The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

The earlier performances wrapped up quickly.

The contestants all delivered about what was expected of them, with no major mistakes to speak of.

This time, Harry didn't offer the kind of biting commentary he'd reserved for Antoney and Stella. He simply watched in silence, as if even he recognized there was nothing worth criticizing. After all, you have to let the average folks hold onto a little hope, don't you?

Soon, it was Harry and Rachel's turn to take the stage.

Before the contest, Harry had sworn up and down to Mr. Walden that they'd absolutely beat Stella this time. Mr. Walden, along with Rena and several others, had come to watch in person.

Their arrival drew quite a bit of attention-spectators snapped photos, and a low buzz of conversation spread through the hall.

"I heard Rachel's partner today is Harry, Mr. Walden's top violin protégé," someone whispered. "He's basically the best under Mr. Walden himself."

"Isn't that a bit unfair? Harry's basically on the level of a master-why would he bother entering a student competition?" another person said.

"They say Harry's here to back up Rachel, Mr. Walden's last protégé," someone else chimed in.

"Rachel might be Mr. Walden's student, but she's been completely overshadowed by Stella every single time. She's never stood a chance."

she's never been able to show her full

she shouldn't compete. But if she's here, then she shouldn't use illness as an excuse," another spectator

shows their skills are close. Otherwise, with someone like Harry

were at her absolute peak, I doubt she could beat Stella. Some violin experts online have reviewed Stella's playing—even

really going all out to help his student take

bringing in Harry feels a bit like stacking

what Mr. Walden is thinking. It's a bit

even disapproval at Mr. Walden's decision. Some even pointed and gestured in

even if Stella lost, no one could say

ignoring the looks and whispers. To him, competition was all about skill. As

lights came up, Harry and

had a reputation for being a bit of a lone wolf, ensemble

reputation as Mr. Walden's

one considered a benchmark among the world's most difficult classics. Rachel could never have managed it alone, but with Harry by her side,

coordination delivered a performance that

feast for the