The audience erupted in enthusiastic applause.
The host continued in an infectious voice:
"Now, let’s see the voting results of the professional chief judges."Everyone looked at the electronic display screen in unison.
The host read the numbers aloud:
"2, 4, 6... 3... 10!"
"Oh my God!" the two hosts screamed in unison, making exaggerated expressions.
"Another unanimous vote?"
"These two genius children are too amazing! Such unexpected, wonderful performances!"
"But unfortunately, there can only be one champion. Let’s hear what the production team has to say..."
The staff went on stage and said something to the host.
The male host announced, "After deliberation, the directing team has decided that the five professional judges will evaluate the two tied contestants and cast their votes again. The contestant who receives 3 votes or more will be the winner."
The female host added, "Let’s invite Lorelai and Josie to the stage to await the final result."
No one questioned this method of deciding the winner.
It wouldn’t be a surprise or unfair for either of the kids to win.
And the five judges were highly respected, and everyone trusted their expertise. No one would doubt their decisions.
The judges were straightforward and didn’t waste time, immediately giving their critiques.
The first judge said, "For a child of six or seven, opera is much harder to sing than pop music, so I’m voting for Lorelai."
The second judge said, "Josie’s voice is so soothing. This was the most enjoyable performance I’ve witnessed during my time as a talent show judge. I hope she goes far, and I can hear more of her songs, so I choose Josie."
The third judge said, "Both girls sang wonderfully, and their performances were top-notch. I can’t choose between them based on their singing alone. However, in previous performances, Lorelai’s piano playing was at a professional level, whereas Josie’s dancing wasn’t quite there. So, I’m voting for Lorelai."
The fourth judge said, "Lorelai’s vocal technique was more impressive, while Josie’s tone and emotional depth were more heartfelt, which moved me. I’ve seen many impressive performances, but it’s rare to be truly moved.
"And I really liked Josie’s comment, ’Loving a song is more important than understanding it.’ Her love for each song touched me, so I’m voting for Josie."
At this point, the votes were tied again, 2 to 2.
The audience was buzzing.
All eyes, inside the venue and out, were on Paityn.
The livestream camera kept switching between Paityn, the two children, and the Pittman family, showing the nation how they were reacting.
The Pittman family, seated in the front row, looked calm and occasionally exchanged a few words, seemingly at ease. Of the two contestants, Lorelai stared intensely at Paityn, her eyes burning with anxiety. Josie, meanwhile, was hugging her Hello Kitty plushie, stifling yawns and looking adorably sleepy and a bit pitiful.
Paityn slightly lowered her head, biting her lip as her finger hovered over the voting button, repeatedly extending and retracting it, clearly torn and conflicted.
The audience, inside and out, was buzzing with speculation.
"She’s Lorelai’s stepmom. Lorelai did perform well and is tied with Josie, so Paityn could just vote for Lorelai. No one would accuse her of bias. Why’s she so hesitant?"
"Lorelai is her stepdaughter, but Josie’s voice and singing style are so similar to hers. She probably prefers Josie’s singing. Otherwise, why would she be so conflicted?"
"If she picks Josie, that would make things more interesting."
"She won’t choose Josie. If she does, that’d be like betraying the Pittman family, and life in high society won’t be easy for her after that."
Three minutes passed.
The audience’s patience was running thin. No matter how suspenseful things were, dragging it out too long was unbearable for anyone.
The host, receiving cues from the director, couldn’t hold back any longer. "Ms. Shepard, have you not made up your mind?"
In a close-up, Paityn bit her lip, looked up with red eyes, and, with a determined expression, said, "Both kids sang beautifully, and it’s a tough choice. I can only pick the song I like more."
Amid the tension of millions of viewers, she reached out and pressed button 29.
The audience was in an uproar.
The netizens and viewers at home were shocked.
In the midst of the chaos, the female host screamed excitedly, "It’s No. 29! Ms. Shepard has chosen contestant No. 29, which is Josie! Congratulations to Josie for winning the national finals of the talent show!"
The male host smiled a bit stiffly. "And congratulations to Lorelai for becoming the runner-up in this year’s national talent show finals."
The camera cut to Josie and Lorelai.
Josie was rubbing her eyes, still looking sleepy. Winning the championship didn’t seem to energize her at all.
Lorelai, on the other hand, had lost her smile. She stared at Paityn in shock and rage, then burst into tears, screaming, "No! No! I’m the champion! This vote doesn’t count! Josie cheated! Paityn must’ve made a mistake..."
Her outburst caused yet another commotion.
Her assistant rushed onto the stage, forcibly carrying her off.
The camera switched to the audience.
Konnor, Saanvi, and Westin, all of the Pittman family, stood up with grim faces and silently left the venue.
Meanwhile, Paityn’s phone buzzed continuously in the judges’ seats — it was Saanvi and Westin calling, but she didn’t answer.
Paityn knew what was about to come, and she hadn’t yet figured out how to deal with it.
Suddenly, a message popped up on her phone screen:
[Now that the competition is over, let’s talk.]
The number was unfamiliar, but she knew it was from Damon.
Now, Damon was her only option.
Thinking of this, Paityn replied:
[I’ll come back after the award ceremony. Wait for me.]
She had angered the Pittman family, and panic was setting in.
But as per the agreement, she had to present the trophy to the award.
So she had to hold on and finish her final task.