?<strong>Chapter 723:</strong>


    Elyse expressed her astonishment, “Gavin, your faith in me is really strong. I can hardly imagine making it to the top three.”


    Gavinughed softly. “Believing in it can sometimes make it a reality.”


    “How could it be that simple? You don’t understand the intensity of thepetition among the top ten,” Elyse replied, her lips tightening, feeling tense.


    Suddenly, Elyse noticed they were not on the way back to the hotel. She questioned, “Gavin, where are we headed? Shouldn’t we be going back to the hotel?”


    Gavin rified, “I’m taking you to a banquet. Our teacher can’t make it because he’s tied up with old friends, so he asked us to attend on his behalf.”


    Elyse looked down at her attire. “Is it okay to go to the banquet in thispetition dress?”


    “Why not? We’ll head out after the meal, and no one will need to speak with us,” Gavin responded.


    “Oh, so we’re just going to eat!” Elyse eximed with enthusiasm. “I’ll make sure to eat plenty before we return to the hotel!”


    Upon arriving at the banquet hall, Elyse, d in a green dress, gracefully entered arm-in-arm with Gavin. They were unfamiliar with the banquet’s host and intended to leave shortly. Elyse wondered if she might encounter anyone she knew there.


    Seeing an acquaintance, Gavin released Elyse’s arm and mentioned, “I’m going to chat with a friend for a bit. Enjoy the food and stay here until I return.”


    “Understood. Go and catch up. I’ll start with dinner,” Elyse said confidently and made her way toward the buffet.


    Holding a te, she carefully picked her food, and when she noticed that only one piece of chocte cake remained, she made a beeline for it. As she reached for the cake, another slim hand appeared beside hers. Their hands brushed against each other, causing both to retract in surprise.


    Elyse gasped, turning to see a young girl with her hair styled in a bun. The girl was dressed in a vibrant pink dress, her makeup matching, exuding energy and charm.


    Embarrassed and slightly upset, the girl turned to someone near her andined, “Look, she’s going to take thest piece of chocte cake. I might miss out!”


    Elyse followed the girl’s gaze and noticed a tall man in a ck suit approaching them, his approach rxed. This man carried an aura of authority, yet his casual manner suggested he was approachable. Feeling the weight of his piercing look, Elyse stiffened slightly and whispered his name. “Jayden.”


    Jayden nced between Elyse and the girl, his voice yful and indulgent as he asked, “Do you really want that piece of chocte cake so much? Aarya, are you just a little glutton?”


    At his words, Aarya Hudson’s face lit up, and she affectionately took hold of Jayden’s arm, eximing joyfully, “You don’t understand. Chocte cake is the best thing ever to me!”


    “Darling, I want to have some of this chocte cake. Can you assist me?” Aarya eximed with delight, clutching Jayden’s arm.


    “Alright,” Jayden replied. He then dropped his amused look and stared at Elyse with a stern expression. Clearing his throat, he asked politely but distantly, “Pardon me, my girlfriend desires this piece of chocte cake. Would you mind giving it to her?”


    Jayden’s girlfriend wanted to have the cake? When did he get himself a girlfriend?


    Elyse was too stunned to respond. For a moment, all she could do was purse her lips and silently ponder the situation.


    Misinterpreting Elyse’s nk look, Aarya assumed that she was refusing. Pouting, Aarya sped her hands together and pleaded, “Please, I really crave this chocte cake. I know you aimed for it first, but could you let me have it?”


    They knew she had aimed for the cake first, yet they still wanted it from her! A flicker of sorrow crossed Elyse’s eyes.


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