?<strong>Chapter 735:</strong>


    “But neither the Violin Association nor thepetition organizers have identified the culprit,” she replied, her voice tinged with worry. “It’s possible the person could be hiding among the contestants, which is unsettling.”


    “We will deal with that worryter. You need to focus on calming your nerves and finding inspiration.” Irving gently took Elyse’s wrist and guided her out of the hotel. She followed, her violin case gripped tightly in her other hand.


    Irving guided Elyse into a small bar, where the atmosphere was alive.


    Elyse chose a quiet corner booth, sitting downfortably as Irving brought over a menu. “What would you like to eat?” he asked, his tone rxed and easy.


    After cing her order, Elyse rested her face in her hands and stared listlessly around the room.


    Noticing Elyse’s downcast demeanor, Irving assumed she was worrying about thepetition. “Don’t stress too much,” he said gently. “Even if you don’t win, I won’t think any less of you.”


    Elyse nced at him, a hint of annoyance in her eyes. “Your attempts atfort are pretty awful. Consider yourself banned from consoling me ever again.”


    Irving couldn’t help butugh. “Did I suddenly be a nuisance?”


    Elyse returned his smile and settled back into her chair, waiting for their food to arrive.


    The small bar buzzed with a lively, friendly atmosphere, with patrons enjoying their meals and drinks. Laughter and chatter filled the air, but Elyse felt an unsettling sense of detachment. Was it because her thoughts kept drifting to Jayden or because she was unable to enjoy the pleasure alcohol brought?


    Her mind swirled with unease.


    After a brief wait, the waiter returned with their food and drinks. Irving had gone all out, ordering a big ss of beer, which he now sipped while chatting animatedly with the patrons at the next table.


    Meanwhile, Elyse took her time savoring her meal, but her eyes constantly scanned the room in search of inspiration. However, after a while, she gave up. Nothing inspiring had caught her attention. Finishing her food with a sense of urgency, she quickly sought out a ce that might spark her creativity.


    With her violin case in hand, Elyse stood up and caught Irving’s attention. He asked, “Where are you headed?”


    “I’m thinking of heading over to that restaurant with a piano. Maybe I’ll find some inspiration there,” Elyse replied.


    Remembering the ce, Irving gently cautioned her, “Just don’t wander off too far. I’ll swing byter to pick you up.”


    Elyse nced at the towering ss in front of Irving and quipped, “You might want to rethink who will be picking up whom.”


    “One ss won’t do anything to me,” Irving said with a dismissive wave. “Go find your inspiration.”


    With her violin case in hand, Elyse ventured into the snowy streets. A few minutester, she arrived at the entrance of a restaurant.


    As she stepped inside, her eyes were immediately drawn to the grand piano in the corner. She approached it, running her fingers gently over its polished surface. Her gaze then swept across the room, searching for the acquaintance she had met the previous evening.


    David was nowhere in sight, but Elyse felt no disappointment. Instead, she ordered a steaming cup of cocoa and chose a cozy window seat, where she allowed her eyes to wander over the peaceful winter scene outside.


    Immersed in her thoughts, Elyse was unaware of Aarya making her way through the restaurant and heading straight for her table.


    Aarya’s fingers rhythmically drummed on the tabletop, each sound breaking Elyse’s reverie.


    When Elyse turned around, she saw Aarya, who was strikingly dressed. The faint red marks on Aarya’s neck caught her attention.


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