CHAPTER 62: CHAPTER 62: NEVER DOUBT TRUE FEELINGS, BUT TRUE FEELINGS CHANGE IN AN INSTANT

On stage.

Serena Sterling steadied herself against the piano, taking a deep breath, calming her nerves in about a second.

Then, she walked to the center of the stage, accompanied by Miles Levin and the band members, bowing to the audience together.

She saw the faces in the audience, pairs of tear-filled eyes.

Her lips slightly parted.

"Thank you."

She said softly, her voice without joy or sorrow, simply a straightforward statement.

The applause from the audience was thunderous.

Almost enough to lift the auditorium’s ceiling.

Serena retracted her gaze, slowly turning away, exiting the stage with the band.

She could feel Julian Lawson’s gaze constantly on her.

But she would not turn back.

They had loved.

But now, the love was gone.

She never doubted sincerity, but sincerities shift constantly.

He came here for another woman.

The second live performance of "Heavenly Sound" was still ongoing.

Serena was the fifth to perform, with subsequent singers taking the stage.

The quality of this live show was high, so in the voting segment, the numbers for the final places were tight.

Serena’s live votes were extremely high, but unusually, her online votes were average.

Though not lagging significantly, it contrasted starkly with her live votes.

Thus, when overall scores were adjusted proportionally, her score was high but not the highest.

Jasper Ford shook his head upon reaching Serena’s personal dressing room.

He had tried his best to manage it, but it was still a bit late.

Alexander Ford was still causing trouble in various ways.

Serena waved her hand to indicate it didn’t matter. Once Jasper handled everyone else, everything would be set right.

She simply had to avoid elimination for now.

And she knew it wouldn’t be long.

In the audience, Bianca Lynch was extremely excited.

This was far better than watching it on the phone or those random live clips.

She knew it, she knew Serena could make it!

During the host’s commercial break, she fervently discussed the recent performance with other nearby viewers.

Suddenly, she realized it!

Someone was recording secretly!

Without alarming them, she sneakily approached the person, glancing at their equipment.

Confirming that the device, though small, was indeed recording, her eyes brightened.

As Bianca was pondering how to start the conversation, she heard the person mutter unhappily—

"I didn’t waste getting overpriced tickets from Little Rain for nothing, this time I recorded it myself, let’s see how you critics trash me now!"

"Irene never disappoints, every performance is so stunning!"

"No matter what, I’m becoming a blind fan of Irene, it’s not my fault, they pushed me there, I’m just a rebellious couch potato!"

Hearing this made Bianca Lynch excited.

It turned out to be a fellow supporter!

Quinn, the online user, was enjoying himself, when suddenly he heard something behind him, turning back he was almost scared to death.

Someone was staring at his device.

Electronic devices weren’t allowed at the venue.

Besides, he was caught red-handed!

"Don’t be afraid, we’re allies!" Bianca Lynch said immediately, "Same thoughts here, the live clips are too harsh on Irene."

Only then did Quinn exhale slightly, though he still didn’t fully trust her.

Bianca Lynch couldn’t miss such a good opportunity, she looked around and said, "Not safe to talk now, after it’s over, I’ll find you personally, you won’t be disappointed."

Meanwhile, the guy who tried to enter before to ask about the demo was kept outside.

At this moment, he was furious.

"I clearly have a ticket, why won’t you let me in!"

"Bribe me? I won’t accept, not taking your money, I want in!"

"Are you Vera Hansen haters, so what if I like Vera Hansen?"

"Let me go, let me go!"

This die-hard Vera Hansen fan was temporarily managed again.

...

Meanwhile online, various related topics of "Heavenly Sound" second live were dominating hot searches.

Previously, the presence of Aeston’s three tycoons at the venue sparked a surge in hot searches.

The candid footage of Vera Hansen and three Hawthorne family members chatting with laughter fueled another surge.

Later, each performer’s appearance and stellar performances sparked wide discussions among the public.

But ultimately, topping the hot searches were #Vera Hansen crying#, #Graceful Vera Hansen#, #Saint Vera Hansen#.

These hashtags included video clips of Vera Hansen watching Irene’s performance, shedding tears, and praising her singing.

"At the charity banquet last time, Irene raised the bidding against Vera Hansen for the Tanzanite she wanted to buy, yet Hansen is truly a graceful person, didn’t speak ill of Irene after the banquet, now praises her performance fairly."

"Yes, she really is kind, I absolutely wouldn’t have been able to do the same."

"I don’t know what Irene’s deal is, always feels like she doesn’t like Vera Hansen, be it during team selection or at the charity banquet, not sure why she acts so haughty, her stage presence is just so-so."

"Yeah, not sure why her audience votes are so high, her stage performance is alright but not spectacular."

"Is it because of The Royal Clan?"

"Who knows, isn’t Irene signed under Ford Entertainment?"

Everyone was discussing fervently, eventually being distracted again.

"Look, isn’t the pendant Vera Hansen’s wearing the 6-carat Myrland Pigeon Blood Ruby pendant Julian Lawson bought for 28 million at the charity banquet?"

"Oh right! It really is! And Julian Lawson attended the event again, he rarely attends such events yet breaks precedent repeatedly for Vera Hansen!"

"Only favoring her, a stunning love story, it’s captivating!"

Thus, #Vera Hansen Pigeon Blood Ruby pendant# once again surged to the top of hot searches.

...

Time flew by rapidly.

Soon, the recording session ended.

Serena followed Jasper Ford to the escort van.

As soon as they stepped out, she heard someone calling her—"Irene!"

Serena turned back, seeing the three from the Hawthorne Family.

The second Hawthorne was the most animated, sprinting over eagerly, "You sang wonderfully!"

June Hawthorne followed closely, nodding, "We met briefly at the charity banquet before, couldn’t guess your live performance would be this good."

Serena knew the Hawthorne Family, she had always admired their family ethos.

After the charity banquet last time, she didn’t ask the second Hawthorne to keep Serena’s identity secret since she was Irene, yet he kept it confidential, showing though he was lively, he had excellent credibility.

With these thoughts, Serena smiled and nodded, "Miss Hawthorne, Second Young Master, thank you for your praise."

"Sign an autograph for me." The second Hawthorne beamed, "Better yet, take a group photo with us siblings! Can you?"

Serena chuckled, standing with them for the photo, while the typically reticent First Young Master Hawthorne stood aside, not joining in.

Before the group photo was taken, Serena felt something, looking up to the side.

Simultaneously, Julian Lawson, stepping out with Vera Hansen, also glanced over.