?<strong>Chapter 488:</strong>


    Elyse didn’t know much about the internal strife within the Celestial Sounds Symphony. She was just relieved that Vicky didn’t quit. Her goal was to support Vicky in a way that would leave no regrets.


    Elyse set aside her concerns about Vicky and rubbed her stomach. “Is there anything to eat around here? I’m starving. If I don’t eat soon, I might end up with low blood sugar,” she said with a hint of frustration.


    Darren pulled out some chocte from his pocket and questioned, “Didn’t you eat breakfast? Have some chocte quickly. You don’t want to get low blood sugar.”


    Elyse took the chocte with an embarrassed smile. She felt too embarrassed to tell him that she had eaten a breakfast meant for three that morning and was still hungry.


    She patted her t belly and wondered if her baby was already needing so much food.


    Watching Elyse quietly eating the chocte, Darren thought for a moment and then said, “I’ve got some snacks in the lounge that I brought for an energy boost. I’ll bring everything for you. Maybe that’ll help.”


    Elyse’s eyes lit up. “That would be wonderful!”


    Darren felt a bit helpless. “You’re that hungry? Hold on, I’ll go grab them.”


    Elyse humbly waited for Darren. They found a secluded spot backstage and snacked while waiting for thepetition to wrap up.


    After thepetition ended, Freda stepped down from her role as a judge. Her primary aim in being there was to ensure Elyse was disqualified, and with that aplished, she felt little need to stay.


    Leaving the music hall, she stepped into an empty corridor and dialed Theo’s number. She was eager to inform Theo personally that she was about to eliminate the woman he loved, hinting that if he agreed to marry her, she would not make things difficult for Elyse.


    But before her call could connect, her phone was snatched away.


    “Who are you? How rude!” Freda was hoping Theo would reconsider during that moment, but her chance was abruptly cut off. She was furious.


    Gavin ended the call, preventing Freda from reaching Theo. He said coldly, “Miss Jimenez, we need to talk.”


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    “What is there to talk about? On what grounds do you think you can speak to me?” Freda didn’t recognize Gavin, but his serious, handsome look took her by surprise.


    Freda felt guilty and tried to stare at Gavin.


    With a serious expression, Gavin asked, “I’m not sure what Elyse did to upset you, but the Champions Cup has always been about fairness and transparency. Could you exin why you scored Elyse so low?”


    “Who are you? Why do you care so much about her?” Freda looked at Gavin from head to toe, trying to figure out who he was.


    “I am also an apprentice of Cody Tucker,” Gavin said clearly. “I overheard your words about Elyse. I urge you to remain fair if you hold any personal grudges.”


    He hesitated for a moment before walking slowly, pushing Freda back into a corner. His towering presence and imposing aura effectively trapped her.


    With a stern face, Gavin proposed, “Or perhaps you’d prefer to settle this matter with me privately.”


    After holding his gaze for a few tense seconds, Freda suddenly shoved him aside and hurried back to thepetition venue at full speed.


    Returning to her seat, she attempted to regain herposure. Shortly after, Gavin reappeared and took a seat behind her.


    Freda felt the weight of his stare on her back. It made her incredibly uneasy!


    She clenched her teeth and was pissed that everyone was protective of Elyse. She decided she must give Elyse a hard time.


    As the final results were about to be announced, the contestants stood on stage, awaiting the judges’ decision.


    A judge began calling the names, noticeably omitting Elyse, sparking curiosity among the audience. The audience had been attentive from the start and were well aware of Elyse’s talent. It seemed unthinkable that she wouldn’t be mentioned.


    The judge also nced at Freda, having previously warned her that it would be unjustifiable to exclude Elyse from the list of qualifiers given her outstanding performance. He had suggested cing Elyse first rather than omitting her entirely.


    However, Fredapletely ignored the judge’s advice, determined not to let Elyse seed.


    Elyse, standing on the stage, looked directly at Freda, sensing her hand in this. She turned to the judge who just announced the qualifiers and questioned, “In what way was my performancecking?”


    The judge couldn’t answer Elyse. He believed Elyse’s performance wasmendable and couldn’t point out any ws.


    Silent and unable to justify the decision himself, he handed the microphone to Freda, unwilling to shoulder the me.


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