Chapter 197:

The following morning, Elyse awoke stiff and sore. Descending the stairs, she found Jayden absent and asked Driscoll, "Is Jayden in the study?"

Driscoll shook his head, offering her a glass of water. "He left early this morning. Do you need him for something?"

Pausing her hand mid-waist massage, Elyse smiled awkwardly. "No, it was just a casual question." She quickly drank the water and went to the dining room for breakfast. Afterward, she grabbed her violin case and headed to the rehearsal room.

Upon arrival, Elyse sensed a shift in the atmosphere. The other members’ unusual expressions puzzled her. As she tuned her violin, an object fell from the stand. She picked it up and returned it to its owner, who snatched it and quickly retreated.

This strange behavior deepened Elyse’s confusion. Why were they so distant and wary? Freddy entered, immediately noticing the tension. With a serious expression, he approached Elyse. "Come outside. I have something to tell you."

Elyse followed him. Outside, Freddy explained, "Vicky targeted you. Last night, she urged everyone in our orchestra's group chat to isolate you. She's quite influential, and no one wants to cross her." Worry etched Freddy's face.

Elyse was speechless. For a moment, they stood in silence. Darren approached, offering a hint of encouragement. "This just shows Vicky's scared she might not measure up to you."

Elyse responded with resignation and indifference. "I don't mind, as long as it doesn't interfere with my life."

Darren's expression turned scornful. "I used to respect Vicky. She's talented, albeit distant, and I thought she was a good person. I was mistaken. Let it go. Let's get back to practice. The tour is what matters."

Elyse readily accepted the situation. She didn't dwell on Vicky's machinations. Her performance and future competitions were her priorities.

In Abram's office, Vicky paced restlessly, phone pressed to her ear. "Even after everyone isolated Elyse, she seems to be practicing normally," someone said.

Frustration flickered across Vicky's face. "And her friends? Are they distancing themselves?" she asked sharply, impatiently.

The informant replied hesitantly, "The opposite, actually. They haven't heeded your call at all. They're interacting with her as usual."

With a curt goodbye, Vicky snapped the phone shut and chewed on her fingernail, pacing. The previous evening's request to Abram for the competition video replayed in her mind, fueled by a nagging doubt about her own superiority. It was the first time she'd scrutinized Elyse's performance post-competition, and the realization was chilling: had Elyse not faltered, she might have won. This thought muddled Vicky's confidence, casting shadows over her celebrated prowess.

Vicky, the undefeated violin virtuoso, felt a crack in her armor. Elyse, an enigma of modesty, loomed large, unsettling her. That night, Vicky wrestled with a gnawing unease. Why wasn't Elyse anxious or afraid? Did Elyse not see her as a worthy opponent? The thought rankled Vicky, fueling her determination to undermine Elyse's composure. She refused to bear the pressure alone.

Despite Vicky's efforts, Elyse remained unperturbed, much to Vicky's frustration. The office door swung open, and Darren entered. Vicky, annoyed, said curtly, "Mr. Ellsworth isn't here. Come back later."

"Actually, I'm here for you," Darren replied disdainfully. "Seriously, what's with this petty game of isolating Elyse? You've never been this vindictive before, have you?"

Vicky sneered. "Did Elyse send you? You seem concerned. Though I've heard she's married. You might be wasting your time."

Darren's face flushed. "I'm here to talk to you. You didn't even lose the competition, so why this hostility?"

"How could a loser like you understand what drives me?" Vicky retorted, her voice rising.

Darren inhaled deeply. "We've known each other for years, Vicky. Don't push this too far. We're all in the same orchestra. Keep this up, and you'll lose the respect of our peers."

"I'm Mr. Ellsworth's protégé. No one will disrespect me," Vicky retorted disdainfully, dismissing Darren's concerns.

Darren, momentarily speechless, finally said, "I've said all I can. The rest is up to you." ... ... ...