl Curtain?’" Someone shook his head. "This song combines opera and the style of a florid soprano. It’s quite difficult. Even ordinary professional singers wouldn’t be able to capture its essence. And this little girl—she’s so young, yet she dares to sing it?"

"Does she even understand what this song is about?"

However, as the little girl on stage blossomed like a flower and released an ethereal, crystal-clear voice, all doubts and skepticism vanished completely.

What a pure voice, like a clear spring deep in the mountains, free of impurities.

It was also like the clouds in the sky—ethereal, noble, and lively, conveying the voice of an angel.

The entire hall was silent.

Only the flowing music and the heavenly voice lingered, cleansing everyone’s ears and hearts.

Everyone was completely captivated by this voice and song.

Only Paityn, who had just returned from a quick makeup touch-up, shifted her gaze from the Hello Kitty in the little girl’s arms to her face. She raised her hand and tightly covered her mouth, fighting back tears.

Alina. That was her Alina!

Her daughter, who had been missing for four years, was finally back.

Standing in front of her, holding the Hello Kitty she had given her, singing the songs she had once sung, and using her angelic voice to heal the world.

Josie had no idea that someone was watching her as tears streamed down her face.

She was simply focused on singing happily, and even though she did not fully understand the meaning of the song, that did not stop her from loving it.

Her teacher and family had always said, "Loving a song is more important than understanding it. As long as you sing the song you love and sing it the way you want, that’s all that matters."

Her beautiful voice and singing could make time either stand still or fly by.

When the song ended, the entire room was in a daze.

The heavenly voice had disappeared just like that.

Everyone’s heart felt empty.

Applause erupted from the corner as if an explosion had ignited it.

In an instant, applause swept through the entire hall.

The whole audience was clapping.

Many people stood, honoring the angelic little girl.

Josie seemed to have just woken up from a dream. A shy expression appeared as she picked up Hello Kitty and used it to cover half of her face. She bowed deeply and, bashfully, said, "Thank you, everyone, for listening to me sing."

With that, she turned around and tried to run backstage.

But the female host quickly stopped her.

"Josie, everyone loves your song so much. Can you accept an interview with us and say a few words?"

Josie paused, hesitated momentarily, and then, still hiding her face behind Hello Kitty, softly said, "Y-yes..."

The host asked, "Do you really like Hello Kitty?"

Josie smiled and nodded vigorously. "Yes, I really like Hello Kitty."

The host asked, "Why?"

Josie showed the audience the Hello Kitty doll’s signature and said, "Because this is the first gift my mom gave me."

On it, written in red ink, were the words: "To my favorite little darling, Mommy."

The host said, "You must really love your mother, right?"

Josie nodded earnestly. "I love my mom the most. She’s the best mom in the whole world."

Paityn could not stop crying. She tightly covered her mouth, but the sobs escaped, unheard by anyone.

The line on Hello Kitty’s arm—she had written it herself.

This child was really her daughter.

Her biological daughter.

She never imagined that, after all these years, Alina would remember this Hello Kitty and keep it close to her.