Chapter 1333:
Her experiences at the Swan Cup had tempered her, teaching her the art of poise under pressure. She locked eyes with Celeste, unshaken. As the final note resonated, the audienceโs applause swelled throughout the hall. With a graceful curtsy, Elyse acknowledged the crowd, her confidence unwavering. The host lavished praise upon her before she retreated backstage, making way for Stuartโs moment in the spotlight.
Stuart approached with a veneer of assurance. Unacquainted with the trials of the Swan Cup, he underestimated Elyseโs seasoned finesse, dismissing her display as mundane, convinced his would surpass hers. Yet, as the last echoes of his performance faded, the sparse applause left him bewildered and disheartened. The host beckoned Elyse back to the stage to receive the judgesโ verdicts. After the initial judges shared their thoughts, it was Celesteโs turn. She grasped the microphone, her voice stern, addressing Stuart. โDid you perceive the audienceโs reaction following each performance?โ
Stuart, momentarily taken aback, admitted, โI did.โ Celesteโs critique was scathing. โYour basic skills are profoundly deficient. Iโve seldom seen such a lack of foundational mastery. Elyseโs command of the violin far exceeds yours. To seriously consider a future in violin, you must dedicate far more time to refining your technique.โ
Stuartโs annoyance was palpable. This marked the second instance of Celeste publicly critiquing his abilities, but now she had crossed a line by questioning his fundamental skills. โHumoresqueโ was his signature piece. Overwhelmed by frustration, Stuart seized the microphone and countered forcefully, โI believe my performance was exceptional. This piece is my specialty. Thereโs no way I could be outperformed by Elyse.โ
. . . Message from Noah: A new week is here! Embrace the fresh start and enjoy the chapters. God bless you, and Noah is sending you all the best. (ษOโฟ=)ษ โฅ