?<strong>Chapter 764:</strong>


    Gavin met his gaze firmly. “As a Swan Cup jury member, I maintain impartiality,” he said firmly. “Fiona was indeed my junior, but that rtionship will notpromise my judgment on thepetition stage.”


    The man whistled. “Wow. You’re so impartial!” he eximed. “If I were Fiona, I might resent you for that.”


    “Perhaps, but my conscience is clear,” Gavin responded dismissively.


    The man then left the office.


    Alone, Gavin pondered whether to approach Fiona, knowing they were both at the same hotel. After thinking for a while, he decided against it. Fiona probably didn’t want him to bother her either.


    After wrapping up his work, Gavin left to find Elyse. Her next match was against Geraldine, apetitor with hardly any vulnerabilities. Unlike Geraldine, Elyse shone in specific areas but wasn’t universally adept. Elyse would need to put in a lot of effort to beat Geraldine.


    Upon returning to the hotel to drop off his things, Gavin was intercepted at his door by Fiona.


    “Can we talk?” she asked coldly.


    Gavin’s eyes widened with surprise as he stared at Fiona, confusion etched on his face. “What are you up to?” he asked.


    “In the next match, I’m up against Darren. I don’t think I stand a chance of beating him.” Fiona hesitated before speaking, her voice carrying a hint of resignation.


    Gavin’s brow furrowed in puzzlement. “And what does that have to do with me?”


    “I’ve got three days left,” Fiona replied, her voice stiff with difort. “I need your help. You know my weaknesses inside out.” A flicker of humiliation crossed her face as she finished.


    She was all too aware of Darren’s prowess.


    After three months of going it alone since parting ways with Cody, Fiona hade to realize just how much shecked. Though she had made it this far in thepetition, it had been more by luck than by facing truly tough opponents. But now, in the semifinals, she was up against a formidable adversary.


    She had to take a hard look at her situation. The reality was stark—there was no one left to lean on; those who might have been able to help had already drifted away. To have any shot at victory, Fiona knew she had to swallow her pride and turn to Gavin for help.


    Upon hearing Darren’s name, Gavin paused, piecing together who he was. Darren had some talent, sure, but he barely cracked the top ten in thispetition. Even if he pulled off an extraordinary performance, he might squeeze into the top six, but the top three? Not a chance. Gavin had never considered Darren a serious contender for the top spots.


    “If Elyse went up against Darren, she’d breeze her way into the semifinals,” Gavin remarked. “You’re trailing far behind Elyse now.”


    Fiona’s pride took a hit at Gavin’s words, and she shot back angrily, “So, in your eyes, Elyse is the only one who matters, huh? The only one who can win, right?”


    She practically shouted, “You’re so biased toward her, and you won’t even admit it! Back when I needed guidance, you and Irving only had eyes for her, never giving me a second thought. Now that I’ve left Mr. Tucker’s studio, you’re just waiting for me to fall on my face, aren’t you?”


    Gavin looked at Fiona, who was clearly spiraling out of control, and sighed. “You have to understand, Fiona, Irving and I never abandoned you. It was you who gave up and chose to walk away.”


    Fiona, seething with anger, snapped back, “That’s not true! I never gave up!”


    “Enough already. Why are you wasting your breath?” Irving suddenly appeared behind Gavin,den with shopping bags and a lollipop in hand. “Head over to the park and guide Elyse. She messaged me saying Geraldine challenged her. Go give her a hand.”


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