Chapter 163: After returning to the room, Elyse swiftly succumbed to sleep. Upon waking in the morning and finding Jayden peacefully slumbering beside her, her good mood enveloped her. However, curiosity gnawed at her, and she yearned to know the tof his return to bed the previous night. After a brief internal debate, she abandoned the notion of rousing him.
Having changed attire, she departed the room and encountered Driscoll preparing breakfast on the ground floor. "Good morning," Driscoll greeted warmly.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇthosts great stories "Good morning." Yawning behind her hand, Elyse inquired, "Are Jayden's friends like Peyton expected to arrive around midnight?" Driscoll affirmed, "Indeed. His companions maintain late hours. They typically arrive at midnight, granted entry by security." It appeared to be more than a coincidence; they genuinely relished nocturnal gatherings. Rubbing her temple, she remarked, "I noticed them indulging in libations in the basement yesterday. You hadn't mentioned this before." Driscoll smiled and remarked, "Because they rarely visit. When they do, the household servants are typically asleep. I've never even crossed paths with them late at night before." Elyse returned the smile and began her breakfast.
Later, after dinner, she headed to the studio. Just as she retrieved her violin, Wanda summoned her to the office. Seated in the chair, Wanda regarded Elyse with pride in her eyes.
She said, "Elyse, you've exceeded my expectations. You've clinched the first place in the second-round selection." Elyse felt a rush of flattery. Being acknowledged by Wanda was her utmost desire, and now she had achieved it. She said happily, "I've been dedicated to practicing." Wanda nodded, reminiscing, "I believed you could have won first place last year, but you opted out of the selection. I was quite disappointed in you then.” A bashful smile graced Elyse's lips as she reflected on her decision to forgo the selection the previous year, filled with regret. Fortunately, this tshe persevered, pressing onward toward her dream.
Last year, no participant stood out significantly in the selection. If you had participated, victory would have been within reach. But this year is different. The field is teeming with talent, particularly Vicky Aston, who tied for first place with you. Her prowess cannot be underestimated.
Wanda's expression darkened as she spoke with a weighty tone, "Were it not for you, she would have claimed the title of youngest concertmaster in the orchestra this year." A somber silence followed, during which Elyse recollected Vicky's remarkable skill as a violinist. Previously, her attention had been solely on Theo. She had never fully committed to her craft, hence her scant recollection of Vicky. But now she did.
"Vicky surpasses you in skills. While your music effectively conveys your emotions, your skills remain a weakness for you," Wanda declared earnestly. "With just two days remaining until the selection of concertmaster, you must dedicate yourself to rigorous practice and strive to bridge that gap." Feeling the weight of expectation, Elyse nodded determinedly. "I will." "Although you both secured the top rank, the other three players boast considerable talent as well, with their instructors being esteemed members of our team. These instructors are poised to impart their extensive knowledge. Hence, your adversary extends beyond Vicky alone." After bidding farewell to Wanda, Elyse exited the office, her eagerness to return to the practice room palpable. To her surprise, she encountered Vicky standing by the practice room entrance.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmWith her violin case in hand, Vicky playfully remarked, "You've already claimed the top spot. Why do you look unhappy? It's quite the stroke of luck to share the top spot with me, isn't it? Shouldn't that bring a smile to your face?"
Maintaining a stoic expression, Elyse met Vicky's gaze squarely andretorted bluntly "Indeed, I'm not pleased. It implies I haven't performed well enough; otherwise, I wouldn't share the top rank with..."
Vicky sneered. "I admire your confidence, but don't let it blind you. High expectations often lead to harsh falls. I wouldn't want to witness you lose too embarrassingly to me." "I also appreciate your confidence," said Elyse.
Vicky nervously bit her lip, grappling with a new sensation of sharing the top spot for the first time. In the past, she not only claimed first but also outshone her nearest competitor by a significant margin. Now, with Elyse's presence, a non-noble contender, Vicky felt a pang of shame. In a tense exchange, Vicky remarked, "Do you truly believe you're superior? In my view, your position besideis merely luck. You'll never match my skill level." "This time, you'll stumble. It's about tyou experienced failure," said Elyse with disdain.
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