Kicked Out, She Came Back To Rule - Chapter 53: Chapter 53

Bianca struggled to keep her anger in check, her gaze at Kaia burning with jealousy and pure loathing.
'Why can Kaia play so well? I just don't get it,' Bianca thought, frustration bubbling inside her.
'Why?' she fumed inwardly.
Suddenly, it clicked on her.
She muttered, "I bet Kaia just practices that one piece day and night. She doesn't have any real talent. She's just putting on a show!"
Cecelia was standing right next to Bianca, so of course she heard everything they said.
She caught a glimpse of Bianca's uncomfortable expression out of the corner of her eye.
Bianca was her best friend. There was no way Cecelia would just sit back and watch her get picked on.
Without hesitating, Cecelia marched over and yelled at the group, "Are you guys deaf or something? How could she possibly sound better than Bianca? If you don't know music, then stop talking nonsense!"
As Cecelia spoke, a flush crept up her ears.
Even though she was mad at everyone for talking about Bianca like that, she had to admit Kaia's playing really was a notch above Bianca's.
The people who'd been talking immediately backed off, not daring to say another word.
After all, they'd just been running their mouths for fun. No way were they going to risk ticking off Cecelia, the Moreno heiress. It just wasn't worth it.
Once the crowd had dispersed, Cecelia turned back to Bianca, trying to cheer her up.
"Bianca, don't let what they said get to you. You're miles ahead of Kaia. Seriously, they wouldn't recognize real talent if it hit them in the face. They're just talking nonsense."
Bianca shook her head, pretending not to care, but her expression was still downcast. "I'm not bothered. They're right. Kaia's better than me."
"Come on, don't say that! There's no way she's better than you. You're incredible. Kaia's not even in the same league. She could practice for a hundred years and still never catch up to you!"
Bianca forced a smile, her voice tinged with resignation.
"I saw Tobias watching Kaia just now. He must've thought her playing was impressive. That's why he was looking at her."
Cecelia shook her head vigorously, her tone firm.
"You must be seeing things. There's no way Tobias would ever be interested in that good-for-nothing! Don't worry. I'll stand up for you. I refuse to believe we won't see her embarrass herself tonight!"
Just as Cecelia was speaking, Kaia finished her piano piece and came down from the stage.
She walked calmly in Tobias's direction, looking completely at ease.
It wasn't like she was purposely heading for Tobias—standing up on the stage, she'd had a clear view of every corner of the banquet hall.
With just a glance, she'd spotted her favorite strawberry cakes over on that side, and she was practically drooling at the thought.
Now that she was off the stage, of course, she had to go over and grab some!
Coincidentally, Cecelia was standing right next to Tobias.
Kaia strolled over to Cecelia, giving her a casual, faint smile.
She said casually, "Sorry if I made a fool of myself up there."
"Hmph, you just got lucky with a piece you practiced to death. Don't think you're some kind of prodigy!" Cecelia shot back, her face pale with irritation.
Cecelia absolutely hated the smug look on Kaia's face.
She was itching to just rush over and tear that ugly, self-satisfied grin right off Kaia's face.
Kaia caught the burning anger and frustration in Cecelia's eyes. She looked so pent-up, like she might snap and try to bite Kaia's head off at any second.
Kaia just smiled, not even bothering to acknowledge Cecelia's powerless rage, and played along.
She neered, "Yeah, you're really something, guessing that right off the bat.
"Honestly, this is the only piece I can play well. You wouldn't believe how many years I've spent grinding away at it.
"Doesn't matter though, I still came out on top.
"Miss Moreno, time to get on your knees."
"You cheated!" Cecelia snapped, her voice shaking with rage. "And you think I'd kneel to a piece of trash like you? Keep dreaming!"
"Don't want to kneel? Fine, let me help you with that," Kaia interrupted, her patience running thin.
Right at that moment, Kaia, who had been standing there with that faint, unbothered smile, suddenly sprang into action.
She moved like a flash of lightning, appearing behind Cecelia in the blink of an eye.
With one smooth sideways kick, she sent Cecelia crashing down, forcing her to her knees!
By the time anyone could react, the so-called good-for-nothing Kaia had already stomped her foot down on Cecelia's head for everyone to see.
She stood there like a queen, looking down on everyone with absolute disdain.
A loud, explosive bang echoed through the room, as if a bomb had gone off in everyone's heads.
Everyone felt a thunderous crack exploding in their minds.
They stared at Kaia like she was some kind of monster, totally freaked out, their jaws nearly hitting the floor.
Even Cecelia was so stunned that she couldn't get a word out.
She totally forgot Kaia's foot was still on her head, just gaping in shock.
She snapped out of it and started wailing, "Tobias, save me!"
Upon hearing that, Kaia shot Tobias a sharp, warning glare.
Much to her shock, Tobias's brows knitted together, his lips set in a cold, hard line. His voice was icy and detached. "Cecelia, you made a bet and lost. Take your punishment and learn from it."
Under Tobias's deep, sharp gaze, Cecelia felt the overwhelming pressure, like the air had been sucked out of the room, and she couldn't breathe.
That was when she remembered Tobias was not someone to be messed with.
The only time he'd ever shown a hint of gentleness was when he was with Kaia.
Seeing Tobias wasn't going to interfere, Kaia yanked Cecelia up. "Since you don't want to kneel, how about I give you a few more slaps instead? That's not too much to ask, is it?"
With that, Kaia smacked Cecelia across the face seven or eight times, leaving her face swollen and puffy.