?<strong>Chapter 791:</strong>


    “First ce. He pulled it off,” the owner said with a fond chuckle. He took a cigarette from his pocket, his smile growing as he recalled, “One night after I closed upte, I saw him practicing alone in a park.”


    The shop owner’s smile widened as fond memories lit up his face. “I was afraid I mistook someone else for him, so I patiently waited for an hour, and it turned out it was really him,” he said delightfully.


    Elyse chuckled at the amusing story.


    As the owner took a deep drag from his cigarette, he suddenly remembered that Elyse and Edward were there as customers. “What can I help you with today?” he asked with a weing tone. “My shop has everything you might need.”


    “You’ve finally caught on that we’re just customers,” Edward responded teasingly, putting the items he needed on the counter.


    “Ah, old age makes one prone to feeling nostalgic,” the owner said, taking the items to process the purchase. He then asked, “Are both of you violinists as well?”


    Edward nodded. “Not only that, but we’re alsopetitors in the Swan Cup finals,” he said, swelling with pride.


    The owner looked surprised as he nced at Elyse. “So, who do you think will win? You or him?” he asked curiously.


    “Me, of course,” Elyse responded confidently with a yful smile.


    The ownerughed heartily as he rang up their items. “I see you both have a strong sense of pride. Like father, like daughter,” he remarked.


    A blush crept onto Elyse’s cheeks as she sheepishly scratched her head.


    As they stepped outside, Edward couldn’t resist a yful jab. “Don’t even dream of first ce,” he said. “That title will be mine.”


    Elyse scoffed in response. “We’ll just have to see at the finals,” she countered yfully.


    Edward scratched his nose, chuckling. Although eager to win Elyse’s affection, he was not ready to give any ground in thepetition. He nned to wait until after the tournament to make his move.


    As Edward’s attention drifted, Elyse caught sight of Jayden and Aarya nked by two imposing bodyguards.


    A wave of fury and disgust washed over Elyse at the sight of Aarya. She clutched Edward’s arm, attempting to walk away, but Aarya was quick to notice.


    “Elyse!” Aarya’s voice cut sharply through the air. Elyse stopped in her tracks, her back still to Aarya, who gestured for her burly bodyguard to block Elyse’s path.


    Elyse nced briefly at the towering bodyguard before fixing her eyes on Aarya. “I don’t recall us being on friendly terms,” she said, her expression unreadable.


    “Oh,e on, Elyse.” Aarya, well aware of Elyse’s resentment, adopted an innocent tone. “Sure, I’ve made some mistakes, but look, you’re still here, aren’t you?” she said, her lips pursed in a pout.


    Elyse’s anger red. “I nearly died because of you! Do you expect me to just smile at you and move on? Who do you think you are?” she retorted sharply.


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