Chapter: 1184
Nancy, adorned in a tailored dress and meticulous makeup, glowed as she performed.
Seeing her mother's excitement, Susanna felt a pang of bitterness.
She wasn't the daughter her mother took pride in.
Nancy's piano talent was undeniable. At her age, reaching the quarterfinals of this competition was an impressive feat, allowing her to compete with exceptional pianists.
As Susanna surveyed the stage, her gaze landed on a particular woman.
The woman wore an intricate golden mask, concealing the right side of her face and her entire chin. Yet, from her eyes and the shape of her face, it was clear she was stunning beneath the mask.
Susanna nudged Joanna, pointing to that woman on stage.
"Look, she is quite mysterious."
Joanna took a serious look at the woman and nodded. "Must be a pretty."
The woman's slender fingers danced across the keys, producing enchanting notes.
Kayla, too, noticed the woman. Many pianists on stage were somewhat known, each lost in the performance. It was the first time Kayla had seen the masked woman in a piano competition.
The woman's enigmatic presence was captivating, making her unforgettable after the ceremony.
Joanna intrigued, searched the list of contestants who had advanced to the quarterfinals on her phone and soon found the woman's name.
It was the Cesland pianist Nora Moon.
Was Moon even a real surname? Joanna wondered.
But the woman was shrouded in mystery. Even the sponsor couldn't see her face beneath the mask.
After the ceremony, they exited the music hall. The formal competition would commence the following day.
Joanna clutched Susanna's hand, her suspicions growing.
“Hey, Susanna, hold on a sec."
Matteo and Kayla headed backstage to find Nancy. Sean, who had rested with his eyes closed during the ceremony, left with Frank afterwards.
Phillip and Duncan followed the girls to ensure their safety.
"What's the matter, Joanna?" Susanna inquired.
Joanna gently pulled her friend aside. She extracted her phone and showed a photo of a woman with a masked face.
"Do you reckon she resembles someone?" Joanna posed the question.