She Outshines 339
The staff went on stage and said something to the host.
The male host announced, “After deliberation, the directing team has decided that the five
professional judges will evaluate the two tied contestants and cast their votes again. The
contestant who receives 3 votes or more will be the winner.”
The female host added, “Let’s invite Lori and Josie to the stage to await the final result.”
No one questioned this method of deciding the winner.
It wouldn’t be a surprise or unfair for either of the kids to win.
And the five judges were highly respected, and everyone trusted their expertise. No one would
doubt their decisions.
The judges were straightforward and didn’t waste time, immediately giving their critiques.
The first judge said, “For a child of six or seven, opera is much harder to sing than pop music, so I’m
voting for Lori.”
The second judge said, “Josie’s voice is so soothing. This was the most enjoyable performance I’ve
witnessed during my time as a talent show judge. I hope she goes far, and I can hear more of her
songs, so I choose Josie.”
The third judge said, “Both girls sang wonderfully, and their performances were top–notch. I can’t
choose between them based on their singing alone. However, in previous performances, Lori’s
piano ying was at a professional level, whereas Josie’s dancing wasn’t quite there. So, I’m voting
for Lori.”
The fourth judge said, “Lori’s vocal technique was more impressive, while Josie’s tone and
emotional depth were more heartfelt, which moved me. I’ve seen many impressive performances,
but it’s rare to be truly moved.
“And I really liked Josie’sment, ‘Loving a song is more important than understanding it.‘ Her
love for each song touched me, so I’m voting for Josie,”
At this point, the votes were tied again, 2 to 2.
The audience was buzzing.
All
eyes,
inside the venue and out, were on Paityn.
The livestream camera kept switching between Paityn, the two children, and the Pittman family,
showing the nation how they were reacting.
The Pittman family, seated in the front row, looked calm and asionally exchanged a few words,
seemingly at ease. Of the two contestants, Lori stared intensely at Paityn, her eyes burning with
anxiety.
Josie, meanwhile, was hugging her Hello Kitty plushie, stifling yawns and looking adorably sleepy
and a bit pitiful.
Paityn slightly lowered her head, biting her lip as her finger hoyered over the voting button,
repeatedly extending and retracting it, clearly torn and conflicted.
The audience, inside and out, was buzzing with spection.
“She’s Lori’s stepmom. Lori did perform well and is tied with Josie, so Paityn could just vote
for Lori. No one would use her of bias. Why’s she so hesitant?”
“Lori is her stepdaughter, but Josie’s voice and singing style are so simr to hers. She probably
prefers Josie’s singing. Otherwise, why would she be so conflicted?”
B
78%
“If she picks Josie, that would make things more interesting.”
“She won’t choose Josie. If she does, that’d be like betraying the Pittman family, and life in high
society won’t be easy for her after that.”
One minute passed.
Two minutes passed.
Three minutes passed.
The audience’s patience was running thin. No matter how suspenseful things were, dragging it out
too long was unbearable for anyone.
The host, receiving cues from the director, couldn’t hold back any longer. “Ms. Shepard, have you
not made up your mind?”
In a close–up, Paityn bit her lip, looked up with red eyes, and, with a determined expression, said,
“Both kids sang beautifully, and it’s a tough choice. I can only pick the song I like more.”
Amid the tension of millions of viewers, she reached out and pressed button 29.
The audience was in an uproar.
Theizens and viewers at home were shocked.
In the midst of the chaos, the female host screamed excitedly, “It’s No. 29! Ms. Shepard has chosen
contestant No. 29, which is Josie! Congrattions to Josie for winning the national finals of the
talent show!”
The male host smiled a bit stiffly. “And congrattions to Lori for bing the runner–up in this
year’s national talent show finals.”
The camera cut to Josie and Lori.
Josie was rubbing her eyes, still looking sleepy. Winning the championship didn’t seem to energize
her at all.
Lori, on the other hand, had lost her smile. She stared at Paityn in shock and rage, then burst
into tears, screaming, “No No! I’m the champion! This vote doesn’t count! Josie cheated! Paityn
must’ve made a mistake…”
Her outburst caused yet anothermotion.
Her assistant rushed onto the stage, forcibly carrying her off.
The camera switched to the audience.
Konnor, Saanvi, and Westin, all of the Pittman family, stood up with grim faces and silently left the
venue.
Meanwhile, Paityn’s phone buzzed continuously in the judges‘ seats
it was Saanvi’s and Westin’s calling, but she didn’t answer.
Paityn knew what was about toe, and she hadn’t yet figured out how to deal with it.
Suddenly, a message popped up on her phone screen: [Now that thepetition is over, let’s talk.]
The number was unfamiliar, but she knew it was from Damon.
Content ? N?velDrama.Org.
Now, Damon was her only option.
Thinking of this, Paityn replied: [I’lle back after the award ceremony. Wait for me.]
09:47
She had angered the Pittman family, and panic was setting in.
But as per the agreement, she had to present the trophy to the award.
So she had to hold on and finish her final task.