Let's Start All Over Again, Shall We (Maggie and Nathaniel)

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Chapter 272 Who Could Have Been So Bold?

Joyce did not resist; she simply gave Maggie a gentle hug.

Words were unnecessary; their mutual understanding was clear.

After finishing Nathael’s brooch, Maggie felt relief wash over her as if she had completed an important

task.

Having successfully prepared the pieces for the second round of the competition, she joined Joyce on the sofa to watch a movie and practice some acting.

Initially captivated by the film, their focus shifted when a message from Mia popped up.

Mia wrote. That fool Sierra seems to have fallen for it.‘

A moment later, Mia sent a link which Maggie promptly clicked, leading to Sierra’s Twitter page.

Earlier, Sierra had shared two of Maggie’s recorded piano performance videos in hopes of gaining more followers.

Leo and Nathael had been strategically promoting her videos, especially during discussions related to the competition.

This situation sparked online discussions about the participants‘ skills in the competition and led to comparisons between Sierra and the woman in the videos.

Since Sierra had not shown her face in the videos, there was much online speculation about her identity.

Sierra’s performance in the first round was underwhelming, which had not helped her establish a favourable image, and she faced criticism for the video Mia had posted.

Along with past controversies, Sierra was now keen to rehabilitate her image in the family.

As Maggie scrolled through Sierra’s Twitter, she noticed Sierra’s strategic approach–retweeting the videos without directly claiming them as her own.

One follower asked, ‘Is that really you in the video? Your performance was moving!‘

Sierra responded, Thank you, I will continue to work hard.

Another follower inquired, ‘What piece will you perform next? Will you play the same piece live?”

Sierra’s response remained vague. The next performance will be chosen randomly from a selection of pieces.

“Who is better, you or Maggie? Will you wear Luster Corporation’s jewelry next time?”

Sierra’s reply was diplomatic. ‘My sister is also talented. Have faith in our abilities, and yes, we will be wearing Luster Corporation’s jewelry.

Maggie frowned as she read through the comments.

She could see Sierra cleverly using ambiguity to suggest her involvement in the videos without confirming

Despite these manoeuvres, Maggie knew that if the truth came out, Sierra would face significant backlash.

It seemed that Sierra was trying to shed her image as a spoiled rich girl and make herself more relatable to the public.

“Maggie, what’s your strategy for dealing with Sierra?” Joyce asked gently.

Tll initially leverage her against the Camerons. Once she’s no longer useful, I’ll expose her actions and ensure she faces legal consequences, Maggie explained, her eyes alight with resolute determination. This had been her plan all along.

Sierra and Mary were notably the least sharp members of the family, making them effective pawns in her

strategy.

However, Sierra’s usefulness was diminishing, and when cornered, she might resort to desperate actions.

“Putting yourself in danger might not be the wisest move, Joyce commented softly after a brief pause, suggesting caution.

Maggie paused to consider Joyce’s words.

She recognised that pushing Sierra too aggressively could lead to unpredictable and potentially hazardous

reactions.

Reluctant to harm innocents or employ unscrupulous methods, she resolved to continue using herself as the pivotal element in her manoeuvres, as she had from the start.

Two days later, the second round of the competition began.

With half of the participants eliminated in the first round, each university now had its own dressing room for this phase of the competition.

Danielle arrived early and, seeing a few contestants already in their performance attire, anxiously instructed, “The groups have been assigned, so no matter which song you draw, stay calm and give your best performance. What’s difficult for you will be difficult for others as well….

The dressing room was eerily silent. Maggie cast a glance at Sierra, who was positioned not too far from ber.

Strikingly, Sierra had come without her usual entourage of makeup artists, cameramen, or assistants, and she was uncharacteristically silent. Despite Danielle’s encouraging words, Sierra remained quiet.

Maggie observed her more closely and noticed the heavy makeup on Sierra’s face. Yet, despite the layers of foundation and powder, a winding scar was visible on her forehead, partially hidden under her hair but still evident.

Additionally, there were small blood spots on her cheeks, varying in size and already scabbed over, which added a somewhat ominous appearance.

Maggie was puzzled by Sierra’s appearance.

What did Sierra do?

Had she been attacked?

Maggie wondered who could have been bold enough to leave Sierra this subdued and quiet.

Feeling Maggie’s intense gaze, Sierra looked up.

Their eyes met, and Maggie could not help but furrow her brows at the sight of Sierra’s red, resentful eyes.

Maggie was taken aback..

Is that resentment directed to me?

What does that have to do with me?

Can’t I look at her?

Danielle, noticing the oddity, expressed her concern, asking, “Sierra, what happened to your face?”

Sierra averted her gaze, her voice quiet. “I will wear a mask when I go on stage.”

After she said that, she nodded toward the delicate half–mask resting on the table. The mask, crafted from thin gauze and adorned with exquisite embroidery, lay there quietly, its beauty stark against the backdrop of Sierra’s distress.

Sierra’s thoughts drifted back to the day Ronald brought her home.

She had cried and pleaded with him to help her seek justice, to stand up for her as he would for Nathael, or at least as he might for Maggie.

It seemed unjust to her that she suffered while Maggie remained unscathed.

“You better forget it! We are in a precarious situation now; you shouldn’t provoke Maggie anymore!”

With eyes ablaze, Sierra’s heart surged with pent–up grievance and resentment, reaching its peak with this

sentence.

“Maggie, Maggie! Who is your real daughter? You said you wanted to give her to Nathael for profit! But someone like Nathael doesn’t need her! Sierra cried out, tears streaming down her face..

She had dismissed the rumours about Nathael as exaggerations, never taking them seriously until she saw him with her own eyes and realised that people are indeed different.

Why give Maggie such an opportunity? She would be willing if that person was Nathael.

“Dad, I’m your daughter. Have you ever thought about me? Why didn’t you let me go back then? Do you believe I’m inferior to Maggie in every aspect?”

Sierra’s heartfelt questioning shook Ronald.

If there truly existed such a chance, how could he neglect his own daughter? His skepticism lay in doubting Nathael’s seriousness about it.

His plan had been to send Maggie to Nathael as a mere plaything, hoping to curry favour and possibly gain some advantages for the Camerons.

14:16 Tue, 28 May B M. © NôvelDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

Chapter 272 Who Could Have Been So Bold?

However, they had never anticipated that Nathael’s interest in Maggie would far exceed their expectations.