Chapter 438:

Rebekah firmly denied knowing the man, but the tension in the room was palpable. Unable to remain seated, Mariana stormed onto the stage, exclaiming, "She stole my spot! She lacks the skill I possess, yet she advanced to the semifinals. I demand a reassessment!"

The judge, overwhelmed by the disruption, massaged his temples and announced, "Anyone questioning the results, please step forward."

Elyse and Mariana moved forward together, while Rebekah hesitated before remaining in her seat.

Observing her reluctance, a judge inquired, "Are you satisfied with the results?"

As a finalist, Rebekah had no grievances. She replied flatly, "I did not cheat. My presence here is proof of my capability."

The judge instructed, "Step forward. You cannot remain unaffected when you are the center of suspicion."

Rebekah's gaze hardened with anger and disdain as she looked at Mariana and Elyse. After a brief phone call, the judge declared, "We will have a rematch. Prove your skills, and we may adjust the rankings accordingly."

Rebekah protested, "The results are final. I oppose a rematch."

The judge replied sternly, "Refusal means you reject the rules, and I will have to disqualify you."

With clenched fists and a heavy heart, Rebekah had no choice but to comply, as the judges held ultimate authority. Reluctantly, she joined Elyse and Mariana.

Elyse regarded Rebekah coolly, remarking, "I underestimated you."

Rebekah sneered in response, "Your accusations are baseless. You're the true troublemaker here."

Elyse's sneer was her only reply, demonstrating her persistent defiance.

The judge deliberated briefly and then commanded, "For this skill competition, you will perform Erlkönig."

This announcement stunned both contestants and spectators. Elyse knew this was her weakest area. Was this a deliberate attempt to ensure her defeat?

Elyse, initially shocked, soon felt a surge of adrenaline. The piece she had been secretly perfecting was Erlkönig.

Mariana hesitated, looking uncertain. She didn't speak but took out her violin to familiarize herself with the piece. It was a risky choice; she hadn't played it in a long time.

"I'll play first," Elyse declared, taking out her violin.

The judge nodded. "Then let's begin."

On stage, Darren and Vicky stepped aside, giving Elyse the spotlight. Vicky wore a look of disdain, doubting Elyse could master the piece. She anticipated a public embarrassment. Conversely, Darren was fraught with concern. He had witnessed Elyse's previous attempts, which were riddled with errors. Internally, he rooted for her success, eager to pursue international competitions with her.

Oblivious to the mixed emotions around her, Elyse positioned herself, calmed her nerves, and began to play.

From below the stage, Irving remarked, "She's steady. She knows this piece well."

Erlkönig challenged the violinist's left-hand independence, required stretching into extended positions, and demanded precise bow control. Elyse executed it flawlessly, maintaining both the piece's integrity and its musicality. Following her performance, her genuine talent was evident.

Mariana followed, taking center stage. During this time, Fiona returned from a brief respite. She sensed the heightened tension in the hall. Upon inquiring, she discovered she had placed ninth out of ten, a disappointing outcome.

She watched Mariana play, acknowledging her competence. Mariana's rendition was impressive, displaying the finesse that had brought her this far.

Then it was Rebekah's turn. On stage, Rebekah looked visibly nervous. She wasn't prepared for this piece. Under the audience's insistent prompting, she hesitantly performed a segment. However, her rendition was riddled with errors, prompting the judge to intervene and halt her performance.

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