NovelEnglishChapter 768:
Noticing Elyse’s growing agitation, Darren quickly stepped in to hold her back. He knew about the bond Fiona
and Elyse once shared, but rumors of a rift had reached his ears. While the cause remained a mystery, it was
clear Elyse still harbored a desire to help Fiona.
Darren tried to encourage Fiona too. “Don’t lose hope. You still have another chance in the Comeback
Competition. You can still cout on top.”
Fiona, clutching her stinging cheek, fled the backstage area without a word.
Embarrassed, Darren said, “She ran off. Do you think she'll hold a grudge against you?”
Elyse glanced down at her palm, which felt a bit numb. She had really laid it on thick when she slapped Fiona.
But, as usual, Fiona didn’t take her words to heart.
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Elyse let out a sigh and said, “If she hates me, that’s fine. She's always hatedanyway.”
Darren's face tightened with concern. “You're about to go on stage. Don’t let Fiona’s behavior throw you off.”
Then he turned his gaze to Geraldine.
Sensing Darren's scrutiny, Geraldine said indifferently, “It doesn’t matter how talented you are; I'll try my best
and defeat you.”
Elyse shot her a steely look. “And I'll defeat you.”
Darren felt like a lone diplomat caught in a brewing storm, sandwiched between two rivals whose eyes already
blazed with the fire of competition. Even before their first note had been struck, their resolve to vanquish one
another was palpable. Whoever claimed that a music competition lacked edge clearly hadn't witnessed this high-
voltage showdown.
Ten minutes later, Elyse, Geraldine, and another competitor were summoned, and the three of them took the
stage. As they took their positions under the spotlight, Elyse’s eyes immediately locked onto Jayden in the
audience. Whether it was his prseat or his magnetic presence, he was impossible to miss. Annoyed with
herself for being so distracted, she quickly averted her gaze.
Meanwhile, the judge at the corner of the long table drew a slip from a large, mysterious box with an air of
theatricality. Unfolding the slip, the judge’s voice rang out with authority. “The piece for today’s competition is
‘Fantasy on Carmen’!”
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With the competition piece decided, the three competitors left the stage, each one disappearing into the wings
in quiet succession. The semi-finals brought with them the addition of accompanying pianists, a change that, on
the surface, seemed like an enhancement but was, in truth, a hidden gauntlet. The performers now faced the
delicate dance of synchronizing with an unfamiliar partner, where even the slightest misstep could spell disaster.
Elyse was the first to take the stage. As everything was set, she approached with poise and took her place next
to the pianist. A silent exchange of understanding passed between them, and then the music began.
‘Fantasy on Carmen’ was a piece that demanded more than mere technical prowess; it required the performer to
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmembody its biting satire while mastering its intricate demands.
Backstage, Geraldine kept her eyes locked on Elyse, hoping to find a chink in her armor. Darren, holding a violin
case, sauntered over to Geraldine and asked, “Are you nervous? Worried Elyse might nail the piece?”
Geraldine responded calmly, “She might be playing perfectly now, but that doesn’t mean she won't slip up at the
end. The ending of this piece is key.”
Darren nodded gravely. “I'm confident she will perform perfectly. She won't make any mistakes.”
Geraldine’s lips curled into a knowing smirk. The contest was far from decided, and the final victory was
anyone's to claim.
In contrast, Elyse was completely absorbed in the music, letting it envelop her. The melody was a rich tapestry of
elegance and romance, woven with threads of fiery intensity, tender love, and a liberating sense of carefree
abandon—the very freedom that eluded her. She yearned to dissolve into the music, to let it be the vehicle
through which she could transcend her own boundaries and reach the heights of her aspirations.
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