Chapter 20 She Sang, They Schemed.
Jean was still smiling. Not even trying to hide it. She leaned back like this whole thing was beneath her.
“But it was funny,” she said with an innocent shrug.
That song wasn’t even difficult, Jean thought. How is Lacey butchering it this bad? She’s literally turning it into a comedy act.
And she was supposed to sit there and endure it? On repeat?
She had already been holding it in..
This time, she just couldn’t.
“You know how hard that song is? If you tried, you’d probably crash even harder than Lacey!”
Someone jumped in, clearly offended on Lacey’s behalf.
“She probably doesn’t even know how to sing. Come on, look at her. You think she’s got any kind of talent?”
“Lacey, ignore her. Jean’s just bored and being petty. Stirring the pot because she’s got nothing better to do.”
Jean let out a short snort and replied without missing a beat.
“You guys
serious? If I can’t sing, then nobody in this room can.”
She said it like it was the most obvious fact in the world, lounging there like she didn’t have a care.
That smug confidence? It made Lacey’s blood boil.
Pho does she think she is?
+8 Pearls
Lacey had never heard Jean sing a note in her life. The girl couldn’t even hold a proper conversation most days. She was a non–factor. A nobody. And now she was laughing like she owned the place?
Lacey’s fingers curled into a tight grip, but her face didn’t flinch.
“Oh yeah?” Her voice stayed smooth as she tilted her chin. “Then let’s hear it. Show us what you’ve got
The rest of the group didn’t hesitate to back her up.
“Yeah, you talk big. Time to prove it.”
“Everyone can talk. Not everyone can deliver.”
“Bet she’s tone–deaf and bluffing. And she has the nerve to mock Lacey? At least Lacey got some of it right. Jean wouldn’t even. survive the first line.”
Hannah glanced around at the classroom, where tension was thick in the air. She let out a quiet sigh and shook her head. There wasn’t much she could say here.
These students weren’t average kids. Every single one of them had money, influence, or both. She couldn’t afford to step on
any fors.
Jean, are you singing or not? If you’re not, then shut your mouth and stop dragging everyone
down!”
Jean blinked, looking wide–eyed and harmless. Then she stood, strolled to the center of the room, tilted her head, and smuled like she was already three steps ahead.
“What if I sing it perfectly? What will you all do then?”
Till give you a real apology. No jokes, someone replied instantly
Chapter 20 She Sang, They Schemed
+E Pearls
She had memorized the entire song the first time she heard it. As soon as she opened her mouth, the melody came out effortlessly.
In Jean’s past life, life had been tough–so she’d learned how to survive by performing
Money didn’t come easy. So she hustled, picked up every trick and talent she could. Anything to earn a living.
And deep down, she’d always known-
wasn’t crctly average.
Compared to other kids her age, she was just built different.
Now her voice rang out through the rehearsal hall, soft but strong, as if singing came as naturally as breathing. She looked completely relaxed, barely trying, yet every note glided effortlessly into the next–haunting, smooth, and breathtaking
The high notes Lacey kept crashing into? Jean hit them like they were nothing.
The transitions Larry botched every time? Jean didn’t even flinch.
Her voice was smoother, more technical, more emotional. She didn’t just sound good–she sounded like an angel. Like someone who had stood onstage a thousand times and made people cry from the back row.
The room went dead quiet.
Everyone just stood there, stunned. They couldn’t believe what they were hearing. One part shocked, one part enchanted- they were frozen, speechless, completely thrown off by what had just happened.
As the last note faded into silence, Jean wrapped up the song with everyone still frozen in place.
“All done,” she said, shrugging like she’d just finished tying her shoes.
Then her eyes cut straight toward the group hovering around Lacey.
“So? Where are those apologies?”
That snapped the rooth awake..
It felt like they’d just woken up from a dream–something too surreal to process and too stunning to ignore.
“You sound that good and you’re not in the choir?” Hannah was the first to react. She looked like she’d just stumbled upon buried treasure
The rest of the room, Lacey included, stayed quiet. Tight–lipped. Awkward.
No one wanted to admit Jean had blown them away. And definitely not to her face.
I just sing for fun joining the choir never crossed my mind Jean said with a light tone.
“I
She looked over at Lacey and her crew again. Not a word. Not a single sorry
Figures, jean thought, eyes flashing with something colder.
Privileged brats Always so wird to being right they forget how to admit when they’re not. Even when they know they’re in the wrong, they’d rather bite their tongues than show a sliver of humility.
Tim going to the bathroom,” she said flatly, not bothering to spare them another glance
She stepped out into the hallway, gave a quick glance toward the restroom sign, and started walking. She was calm and
Fight then, as soon as Jean stepped out, Lacey rushed straight over to the recording equipment in the commer
7:41 PM
Chapter 20 She Sang. They Schemed
malfunctioning-
Lacey didn’t answer right away. She was busy digging through the system.
There it was.
Jean’s entire song–recorded from start to finish. Every single note. Captured clean and sharp,
+8 Pearls
The room had been dead silent when Jean sang, which made the audio crystal clear–no interference, no noise. Just that voice.
Excitement flashed in Lacey’s eyes. She looked up at Hannah, her voice rising with energy.
“Ms. Hannah, I’ve got an idea. I know how we can pull off the singing scene–perfectly.”
Everyone started crowding around. Hannah looked confused, waiting for the rest.
What was she going to suggest?
“There’s no way I can nail that song live during the finals,” Lacey said coolly, like she’d already rehearsed this plan in her head.
“But I don’t have to actually sing. I’ll just lip–sync on stage while we play Jean’s recording in the background. Her voice was recorded just now, and the quality’s perfect. We can totally use it”
Everyone stared at her, stunned.
Lacey wanted to fake it? Onstage? With Jean’s voice?
“Wait…” Hannah’s face went pale with shock.
She fumbled for words. But… what if Jean finds out we used her recording without asking”
“She won’t. We’ll keep practicing like usual so she doesn’t get suspicious. Then when the final performance comes, we swap in her recording. Even if she figures it out, it’ll be too late. The moment will already belong to me. Lacey cut in, all confidence and control.
Not only would that solve Lacey’s singing problem.
She’d also get to take the spotlight with Jean’s flawless vocals.
Just imagining the applause made her smile widen without thinking.
Send Gifts
Tai Jun is a dreamer and storyteller who believes the sky is never the limit. He spends most of his time with his friend Lian, chasing new horizons and crafting tales that soar beyond boundaries.
Summary & Review: The Family
