Chapter 871:

Just then, her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID, a look of seriousness crossing her face. She stood up, gathered her tray, and prepared to leave.

Seeing this, Edward couldn’t hold back. “Wait a minute. I’m the one who just got rejected. Why are you leaving?”

Elyse gave him a stern look. “What do you mean? My phone is ringing. I’m going somewhere quiet to answer it.”

Realizing Elyse was merely taking a call, Edward exhaled in relief. “I thought we couldn’t even be friends anymore. Well, hurry back. I’ll be waiting right here.”

Elyse rolled her eyes at Edward. His imagination always took off like a rocket. He truly lived in his own little drama. Elyse dropped off her tray at the dish return station and walked outside the banquet hall. Leaning against a wall, she answered her phone.

As soon as the call connected, Elyse heard Pearce’s joyful laughter, and she laughed along. “Pearce, why are you so cheerful? Is there a reason to celebrate?” she asked curiously.

Pearce chuckled. “Of course! Didn’t you just win first place? My cousin is incredible. Shouldn’t I be cheerful about that?”

“You knew I won first place?” Elyse inquired casually.

“Not just me, the whole country knows! Your performance at the Swan Cup has been all over the news. Now, your name is out there,” Pearce said, praising her enthusiastically. “You’re really something else. You’ve made me quite proud and got me a lot of attention.”

Elyse felt a bit embarrassed. “Everyone knows? That shocks me.”

Pearce lightly scolded her. “You’re just too modest. If I were in your shoes, I’d have been boasting about reaching the final the moment it happened.”

Elyse touched her nose. “In that case, if I had lost in the final, I’d be the laughingstock.”

Pearce responded earnestly, “If you had lost, we could find something else to promote. But now, you’ve got great influence, so don’t let it go to waste.”

After a brief pause, he asked, “By the way, when are you planning to come home? The competition is over; you should be heading back now, right?”

Elyse seemed puzzled. “Pearce, are you suggesting I return to Grandma’s house? Wouldn’t she scold me and throw me out? She dislikes me, and she hates the violin. How could she possibly welcome me warmly?”

Pearce hesitated briefly. “Actually, she’s realized her mistake. She’s already regretted it and wants you to come back.”

Elyse was highly suspicious. “That doesn’t sound right. Are you trying to trick me?”

Pearce laughed, cursed playfully, then said, “It’s not just Grandma. Victoria misses you too. She admitted she didn’t realize your talent until she saw your performance and wants you to play the violin for her.”

Mentioning Victoria softened Elyse’s expression. “Sure, when I get back, I’ll make plans to meet Victoria, as long as she’s okay with me,” Elyse responded.

Victoria was one of the few people Elyse felt indebted to, and as Victoria was Rickey’s daughter, Elyse naturally wanted to meet her. Even if Victoria wanted to listen to violin music all afternoon, Elyse would happily play. . . .