?<strong>Chapter 771:</strong>


    “This year’spetition has been anything but peaceful,” Vicky remarked softly as she approached Elyse.


    Elyse turned to Vicky with a nod. The girl’s chance topete was gone, and even if the organizers gave her another shot, it would only be in the Comeback Competition—a mere constion.


    “The person who locked the door from the outside this time is probably the same one who sabotaged the contestants’ violinsst time,” Vicky spected, her tone serious. “If the culprit is one of us contestants, their fate will be grim.”


    Elyse sighed deeply. “If it really was a contestant, why would they do something so self-destructive? It’s just not worth it.”


    Thepetition came to a temporary halt as the staff searched every room, ensuring no other contestants were trapped. Their fears were confirmed. Besides the first girl, four other contestants had also been locked in their lounges.


    “Who could have done something so vile? Are they really that terrified of being outshined?” one of the contestants eximed in disgust.


    “This person must have a twisted heart,” another chimed in. “I bet it’s someone who’s been struggling in thepetition, someone who can’t stand to see others seed, so they resorted to sabotage.”


    “Breaking news,” someone whispered urgently, “Edward was locked in too, but since his match is thest one, he didn’t even realize it.”


    Elyse’s eyes widened in surprise. “Edward was locked in too?” she asked, turning to the group.


    No wonder Edward had been absent from the earlier rounds. It turned out he had been locked in just like the others.


    When Elyse finally found Edward, he was mid-yawn, looking more bored than concerned. A staff member was peppering him with questions, and Edward, still half-asleep, answered them one by one with an air of nonchnce.


    Once the questioning was over, Elyse approached him, her voiceced with concern. “How did you end up locked in?”


    Edward shrugged, his fatigue evident. “I was in thest group topete, so I got bored and fell asleep on the couch.”


    Elyse let out a sigh of relief. “I’m d you’re okay. Someone already missed their match because of this. I was really worried you might miss yours too.”


    Edward waved away her concerns with a dismissive flick of his hand. “No worries. Even if I had missed the match, I’d just breeze through the Comeback Competition and end up back in first ce.”


    Elyse raised an eyebrow. “In the Comeback Competition, you’d face Geraldine.”


    “I know her. She’s no threat,” Edward replied, seemingly unbothered.


    Seeing his calm demeanor, Elyse felt reassured. He clearly hadn’t been shaken by the situation.


    Thepetition, dyed by the malicious sabotage, finally concluded an hourter than expected.


    Elyse, having secured her spot in the next round, left the concert hall with her violin in hand. By the time she stepped outside, darkness had already settled over the city.


    She stood by the roadside, waiting for Irving to pick her up, when a sleek, unfamiliar luxury car pulled up in front of her.


    “Are you Miss Elyse Lloyd?” The window rolled down to reveal a middle-aged man with a scar running across his face. Despite the gentle tone of his voice, there was an unmistakable weight in his words, the mark of someone who had seen more than his fair share of battles.


    “Allow me to introduce myself,” the man said with a disarming smile. “My name is Charlie Hudson. I’m Aarya’s father. I believe you’re familiar with her.”


    Charlie extended his hand, his smile warm and inviting, but there was a chilling undertone in his gaze that sent a shiver down Elyse’s spine.


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