Chapter 1332:

“Elyse, you’ll be up against Stuart Miller. Shall we see which piece you both will tackle? Are you ready?” the host queried, his voice tinged with intrigue.

With unwavering confidence, Elyse nodded.

“I’m ready.”

The host, buoyed by her aplomb, probed further. “Is there any piece that gives you pause, or are you apprehensive about drawing perhaps your least practiced one?”

Pausing briefly to collect her thoughts, Elyse replied, “There were once pieces that daunted me, but I’ve devoted time to turn those weaknesses into strengths. Now, I fear no piece.”

Impressed, the host exclaimed, “You truly embody the challenger spirit! Let’s unveil the piece you will perform.”

As all eyes locked onto the stage’s grand screen, it flickered and flipped through the repertoire, building suspense among the audience. It abruptly stopped.

“The duel between Elyse Lloyd and Stuart Miller will feature ‘Humoresque.’ Stuart, care to take the stage first?”

Stuart stood calm, his earlier scheming paying off. He had secretly ensured his selection through backstage bribes, aiming to guarantee the piece he had mastered would be chosen. With a strategy in mind, he proposed, “Ladies first. Elyse, please, after you.”

Gracefully accepting, Elyse responded, “Sure. No problem.”

As Elyse took the stage with serene confidence, Stuart felt a twinge of anxiety. Her composed nature left him puzzled. Was she also a master of this piece? He patted his cheeks, silently urging himself to maintain his composure and focus as the competition unfolded.

Elyse positioned herself at the piano. As she began to play, the music cascaded from her fingertips with elegant precision.

Meanwhile, Celeste watched from the judges’ panel, her interest piqued. She knew this piece was neither overly complex nor simplistic—a perfect test of true musical craftsmanship. The performer had to meticulously balance tone, bow pressure, and speed, ensuring the bow glided in a flawless line between the fingerboard and bridge to sidestep any harsh tones. Playing this piece was a litmus test for novices, yet it posed an elegant challenge for seasoned violinists to execute a pristine solo.

Elyse, immersed in her performance, ignored Celeste’s critical eyes. She knew Celeste harbored a bias and would scrutinize her eagerly for any misstep. Yet, she was unfazed. . . .