?<strong>Chapter 429:</strong>


    Elyse could hear them talking, but she didn’t really listen. Instead, she concentrated on honing her skills. She felt genuinely thankful to Irving for his guidance. Although Irving’sments were often blunt, they pointed directly to her oversights and weaknesses. His critiques served as a wake-up call, and realizing her ws actually felt liberating.


    She practiced relentlessly, seemingly tireless in her efforts.


    As Fiona ate her hot dog, she watched Elyse, then nced over at Gavin and Irving. Having worked at Blue Sea Music Studio a year longer than Elyse, Fiona knew how tough Gavin and Irving could be. Yet they had taken a keen interest in Elyse shortly after her arrival. Irving, usually proud and reluctant to teach, had notably softened, offering Elyse guidance he had never extended to Fiona.


    Fiona’s hands clenched into fists repeatedly, a wave of displeasure and frustration washing over her. Suddenly, the melodious sounds morphed into a jarring noise.


    Gavin, Irving, and Fiona turned to Elyse in disbelief. Confused, Elyse looked down at the bow in her hand to see that all the hair had snapped. Her mind went nk for a moment, then she remembered Cody’s words: a bow stripped of its hair meant she had truly given her all.


    Seeing Elyse lost in thought while gazing at the bow, Gavin spoke with a hint of exasperation. “Why don’t youe over here, take a break, and eat something?”


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    Elyse nodded in agreement.


    As she settled down, Fiona stood and took up her violin, ying a somber tune. Irving, watching her intently, noticed her sour expression and narrowed his eyes in concern.


    Meanwhile, Elyse was oblivious to the tension. Lounging on the couch, her eyes caught the spread of tempting dishes on the table, igniting her hunger. She momentarily set aside her violin and began to eat eagerly.


    Irving, frowning, asked, “Can’t you eat a bit more elegantly?”


    Elyse shook her head as she continued to eat hastily. Despite her hunger and desire to savor her meal slowly, she felt pressed for time, needing to get back to her practice. Before she could exin, Gavin’s stern voice cut through the air. “Fiona, pay attention to your technique. You’ve slipped up.”


    His sharp tone startled Elyse.


    Fiona, visibly shaken, reacted sharply. Gavin, arms crossed, admonished her further, “You mustn’t lose focus during practice. Commit to it fully.”


    Fiona remained silent, her jaw clenched as she resumed ying.


    Elyse dismissed the incident as a minor disruption and, after a brief pause to refuel, returned to her own practice. Their session stretched on until ten o’clock.


    Fiona couldn’t hold back any longer; she hastily gathered her belongings, maintaining a stoic expression. Before exiting, her gaze lingered on Elyse, who was still deep in practice. Fiona couldn’t grasp why Elyse exerted herself so intensely. Both were Cody’s apprentices and among the best at the studio. Surely, there was no cause for fear about the semifinal.


    Witnessing Elyse’s unwavering focus, Fiona felt a sense of obligation to stay longer, especially with Irving and Gavin observing from the sidelines. Yet, after a grueling day of practice, her enthusiasm to continue had waned.


    As Fiona was about to leave, Gavin checked his watch and announced in aposed voice, “It’s after ten. We should wrap up for the night.”


    “Just a moment more. I’d like to practice a bit longer,” Elyse interjected, her forehead creased in determination, her eyes filled with resolve, and a serious demeanor marking her face. Seeing her earnestness, Gavin refrained from further persuasion and shared a nce with Irving. Together, they stood by, watching her continue with full attention.


    Meanwhile, Fiona finished packing and stole a final look back, only to see that none were paying her any heed. Feeling a pang of neglect, she bit her lip and silently departed.


    Once outside, Fiona’s pace slowed as she spotted a tall silhouette under a nearby streetmp. It was a man in ck, casually smoking. It was him! The man from that night!


    Ovee with excitement, Fiona quickened her pace toward him.


    Observing her approach, Jayden took a final drag from his cigarette, tossed it aside, and crushed it underfoot. He then readjusted his mask, his eyes meeting Fiona’s with an unreadable expression.


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