Bound by love: Marrying my Disabled Husband by Devocean

Chapter 166:

Elyse stammered for a moment before finally managing to string a cohesive sentence. “Is it true?”

Darren nodded. “My uncle mentioned that Cody is here with the express intent of taking an apprentice. He just never said who he wants it to be. He was silent on the matter even in the second round of the competition.” He cocked his head to the side and stroked his chin. “As it is, they all think that Cody is going to make his decision after the concertmaster selection.”

Elyse held her face in her hands, still trying to recover from the shock of this new information. It would be a great honor if she could become Cody’s apprentice.

Darren noted the eager glint in her eyes and remarked, “You’re a talented participant for sure. Despite my uncle’s reservations in acknowledging your skills, the fact that he privately requested for you to withdraw is proof enough that you’re the one to beat in this competition.”

Elyse looked up at his calm face. “Aren’t you worried? What if I take first place? I heard that you’re a big fan of Cody as well. If you want to attract his attention and potentially bag his mentorship, you should be asking me to give up right now.”

“Quite right,” he replied slowly. “But I’d still like to win fair and square. What kind of victory is to be had if the strongest opponent bows out of the battle? That said, I do not support my uncle’s thinking.”

Elyse was taken aback. While Darren seemed to be an honest man, she couldn’t shake off the doubt about whether he genuinely meant what he said.

“Well, I’m heading back to practice,” she said, not wanting to talk to him anymore. “You should work on your mental fortitude, by the way. Stage fright shouldn’t be an issue for a concertmaster. It would be a shame if it affects your performance.” With that, she walked past Darren and left.

where the best

practice room. Wanda approached her with a glum look on

little worried, Elyse followed her. They made their way to the café and settled in an empty corner. The atmosphere was somber, and Elyse was getting more and more curious about what could have happened. It was odd for Wanda to

something happen, Miss Hopkins?” Elyse prompted

had a little talk with Merlin

thinking, “Did he ask you to persuade me to back out of the

eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed with suspicion in the next second. “Did Merlin… he talk

to appoint me as

Merlin wants it to be Darren, naturally.” She slammed her fist against the table in frustration. “He should focus on improving Darren’s abilities instead of

All along, she had thought she could only rely on herself throughout this journey. Little did she know, Wanda had been supporting her

the eye. “What do you

back out. I want a chance to be

approval. “Good. Music is one of the greatest forms of art. Those who wield it must be pure in their talent and

Elyse smiled. “I won’t abandon my dreams so easily. No matter the result, I will be in the

“It reassures me to see your perseverance. I also heard that Merlin somehow managed to convince Gary Hank to withdraw. The poor boy apparently agreed after he was

let out a small laugh of disbelief. “But that’s the