Bound Hearts: My Vows to My Disabled Spouse

Chapter 166 Intrigues

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 on 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 ike 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.

Not long after she arrived at the practice room, Wanda approached her with a glum look on her face. She asked Elyse to join her outside.

little

was somber, and Elyse was

in such low spirits, and she

happen, Miss Hopkins?" Elyse

little talk with Merlin Reynolds, and he said something that really upset

he ask you to persuade me to back out

did you know?" Wanda's eyes

the next second. "Did Merlin he

offered to appoint me as next

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disdain. "I never

sake. I just found out that Cody is planning to take an apprentice. Merlin wants it to be

Darren's abilities instead of wasting his time

and looked Elyse in the eye. "What do you think? Would you like to withdraw?" Elyse shook her head. "I won't back out. I want a chance to be Cody's apprentice,

won't abandon my dreams so easily. No matter

that Merlin somehow managed to convince Gary Hank to withdraw. The poor boy apparently agreed after he was offered the

small laugh of disbelief. "But that's the same deal Merlin offered me?" Wanda raised an eyebrow and gave her a pointed look. "Remember, the opportunities you earn through your own hard, honest work

they had all agreed to Merlin's offer, Daren would only have to compete against one or two other participants. Heck, he might just have a showdown with