?<strong>Chapter 486:</strong>


    Elyse took a graceful bow, her movements like flowing water, before disappearing backstage.


    “Such a wless performance,” someone whispered. “No wonder she’s in the top spot. There’s no way I can surpass her.”


    “She’s incredible. Hope I can snag a spot for the internationalpetition.”


    “Does Elyse even have any weaknesses? Seems like she’s the whole package—no chinks in her armor.”


    Fiona, tucked away in a corner, couldn’t help but overhear the hushed whispers of the other three contestants. A bitter pang of envy twisted in her gut. Her gaze drifted upwards,nding on Elyse bathed in the warm glow of the spotlight. Violin tucked under one arm, the other hand gracefully holding the cascading folds of her dress, Elyse radiated a confident aura.


    The dejection gnawing at Fiona solidified into a heavyweight, a suffocating stone crushing her spirit. Elyse was undeniably brilliant. Even with the subtle curve of her pregnant belly, shemanded attention effortlessly.


    Fiona, despite sharing the same instructor, couldn’t seem to capture the same maism. Her fists clenched, nails digging into her palms. A raw jealousy simmered within her.


    Suddenly, a cheerful voice broke the tension. “Fiona! I was a nervous wreck out there, but I made it,” Elyse beamed, approaching Fiona with open arms. She grabbed Fiona’s arm, her voice tinged with a yful whine. “Now that the pressure’s off, I’m starving! Fancy hitting the lounge for some food? I can grab you something too.”


    Fiona felt a prickle of irritation under Elyse’s touch. She averted her gaze. “Not hungry. You go ahead, though. You need the extra fuel.”


    With a quick pat on Darren’s shoulder and a few encouraging words, Elyse darted towards the lounge.


    Darren took a deep breath, squared his shoulders, and strode onto the stage, ready to face his musical challenge.


    Backstage, Elyse dug into the lunchbox Tracy had thoughtfully prepared. Unburdened by performance anxiety, her appetite roared. Hunger gnawed at her. She couldn’t exactly order takeout at the moment. Forced to quell her grumbling stomach, she started to head back.


    Passing by the restrooms, a sudden outburst of Vicky’s voice snagged her attention. Elyse stopped, brow furrowed in confusion. The unmistakable tirade of curses spilling from the restroom stall made her even more curious.


    Pushing open the restroom door, Elyse found Vicky in a surprising state. Gone was the usual arrogant facade. Fists clenched, Vicky pressed them against her forehead, muttering what seemed to be a prayer that quickly devolved into a string of curses. Her entire demeanor was fragile, a stark contrast to her usual bravado.


    “What’s going on? Shouldn’t you be prepping for your performance? Darren’s on stage, and you’re up next,” Elyse said, blinking in bewilderment.


    Vicky whirled around, startled by Elyse’s sudden appearance. But she soon collected herself, saying curtly, “You’re just trying to sabotage me, right? Competing against you is apetition. Why the sudden concern? Trying to throw me off my game?”


    “Why would caring be sabotage?” Elyse countered, genuinely confused. “If I wanted to give you a hard time, I wouldn’t be here reminding you to get ready.”


    Vicky’s suspicious re softened slightly under the weight of Elyse’s simple words. She turned away, refusing to meet Elyse’s gaze.


    Noticing Vicky’s trembling hands, Elyse ventured a question, “Are you nervous?”


    Vicky’s response was a curt dismissal. “None of your business. Leave me alone.”


    Elyse frowned. “Vicky, you’ve always been so confident. Why are you so on edge today?”


    Vicky snapped, her voice tight with barely concealed emotion. “Can’t you just leave me be? I treated you horribly, and here you are fussing over me. Are you crazy?”


    Elyse blinked, surprised. “Of course, I know you weren’t exactly kind. But hey, I got you back for it, didn’t I? We’re even.”


    Vicky was speechless. After a long moment, she muttered, “You must be out of your mind.”


    Elyse studied Vicky intently. There had been a shift in her behavior recently, but today, it was aplete transformation.


    “Please go. Leave me alone,” Vicky said, her tonecking the confidence she once had. Elyse noticed Vicky looked even more vulnerable.


    “Look,” Elyse said firmly, “you’reing back with me. We’ve made it to the final. You have to be there, nerves or not.”


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