?<strong>Chapter 1545:</strong>


    Her arms crossed, giving him a dismissive look. “Who are you? Elyse’s sidekick? Come here to rub salt in my wounds?”


    Nick’s brow furrowed instinctively. Something about her words made him feel like the tables had turned — like he was the one in the wrong. His voice softened as he exined, “I was in the Swan Cup, during the preliminaries. Someone locked a few contestants’ rooms, causing them to be disqualified. Does that ring a bell?”


    Fiona’s eyes widened in surprise, recognition flickering in her gaze.


    As Nick spoke, Fiona’s memory slowly started to piece things together. He did look familiar now, even if she couldn’t ce him exactly. Nick chuckled bitterly at the nk stare Fiona gave him. “I was one of the contestants you sabotaged.”


    Fiona’s stomach dropped as the truth hit her. She realized why he was here — to settle old scores. Instead of engaging, she decided to stay silent, letting him air his grievances while she held her tongue.


    Nick continued, his voice heavy with frustration, “I had it worse than the rest of thepetitors. When I was bawling my eyes out in the hallway, you showed up. You told me it was all Elyse’s fault, that she was the reason I got disqualified and couldn’t evenpete.” A realization slowly hit Fiona like a ton of bricks.


    So it was him. Back then, she had just gone along with it, pinning the me on Elyse without a second thought. She hadn’t expected this guy to cross paths with Elyseter on.


    Fiona couldn’t help but sneer. “So, what are you trying to say? You think I ruined your chance topete? Well, guess what? I’m already behind bars. What does your little usation change now?”


    Nick sat there, stunned by Fiona’s audacity. No wonder Elyse was furious.


    After a pause, he finally spoke up, his voiceced with disbelief. “You’ve cost so many people their shot at their dreams. Don’t you feel any remorse? Have you ever taken a moment to reflect on your actions?”


    Fiona let out a coldugh, shrugging as though she couldn’t care less. “Reflect? That’s something only the weak do. I didn’t do anything wrong. And if I hadn’t knocked out a bunch of contenders, how could Elyse have imed first ce so easily? She should be thanking me for clearing the path!”


    Nick was frozen, his mouth agape at Fiona’sck of shame. He was quiet for a long time, before he asked, his voice low, “You y the violin too. If you’re not willing to put in the work, why go around sabotaging others who are trying to follow their dreams?”


    Fiona scoffed, herughter dripping with scorn. “Dreams? Please. Do you really think Elyse won first ce on her own merits? Let me fill you in—Cody Tucker was the one pulling the strings behind the scenes! He’s the real reason Elyse ended up on top!”


    Nick looked at Fiona with a gaze filled with disbelief, almost as if he thought she had lost her mind.


    “You actually believe what you’re saying?” he said, his voice tinged with doubt. “Weren’t you a student of Cody’s as well? How can you speak so poorly of him? Your words are unreasonable.”


    “Unreasonable, me?” Fiona replied, her eyebrow arched in defiance as a sneer formed on her lips. “You’re the naive one here! Elyse doesn’t have the chops to take the top prize. Cody must have fixed the contest in her favor.”


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