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.

a little worried, Elyse followed

and Elyse was getting more and more curious about what could have happened. It was

low spirits, and she was

happen, Miss Hopkins?"

before saying, "I just had a little talk with Merlin Reynolds, and he said something that really upset

spoke without thinking. "Did he ask you to

you know?" Wanda's eyes widened in surprise,

with suspicion in the next second. "Did

nodded. "In fact, he offered to appoint me as next year's concertmaster if

enjoyment. The next chapter is just a

scoffed in disdain. "I never thought he

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

"He should focus on improving Darren's abilities instead of wasting his time on these

she had thought she could only rely on herself throughout this journey. Little did she know, Wanda had been supporting her in her own ways. Wanda huffed 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, too." Wanda nodded in approval. "Good. Music is one of

Ms. Hopkins," Elyse smiled. "I won't abandon my dreams so easily. No matter the result, I will be in the competition

to convince

Elyse let out a 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

agreed to Merlin's offer, Daren would only have to compete against one or two other participants. Heck,