?<strong>Chapter 414:</strong>
With a disdainful nce, Rebekah spun around and marched straight toward Elyse, her steps brimming with confidence. Standing face-to-face with Elyse, she cast a sarcastic smile in Irving’s direction and quipped, “Wow, another new beau already? Seems like leaving the Celestial Sounds Symphony gave you the freedom to drop the innocent facade.”
Elyse bristled at Rebekah’s arrogance. “Cut the sarcasm, Rebekah. I haven’t forgotten your little scheme with Mabel to frame me.”
Rebekah scoffed, feigning innocence. “Are you kidding? Didn’t I get fired from the orchestra? Can’t you just let it go?”
Elyse blinked, surprised by Rebekah’s audacity. “You were fired for breaking the rules. What does that have to do with me?”
Rebekah rolled her eyes, her arms crossed dismissively. “Fired or not, I’m miserable, and you still want to hold a grudge? Why not just finish me off?”
Elyse snorted. “You have a lot of nerve, Rebekah. Still think you did nothing wrong?”
Just then, Irving’s phone buzzed with a message from Gavin. “Alright, that’s our cue. Gavin’s here.”
Elyse nodded and followed Irving without a backward nce at Rebekah.
Rebekah watched them go, a flicker of resentment simmering in her eyes. Elyse’s presence in thepetition added anotheryer of uncertainty to her sess.
A sly smile yed on Rebekah’s lips as she muttered to herself, “But who says thepetition has to be fair? With the right means, anyone can win.”
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She put on a smile, the satisfaction of her past victory a twistedfort.
She was determined to see this through to the end.
On the other side of the backstage, Elyse and Irving’s eyes lit up at the sight of Fiona in a breathtaking white dress. “Fiona, you look stunning,” Elyseplimented.
Fiona blushed, her fingers fluttering to her face. “It’s hard to stay calm,” she admitted shyly. “Don’t let me get carried away.”
Gavin joined them, a sigh escaping his lips. “Just focus on the performance and don’t overthink it. As Mr. Tucker’s apprentices, you’ll shine just as brightly as anyone else.”
Irving, ever the charmer, crossed his arms with a yful smile. “Sounds like you’re the one putting the pressure on them, Gavin.”
Gavin chuckled good-naturedly. “Not my intention.”
Elyse pursed her lips, her lingering resentment catching Gavin’s eye. He flicked her forehead yfully.
“Alright, let’s move,” he said, ushering them forward.
Elyse rubbed her forehead and linked Fiona’s arm, leading her into the preparation area.
The sound of a heated argument reached their ears as they entered.
Elyse spotted Rebekah locked in a fierce debate with a stranger.
“Mariana, I told you fair and square—you simply weren’t good enough. Now you’re spreading rumors about me cheating? Prove it, then!” Rebekah boomed, hands on her hips.
Mariana Oury, clearly riled by Rebekah’s shameless ims, trembled with anger, her finger pointed usingly but unable to form a coherent response.
Rebekah, reveling in her dominance, pressed on. “What’s wrong, Mariana? Lost your tongue all of a sudden? Where’d all that arrogance go?”
Mariana’s eyes welled up with tears out of anger.
Bystanders, fearing an outburst, rushed to intervene and separate them.
With a triumphant smirk, Rebekah scanned the room until her gazended on Elyse.
She raised an eyebrow in a tant challenge, daring Elyse to retaliate.
Even if her victory was tainted, what could Elyse possibly do?
Fueled by this newfound arrogance, Rebekah turned and sauntered back into the throng of people.
Fiona, noticing Elyse’s tense posture, leaned in and whispered, “Do you know her?”
Elyse simply nodded. “Yes, I do.”
Fiona’s voice dropped to a low murmur. “She seems like trouble. Best to stay away.”
Elyse squeezed Fiona’s hand reassuringly. “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.” Taking a deep breath, she headed toward the backstage lineup. Her number was nearing, and she couldn’t miss her call.
A peek at the stage revealed a sea of expectant faces. A thrill of anticipation coursed through her.
This was the dawn of a new chapter in her musical dream.
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