?<strong>Chapter 863:</strong>


    Noticing her downcast expression, Gavin tried to lift her spirits. “You took first ce today. Don’t let this spoil your mood. You’ve outshone a lot of skilledpetitors to achieve this. Take pride in that.”


    Feeling awkward from thepliment, Elyse looked away. “Thanks, Gavin, but please, ease up on the praises. I’m quite shy, you know.”


    Gavin chuckled. “Alright, I’ll text Irving. You go ahead and meet him backstage.”


    “Will do, just let me change first.”


    Gavin left, and Elyse let out a quiet sigh. Despite the excitement of the win, she was weary of the constant attention.


    After changing from herpetition attire into a thick coat, Elyse grabbed herrge bags and exited the dressing room.


    As she waited for Irving backstage, a hurried staff member bumped into her, sending her tumbling to the floor.


    Luckily, she was bundled up in thick clothing, which protected her from injury.


    “Sorry, I’m so sorry!” The staff member halted immediately, helped Elyse to her feet, and offered a hurried apology, “Are you all right?”


    Elyse gestured dismissively. “I’m okay. I’ve got plenty of padding on. But what’s the rush? What’s going on?”


    The staff member looked visibly shaken as she exined in a distressed tone, “There’s a man who set himself on fire right at the entrance to the music hall. They say he couldn’t handle losing a bet on today’spetition.”


    Elyse, puzzled, asked, “What do you mean? It was just apetition. Anyone could have won.”


    The staff member sighed. “You might not know, but he was a gambler. He wagered everything, hoping to win, but when you won, his hopes were dashed.”


    Surprised, Elyse responded, “People were betting on this?”


    The staff member nodded. “It happens every year. Folks gamble everything they have, dreaming of a big win, only to lose it all.”


    Hearing this for the first time, Elyse struggled with the concept. With a thoughtful frown, she said, “I’ve never gambled myself. It’s something I know nothing about.”


    The staff member earnestly advised, “And it’s better that way. Stay clear of gambling. It’s nothing but trouble.” With that, she hurried away to address the crisis at the music hall.


    Elyse was leaning against the wall, her patience wearing thin when Irving finally showed up, notablyte. She couldn’t help but blurt out, “Irving, what took you so long?”


    Irving’s expression soured, his frustration evident. “You wouldn’t believe what happened. I was at the front entrance of the concert hall, bidding someone farewell, when out of nowhere, a maniac sets himself on fire. Can you guess what he was yelling as he burned?”


    Elyse, taken aback, shook her head, her voice tinged with disbelief. “What on earth could he have said? That he’d quit gambling in his next life?”


    Irving let out a bitter chuckle. “It wasn’t about giving up gambling. He imed that Edward should have won, not you. Can you believe that?”


    Realization dawned on Elyse. “Oh, so he must have ced his bets on Edward?”


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