chapter489

What did she just hear?

This was even more unbelievable than finding out Lydia could play piano. Grace was stunned too, her eyes wide, like someone had just announced Mars was about to crash into Earth.

But for Lucinda's sake, she forced herself to ask, "Richie, who exactly is Melody Mastro?"

She just couldn't believe Richie was talking about Lydia. No matter how well Lydia played, she couldn't possibly be on the same level as Melody Mastro.

But before Grace could keep pretending, Richie said, "My mentor has always kept a low profile. If she doesn't say she's Melody Mastro herself, nobody would ever guess who she really is. But you heard me right. This is my mentor, Melody Mastro."

Watching Richie introduce Lydia with so much respect, Lucinda nearly blacked out. Her pride, her idol, her motivation for everything she'd done-gone, just like that. Everything she'd accomplished suddenly felt meaningless.

Just a moment ago, she was the international champion, everyone's star, the darling of the crowd. Now she felt like she'd fallen straight from the clouds into an endless pit.

Seeing how shaken Lucinda was, Richie couldn't help but sigh to himself. If only she had been a little more humble after winning her title, maybe none of this would have happened. Did she really think winning one international competition made her unbeatable? Had she forgotten these contests were for the up-and-coming? None of the real masters would ever bother to compete.

She had just been too proud, too arrogant, too blind to everyone else.

"Melody Mastro is your grandmaster. From now on, you should ask her for guidance," Richie said softly.

To protect Lucinda's dignity, he didn't mention that Lydia had helped her revise that final piece for the competition. But Lucinda knew the truth. That winning piece had only come together because of Melody Mastro's help.

Of course Lucinda understood what Richie was really saying, and that was exactly why she couldn't accept it. The grandmaster she'd admired for sotong turned out to be the person she looked down on the most-Lydia. The shock of it was enough to drive her crazy?

"Lucinda, aren't you going to show your respect to your grandmaster?" Chris

reminded her, nudging the cup of water closer.

There was nowhere for Lucinda to hide. Her hand shook as she reached for the cup,

her heart twisting with injustice.

Why? Why did she always lose to Lydia?

She was the one who grew up in the

Norwood family. She was the one

who was supposed to excel in

everything music, art, literature.

And now Lydia was rubbing her face

in the dirt, crushing her pride.

"Since Melody Mastro is Lucinda's grandmaster, do we really need to bother with all

these formalities?"

A voice suddenly rose from the crowd.

Lucinda's hand froze midair, still holding the cup.

Grace's heart skipped a beat. It was Caspian.

He'd been sitting quietly in the corner, watching Lucinda's performance. She had truly amazed him today To him, she was like the moon, elegant and untouchable, shining in the night sky. She had completely captivated him.

He didn't know exactly what had happened, but it was clear Lucinda was in a tough spot. He rushed over just in time to hear people insisting she kneel and serve tea to Melody Mastro.

Melody Mastro might be her grandmaster, but he could tell Lucinda didn't want to do it. Why were they forcing her to do this?