?<strong>Chapter 856:</strong>


    Kaelyn found Fiona’s remarks so absurd that sheughed in frustration.


    Straightening up, she lost interest in her nails and responded coldly, “I’ll ask you onest time. Are you going to back out?”


    Fiona had been blinded by desire and had forsaken the rationality she should have upheld when she agreed to coborate with Kaelyn back then.


    And now, she had to grasp the precariousness of her position. She didn’t fully understand the consequences of crossing Kaelyn after everything she had done.


    At that moment, Kaelyn’s demeanor turned icy.


    Her expression grew stern, and her voice deepened as she asked, each word deliberate, “Are you prepared to own up to your words today?”


    Already aggravated by Kaelyn’s tone, Fiona felt her irritation mount as Kaelyn kept pressing.


    Angrily, she retorted, “What are you getting at? Either get rid of Elyse for me and ensure I win, or you’re useless to me. How dare you demand anything from me? You’re utterly shameless.”


    After her tirade, Fiona hung up abruptly. She scratched her head, somewhat unhinged. She yelled in the lounge, “Why on earth has Elyse returned? Is someone helping her secretly?”


    This was the exact question troubling Kaelyn. How had Elyse managed to return? Was it possible someone had helped her? But why would they help her? And how could they have done it?


    Kaelyn bit her nails, visibly annoyed. Who was assisting Elyse from the shadows? She pondered hard but couldn’t solve the mystery, so she decided to make a call to investigate. But the person on the line advised her to stay out of it.


    Kaelyn ended the call in frustration, but a thought struck her. If that person advised her not to inquire, it meant the one helping Elyse was no ordinary individual.


    A flicker of realization sparked in Kaelyn’s eyes, but it soon darkened. She clenched her teeth and muttered angrily, “Elyse, you’re incredibly fortunate. Wherever you are, someone’s always there to help you. But I refuse to believe your luck will hold forever.”


    Far backstage, Elyse suddenly sneezed, surprising Edward, who looked up and eximed, “My prayers worked!”


    Elyse rubbed her nose, puzzled. “Prayers?”


    Edward smiled mischievously and said, “I prayed that the most formidable contestant would suffer an ident and withdraw from the contest.”


    Elyse yfully punched Edward, causing him to flinch.


    She scolded, “You crafty scoundrel! It was just a tickle in my nose.”


    Edward responded yfully, “I was only joking. Don’t take it too seriously!”


    Elyse gave him a stern look, then followed the host’s instructions and stepped onto the stage to face the audience.


    For some reason, she immediately noticed Jayden sitting in the audience.


    They hadst parted on unpleasant terms, and his presence now stirred some unexpected feelings within her.


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