?<strong>Chapter 483:</strong>


    Elyse had a restless night. She felt a persistent unease, as if something was amiss, which left her anxious. Eventually, she drifted off, only to be woken by Tracy the next morning for the finalpetition.


    The venue for the final was bustling with people and media crews conducting interviews. Wearing a hat and carrying her violin case, Elyse, not in the best of spirits, followed Tracy into the backstage area.


    Fiona, already in the lounge applying her makeup, noticed Elyse’s pale face and couldn’t suppress a flicker of smugness. She stood up, feigning concern. “Elyse, are you okay? Haven’t you eaten breakfast?”


    Elyse managed a weak smile. “Don’t worry about me. I’m just too nervous to eat.”


    Tracy, holding a lunch box, insisted, “Go change your clothes first. I’ve brought food for you. You need to eat somethingter, or you might feel faint.”


    Elyse nodded and took the clothes from Tracy, heading to a changing cubicle. Seated again, Fiona watched Tracy and eventually couldn’t resist asking, “You seem very close to Elyse. Are you friends?”


    Tracy nodded, pulling a biscuit from her pocket. “I’ve heard about you. Here, have a biscuit. Thanks for looking out for her.”


    Fiona epted the biscuit with a smile. “It’s my pleasure to take care of her.”


    After a brief chat, Elyse emerged from the cubicle. She was transformed, wearing a long, slim-fitting ck dress adorned with ayer of tulle around her waist embedded with silver diamonds. Each step she took made the diamonds sparkle.


    Tracy gazed at her in awe and beckoned her over to sit down.


    Fiona, too, was briefly amazed, but her admiration quickly turned to jealousy and envy. She could tell the worth of this dress. Its craftsmanship and material quality suggested it was high-end and likely very expensive.


    She reached out, touching the hem of Elyse’s dress. “It’s beautiful. How much does it cost?”


    Elyse looked down, a hint of pride in her voice. “It’s quite special. It’s probably worth over a million. The designer sewed the diamonds on himself.”


    “Over a million dors! Did you buy it?” Fiona inquired tentatively.


    Elyse shook her head. “No, my husband bought it for me.”


    As Jayden’s name was mentioned, sadness deepened in her eyes.


    Noticing her distress, Tracy intervened quickly. “Come here, Elyse. Thepetition is starting soon. You need to eat something to keep up your strength, or you might faint on stage.”


    This time, Elyse didn’t resist. Encouraged by Tracy, she ate the nutritious breakfast specially prepared for her. Unbeknownst to her, Fiona was observing her with aplicated expression. Fiona had initially thought Elyse was married to an ordinary man. However, sheter noticed the regr car that picked up Elyse and the increasinglyvish and expensive dresses she wore topetitions. It seemed Elyse was surrounded by luxury, whereas Fiona had nothing.


    While eating, Elyse looked up and noticed Fiona staring at her. Without thinking much of it, she offered, “Fiona, are you hungry too? Would you like some?”


    “No, thanks. I was just curious about your breakfast,” Fiona responded quickly, turning her head away.


    Elyse didn’t dwell on the moment. After eating, she felt better and decided to send a text to Pearce.


    Tracy, peering over her shoulder, saw Elyse texting a man and blurted out in surprise, “Is he your lover?”


    Elyse looked baffled. “What? No, he’s my cousin. He’sing to watch thepetition but got stuck in traffic.”


    Realizing her mistake, Tracy then suggested, “Do you want to message Jayden? It’s the grand final, after all. Don’t you want him here?”


    “I do want him here,” Elyse murmured after a pause.


    “Then send him a message,” Tracy urged.


    “But we had a fight. I’m not ready to set aside my pride and invite him,” Elyse admitted, biting her lip.


    Unable to watch Elyse’s hesitation any longer, Tracy took the phone from her hands. “If you’re too hesitant to send a message, I’ll do it for you.”


    Elyse reached out anxiously to retrieve her phone, but Tracy was prepared. With her back to Elyse, she quickly sent the message.


    “Retract it. I don’t want him to see it,” Elyse pleaded anxiously.


    Just as Tracy was about to speak, she received a photo from Jayden. It showed the stage of the venue, revealing that he was already in the auditorium.


    Surprised, she handed the phone back to Elyse. “See? What did I tell you? Taking the first step can change the story. It’s not that Jayden doesn’t love you. You two just had a disagreement.”


    Continuing, she encouraged Elyse, “What couple doesn’t argue? As long as you still love him and hold him in your heart, no conflict is insurmountable. Talk to him about your pregnancy after thepetition, okay?”


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