?<strong>Chapter 946:</strong>


    Feeling the weight of everyone’s stares, Fiona stepped forward and answered, “Sir, I’m a contestant here to observe your rehearsal for the tour.”


    The instructor pointed toward the exit and stated firmly, “Non-essential personnel, please leave. Do not disturb our training.”


    Looking flustered, Fiona turned to Elyse and eximed, “Elyse, help me out here. I’m just standing here watching. I won’t cause any disturbance.”


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    The instructor’s gaze then fixed on Elyse, his tone tinged with displeasure as he asked, “Is she your friend?” Elyse noticed a brief sh of delight in Fiona’s eyes.


    Darren, standing next to Elyse, cast her a worried nce. He knew the instructor was strict and intolerant of distractions. Any failure to pacify him might jeopardize Elyse’s performance.


    “Why aren’t you speaking? If she’s a stranger, how does she know your name?” The instructor’s voice was tinged with irritation, the tension in the room mounting. Everyone held their breath, sensing that the instructor might soon ask Elyse to exit the rehearsal space.


    “I know her, but she’s no friend of mine,” Elyse replied quietly, her toneden with resignation. “She’s a former senior of mine. She didn’t fare well in thispetition and seems unable to ept her defeat. That’s why she’s been shadowing me, hoping to watch our rehearsal.”


    The instructor’s frown deepened. “A former senior? And who might your mentor be?”


    Elyse responded honestly, “I study under Cody Tucker. She was once Cody’s student as well, but not anymore.” Elyse then looked directly at Fiona.


    Fiona clearly hadn’t anticipated Elyse revealing their connection. As the room filled with inquisitive stares, Fiona’s embarrassment grew.


    The instructor, knowing Cody well, doubted his willingness to dismiss a student casually. He probed further, asking, “Why was she dismissed? I know Cody; he doesn’t dismiss students lightly.”


    Fiona gazed at Elyse, her face etched with dread. She absolutely couldn’t allow Elyse to expose her secrets. If the truth came out, Fiona feared her carefully crafted image would shatter.


    Just as Elyse was poised to speak, Fiona cut in sharply. “Elyse, I think my being here is disruptive. I’ll step out now, and we can catch up after your rehearsal.”


    Elyse observed Fiona’s hasty retreat, her lips curling into a subtle sneer. Fiona had aimed to create discord, but she had underestimated her.


    And Elyse had no ns to let Fiona off the hook so easily. “Actually, Fiona was expelled because she…” Elyse didn’t hold back. Over the next ten minutes, sheid bare all of Fiona’s prior missteps, including the suspicions surrounding her during thepetition.


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