Chapter 66DruggingwJaydens face contorted into a sneer He would say that wouldnt he How else could he sway you you gullible girlcElyse shot back visibly upset I am not gullibleThen why not Jayden retorted giving her a skeptical look Are the Fosters really that influential Does my family actually need to depend on them The Foster family is in decline They need my family more than mine need themHe gently pinched her cheek saying I wont divorce you Youre decent enough and I think you are greatElyses face flushed under his scrutinyJayden saw her cheeks redden and mused over her simplicity how a few words could make her blush Go on entertain yourself I need to return to studyingEarlier he had come out of the study to console her after spotting her sitting in the garden looking distressed Now he had to go backOn his way thoughts of Theo stirred a tightness in his jaw He had previously disregarded Theo Now he realized Theo harbored ill intentions and even attempted to stir discord between him and Elyse It seemed necessary to keep him occupiedElyse received the news that she was reinstated into the orchestra The next morning she left home to compete for the tourUpon arrival she sensed a palpable tension in the air This atmosphere influenced her as well After slipping into her training attire she took out her violin and started practicingYoure so lucky Elyse You were nearly ousted yet here you are able to compete in the selection Your luck astounds me Rebekah approached with her violin her tone dripping with sarcasm But having been at home for so long can you really pass the selectionCant I practice at home Elyse counteredRebekah scoffed You think practicing at home compares to our daily sessions here Imagine the embarrassment if you failElyse fired back And what if you fail Rebekah After all your daily practice that would be truly embarrassing wouldnt itRebekah puffing up with pride declared Im at my peak today Im certain Ill pass the selection But you Her expression said it allElyse wanting to end the conversation responded confidently Im also in good shape Dont worry Ill pass the selection
Seeing Elyses confidence Rebekah felt a surge of resentment She was acutely aware of Elyses talent which was why she viewed her as a threat from the moment she joined the orchestra Elyses presence could potentially hinder her future successTurning her head Rebekah noticed a tumbler in Elyses bag a crafty gleam flickering in her eyes as an idea formedElyse sat waiting for the selection process to begin positioned among her friends in the middle of the group her anxiety palpableTo keep her fingers nimble she continuously moved themAfter an hour it was finally their turn and the tension among the candidates spikedA girl offered Elyse a glass of water asking Would you like some water ElyseRemembering last years incident where a peer missed their selection due to tampered water Elyse had since become vigilant She only consumed what she brought herselfNo thanks I have my own she declined standing to retrieve her tumblr from her bag She took a small sip to soothe her throat From a distance Rebekah watched this unfold with a smug satisfactionJust as Elyse set down her tumbler they were called to a hallShe joined the group but halfway there a sharp pain struck her stomachClutching her abdomen her expression grew grave Could someone have drugged her water Her performance was imminentShe bit her lip reassuring herself that she hadnt drunk muchjust a small sip It shouldnt be too severe She could push through itRebekah who had been hoping Elyse would withdraw from the competition murmured to herself upon noticing that Elyse showed nosigns of heading to the bathroom Could the substance she slipped into Elyses tumbler have expired She was puzzled but knew she couldnt ask Elyse without revealing her actions Frustration welled up inside herDamn it Why wasnt Elyse affected Had the drug not workedHer anxiety over whether her plan would fail caused her to lose focus on her own selection processwnm