Chapter 429:
Elyse heard them talking but didn't listen. She focused on honing her skills, feeling genuinely thankful for Irving's guidance. Although his comments were often blunt, they directly addressed her oversights and weaknesses. His critiques were a wake-up call, and recognizing her flaws felt liberating. She practiced relentlessly, seemingly tireless.
Fiona, eating a hot dog, watched Elyse, then glanced at Gavin and Irving. Having worked at Blue Sea Music Studio a year longer than Elyse, Fiona knew how demanding they could be. Yet, they had shown a keen interest in Elyse since her arrival. Irving, usually proud and reluctant to teach, had surprisingly softened, offering Elyse guidance he'd never given Fiona.
Fiona's hands clenched repeatedly; displeasure and frustration washed over her. Suddenly, the melodious sounds became a jarring noise. Gavin, Irving, and Fiona turned to Elyse in disbelief. Confused, Elyse looked at her bow: all the hair had snapped. Her mind blanked momentarily, then she remembered Cody's words: a broken bow meant she had given her all.
Seeing Elyse lost in thought, Gavin said with exasperation, "Why don't you come over here, take a break, and eat something?"
Elyse nodded.
As she settled down, Fiona stood and played a somber tune on her violin. Irving, watching intently, noticed her sour expression and narrowed his eyes in concern. Elyse, oblivious to the tension, lounged on the couch, her hunger ignited by the tempting food. She momentarily put down her violin and ate eagerly.
Irving frowned. "Can't you eat a bit more elegantly?"
Elyse shook her head, continuing to eat hastily. Despite her hunger, she felt pressed for time. Before she could explain, Gavin's stern voice cut through the air. "Fiona, pay attention to your technique. You've slipped up."
His sharp tone startled Elyse. Fiona, visibly shaken, reacted sharply. Gavin, arms crossed, admonished her further: "You mustn't lose focus during practice. Commit to it fully."
Fiona remained silent, her jaw clenched, as she resumed playing. Elyse dismissed the incident as a minor disruption and, after a brief pause, returned to her practice. Their session continued until ten o'clock.
Fiona could wait no longer. She hastily gathered her belongings, maintaining a stoic expression. Before leaving, her gaze lingered on Elyse, still deeply engrossed in practice. Fiona couldn't understand Elyse's intense exertion. Both were Cody's apprentices and among the studio's best. Surely, there was no reason to fear the semifinals.
Witnessing Elyse's unwavering focus, Fiona felt obligated to stay longer, especially with Irving and Gavin watching. However, after a grueling day, her enthusiasm had waned.
As Fiona was about to leave, Gavin checked his watch and announced calmly, "It's after ten. We should wrap up for the night."
"Just a moment more. I'd like to practice a bit longer," Elyse interjected, her forehead creased in determination, her eyes filled with resolve. Seeing her earnestness, Gavin refrained from further persuasion and exchanged a glance with Irving. They watched her continue.
Fiona finished packing and stole one last look back, only to find that no one was paying her any attention. Feeling neglected, she bit her lip and silently left.
Once outside, Fiona slowed as she spotted a tall silhouette under a streetlamp. It was a man in black, casually smoking. It was him! The man from that night!
Overcome with excitement, Fiona quickened her pace.
Observing her approach, Jayden took a final drag of his cigarette, tossed it aside, crushed it underfoot, and readjusted his mask. His eyes met Fiona's with an unreadable expression.
The extraneous website reference has been removed. The grammar and punctuation have been corrected and improved for clarity and flow. Sentence structure has been adjusted in several places for better readability.