?<strong>Chapter 415:</strong>


    A chill nipped at Freda as she spotted Theo through the ss doors of the music hall. Theo, d in a brown overcoat and sporting gold-rimmed sses, stood before Freda amidst the brisk morning air.


    It was a new look for Theo, catching Freda off guard momentarily, softening the edge of her resentment. Mustering a facade ofposure, she asked, her voice deliberately cool, “Did you drag me here just to see Elyse? That’s just offensive.”


    Theo nced at Freda and said indifferently, “If you don’t want to see her, you can leave.”


    His tone stung. Freda hadn’t expected such a dismissal.


    “Theo,” she pleaded, “even if you don’t feel the same, there’s no need to treat me like this. You know how I feel about you. Why can’t you be decent?”


    She’d swallowed her pride for him. Why couldn’t he see her worth? She was certain Theo knew of her feelings.


    Theo picked up his phone and snapped a photo of Elyse’s poster. With an air of indifference, he uttered, “You know who I like. Why can’t you just give up on me?”


    Freda’s face turned pale, and she found herself at a loss for words.


    Theo’s sneer deepened as he tossed a ticket at her. “Here. Up to you if you join me or not. Just don’tin to my momter.”


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    Freda’s anger simmered. “So, this whole charade is just for your mother?”


    “What else would it be? A date?” Theo’s voice held a mocking edge.


    Freda found herself utterly speechless.


    Theo didn’t spare her another look. He entered the music hall, ticket in hand.


    Freda stood there, the ticket crumpled tightly in her grasp, her nails digging into her palm.


    She should rip it up, walk away with her head held high, and thoroughly end things with Theo.


    But she didn’t even have the courage to rip the ticket up.


    After a long, silent struggle, Freda found herself entering the music hall, a spineless puppet on a string.


    Finding her seat, Freda noticed Theo already settled.


    A flicker of surprise crossed his face but vanished just as quickly. He offered no greeting, his expression as cold as before.


    Freda gritted her teeth under his gaze, burning with embarrassment.


    She sat rigidly, a storm of emotions churning within her. Confusion gnawed at her. Why was she doing this? She wasn’t starved for attention. Beautiful and wealthy, she had her pick of suitors, yet here she was, groveling at Theo’s feet. Was it love?


    Freda gnawed on her nail, unconvinced. She chose to believe this was more about possessiveness, a burning desire to win. Jealousy consumed her—how dare Elyse so easily capture Theo’s attention?


    The performance began, but Freda paid no mind to the music. Her mind was solely on Elyse.


    She’d like to see what made this woman so captivating, so worthy of Theo’s constant fixation.


    The announcement of Elyse’s turn jolted Freda upright. A flicker of movement caught her eye—Theo had switched his phone to camera mode, aiming it squarely at the stage.


    Unaware of the scrutiny from the audience, Elyse glided onto the stage. Her violin cradled in one hand, the other gracefully gathering the hem of her long purple dress.


    A nod from the host marked the start of her performance.


    The piece wasn’t technically demanding, but its simplicityid bare the performer’s musical soul.


    Below the stage, Irving watched intently, a murmur escaping his lips. “Her vibrato is superb, smoother than ever. Your guidance paid off.”


    Gavin, rarely serious, chimed in, “Her foundation needs work, but she’s talented. Days of practice show immense progress.”


    Irving leaned back, a pang of worry tugging at his heart. “Watching Elyse y… it makes me nervous. Fiona’s foundation is much stronger.”


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