Chapter 191

Christina's POV A woman sitting next to Octavia leaned forward in her seat. "Miss Vance makes an excellent point," she said, her voice cutting through the chaos. "If the results are being questioned, let the people decide. I'd personally give her work a ten. It's truly exceptional." Her gaze locked directly on me, intense and appraising. I met her eyes and nodded slightly. Akira stirred inside me, alert and proud. "She knows quality when she sees it." The chat exploded again: [Who is that woman? She's making sense!] [Is she a judge too?] [Someone ID her, she's stunning] [That's Rowan Hale! My idol! When did she get back from overseas?] Dr. DuBois was sweating heavily. Moisture soaked through her silk blouse, beading above her upper lip. She got up from her seat, walked over to me, and whispered: "If you stop this circus now, I'll re-score your pieces and give you better marks. Just... stop making a scene." I raised my microphone. "No, I didn't start this. You did. And we haven't even t