Kicked Out, She Came Back To Rule - Chapter 52: Chapter 52

Her eyes were clear and unreadable, making it impossible to tell what she was truly feeling.
Cecelia stared at Kaia for ages, but she still couldn't figure her out.
For a split second, Cecelia could've sworn Kaia's eyes were piercing, almost intimidating.
It sent an icy chill shooting up from her feet to her spine, leaving her shivering and breaking out in a cold sweat.
'Was I just imagining that?' Cecelia wondered.
While Cecelia was still trying to process it, Kaia tossed the hazelnuts back onto the table and stood up.
"Alright, I'll play. It's just the piano, isn't it? Anyone with hands can do it, right?" Kaia said, sounding completely unfazed.
Her gaze unwavering, Kaia climbed the steps to the piano, each stride steady and sure.
Down below, Tobias's deep, intense gaze followed Kaia's every move without missing a beat.
*****
Up on stage, Kaia stood tall, her back straight, her exclusive designer gown accentuating her graceful silhouette.
Then, in a heartbeat, she lifted her hand, letting her delicate fingertips slowly come to rest on the black and white piano keys.
But instead of playing right away, Kaia closed her eyes, taking a moment to center herself.
Thoughts surged through Kaia's mind, images of wild mountains and rivers flashing before her eyes.
'Look at her just sitting there,' Cecelia scoffed inwardly. 'She's obviously stalling. Bet she can't even play and is just dragging it out to save face.'
"Kaia, hurry up! Quit wasting everyone's time. We're all dying to hear your angelic performance!" Cecelia shouted, her words laced with biting sarcasm.
She was deliberately trying to corner Kaia, making sure she had nowhere to hide and would be forced to embarrass herself.
If Kaia really couldn't play, she'd be utterly humiliated in front of the whole crowd.
'She'll never live this down. Kaia is about to make a complete fool of herself!' Cecelia gloated inwardly, already savoring the moment.
Kaia's train of thought was cut off by Cecelia's jeering. She slowly opened her eyes, lashes sweeping up like butterfly wings, then raised her hand. After a brief pause, her slender fingers hovered over the keys before she finally began to play.
"Ding—"
The very first note rang out from beneath her fingertips.
Then came the second note, following right after.
Then the third, the fourth...
Suddenly, a cascade of smooth, enchanting notes poured out, echoing through the entire hall.
Her music shifted from the gentle flow of a stream to the wild rush of a waterfall, each phrase alive with emotion.
Every note seemed to tug at the heart, drawing everyone deeper into her world.
Before they knew it, the whole crowd was swept up by her rhythm, completely lost in the music.
In an instant, the hall fell into a hushed silence, so quiet that they could hear a pin drop.
Just moments ago, Tobias's brows furrowed with worry for Kaia. But as soon as her music filled the air, his face softened into a doting smile, and he listened with rapt attention.
As he listened, Tobias couldn't help but lift his gaze, locking onto the dazzling girl on stage. His sharp eyes seemed to shine even brighter, completely captivated by her presence.
Kaia sat quietly, eyes closed, letting the melody dance lightly beneath her fingertips. Each note leapt effortlessly from her hands, weaving a spell over the room.
Though her expression remained cool and detached, there was a cold, ethereal purity about her—a kind of deadly allure that drew everyone in, unable to look away.
Even Tobias, who was always so aloof and acted like nothing in the world could catch his attention, found himself completely captivated—his gaze glued to Kaia, unable to look away.
After what felt like forever, the last note finally faded, but the melody still lingered in the air, echoing around the hall as if refusing to leave.
Even after Kaia finished playing, everyone just stood there, mesmerized and dazed, still lost in the spell of her music, unable to snap out of it.
'No way... Did Kaia, the hick from the sticks, just play that?' Cecelia thought, totally losing it. 'How is this even possible?'
Cecelia's eyes went wide in shock, staring at Kaia on stage, totally floored and unable to move a muscle. She just couldn't believe what she was seeing.
Beside her, Bianca was spaced out, jaw practically hitting the floor. She never imagined Kaia could play...
To top it off, her performance was insanely good!
The crowd, still spellbound by the music, finally started to come back to their senses, as if waking from a dream.
"Oh my god, did I just hear that right? She played like an absolute goddess! Who would've thought she had this kind of skill?" someone gasped, still reeling from shock.
All eyes were glued to Kaia, everyone staring at her in pure awe.
"Damn, Kaia is something else! Tsk, even the top piano masters would be left speechless by her performance!" someone blurted out, shaking their head in disbelief.
"Seriously, same here. I can't believe my ears! For a second there, it felt like I was in the Wonery Concert Hall, listening to a world-class pianist live!" another person added, voice full of admiration.
"Even as someone who doesn't know much about piano, I can tell Kaia blows Bianca out of the water," someone said, shaking their head in disbelief.
"I heard Bianca took top three in Laverille's piano contest, but honestly, Kaia's on a whole other level. If she entered, she'd probably sweep the awards!" another person added, their voice full of awe.
While everyone was talking and comparing the two performances, Bianca was standing not far from them.
The hall was still so quiet that she could hear every single word they were saying, loud and clear.
In that instant, Bianca's hands balled into fists, and she ground her teeth so hard that it felt like they might shatter.