Chapter 485

Elyse was taken aback by Darren's words. "What happened to her?" she asked, her confusion evident.

Darren, a longtime rival of Vicky's, admitted his ignorance. "I'm not sure, but it's clear she's deeply affected by something," he said.

Elyse ran a hand through her hair. Her knowledge of Vicky was limited compared to Darren's; after all, they had known each other since childhood.

Backstage, the ten contestants stood apart, even former friends maintaining their distance. The camaraderie was gone; they were now rivals locked in competition.

"Let's welcome our ten contestants to the stage," the host announced.

Elyse, the first-place winner, led the way. As she surveyed the judging panel, her surprise peaked at the sight of Freda. Why was she there, prominently positioned?

Freda, chin in hand, reveled in Elyse's shock and doubt. Her satisfaction was boundless. This was exactly what she had wanted—to see Elyse's disbelief. She had endured for this very moment.

Her family, deeply entrenched in the music industry despite their business ventures, wielded significant influence. They were major investors in various domestic events, including the Champions Cup. Therefore, Freda's position as a judge, secured by her family's influence, was easily obtained. Others in the music industry lacked the financial resources for such investments; for Freda, securing the role would have been a simple matter.

Freda basked in her triumph, boldly winking at Elyse and even making a face—a deliberate provocation.

Receiving this unmistakable signal of defiance, Elyse furrowed her brow. Was Freda here to deliberately cause trouble? The possibility worried Elyse.

Speechless, Elyse hadn't anticipated becoming a target after breaking up with Theo. A pang of regret, unfamiliar and sharp, struck her; she questioned her decision to leave Theo.

"Elyse Lloyd will now grace us with the enchanting melody of 'The Wanderer'," the host declared before exiting the stage with the other contestants, leaving Elyse alone in the spotlight.

Elyse took center stage, striking a pose before drawing the first note from her violin, captivating the audience.

"Absolutely marvelous! Her performance is flawless, showing both skill and poise. She's a genius."

"It's like she's always been at the top, pouring her heart into every note."

"Did you know Elyse is Cody's apprentice? Her playing is anything but rigid; she exudes pure joy."

As the judges whispered their admiration, Freda couldn't hide her frown.

Did Elyse truly deserve such praise? While not a music expert, Freda could appreciate beauty. Elyse's violin playing resonated with haunting melodies, conveying the wanderer's profound solitude and the ethereal glow of moonlight.

Yet, despite the brilliance of the performance, Freda's disdain remained. How could Elyse receive such acclaim?

With a disdainful glance around, Freda interjected, "Let's not get carried away with Elyse's performance. She's not as exceptional as you believe."

After her remark, Freda scanned the room with a brazen air. Her eyes gleamed with determination as she silently, with a stern gaze, cautioned several judges against awarding Elyse high scores.

Caught in a moment of uncertainty, the judges exchanged uneasy glances, mindful of Freda's influential position as an investor.

Unbeknownst to Freda, Gavin sat discreetly behind the judges' panel, overhearing everything. He observed her with astonishment, pondering her motive for relentlessly targeting Elyse.

(The final lines ".noveldrama" and the extra periods seem extraneous and have been removed.)