?<strong>Chapter 851:</strong>


    Atst, Elyse positioned herself in the center of the stage, showcasing her talent under the spotlight with both grace and precision. As the performance concluded, the audience broke into enthusiastic apuse. Elyse bowed elegantly before leaving the stage from the other side.


    Darren loosened his tie, his face lighting up with a smile. “Finally, my moment has arrived. Time to add some excitement.”


    He looked back at Fiona, who was now seated on the floor, looking dazed.


    Darren felt nopassion toward her. He cast her one final indifferent nce before redirecting his focus to the stage.


    Darren took the stage for the final performance. Fiona’s gaze was fixed on him, yet her mind was adrift. Wasn’t she supposed to be the one up there? How had she be the one left behind, forgotten in the shadows?


    Footsteps echoed behind her, snapping her from her daze. She turned slowly, her movements heavy, to see Elyse approaching in a fiery red dress. Elyse looked down at Fiona with an air of superiority.


    Fiona forced a smile, though it barely touched her lips. “How did you get back? You shouldn’t havee. Did you pull some strings? Otherwise, how could you possibly be here?”


    Elyse’s eyes narrowed, her voice sharp as a de. “Are you indirectly admitting that you tried to sabotage me and steal my ce in thepetition?”


    Fiona’s jaw tightened, her pride refusing to let her admit anything. She red at Elyse, her silence speaking volumes.


    g?lnσν????s is your escape to fiction


    Elyse moved closer, circling Fiona like a predator sizing up its prey. She crouched down to meet Fiona’s eyes, her tone curious yetced with venom. “I’ve always wondered, what does the violin really mean to you? Do you truly love it, or is it just a tool for you to climb the socialdder?”


    Fiona’s expression turned icy. “What are you getting at?”


    Elyse tilted her head, her gaze unyielding. “It’s just that when you used to practice, you were never serious. You even quit Mr. Tucker’s studio for some man. And now, here you are, fighting tooth and nail to get into the Swan Cup. What’s your reason for all of this? Do you regret leaving Mr. Tucker’s studio? Are you trying to prove yourself, hoping he’ll take you back?”


    Fiona let out a coldugh, her eyes shing with defiance. “Why should I exin myself to you? What right do you have to question me? Let me make one thing clear—I don’t give a damn about Cody Tucker. I only care about myself.”


    Elyse nodded, her face an unreadable mask as she rose to her feet. She looked down at Fiona, her gaze cold and distant. “If that’s how you feel, then there’s nothing more to discuss. Stay backstage and watch me take the stage.”


    With that, Elyse’s lips curved into a knowing smile, a silent victory, as she turned and strode confidently out of the backstage area, leaving Fiona in her wake.


    Fiona remained where she was, sinking slowly to the floor as if the weight of her own despair was too much to bear.


    She nced down at her diamond-encrusted dress, which still glittered with the promise of victory that now seemed so far out of reach.


    She had poured everything into this moment, sacrificed so much to stand in the spotlight, but Elyse had returned. She was the ghost that refused to be banished.


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