Chapter 54

The judges whispered among themselves before nodding in agreement.

"The melodic structure is complete, but lacks a defining touch."

"Young man, music requires mutual fulfillment. Such solid foundation deserves refinement."

Nathan Lowell stood center stage, his piercing gaze fixed on Sophia Laurent.

A faint smirk played on his lips.

Sophia met his stare and arched an eyebrow.

"Fine."

She requested paper and pen from the staff. Her fingers danced across the page as musical notes flowed effortlessly.

Nathan's pupils contracted.

The sister he remembered always cowered in corners—a far cry from this commanding presence before him.

He still couldn't reconcile that timid girl with the legendary Composer T.

But when Sophia flawlessly reproduced the entire melody, his breath hitched audibly.

The judges leaned forward in unison.

Live comments exploded across the stream.

"Is she improvising edits live?"

"No wonder Nathan couldn't commission Composer T's work. Family drama."

"Siblings holding grudges? Petty much..."

Sophia finished her revisions and handed the sheet to the staff.

Nathan's eyes remained glued to that paper.

His fingers trembled slightly when accepting the score.

This handwriting...

Those annotated revisions that once appeared mysteriously in the music room—those brilliant modifications that awed him—all came from these hands.

He'd always assumed they were Emily's work.

His throat constricted.

"Nathan?" A staff member prompted softly.

Nathan snapped back to reality, his grip tightening until his knuckles turned white.