To Iste Vicky


    As evening descended, Elyse departed the rehearsal room, clutching her violin case. UponCopyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    reaching the building''s exit, she discovered Freddy standing there, the sole presence in sight.


    The two of them had just exchanged greetings when Rebekah emerged. Seeing Elyse and Freddy together, she became instantly furious.


    She stormed over and demanded in a stern voice, "Why are you so close to Freddy? Have you forgotten you''re married? Are you trying to seduce him?"


    Elyse couldn''t help butugh. "Have you seen me seducing Freddy? Are you saying that just because we spoke a bit more today?"


    Freddy pressed his hand against his forehead. "I was just having a normal conversation with Elyse. You''re making it easy for people to misunderstand."


    Rebekah''s tone softened, but her difort was evident. "It''s just that you two were standing so close. I''m worried you might be misled by her."


    At this, Freddy''s expression turned stern. "Enough, Rebekah. What do you take me for? Do you really think I''d flirt with a married woman?"


    "No, that''s not what I meant, Freddy. It''s all her doing..." Her expression shifted from anger to desperation. She tried to rify, but Freddy wasn''t interested in listening.


    Just then, Darren, Grace and Bart arrived, each carrying their own violin cases.


    "What''s going on here?" Darren asked, curiosity piquing in his tone.


    "Let''s go," said Freddy, eager to end the conversation.


    Grace nodded and approached Elyse. Both were girls who shared a lot inmon and neither gave up easily, making them fast friends. They spent the entire afternoon together, solidifying their bond. <


    Rebekah was aware of their ns to gather. Darren and the others were outstanding figures in the orchestra, and she knew that joining them could boost her status, reputation, and ess to


    resources.


    She bit her lip and boldly asked, "Freddy, can you take me with you? I want to stay with you."


    At this, everyone exchanged knowing nces.


    Elyse watched Rebekah with a hint of amusement. It was clear that she wanted Freddy to be associated only with her, revealing a stark double standard.


    "This is our gathering. You can''t attend," Freddy replied firmly and without hesitation. "Why not?" Rebekah challenged, unconvinced.


    With a sly smile, Elyse gestured to the group and exined, "We''re sharing secrets today. You shouldn''t hear them."


    They called themselves the Alliance of Defeated, a humorous nod to their shared experiences of failure. Today''s meeting was to swap stories of their setbacks and strategize on how to defeat Vicky in futurepetitions.


    No one was keen on including an outsider who might learn of their weaknesses and failures. After


    all, each of them held their pride dear. Besides, Rebekah was particrly close to Vicky. Rebekah fixed Elyse with a steely gaze and demanded angrily, "Do you look down on me?"


    Grace, with a bright smile, ced her arm around Elyse''s shoulders. "We don''t look down on you. It''s just that you really couldn''te with us."


    Rebekah bristled with anger, sensing that she and Vicky were being excluded from the group. As one of Vicky''s staunch supporters, she quickly reassessed the situation. "Then I won''t go. You can go," she dered.


    None of them pondered her reaction deeply, except Freddy, who suspected Rebekah of harboring ulterior motives. However,cking concrete proof, he decided to address the issue if and when it


    arose.


    As the group departed, Rebekah hurried off to find Vicky, who was alone in the rehearsal room. Upon seeing Rebekah, Vicky asked with impatience, "Why are you bothering me?" Rebekah responded anxiously, "I just saw Elyse leaving with Darren and the others. They''re nning to stick together and iste you. I''m worried it will make things difficult for you." This news infuriated Vicky. "How dare Elyse rally people to iste me? How dare she?" Ever since Rebekah had be Vicky''s follower, she had frequently spoken ill of Elyse to Vicky, fueling Vicky''s disdain for her. Now, Vicky''s animosity toward Elyse had reached a boiling point. Smug with her influence, Rebekah quickly added, "Grace and Bart were< there, and even Darren has joined them. If I were you, I wouldn''t be able to contain my anger. Elyse is too cunning. She''s plotting behind the scenes and might even trap you in the future."


    Vicky had had enough. She quickly packed up her case and asked, "Do you know where they are having dinner? I need to find Elyse."


    With her n falling into ce, Rebekah responded obsequiously, "I''ll need to ask around. Give me a sec."