The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

"There's no way I could ever buy tickets to Harry's concerts, no matter how much I tried. To actually see him perform here tonight-it's like something out of a

dream!"

"No matter what happens, just seeing Harry perform makes this whole trip worth

it!"

"Harry's a legend. There's no way Stella can win tonight."

"Honestly, even losing to Harry would be something to brag about."

The audience buzzed with excitement and chatter.

Even the judges wore expressions of admiration and awe, awarding Harry a perfect score one hundred out of one hundred.

Backstage, Antoney watched Harry and Rachel's performance, his face clouded with concern.

"If we lose this bet, Star, I'll take the fall for you," he said quietly.

Harry and Rachel had performed before them and scored a perfect ten, which only ramped up the pressure.

Antoney knew, deep down, that his overall skills didn't measure up to Stella's.

He certainly couldn't compete with Harry.

Worry gnawed at him-he dreaded holding Stella back.

Stella, meanwhile, was watching Harry and Rachel with an unreadable calm. She showed no hint of panic or unease, as if their flawless performance was nothing out of the ordinary.

When Antoney spoke, Stella finally looked over at him.

"Who says we're going to lose?" she asked, her voice steady.

Antoney hesitated. "But I'm just not as good as Harry."

"If it was all about individual skill," Stella replied, "why would there be a team competition at all?"

Antoney drew a deep breath. "I get it, Star. Don't worry-I won't let you down."

He'd gone up against Harry several times throughout the competition, and every time, Harry had left him in the dust.

Truth be told, Harry intimidated him. Some prodigies were simply on another level.

At the front of the auditorium, the host's post-performance interview with Harry and Rachel lasted longer than usual. Neither the judge nor the host seemed eager to let them leave the stage.

But who could blame them? It was a rare chance to meet someone of Harry's stature.

In all these years, no one in Novaris had come close to Harry's level-except perhaps the late Nora.

When Stella and Antoney finally took the stage, the crowd was still abuzz from seeing Harry in person. Even as the stage lights dimmed, a low hum of excitement lingered in the air.

Seated beside Abby, Joshua glanced at the restless crowd and

murmured, "Everyone's attention is still on Harry. Do you think Ms.noveldrama

Cameron and her partner wilbe okay?"

Abby huffed. "Just watch how Star wins them over."

As she spoke, a mellow violin note floated through the auditorium, silencing the room.

Abby fell quiet, eyes fixed on the stage.

The piece Stella and Antoney had chosen was notoriously difficult.

But both were top-tier violinists, and it showed in the ease with which they played.

Having trained together since childhood, their chemistry on stage was palpable— something no hastily assembled duo could hope to match.

Their music flowed like two streams from opposite directions, distinct and independent, yet by the final movement, the melodies converged into a single, powerful river.

Every violinist has a signature style.

While Antoney's technique wasn't quite as dazzling as Stella's, his unique flair set

him apart.

Even prodigies like Harry and Stella couldn't quite capture what made Antoney's playing so unmistakable.