Chapter 734:

Elyse pouted. “But you look like you don’t want to go. I don’t want to force you. I’ll go by myself.”

Gavin’s expression darkened. Sensing the tension, Irving quickly intervened, sighing as he covered Elyse’s mouth. “Alright, alright, I’ll go with you. Just stop lying about me.”

Elyse wriggled free. “Then take back what you said about me losing. I don’t like hearing that.”

Irving lowered his head. “Fine, I take it back. You’ll win. You’ll come first in every competition from now on.”

Elyse nodded, satisfied.

Gavin, arms crossed, addressed Irving firmly. “Take good care of Elyse. This is her first major competition, even if the theme seems simple to you.”

Irving grumbled, “She’s not that capable and always drags me down.”

“What was that?” Gavin’s sharp look elicited only a shrug from Irving.

Gavin turned to Elyse, who was trying to remain composed. “Elyse is clearly nervous. She’s inexperienced and unfamiliar with the themes. As her senior, be more considerate.”

Irving scratched his head impatiently. “I get it. I’ll look after her. You should go now.”

Gavin hurried off to his meeting, leaving Irving and Elyse.

As soon as Gavin was gone, Irving muttered, “Gavin’s becoming a nagging old lady.”

Elyse said pointedly, “Irving, I can hear you.”

Irving pressed down on Elyse’s head, ruffling her hair. “So what? Are you going to tattle?”

Elyse winced. “No, I wouldn’t dare. Please let go, it hurts.”

Irving grunted. “So weak.”

He released her. As Elyse rubbed her head, Irving saw Fiona walking by with a violin case, her face expressionless. Fiona noticed them but ignored them and left the hotel.

Irving, who hadn’t attended the previous night’s event, was unaware Fiona was also participating and staying at the same hotel. He frowned. “What’s Fiona doing here? Is she trying to plead with Mr. Tucker to rejoin the studio?”

Elyse filled him in on the previous day’s backstage gossip. Surprised by Fiona’s participation, he asked, “Who helped her get a spot?”

Elyse shook her head. “I’m not sure. Gavin said he’d look into it, but hasn’t given me any updates.”

Irving thought for a moment. “Let’s put Fiona aside. You mentioned someone cut a contestant’s violin strings yesterday. That’s serious. Be extra cautious.”

Elyse looked puzzled. “What’s the big deal? Isn’t it just jealousy?”

“Even if it was jealousy, the perpetrator should have targeted one person,” Irving said firmly. “Destroying the violins of an entire group is sabotage.”

Elyse took a deep breath, processing his words. His logic made sense.

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