Marrying His Nemesis: Kicking My Scumbag Fiancé Away!-Chapter 79: Truly in Love? How Is That Possible! (Part 1)

Chapter 79: Chapter 79: Truly in Love? How Is That Possible! (Part 1)

The Paganini Violin Competition’s domestic division takes place in Jadeston City.

On Sunday afternoon, as per the organizing committee’s schedule, Seraphina Thorne arrived punctually at the preliminary location — Greene Music Hall.

International events like this have always been popular locally, especially since this year’s domestic division also offers extra bonuses. Competitors for the preliminary round had already lined up in a long queue.

Seraphina looked at the queue and was prepared to join at the back.

"Seraphina!"

Suddenly, she heard someone calling her name.

Seraphina turned her face toward the voice and saw Claire Clayton, a fellow violinist from the same orchestra, waving at her with a smile.

Seraphina carried her violin over, and Claire immediately took her arm affectionately.

"I thought you wouldn’t sign up?"

"I’m just joining in for fun," Seraphina laughed.

"What are you talking about? I’m the one here just for fun. If I’d known you were coming, I would have joined you," Claire checked the time, "Why don’t you take my spot, and I’ll go to the back? Don’t you have a tutoring session?"

"No need, no need." Seraphina quickly waved her hand, "I’ll queue at the back; there’s still time."

Everyone was there for the preliminary, so Seraphina didn’t feel right taking Claire’s spot.

Just as she finished speaking, a sharp voice suddenly rang out not far away.

"Everyone look at this; how uncivilized is cutting in line?"

Seraphina didn’t even need to turn her head to identify the voice.

Turning around, she glanced sideways behind Claire.

Sure enough, she spotted Julia Chamberlain, Adrian Chamberlain’s younger sister, standing with a few close classmates, waiting in line for the preliminary.

Upon hearing about someone cutting the line, everyone turned their faces towards Seraphina.

Seeing Seraphina standing next to Claire, they immediately misunderstood.

"What kind of manners?"

"Exactly, we’re all lining up, so why can you cut the line?"

"You’re an adult acting so uncultured!"

...

"What are you all blabbering about?" Claire immediately stood up to help explain, "I’m letting her take my spot, and I’ll go to the back. This is my position; I decide whom I give it to. Is that not okay?"

Claire pulled Seraphina to her spot, swept a glance at the crowd, and then turned to walk to the queue’s end.

"Claire!" Seraphina hurried after her, grabbing her arm, "Quick, go back; I can queue at the back just the same."

"Then we’ll go to the back together." Claire laughed, hooking her arm through Seraphina’s, "Anyway, I’m not in a hurry; I wanted to chat with you."

Faced with her friend’s insistence, Seraphina could only helplessly join her at the queue’s end.

Julia Chamberlain scanned them from afar, rolling her eyes.

Several classmates with her immediately started whispering.

"Didn’t expect Seraphina to participate."

"Yeah, I heard she won the national championship in middle school and advanced to the semifinals."

"Then it’s over for us to reach the finals; this division’s champion is definitely hers."

...

"The past is the past; the present is the present," Julia Chamberlain reacted indifferently, "I don’t believe she can always take the championship."

The classmates all knew about her relationship with Seraphina, so no one spoke further.

Soon, it was Julia Chamberlain’s turn.

Handing over her registration form to the staff, Julia was the first to enter the preliminary round venue.

On-site judges included a professional judge appointed by the competition’s committee and other renowned figures in the domestic music scene and violinists.

Per competition rules, each preliminary candidate had to perform a violin piece, judged live by the panel.

Only candidates scoring above 90 were eligible for the formal competition.

After a brief introduction, Julia Chamberlain played Paganini’s classic piece — Concerto in D Major.

After years of learning, her technique far exceeded ordinary violinists. The judges nodded in approval and scored her highly.

Her final average score was calculated to be 96.

Her classmates waiting behind her looked at her with envy.

"Wow, Julia, you’re amazing!"

"This is the highest score so far."

...

Julia Chamberlain felt a surge of pride, though her face feigned humility.

"Don’t worry, you guys can do it too."

Several classmates performed next, but none scored above 90.

"Julia, keep it up!"

"When you become champion, you must treat us to a meal!"

...

The classmates who didn’t make it through left disappointed after a few jokes.

Julia Chamberlain went to the back to sit with other qualifiers, waiting for official notifications.

The subsequent contestants took the stage one after another.

Some scored above 90, but none surpassed Julia Chamberlain.

Julia sat in the chair, looking at her score card, completely thrilled.

"Next, Seraphina Thorne!"

Upon hearing Seraphina’s name, Julia Chamberlain immediately straightened her back.

With her violin, Seraphina gracefully walked onto the stage and bowed to the judges.

"Hello, teachers. My name is Seraphina Thorne, a senior at the Jadeston Conservatory of Music, currently interning at an orchestra. Today I will play the piece ’Song.’"

After a brief introduction, Seraphina raised her violin to her shoulder, took a light breath, adjusted her emotions, and began to play seriously and attentively.

Her melody caused the judges to nod in approval.

As the piece progressed to its later parts, not only the domestic judges but also the main judge arranged by the committee, displayed a visibly amazed expression.

As the piece concluded, all the judges applauded together.

Then, everyone scored individually.

Julia Chamberlain nervously clutched her score card, standing up from her seat.

"Seraphina’s final score is two 100s, two 98s, and three 99s..." The female host’s voice carried excitement, "Congratulations, Miss Seraphina Thorne, your final score is... 99, currently the highest score."

Standing nearby, Claire Clayton and the qualified contestants all cheered and applauded for her.

"Thank you!"

Seraphina’s face showed little pride.

Just like before the competition began, she maintained her graceful smile.

Years ago, during her first competition, she had scored the only perfect score in the preliminaries.

Missing a point this time, Seraphina definitely didn’t feel overly proud.

Seeing her leave the stage, Claire excitedly rushed over.

"Seraphina, you’re awesome!"

"Next up is Claire Clayton!"

"Go for it!" Seraphina made a cheering gesture toward her, "Best of luck!"

Claire stepped onto the stage to perform.

Seraphina clutched her score card and moved to the back seats.

She sat next to Julia Chamberlain, separated by several chair spaces.

Glancing sideways at her score card, Seraphina cast her gaze on the glaring "99." Julia Chamberlain’s grip on the score card tightened slightly, twisting the card.

Soon, Claire completed her performance, scoring exactly 90, qualifying for the preliminary as well.

No other contestants were left, the staff called everyone onto the stage.

The competition’s professional judge personally took the stage to present the formal competition invitation letters.

Judges and staff applauded together, congratulating the competitors.

"We wish all competitors to achieve excellent results in the formal competition."

With the female host’s voice, the preliminary round officially concluded.

Claire Clayton, gripping her score card excitedly, hugged Seraphina’s arm.

"Oh my god, I finally qualified too!"

"Psh—" Julia Chamberlain scoffed lightly, "Just qualified, celebrating like you’ve won the championship."

Claire glanced at her, recognizing her as the one who intentionally accused Seraphina of cutting in line earlier, and returned her a big eye roll.

"Your score is higher than mine, but it’s still far from Seraphina’s!"