Chapter 418:

Darren's brow furrowed, confusion clouding his eyes. "Are you sure my hands are shaking from excitement?" he questioned, doubt lacing his voice.

Elyse held his gaze unflinchingly. "Exactly. If nervousness caused your tremors, they would have appeared before. You've faced plenty of pressure."

A beat of silence, then she added, "But now you're surrounded by formidable opponents, and that prospect alone makes your hands jittery with anticipation."

Even to her ears, it sounded logical. Briefly, she doubted her ability to entirely convince Darren.

A sliver of persuasion flickered in Darren's eyes, but skepticism lingered. "Am I sick? Why would I get excited facing strong opponents? Shouldn't I dread them?"

With unwavering conviction, Elyse placed her hands on his shoulders. "Because you crave strength, Darren. You live for a challenge more than you realize. You can't wait to test yourself against the best. That's why your hands are shaking."

Darren opened his mouth, her words resonating with him. Yet, a strange dissonance echoed within.

Sensing a shift in his mood, Elyse pressed on, her voice filled with encouragement. "Darren, don't hold back your excitement. You're already strong."

She recalled Cody's words—Darren's fundamentals were more solid than Vicky's. Such a foundation shouldn't guarantee second place. He possessed the potential for victory.

Elyse's words completely encouraged Darren. A surge of confidence and bravery ignited within him. "You're right," he declared, a newfound resolve hardening his voice. "I am strong. Strength shouldn't be feared; it should be embraced."

Elyse offered a solemn nod before ushering him backstage. She exhaled in relief. Adjusting her dress and clutching her violin case, she descended the stairs, seeking out Irving and Gavin.

Settling beside them, a comfortable silence enveloped the trio. Having missed Vicky's performance, Elyse had caught Darren's and Fiona's flawless sets. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, they were safe.

Later, Rebekah took the stage and, to Elyse's surprise, faltered. Two jarring notes pierced the melody, audible even to the audience. Yet, when the results were announced, Rebekah made it to the next round.

Astonishment contorted Elyse's features. Turning to Irving, she inquired, "There were rumors of an inside deal regarding Rebekah's entry. Any truth to that?"

Irving cast her a sympathetic glance. "Whether it's true or not is irrelevant to you. You're in the top five. What threat could she possibly pose, trailing behind you?"

Elyse pursed her lips, unable to quell her simmering anger. Cheating undermined the integrity of the entire competition.

"The music world isn't pristine," Irving countered. "Absolute transparency is a fantasy. To challenge someone's entry or allege an inside deal, you need proof. Otherwise, your accusations fall on deaf ears."

Elyse held back a retort, opting for silence.

Gavin studied the rankings. "Fifth and sixth for you and Fiona. Safe spots, but the conservative tune selection hinders your chances of winning first place."

Irving chimed in, "Next time, let Elyse tackle a more challenging piece. Ditch the simpler tunes."

"Agreed," Gavin mused, his gaze fixed on the rankings. "Something harder is a must."

The urge to escape overwhelmed Elyse. Grabbing a garment bag, she headed for the restroom to change. However, as she approached the door, she collided with Theo heading in the opposite direction.

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