“Thief!
Thief!
Thief!
Get off the stage.”
The chant tore through the hall like a storm.
Every corner of the auditorium echoed with it, voices sharp and merciless.
Their scream made her tremble a little.
Every single soul in the building had turned against her.
They didn’t see an artist, they saw a criminal.
Just like in her last life, she was being humiliated, but this time, the shame was worse.
No one wanted to hear her side of the story.
They all just branded her a thief because of mere words.
This wasn’t how things unfolded before.
Things hadn’t gotten this bad in the past.
It’s almost like it was planned.
Maeve’s eyes scampered through the crowd and she saw Fred standing at a corner, a small smile tugging a corner of his lips.
Just then she knew what these was all about.
She stared at the people at the first role of seats next to the judge.
And the others behind them.
They all held Rae’s name on boards and cardboard papers.
They were all paid actors, hired by Silver Crown to make Rae look big.
Maeve clenched her fist.
They were the once instigating the normal audience.
“Please, be calm everyone.” One of the judges raised a hand, his voice steady yet commanding.
Slowly, the fury in the room simmered into a tense silence, though eyes still burned holes into Maeve’s skin.
The judge leaned forward, gaze piercing on her.
“Maeve, what do you have to say about these accusations?”
“I didn’t steal her song.” She said calmly.
“She’s the one that had stolen my song.”
Rae suddenly burst out laughing.
She laughed so hard, her peach voice echoed in everyone’s brain.
“You liar.” She roared.
“Martin was there.
He saw me record that song in the studio.
Isn’t that right, Mr.
Martin?” Rae asked her Mr Martins, and he nodded.
He stood proud at her side and didn’t hesitate.
“That’s right.
Rae’s always been honest.
I can vouch for her character.” His words fell like stones.
Maeve clenched her fists.
He knew.
He knew she had written it, yet still chose her side, because she refused to sell her music to them.
Before Maeve could speak, Becky stood up, her voice clear and strong.
“Maeve recorded that song with me present.
I was there the entire time.”
Becky said boldly.
Since they want to play the witness game, then two could play that game.
“It’s a song I recorded about my family and my parents death.
I wrote it a few years back, with Ama and my sister in the room with me.” Maeve turned to Ama.
She hadn’t seen Ama betray her the night she died, surely, Ama will stand for her tonight.
“Ama?” Martin’s voice was cold as he called her.
Was this what Fred meant when he said he was going to deal with her?
Ama rose slowly.
“Maeve… maybe you recorded something… similar.
But I’m sure Rae’s version was different.”
Maeve wasn’t at all surprised even though she wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt.
She smiled.
“See?” Rae spread her hands, innocent as a saint.
“You claim you recorded the song years ago, why then will I steal it if I wasn’t there?” Rae asked.
“Stop contradicting yourself Maeve.
This is embarrassing for you.
Maeve, you’re a senior compared to me.
You’ve been in this game longer and you’re one of my inspirations.” She said.
“I can’t believe you would behave this way.
If you wanted my song, you only had to ask.
As a fellow artist, I would have given it to you.
I literally look up to you.”
Rae was successfully turning the crowd against Maeve gently.
Murmurs began again.
“Aww, she’s so innocent and sweet.”
“Maeve, you deserve to die for hurting our sweet Rae like this.
Even after stealing her song, she clearly still respects you.”
“What an ungrateful brat.
How did we not see this personality before now?”
“A whoring thief.” Their words were merciless as they kept speaking against Maeve.
One of the hosts slammed a hand on the table.
“Unbelievable!
Never in the history of this competition have we seen such disgrace!”
This was the biggest show in all of Velmora.
Huge artists were made from this show.
It wasn’t one to joke with, yet Maeve was being made fun of.
A female judge leaned forward, her voice cold.
“You were once a star.
What happened to you, Maeve?”
The male host raised his mic.
“This is unacceptable and according to the rules of the competition, you are hereby disqu…”
“…How can you believe her words over mine?” Maeve cut in, and the hall erupted.
“This is a competition,” Maeve continued, her tone rising above the crowd.
“How is it fair to condemn me without even letting me prove myself?”
The judges shifted uneasily.
They whispered amongst themselves.
“We are not the ones who spoke up against you.
Even your so-called best friend couldn’t back up your claims, Maeve.” The female judge said.
“If everyone is against you, how do we know you’re saying the truth?” She asked.
Maeve turned to the girl standing next to her.
“You claim to be a songwriter, Rae,” she said, her voice calm now.
“So why don’t we let the music decide?
Right here.
Right now.”
Her smile faltered.
“One instrument on this stage.
We will compose and sing on the spot.
Whoever sings best wins.”
The crowd roared in approval, their energy swelling like a storm.
Fred panicked immediately.
The lead judge nodded.
“Very well.
We’ll play one instrument, and the two of you will sing.
Let’s see who truly owns the music.”
Rae’s lips twitched into a strained smile, but her eyes flickered with unease.
“You’re just jealous because everybody loves me now, Maeve.” Rae started.
“You’re just jealous because your time has passed and it’s now my turn.”
“Since I’m so jealous, it wouldn’t be hard to prove me wrong and keep me in my place, right?” Maeve said.
A pianist arrived on stage, ready to play.
Maeve and Rae stood side by side, the pianist ready to devour tonight.
“Don’t get too comfortable, Maeve.
I always win.” Rae said calmly to her, but Maeve said nothing to her.
The instrument immediately started, and Maeve started singing.