?<strong>Chapter 700:</strong>


    Elyse opened the case to check the violin was safe and then suggested, “Pearce, could you take me to Grandma’s window?”


    Confused, Pearce asked, “What do you n to do at her window?”


    Pulling out her violin, Elyse yed a few notes and smiled. “I want her to listen to me y.”


    Pearce grimaced, advising, “Perhaps that’s not a good idea. She despises the violin. ying it outside her window will only anger her.”


    Elyse nodded and said, “You might be right, but I still need to y for her.”


    Pearce was puzzled and inquired, “Why are you so intent on ying for her?”


    Elyse said, “Do you really believe she hates the violin?”


    Pearce remained uncertain. “Isn’t that the truth?”


    Elyse tilted her head, her smile bright. “I don’t think so, but I’m not interested in finding out the real reason. I just want to fulfill his wish.”


    Seeing the resolve in Elyse’s eyes, Pearce inquired, “‘Fulfill his wish’? Who asked you to do this?”


    Elyse ced a finger to her lips in a shushing motion, then exined, “Pearce, just take me there. Once I’ve done this, I can head off to thepetition abroad without any lingering regrets.”


    Unable to deny Elyse, Pearce grinned affectionately. “You little mischief-maker. Fine, I’ll support you in defying Grandma just this once.”


    Elyse chuckled and followed Pearce to another part of the garden.


    She gazed up at the closed second-floor window and whispered confidently, “She’ll hear it.”


    The night was starlit, and a chilly breeze set the perfect scene for a farewell.


    Elyse moved forward a few steps, positioned herself under the window, and readied her violin. Momentster, the air was filled with the sweet sounds of her ying.


    The piece was *”Mncholy Serenade.”*


    The tune carried a deceptive liveliness, as though it wereughing, but a closer listen revealed a profound sadness beneath.


    No joy was untouched by sorrow.


    Pearce watched and listened, his arms crossed. After a while, he nced up at the second-floor window, half-expecting Felicia to appear, drawn by the music.


    Elyse yed with intense focus.


    She aimed to connect deeply with the music and grasp Rickey’s sentiments.


    This was Rickey’s desire—to y this piece for Felicia.


    Why *”Mncholy Serenade?”* There were surely better choices to reflect Rickey’s feelings.


    If it had been up to Elyse, to choose a piece for a sorrowful mother, she would have picked something more direct to express love and emotion.


    The emotions conveyed by *”Mncholy Serenade”* seemed too indirect. Didn’t Rickey worry that his mother might not grasp its depth?


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