Yet, the part that filled her with the deepest remorse was yet to come.

The footage progressed, showing Maria entering the scene.

As Maria's figure appeared, Clare's heart raced. She clenched her fists nervously.

Witnessing the footage unfold, Clare saw the scene when she provoked Maria that day.

"Who in the world are you? I've never seen you here. If you're not here for the rehearsal, leave this instant!"

"Are you fucking deaf? Get the hell out of here!"

"You idiot! Stop embarrassing yourself. Get the hell out of here!"

Clare's outburst toward Maria on tape was sharp and filled with venom, made even more cutting by the fact that she didn't know it was Maria at the time.

Her words stung, more potent than any she had ever thrown at Cara.

Maria's revealing herself by taking off her hood was a moment of dramatic clarity.

Now, watching the footage, the weight of Clare's embarrassment was even more oppressive.

In the footage, Maria's composed demeanor stood out, a stark contrast to Clare's tirade. Maria never uttered a word in rebuke.

Yet, it was precisely Maria's tranquil silence that deepened Clare's discomfort.

ALL Clare could think was that this footage had ruined her career.

Her anxious eyes flitted to the video's progress bar, suspecting more ignominy lay ahead.

The next scene depicted Clare's solo performance at the rehearsal site.

Under Maria's watchful gaze, Clare felt the pressure, and her usually steady fingers fumbled on the Ancient Zither.

Even so, Clare had said something that would make her regret for the rest of her life.

"Just some minor mistakes! What's the fuss about? Did Maria intentionally make this composition challenging just to flaunt her abilities? Some can't craft genuine art, so they resort to such showy displays to flaunt their flashy talents."

These words were almost the same as those on her posts which she previously denied posting.

Then, Clare's shame deepened as she remembered the rehearsal.

In the footage, Maria unveiled the authentic music sheet and played it for all to hear.

Her rendition was reminiscent of a masterpiece painting, with the melody so compelling and strong.

Through her act, Maria communicated the depth and intricacy of the Ancient Zither, surpassing all expectations.