Marrying His Nemesis: Kicking My Scumbag Fiancé Away!-Chapter 88: Secretly Clenching with Sweat

"Wait a minute!"

A familiar male voice thundered in her ears.

That was...

Ethan Sterling?!

Seraphina Thorne paused and turned her face toward the direction of the voice.

A man ascended the steps from the side of the stage. At first, his face was obscured in the shadows, but gradually he stepped into the light.

The lights illuminated his face, and Seraphina could clearly see his eyes and brows.

Black suit, tall and slender frame, handsome features—who else could it be but Ethan Sterling?

Seraphina stood on the spot, stunned.

It seemed he had come from the audience area.

He came to watch her compete?

No!

Seraphina immediately dismissed this conjecture.

He must be here for Chloe, otherwise, why wouldn’t he have told her?

Thinking of this possibility, Seraphina’s initial excitement instantly cooled.

Reaching Seraphina’s side, Ethan stopped and bowed to all the judges and the audience.

"I am Seraphina Thorne’s pianist. I apologize for taking up everyone’s time."

Pianist?

Seraphina looked at Ethan, confused.

"What are you doing?"

Ethan reached out his hand and clasped hers.

"I know it’s highly irresponsible to be late, but... this is entirely my fault, not Seraphina’s. I earnestly ask the judges if they would grant her another chance to allow us to complete the second half of the competition together."

Seraphina turned her face, staring at Ethan’s profile, astounded.

He...

He wanted to help her finish the competition?

Below the stage, Ivy Langley was the first to stand up.

"Agree, agree, support Seraphina!"

Claire Clayton, standing at the backstage entrance, rushed to the stage.

"Judges, Seraphina hasn’t violated any rules; she deserves to finish the competition!"

"Exactly!" Ivy echoed loudly, not forgetting to stir the audience’s emotions, "What do you all say?"

Everyone was eagerly anticipating Seraphina’s performance. Seeing her forced to withdraw due to the absence of her pianist felt utterly regrettable.

Now, they naturally stood by her side.

Hearing Ivy’s query, everyone responded almost in unison.

"Yes!"

"I object!" Mrs. Chamberlain stood up from the front two rows, "Why should she, when she’s already withdrawn?"

"Ladies and gentlemen!" The host spoke up promptly, "Please, keep calm!"

The audience quickly settled down.

The experienced host managed to regain control and offered a solution.

"According to the competition rules, as long as the contestant participates on time, we lack the grounds to stop them. However, Ms. Thorne’s situation is somewhat unique, a first for our committee. How about this..."

She approached the edge of the stage, raising her right hand toward the judges.

"How about we let the judges present vote on this? Is everyone agreeable?"

"Agree!"

Audience members expressed their agreement one after another.

"Very well, then. Judges, those in favor of allowing Seraphina to continue, please raise your hands!"

Eyes from the entire stage and audience fixated on the judges.

The judges exchanged glances, finally looking at the chief judge, David, seated at the center.

After all, he was the chief judge and the head of this domestic competition.

His assistant whispered a brief translation to him, and David nodded, standing up with the help of the microphone.

"First, allow me to introduce myself. I am David, the Vice Chairman of the Paganini Competition Organizing Committee."

Since he spoke in English, the host actively translated for him in Chinese.

"By committee rules, if a contestant’s pianist cannot arrive on time, the contestant must be disqualified." David looked at Ethan on the stage with a slight smile.

"However, since Ms. Thorne’s pianist is now present, I believe she can continue. Therefore... I support Ms. Thorne’s continuation in the competition!"

With that, he raised his right hand.

Deep down, the other judges also hoped Seraphina would continue competing.

As the first contestant in years to score a perfect score, she made the national judges proud.

If she could compete internationally, she would surely bring prestige to her country.

As fellow members of the Chinese music community, they shared that pride.

Such talent missing a chance to compete would be a pity.

One judge raised his right hand high, "I also agree!"

"Count me in!"

"I agree with Ms. Thorne continuing!"

"Agree!"

...

Nine judges unanimously raised their right hands.

In the audience, Ivy let out a sigh of relief and was the first to start applauding.

On stage, Claire Clayton smiled happily, giving Seraphina a thumbs-up, then hurried down the stage, lifting her dress.

Julia Chamberlain followed her down, sneering at Claire’s excitement.

"Such a waste of time!"

Despite the judges’ approval, Julia felt a bit disappointed.

However, deep down, Julia didn’t see the upcoming performance as a threat.

Someone like Ethan, a rich kid, might have learned piano in his childhood, but could he help Seraphina in such a crucial competition?

Claire glanced at Julia, silently clenching her fists while watching Ethan on stage.

The synergy between piano and violin—the pianist’s performance...

The pianist’s role is crucial in completing the entire piece.

Can Ethan really do it?

"Alright, please, both of you, prepare to perform." The female host gestured with her left hand, stepping aside with a smile.

"Thank you to the judges and the audience, thank you for granting us this chance to make amends." Ethan tugged on Seraphina’s arm, signaling her with a look.

"Thank them!"

Snapping back to reality, Seraphina bowed alongside him.

Applause once again erupted from the audience.

Seraphina quietly clutched Ethan’s arm, speaking in a lowered voice.

"Can you... really do this?"

"Don’t worry," Ethan winked at her, "Leave it to me!"

Before Seraphina could say anything else, Ethan had already turned and seated himself at the piano.

Seraphina: ...

Didn’t he even ask about her chosen piece for the competition?

Still in shock, Seraphina watched as Ethan, seated at the piano, turned towards her, subtly making an OK gesture with his right hand.

In this situation, continuing to communicate with him was impractical.

After bowing to the judges and audience once more, she stood upright.

"The piece we will perform is... ’Seagull’!"

Sitting in the judge’s seat, David nodded lightly, speaking in English.

"Please, begin!"

At this point, Seraphina realized she had no other choice but to lift her violin onto her shoulder, signaling Ethan with a nod that she was ready.

Turning to watch Ethan, Seraphina’s heart started racing involuntarily.

She knew Ethan could play, but with such an obscure and challenging piece, could he manage it?

As Seraphina and everyone else watched, Ethan lifted both hands, bringing them down onto the keys.

A flowing melody instantly filled the hall.

Indeed, he was playing the very piece Seraphina mentioned, ’Seagull,’ and she listened intently.

He wasn’t playing the piece in its original key but had lowered it by a semitone.

This was something Seraphina had specifically arranged to highlight the violin’s part further.

This arrangement was known only to her and the pianist she practiced with.

How did Ethan know?