?Chapter 1053:

Reece shook his head.

“No. The camera crew was only assigned to film your performance.”

Luca interjected, “But we don’t need a recording. All submitted sheet music from the assessments is stored in the Music Association archives. Any member—teacher or student—can request ess. I’ll get you a copy afterward.”

“Thank you,” Carrie said with a nod, though a sliver of confusion lingered in her heart.

Her instincts told her that this wasn’t just a coincidence. But until she saw Aliza’s score with her own eyes, she would reserve judgment.

Meanwhile, Aliza had been discreetly ncing at the Morrison family members ever since Carrie returned. She desperately wanted to know if they had discussed her performance—specifically, theposition.

But their voices were too low to make anything out.

Aliza had secretly taken Carrie’s sheet music draft, but she wasn’t foolish enough to use it outright. She hadmissioned three different people to revise and modify it extensively before daring to im it as her own.

Luck had been on her side today. Not only had she performed before Carrie, but Carrie had also left briefly during her performance. Even if someone noticed a simrityter, the timeline worked in her favor. The one who performed first couldn’t possibly be used of copying the one who followed.

Taking a deep breath, Aliza tried to steady her nerves. She shifted her gaze away from the Morrison family—only to find Kristopher looking at her intently, his eyes clouded with an unreadable emotion.

Forcing a smile, she asked lightly, “Kristopher, why are you looking at me like that?”

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Kristopher’s lips curled slightly.

“Nothing. You performed well.” Thepliment caught her off guard. He hadn’t said a word when her performance ended. Why now?

Her instincts told her something was off, but she didn’t dare probe further, fearing that even the slightest slip might expose her. Forcing another smile, she replied awkwardly, “I’m d you liked it.”

Kristopher said nothing more. He turned his gaze back to the stage, his expression neutral, as if the moment had never happened.

The lights dimmed, and a hush spread through the auditorium like a nket drawn tight. It was time for Carrie’s performance.

As the granddaughter of Josh Morrison—the legendary maestro—expectation clung to the air like static.

Whispers rippled through the crowd, everyone eager to witness whether brilliance ran through the Morrison bloodline like a birthright.

Carrie approached the grand piano with poise. Under the stark glow of the spotlight, she eased onto the bench and raised her hands, fingers hovering. Then—gracefully—she began to y. The first notes slipped from the piano like silk.

From the elegant curve of her neck to the precise motion of her wrists, every movement shimmered with practiced grace. Her performance was not only a feast for the ears, but a delicate ballet of posture and expression.

But it did not take long for the atmosphere to shift. Subtle nces began to flicker through the audience. Brows furrowed. A quiet ripple of confusion spread across the Morrison family’s section—astonishment flickering behindposed faces.

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