Chapter 587:
No sooner had Fiona finished speaking than she noticed several bottles of unopened nail polish on the table. Gavin, it seemed, had also spotted them upon entering.
Fiona felt the intensity of Gavin's gaze and, uncomfortable, averted her eyes.
Gavin stared at her, tapped the table, and said harshly, "Come here and sit down. We need to talk."
Fiona hesitated. She suspected the conversation wouldn't be pleasant; she dreaded another lecture. Despite her reluctance, she couldn't ignore him. Sighing, she dragged over a chair, sat down opposite him, crossed her arms, and deliberately avoided his gaze.
Clearly annoyed, Gavin demanded, "What's been going on with you lately? You seem distracted. You've even been neglecting your violin practice."
Fiona dismissed him. "I don't know what you mean. My passion for the violin hasn't changed, and I'm not distracted."
Pointing to the items on the table, Gavin retorted, "Really? Your passion is the same? Then explain the nail polish, rhinestones, and decorations. How do you expect to play the violin with all that on your fingers?"
Fiona frowned. "I just bought them to look at them. I won't actually use them. I understand doing my nails would interfere with playing, but you never said I couldn't buy them, right?"
Gavin retorted, "And that manicure kit scattered all over the table? Just for looking, too?"
"I got a set; it was a better deal," Fiona responded weakly.
Frustrated by her justifications, Gavin raised his voice. "Do you not understand the seriousness of this? Your focus on music is slipping. Why the sudden interest in nail art if you're so committed to the violin?"
Gavin's words stung, and Fiona's embarrassment turned to defiance. "I am committed! I practice, don't I? Is it wrong to look at something else during my break?"
Gavin realized Fiona was unwilling to acknowledge her missteps, repeatedly justifying her actions. He spoke more gravely. "I've avoided serious conversations before because I didn't want to discourage you. But honestly, your performance in the last competition was subpar. You seemed less like the dedicated professional you are and more like a hobbyist."
Fiona blanched, her lips tight, as she absorbed his words.
With a stern look, Gavin continued, "If you were merely a hobbyist, I'd leave you be. But you're not. You're a professional, Cody Tucker's apprentice. You represent his teaching. Do you think your recent performances reflect that?"
After a tense pause, Fiona replied sharply, "I'll do better next time. Why can't you let the past be the past? Or are you just trying to hurt me because you look down on me?"
Gavin scowled. "Why would you think that? I'm discussing this for your benefit."
"For my benefit? Really? You only look out for Elyse. She's everyone's favorite, and I'm just another face in the crowd. She might win first place, but I'm struggling to even make eighth. You clearly don't like me. You're trying to push me out," Fiona shot back angrily.
She unleashed a torrent of pent-up frustration, revealing her long-simmering resentment.
Breathing heavily, her cheeks flushed, Fiona challenged, "You don't honestly believe you and Irving treat everyone fairly, do you? It's always Elyse this, Elyse that. I'm just a spare to you. Neither of you truly cares about my progress."
Gavin felt a sting of accusation. How had Fiona developed such misconceptions? She seemed to believe they unfairly favored Elyse, which wasn't true.
Locking eyes with an irate Fiona, Gavin probed, "So, you think we favor Elyse? You resent her, and that's why you didn't help her when she was in trouble?"
Suddenly calmer, Fiona retorted, "What are you implying? That I left her in danger?"
Gavin, noticing her evasive gaze, pressed on coldly, "Aren't you going to confess? Weren't you claiming you weren't at the hospital the day Elyse had a miscarriage?"
With icy defiance, Fiona responded, "You accuse me of not helping Elyse. Shouldn't you be presenting some proof instead of just taking her word for it?"
"Then explain what really happened that day," Gavin insisted.