Chapter 844:

“Who are you? What are you trying to do?” she demanded, but the driver remained silent. As the music hall grew distant, despair settled in her heart. Was she really going to miss the competition? An hour remained before the competition, and she knew she had to act fast.

Twenty minutes after Elyse’s departure, Fiona casually boarded another taxi at the hotel, heading to the music hall. A secretive smile played on her lips as she lost herself in thought.

Elyse was transported to the suburbs and confined in a desolate warehouse. After being roughly shoved, her handbag and violin fell to the ground. She quickly got up and attempted to follow the driver, but he locked the warehouse door and departed.

Elyse pounded on the iron doors, calling out desperately, “Wait! Who instructed you to do this? I’ll pay you triple, no, five, even ten times more! Just let me go!” Her shouts faded as the driver’s silhouette vanished.

Frustration mounting, Elyse tugged at the lock to no avail, then slumped against the door, panting heavily. She lamented missing the Grand Final she had worked so hard to reach.

Checking her phone, she saw 40 minutes remained until the competition, but there was no cell signal. She had hoped to contact the authorities once the driver was gone. Exasperated, she exclaimed, “This is incredibly frustrating! Why is there no signal here?” The stress nearly overwhelmed her, and she tugged at her hair in despair.

However, she soon regained her composure, determined not to be defeated. Realizing she might still make it, she resolved to reach the competition venue, regardless of her tardiness.

To regain her focus, she slapped her cheeks and scanned her surroundings for an escape. Looking through the rusted gaps in the warehouse doors, she spotted a small house about a hundred meters away. Excited, she called out, hoping to catch someone’s attention, but no one heard her.

Her frustration deepened. Then her eyes fell on her violin case. Inspired, she picked up her violin and began playing by the gap, hoping the music would draw attention.

After playing for some time, she heard a voice. “Is someone there?”

Elyse responded eagerly, “Yes, please help! I’ll even offer a reward!” She rushed to the doors and found David. “David! What are you doing here?”

David looked equally surprised. “This is my family’s old warehouse. It hasn’t been used for years. How did you end up here?”

Elyse quickly recounted her ordeal, and David glanced at his watch, his expression turning grave. “It’s nearly time for your competition—it starts in five minutes.”

. . .