What is that guy, Frank, laughing about? Does he have a suitable song? Impossible! Director Scott just announced the theme. How could he possibly come up with a fitting song so quickly?
Alex Stone had been keeping an eye on Frank, and seeing that annoying calm smile reappear on his face, he immediately tensed up. Brandon, Felicia, and Jackson were also secretly observing Frank, just like him. They had already sensed the difficulty of the "Healing" theme and instinctively focused on Frank. But seeing the man's nonchalant demeanor, they felt a mix of surprise and uncertainty. "The Balladeer" had simply been too stunning; they dared not underestimate Frank Castle at all now.
The few of them exchanged glances, having already decided to contact their company as soon as the recording ended. Unlike obscure indie artists like Frank Castle, they had the towering Gemstone Records behind them, and their label's top artist, Celeste Monroe, was a mentor on the show. There was no way they could continuously be outdone by Frank Castle.
As everyone mulled over their thoughts, Director Scott clapped his hands. "That's a wrap!"
"Dismissed!" The contestants relaxed. After Director Scott left, everyone exited the backstage area. The theme for the third episode was quite subtle; they had to rush back and prepare thoroughly. Frank also stood up, leisurely making his way out. His aunt's face hadn't looked too good today. He planned to wait until most people had left, then see if she was still in the lounge to express a junior's concern for an elder and a student's care for a teacher.
"Teacher Frank."
Frank hadn't gone far when a small, voluptuous figure came running up behind him. Chloe wasn't very tall, and her short legs pedaled quickly to catch up to Frank. Reaching him, she finally panted, "Teacher Frank, can I ask you for a favor?"
Mentor's Lounge.
Amelia Quinn sat opposite Liam Reed, her face dark. "Liam, didn't we agree to both give Frank a low score? I gave him 70, but you gave him 90. When the show airs, it'll look like my scoring is unprofessional and biased by personal resentment, while you're the one showing integrity, right?"
Liam Reed quickly explained, "Amelia, I didn't expect Frank to produce a song of that caliber. I was caught off guard too." He looked at the displeased Amelia Quinn and said softly, "Amelia, you were with Frank for so long; didn't you know he had such good songs hidden away?"
This successfully redirected Amelia Quinn's resentment towards Frank. Recalling the past, Amelia couldn't help but bite her lip. "He hid it so well from me!" If she had known Frank was hiding good songs earlier, why would she have gone as far as divorcing him? Even if they were to divorce, she should have made Frank reveal all those good songs first! Amelia grew angrier the more she thought about it, once again resolving that no matter how Frank pleaded later, she wouldn't easily forgive him!
Liam Reed saw Amelia Quinn's expression change rapidly, assuming her aversion to Frank was deepening. He reached out and gently took Amelia Quinn's fair hand. "Amelia, I'm not like Frank. I can share everything with you."
Just then, a knock sounded from outside. Amelia Quinn immediately pulled her hand away and shifted back, creating distance from Liam Reed. It had to be Frank coming to find her.
"Teacher Quinn, Teacher Reed, it's me." Alex Stone's voice sounded from outside. Amelia Quinn was disappointed, and Liam Reed was annoyed. Why wasn't it Frank? Why did this idiot have to come now?
Liam Reed opened the door with a grim face. Alex Stone rushed in, completely oblivious to their expressions, and immediately started talking: "Teacher Quinn, Teacher Reed, the theme for the next episode has been announced: Healing!"
"What kind of song do you think would be good for this theme?"
"Can our studio buy another song for me?"
"Get out."
A cold voice rang out, and Alex Stone froze. "Teacher Quinn?"
Frank still hadn't arrived, and Amelia Quinn was a little annoyed. She said coldly, "I need to change. Both of you, out."
"Amelia?" Liam Reed didn't expect Amelia Quinn to kick him out too.
"I'm a bit tired, Liam. Can you take Alex to your lounge first?" Amelia Quinn's voice softened slightly. Liam Reed looked at her deeply and nodded.
"Teacher Quinn, my song..." Alex Stone tried to speak again but was glared at by Liam Reed and obediently followed him out.
Silence returned to the lounge. Amelia Quinn changed into a short halter dress, deliberately pulling one strap down to expose her fair, tender shoulder. She looked in the mirror—stunningly beautiful, a true gem. It wasn't surprising that Frank Castle would be mesmerized by her.
Amelia Quinn checked the time. Almost half an hour had passed since the recording ended. He should be here by now. Amelia Quinn looked in the mirror again, touching up her makeup, but Frank still didn't come. She couldn't sit still anymore. She called her assistant, Sarah, and asked her to go see where Frank was.
Sarah felt a bit confused. She wanted to ask, Teacher Quinn, didn't you despise Frank? But Amelia Quinn glared at her, and the young assistant obediently scurried off to the contestants' backstage area. What she saw there immediately startled her.
Frank Castle and Chloe were together, very close. Because their backs were to her, she couldn't clearly see their actions, but when a man and a woman were that close, what else could they be doing? Hey, hey, this is backstage at a competition. Are they that impatient? Sarah felt like she'd stumbled upon huge gossip. With an excited heart, she quickly ran back to Amelia Quinn's lounge, panting:
"Teacher Quinn, Frank and Chloe are kissing!"
"Chloe?"
Amelia Quinn froze, instinctively thinking of Chloe's ample chest. She looked down at herself, and her brows immediately furrowed. Since when did Frank like that type?
"Teacher Quinn, Frank is actually getting involved with a female contestant during the show. He really is a scumbag! Good thing you divorced him!"
Amelia Quinn shot up and strode out. Sarah was bewildered. "Teacher Quinn, where are you going?"
"You wait for me in the car!" Amelia Quinn ordered, then angrily stormed out of the lounge, practically running to the contestants' backstage area.
The recording had already ended, and there was no one else backstage. As she arrived, she immediately spotted Frank Castle and Chloe, practically pressed against each other.
"Frank! What are you doing?!" Amelia Quinn roared, striding forward. Frank and Chloe turned, looking puzzled.
"Frank, what's your relationship with her?!" Amelia Quinn angrily pointed at Chloe, looking like someone who'd caught their partner cheating. As she got closer, she saw Chloe holding a piece of paper with song lyrics and a musical score on it.
"..."
Amelia Quinn was instantly speechless. It turned out they were so close not because they were kissing, but because they were looking at a score. This certainly fit Frank's personality, being so engrossed in music. But this Chloe... Amelia Quinn narrowed her eyes, looking at the child-faced, full-figured young girl, then said to Frank:
"Frank, you shouldn't be so close to other women."
Frank found this utterly baffling and was about to retort when Chloe already spoke, her large, innocent eyes blinking:
"Teacher Quinn, haven't you and Teacher Frank already divorced?"