?<strong>Chapter 417:</strong>


    “You ask me why? Just because you used to be my loyalckey, always ready to do my bidding!” Vicky raised her hand, intending to p Rebekah. Yet, aware of the spectators, she instead directed her stiletto heel onto Rebekah’s instep, pressing down with brutal force.


    “I’m sorry! It won’t happen again,” Rebekah cried out in pain.


    Vicky savored Rebekah’s distress; with a casual lift of her foot, she removed it. Casting a venomous nce at Elyse, she walked confidently toward the stage.


    All the contestants witnessed the scene backstage, their whispers adding to the already strained atmosphere.


    Fiona tightened her grip on Elyse’s hand and asked with thinly veiled anxiety, “Is that Vicky, your rival from Celestial Sounds Symphony?”


    Elyse nodded, her feelings in turmoil.


    Fiona shook her head firmly. “Her personality is just appalling. Such arrogance is truly repellent.”


    Elyse sighed, choosing not to dwell on Vicky any longer. Her mind drifted to Darren. Vicky had shown up, yet Darren was noticeably absent.


    Her gaze swept the room, looking for any sign of Darren, but he was not there. Memories of his usual habits brought a surge of worry.


    “I need to find a friend. Will you be alright here by yourself?” Elyse asked softly.


    Fiona smiled. “What could go wrong?” she remarked, waving her hand dismissively. “Go find your friend. I’ll be on stage soon.”


    Elyse nodded and left the backstage area. As she walked down the hallway, she noticed Darren slouched near the restroom entrance.


    Darren sat dejectedly against the wall, his violin sprawled beside him, mirroring his deste state.


    Elyse approached Darren, and seeing his downcast look, gently lifted him. With a note of frustration, she said, “Darren, you’re not thinking of backing out of the performance, are you?”


    Darren pursed his lips and shrugged off Elyse’s hand. “Just leave me be. This is who I am. I’m not changing.”


    Elyse couldn’t bear the despair in Darren’s voice. “This is only the second round, Darren. Are you really ready to quit? Don’t you remember our vow? We promised to make it into the top ten together and thenpete on the international stage.”


    Darren sat quietly, his face buried in his hands. His voice was a faint murmur as he confessed, “I can’t do it. When I get nervous, my hands start shaking uncontrobly.”


    Elyse’s face fell as she searched for the right words. Suddenly, she asked, “Are you sure it’s just your nervousness making your hands shake?”


    Darren looked up, puzzled. “What else could it be?”


    “It might not be just anxiety,” Elyse suggested, eyeing his hands. “Look, you’re nervous now, but your hands are steady, right?”


    Darren gave a wryugh. “That’s because I’m not on stage holding a violin.”


    Elyse nced at his violin case. “Why not take it out now and see what happens?”


    Though skeptical, Darren took out his violin as Elyse watched closely.


    Elyse observed him carefully and pointed out, “You’re nervous now, yet your hands are stable while you’re handling the violin.”


    “That’s different,” Darren argued weakly. “I’m not on a stage.”


    Caught off guard by his continued excuses, Elyse noticed a few staff members nearby. Seizing the moment, she quickly exined the situation and gestured for them toe closer. “Anywhere you have an audience can be a stage. Try it now!” she encouraged Darren.


    After a brief pause, Darren reluctantly yed his violin. To his surprise, his hands were steady.


    Elyse beamed. “Look, no shaking. I knew it.”


    Darren muttered, “It’s bizarre. Why do they start trembling the moment I step onto a real stage?”


    Elyse considered this, then offered a thought. “Maybe it’s not anxiety. It could be the thrill of the moment.”


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