?<strong>Chapter 413:</strong>


    Freda’s bestie, Alena Walsh, continued, “Don’t forget Theo’s ex-girlfriend is a violinist. If he’s inviting you to enjoy music, maybe it’s to see her.”


    Freda hesitated and responded uncertainly, “No way. Theo wouldn’t do that, would he?”


    Alena snorted. “Who knows? That’s how men are. I don’t think you need to bother making any special preparations. Maybe he really is taking you to see his ex-girlfriend. What will you do then?”


    Anger red in Freda as she clenched her teeth. She realized Alena might be correct. The uing date could end in disappointment. Yet, she believed in Theo’s affection for her and trusted he wouldn’t intentionally hurt her.


    “No, I don’t think so. I trust Theo isn’t the type to hurt me intentionally. Even if he’s not into me, he wouldn’t harm me,” Freda insisted.


    Theo sat in his office, attentively listening to the manager’s report. Suddenly, his assistant, Jaime Cruz, rushed in and whispered something urgently into his ear.


    Furrowing his brow, Theo raised his hand, interrupting the manager mid-sentence. “Alright, proceed as discussed. You may leave first.”


    The manager nodded and exited the room.


    Turning to Jaime, Theo asked, “Is it true that Elyse will be participating in thatpetition tomorrow?”


    Jaime replied, “Yes, I’ve looked into it. She will bepeting, and I’ve made arrangements for someone to secure front-row tickets. We’ll have them.”


    Theo nodded thoughtfully before expressing his confusion, “Then why did you appear so concerned when you entered? Isn’t acquiring front-row tickets a positive development?”


    Jaime’s expression turned bitter. “Well, just as I entered, I received word that your mother wants you to apany Miss Jimenez. Apparently, she’s been in a foul moodtely.”


    Theo scoffed, “Asking me to coax Freda? Hasn’t she given up yet? Why force a connection with the Jimenez family through marriage?”


    Jaime sighed helplessly, “I wish I knew. But your mother insisted that you mustply, or else she’ll have you transferred abroad, only allowing you to return after five years.”


    Theo sneered once more, his eyes brimming with disdain. Since Theo was Zandra’s only son, it was out of the question for her to hand thepany over to anyone else. However, she didn’t want him to pursue Elyse, so she decided to transfer him abroad.


    Theo acknowledged that it was a clever strategy. At least it would force him to take matters seriously.


    After a moment of quick thinking, he instructed, “Go ahead and secure the tickets for tomorrow.”


    Jaime was taken aback. “Mr. Ward, do you intend to take Miss Jimenez to watch Ms. Lloyd’s performance?”


    Theo replied casually, “Freda seems to be in a sour mood, doesn’t she? Perhaps inviting her to enjoy music will lift her spirits.”


    Though Jaime wanted to point out the potential cruelty of the gesture towards Freda, he decided to remain silent.


    Despite feeling sorry for Freda, Jaime had no choice but to obediently purchase the tickets, knowing full well that Theo was deeply in love with Elyse.


    Jaime nodded promptly. “Understood, Mr. Ward. I’ll ensure the task ispleted.”


    Alena, perceptive as ever, realized how deeply Freda had fallen for Theo. She ced a hand on Freda’s shoulder and offered, “Call me anytime tomorrow. I’lle and get you if you need.”


    Freda shrugged off her hand irritably. “I’ve already said Theo isn’t like that.”


    Freda looked forward to the date with Theo the next day.


    Yet, when Freda arrived at the music hall the following day and saw the massive poster of Elyse, she was stunned.


    She stood motionless, her face a mask of disbelief.


    Did Theo really bring her to see Elyse’s performance? Why was he being so heartless? He knew perfectly well that she had feelings for him!


    A lump formed in Freda’s throat, tears threatening to spill. Her feet felt as though they were glued to the floor, preventing her from stepping back.


    She was determined to confront Theo and find out whether it was all just an ident. She resolved not to leave until she had her answer.


    The backstage area of the music hall was bustling.


    Dressed in a purple gown with her hair up in a bun, Elyse leaned against the wall next to Irving.


    Irving nced repeatedly at his watch. “Don’t worry, it’s still early. Even with traffic, Gavin will get Fiona here on time.”


    Noticing his anxious demeanor, Elyse teased him, “I thought you said you never get nervous atpetitions, yet here you are, all jittery about this one.”


    Irving shot her a look. “Yeah, because I’m concerned about you and Fiona. I don’t want the two of you to embarrass Mr. Tucker and me.”


    Elyse remarked with a frown, “Irving, we’re not going to lose. Take back those words, or you’ll really make me mad.”


    With a yful smirk, Irving responded, “I’d like to see you angry.”


    Elyse threw a punch, her brows knitted in frustration, but Irving easily dodged it.


    Still not satisfied, Elyse was determined to teach him a lesson for his consistently sarcastic words.


    While she was joking around with Irving, a sudden breeze caught her attention as someone walked past.


    “Rebekah…” Elyse murmured, her gaze fixed in a trance.


    Dressed in a ck gown, Rebekah exuded an air of arrogance. Elyse remembered that Rebekah had topped the rankings in her group in the first round.


    Rumors had circted that Rebekah had secured her top spot by unfair means.


    When Rebekah heard her name, she turned to face Elyse and said with a slight nod, “What a coincidence seeing you here, Elyse.”


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