?<strong>Chapter 392:</strong>


    Elyse was speechless, her lips parting slightly in shock. Fiona, with a yful wink, nudged her arm. “I need to use the restroom. Come with me.” Nodding, Elyse linked arms with Fiona, and they headed towards the restroom.


    Inside, Elyse paused to examine her reflection in the mirror rather than using the toilet. Sensing a presence behind her, she turned to find Vicky approaching, her eyes assessing, and her high heels clicking sharply on the floor. Elyse found her stare unsettling. Vicky rarely met anyone’s gaze directly, preferring a dismissive look.


    With a cold expression, Elyse confronted her. “What do you want?” Vicky crossed her arms and said arrogantly, “Out with it. Which music group or association have you joined?” “Why do you need to know?” Elyse asked, her tone icy.


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    Laughing lightly, Vicky reached out and tapped Elyse’s forehead. “Simple. I n to sabotage your future. Do you think you can rise to concertmaster after leaving Celestial Sounds Symphony?” She shrugged nonchntly and added, “You won’t seed. I’ll see to that. You’ll never surpass me.”


    Understanding Vicky’s intentions, Elyse smiled wryly. “So, your strategy is to use your influence to ensure no one dares to hire me. You want to iste me from the industry.” Vicky’s gaze darkened. “You deserve nothing less from me.”


    Elyse shot back, unflinching. “It seems my talent intimidates you. That’s why you’re afraid.” Vicky nodded, her voice firm. “Yes, I am afraid. But I’ll always be a step ahead, and you’ll never catch up.”


    As Elyse processed this encounter, she reflected on the changes in Vicky. Recently, she was out of touch with the orchestra’s dynamics and the pressures her former fellows faced. She considered the possibility of internal conflicts among the orchestra’s senior leaders influencing Vicky. For a moment, she saw in Vicky the same pettiness and malice that gued Abram.


    “There’s no way she’ll get ahead,” Fiona stepped out of a stall, her demeanor colder, her tone sharper than before. Wrapping an arm around Elyse’s shoulder, she faced Vicky with confidence. “Elyse’s talent and character are beyond your reach. She’ll always be out of your league.”


    Elyse, unustomed to such praise, blushed and looked down. Vicky, on the other hand, didn’t recognize Fiona. Although Fiona was also an apprentice under Cody like Gavin and Irving, she had yet to make her mark among the many skilled violinists.


    Vicky rolled her eyes, clearly uninterested in engaging with Fiona. She had just realized she didn’t need to know which organization Elyse had joined; she could simply manipte Elyse’s grades to disqualify her. This thought somewhat pleased Vicky, as it would enhance her own chances in the uing Champions Cup.


    “Who are you to say that? Do you think you can just bully your way through?” Fiona’s words were biting, and she was visibly frustrated with Vicky’s attitude. Elyse sighed. “Vicky has always been intense, but she’s bing unbearable.”


    Fiona nced at her watch. “The results of the first round will be out soon. We should head back.” “Okay,” Elyse agreed, and they made their way back.


    Half an hourter, the rankings for the five groups were announced. Leaning over to view Elyse’s phone, Irvingmented, “Elyse, you’re first in Group A. That’s quite the surprise.” Elyse, equally astonished, replied, “I was hoping to make the top three, not lead the group.”


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