What could Rivata do now?

She ignored the crowd congratulating her, eyes fixed fiercely on the host, silently praying, “Don’t mention Nancy’s name, don’t mention Nancy’s name, let Nancy be eliminated…”

As time ticked away and the host announced up to the fourth place without mentioning Nancy.

Rivata’s heart clenched. If Nancy’s name hadn’t been called by now, it meant she was either in the top three or eliminated.

She clasped her hands in front of her chest, sweat beading on her forehead, fervently praying for Nancy’s elimination.

"Third place, Alice!"

Hearing her name, Alice’s expression tightened. She had received a direct pass during the knockout round along with Nancy, implying she should be in the top two. However, being third in this open competition meant she had regressed.

The congratulatory voices around her sounded mocking in her ears.

Taking a deep breath, she quickly steadied her emotions and accepted the congratulations with a smile.

The host on the stage, looking down at the contestants, his smile growing wider, announced cheerfully.

"The second and first places, actually, they both can be considered as first place because they are the only duo in this competition. They are Linda and Nancy!"

"Wow!"

"Hahaha…"

The announcement brought mixed reactions.

While Nancy and Linda were overjoyed, Rivata and the fifty others not called, including Vivian, were dismayed.

"Nan!"

Linda, thrilled, hugged Nancy, "We’re first, we’re first!"

She knew that without the duet with Nancy, she might have only made it into the top ten. Reaching the top three would have been nearly impossible. But now, she was first with Nancy. How could she not be ecstatic?

Nancy was equally happy, hugging Linda tightly.

"Linda, I knew we could do it!"

"Yes, we had to, we are the first!"

After their embrace, they turned to hug their teachers.

Andrew was tearfully emotional. Although this wasn’t the final competition, this first open competition result said it all.

He had nurtured the world's finest pianists!

"Master, thank you."

"No, Nan, I should thank you. You restored my confidence and carried forward the dream I couldn't fulfill."

At this moment, everyone, from the judges' panel to the VIP seats, stood up, applauding Nancy and Linda enthusiastically.

"I'm so furious!"

Rivata, watching Nancy being congratulated by everyone, clenched her fists, "How could she possibly win first place! There must be a conspiracy, a conspiracy!"

Her teacher, Bern, sitting beside her, had an even uglier expression. He had thought of Nancy as nothing more than a wild hen from the countryside, but now it seemed she was a phoenix?