Chapter 864:
“You figured out he was a gambler?” Irving exhaled heavily. “The whole place is in chaos now. Gavin’s in for a long night. He’ll be dealing with this mess until morning.”
A curious spark lit up in Elyse’s eyes as she pondered, then inquired, “Gavin gets to be a staff member at the Swan Cup. Why not you?”
“I declined because I’m not interested in such thankless tasks that would only wear me out and make me age prematurely,” Irving explained calmly.
Elyse scratched her head. “I just thought maybe you weren’t as skilled as Gavin, and that’s why the organizers didn’t ask you.”
“Hey, just because you won first place, do you think you can insult me to my face?” Irving chided her lightly.
Elyse shook her head and softened her tone. “I didn’t mean it like that. Let’s drop it and get moving. I’m really tired and want to lie down for a bit.”
Irving looked at her and, seeing her stand there quietly, sighed resignedly. “Alright, I won’t argue. Let’s head back to the hotel and rest.” He gathered Elyse’s belongings, escorted her to the car, and they drove away.
Elyse, sitting in the passenger seat, rested her chin on her hand and gazed out the window absentmindedly. As they drove past the concert hall, she noticed the area was still bustling, indicating the earlier self-immolation incident hadn’t been resolved. A sudden thought struck her: could Jayden be in that crowd? If he didn’t wait for her, would he be upset and disappointed?
The moment this thought entered her mind, she slapped her own cheek sharply. Irving, behind the wheel, was taken aback by her sudden action. His voice filled with astonishment, “Did you just slap yourself? Is this some kind of ritual you have for celebrating wins?”
Elyse responded evenly, “Not really. I just felt a bit foggy and needed to clear my head.”
Misinterpreting her comment, Irving nodded. “I see. It’s true, isn’t it? Many who win or achieve great things tend to get a bit full of themselves. Staying humble is key if we want to continue improving.”
Without challenging his point, Elyse replied, “Absolutely. Getting first place doesn’t mean we can rest on our laurels.”
Irving appreciated her modesty and willingness to learn. “Exactly. Feeling proud is natural, especially after clinching the Swan Cup this year. It wasn’t an easy feat. Be proud where it counts, but remember humility is essential. And maybe skip the self-slapping next time. It’s quite startling.”
Elyse just nodded, choosing to remain silent.
Once back at the hotel, the weight of exhaustion overwhelmed her. She collapsed onto the bed and drifted off to sleep almost immediately.
Dreams were a rarity for her, yet that day was different. She was enveloped in darkness, aware she was dreaming but unable to awaken, despite her efforts.
Elyse found herself wandering through the darkness, losing track of time until a young boy materialized before her. . . .