?<strong>Chapter 769:</strong>


    As thest note hung in the air, a single bead of sweat traced a slow, deliberate path down Elyse’s forehead. She drew a deep breath, gently pulling herself back from the musical reverie that had momentarily carried her away.


    The pianist gently nudged her. “Didn’t you hear that? The audience is apuding. It’s time for your curtain call!”


    Snapped back to reality, Elyse swiftly bowed and exited the stage. Geraldine brushed past Elyse, whispering, “Watch closely. I’ll make sure you admit defeat without question.”


    Elyse cast a final, unreadable nce at Geraldine’s determined stride, said nothing, and hurried backstage.


    As she came down, Darren said with a smile, “Congrattions! I knew you’d be the winner.”


    Taking a deep breath, Elyse teased, “I’ve just finished my performance. How can you be so sure I’ll win?”


    Darren chuckled. “You’re always the winner in my heart, no matter what.”


    With a smile, Elyse turned around and focused intently on the stage.


    Geraldine’s rendition of ‘Fantasy on Carmen’ was a world apart from Elyse’s interpretation. “What an exciting melody! It feels like this piece captures the carefree life of a yboy,” Elyse whispered, having caught a snippet of Geraldine’s performance.


    Darren shrugged. “Love is just a passing fancy? Is that what you mean?”


    As the final notes of her performance echoed in the hall, Geraldine gracefully acknowledged the thundering apuse, her smile one of quiet triumph.


    Behind the curtain, Elyse felt a flutter of unease in her chest. “Her interpretation ispletely different from mine, but her performance is wless too.”


    Darren, with arms folded and an air of seriousness, weighed in, “She certainly nailed it, but in my eyes, you outshine her by far.”


    Elyse’s face was a canvas of conflicting emotions. “Cut it out. If you keep going like this, you’ll definitely be my biggest fan.”


    With a yful arch of his brow, Darren retorted, “I’m just enjoying your music. I really know it well!”


    Elyse nodded, a wry smile ying on her lips. “Got it. So, you’re saying you’re my soul mate.”


    As Geraldine descended the stage, her eyes gleamed with smug satisfaction. “See? This is what I can do with my talent.”


    Elyse, unfazed, rubbed her nose thoughtfully. “Yeah, I saw it, but I’m not any worse than you.”


    Geraldine’sposure cracked, irritation ring in her eyes as she spat, “Don’t get toofortable. When the scores are revealed, it might be you shedding tears, not me!”


    “Alright, alright, I’ll cry. I really hope things turn out like you said,” Elyse replied, her voice calm, her mind elsewhere. She had left it all on the stage; now, she could only wait.


    As the third contestant took her ce in the spotlight, Elyse and Geraldine lingered in the wings, each silently bracing for the judgment that loomed ahead.


    With all three performances concluded, the rivals stepped into the spotlight, their fates hanging by a thread as they awaited the verdict.


    Five minutes dragged by, the tension thick as the judges leaned in, exchanging murmurs that hinted at the decision just beyond their lips.


    Sensing the undercurrent, Geraldine leaned closer to Elyse, her voice low and sharp. “I bet the judges are discussing whether to eliminate you or the other contestant.”


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