Chapter 855:

Elyse blinked, at a loss for words. Her relationship with Jayden had been strained for some time. She knew better than anyone that Jayden had never fully favored her; his heart seemed sealed off.

Darren, recalling something, flashed a smile. “Oh! Jayden had a message for you.”

Curious, Elyse inquired, “What did he say?”

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“He wanted me to tell you not to worry. He’s in the audience, cheering you on. No matter your final ranking, he sees you as the best,” Darren said, visibly touched by his own relay of the message.

He sighed sentimentally. “It seems he’s softened a bit.”

Elyse opened her mouth, but no words came out. How could Jayden say something like that? Wasn’t he always keen on reining her in and opposed to her competing? It dawned on her that her time apart from Jayden had left her unable to gauge his true feelings.

“Are you so moved that you’re speechless? What’s got you so quiet?” Darren waved his hand before Elyse’s face. Elyse came to her senses and offered a smile. “Alright, I get it now. Thanks for that encouragement.”

Pleased, Darren nodded. “I thought as much. Love has a way of calming the nerves. You can always rely on Jayden’s support.”

After relishing the exchange, Darren walked away, content.

Left behind, Elyse remained standing there, feeling somewhat adrift. Jayden was no longer the pillar she could lean on; that role had shifted to Aarya.

With a resigned smile, Elyse cleared her mind of distractions and focused solely on the competition.

Exiting backstage, Fiona made a beeline for the lounge, quickly pulling out her phone to call Kaelyn.

Kaelyn, expecting cheerful updates, teased her with a smile, “So, has the competition wrapped up? What place did you get?”

“Competition? Elyse is back,” Fiona blurted out, her voice laden with fury and desperation. “Didn’t you assure me that she wouldn’t return? How did she manage to come back right before the competition? You’re useless. You’ve ruined everything.”

Kaelyn was taken aback by the news of Elyse’s return but was quickly stung by Fiona’s biting remarks.

Kaelyn retorted sharply, “What’s gotten into you? After everything I’ve done for you, you throw insults at me? Have you lost your senses?”

“Yes! I’m out of my mind, and it’s your fault!” Fiona retorted, her frustration pouring out. “You promised me Elyse wouldn’t return. You said my path in the competition would be clear. And now? You’re nothing but a liar, and I’m a fool to trust you.”

Unmoved by Fiona’s distress, Kaelyn focused on the implications. “Are you implying you want to back out of our agreement? You’re refusing to uphold your end of the deal?”

Fiona scoffed disdainfully. “Deal? You failed to deliver on your end. How can you even ask for my help? What makes you think you’re entitled? My dreams have been shattered, so don’t expect to gain anything from me.”

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