Chapter 1377:

Elyse dismissed the tirade with a shrug and walked onto the stage to select her music. She pressed the button, and after a brief pause, Vivaldi’s “Winter” flashed on the screen.

“Vivaldi’s Winter,” the host declared. “Contestants, please prepare. Let the competition begin!”

Violin in hand, Elyse turned to Krista. “Would you like to lead, or should I?”

Krista’s eyes sparkled defiantly. “I’ll start, obviously.” With a nod, Elyse stepped aside, her gaze following Krista as she took her position on stage.

Vivaldi’s “Winter,” while a masterpiece, is a devilishly tricky piece. Its complexity is often underestimated until a performance stumbles, revealing all the performer’s technical deficiencies.

As Krista tackled the piece, her discomfort was palpable. The music seemed to weigh heavily on her; her movements were stiff and mechanical, like a student laboring through a particularly tough exam. This piece demanded flawless technique and nimble fingers.

Unfortunately, Krista’s rendition laid bare her struggles with the piece, highlighting shaky fingering and a general lack of fluidity. The judges, ever diplomatic, handed out middling scores that spared her any overt embarrassment. The audience wasn’t as forgiving. Their brutally honest scores mirrored their less-than-impressed reception. Krista finished with a decidedly average score.

Though she hadn’t snagged the high marks she envisioned, the result wasn’t entirely unexpected. Considering her apprehension about the piece, a middling score seemed fair.

Stepping off the stage, Krista couldn’t resist taking a jab, her voice dripping with feigned confidence. “That wasn’t my best, but it was good enough for a decent score. Let’s see if you can do better.”

Elyse returned the challenge with a smooth, unruffled smile. “I plan to. I don’t have any ‘bad’ pieces.”

This declaration seemed to drain the color from Krista’s face. “That’s impossible! You must be lying!”

Elyse’s calm remained unshaken. “My coach drilled me until all my weaknesses were gone.”

Krista’s disbelief hung in the air, thick and palpable. “No way I believe that.”

“Watch and learn,” Elyse replied, her smile unwavering as she gracefully made her way to the stage, ready to prove her point.

The host glanced at Elyse, her poise unshaken, and asked, “Elyse, aren’t you nervous?”

Her response was serene. “Nervous about what?”

He pointed to the song title on the big screen and smiled. “The piece you are about to perform is a true test of a musician’s mettle.”

“I’m aware,” Elyse acknowledged with a nod, her voice steady. “I’ve practiced extensively.”

The host leaned in, curiosity piqued. “And what should we expect from your performance today?” . . .