Celeste Monroe had been neglected by her family since childhood and exploited by them in her youth. Not only was she overworked, but her diet and rest were also erratic, leaving her with a consistently frail constitution. While she regained some health after achieving fame, her foundation remained weak. Recent excessive travel, coupled with issues with her new album, pushed her exhaustion and stress to their limit. Today, after the show's recording ended, her face was quite pale when she returned to her lounge.
Sarah Chou, her manager, was concerned and urged her to rest before leaving. However, shortly after she sat down, Mr. Evans, the owner of Gemstone Records, called. Looking at Mr. Evans's name on her phone screen, Celeste Monroe frowned slightly, a complex expression on her pale, regal face. After a moment of silence, she finally answered the call.
"Celeste, where are you?" A commanding voice came from the other end, concise yet full of control.
Celeste Monroe replied expressionlessly, "Capital City."
Mr. Evans paused, then his voice suddenly turned stern. "Your new album was originally scheduled for a May release. It's July now, Celeste. There's a limit to how willful you can be."
Celeste Monroe responded, "Mr. Evans, the May release was contingent on me being satisfied with every song on the new album. You promised that."
Mr. Evans's voice clearly showed impatience: "Satisfied? What's that standard? If you're never satisfied, will the new album just be delayed indefinitely?"
Celeste Monroe fell silent. Her new album had ten songs. The lead single was her own creation, while the other nine were written by the company's songwriters. Eight of them were good, but one was clearly sub-par. Actually, given Celeste Monroe's status and popularity, an album of ten songs was already a testament to her sincerity. Having nine gold or near-gold level tracks and one mediocre one was quite good. However, Celeste Monroe pursued perfection, and she had also learned that the songwriter for that particular track was Mr. Evans's cousin.
A low-tier songwriter who had barely created a few songs—how could he suddenly be writing for the number one Diva? Sarah Chou had investigated and found that Mr. Evans's mother was very close to her brother, and Mr. Evans's cousin was also highly favored by Mr. Evans's mother. It was Mr. Evans's mother's request for him to write a song for Celeste Monroe's new album, using Celeste Monroe's fame to promote him. Mr. Evans's father had passed away early, and his mother had raised him and his sister, with his uncle providing significant support. Mr. Evans couldn't refuse his mother's and uncle's requests. The company had also evaluated that it was just one song and wouldn't impact Celeste Monroe's popularity.
But Celeste Monroe disagreed. In her words, fans paid money for her album, and she couldn't include trash in it. Mr. Evans's mother was very displeased when she found out and argued with Mr. Evans multiple times. Because of this, Mr. Evans and Celeste Monroe's relationship also grew more distant. Hearing Celeste Monroe's silence now, Mr. Evans's voice softened slightly.
"Celeste, regarding the new album, we can discuss it when you're back in Capital City. There's a small matter: the company has three new artists participating in American Voice. You've met them all. Please look out for them on the show."
Celeste Monroe asked, "How should I look out for them?"
Mr. Evans sounded a bit impatient and directly stated, "You gave them too low scores in the first episode. From now on, when you score them, don't give them anything below eighty points." Likely considering this a minor issue not worth further discussion, Mr. Evans continued, "Last week, I attended the Laurenti event. Their latest watch model suits you quite well. I had someone put it in your office." Artists of Celeste Monroe's caliber had their own exclusive offices at the company, which others couldn't freely enter. But Mr. Evans clearly didn't consider himself an "other."
The coldness in Celeste Monroe's beautiful eyes deepened. "Mr. Evans, I'll have someone return the watch to you. I only score based on the song and the artist's performance. The music speaks for itself." With one sentence, she rejected both matters.
"Celeste, are you really going to be this willful?" Mr. Evans was visibly angry. Celeste Monroe calmly said, "Mr. Evans, you are the boss. You shouldn't send me gifts, nor should you ask me to cheat."
"Celeste Monroe!" Mr. Evans roared, "When you were abused by your family, beaten by others, and bullied like a dog, who pulled you out of that mire?!"
"Now that you're famous and established, you're turning your back on me?!"
"Don't forget, you are still an artist of Gemstone Records!"
Hearing the phrase "abused by your family," Celeste Monroe's face paled further. Her left hand clenched, but her voice remained flat: "Mr. Evans, I have always been grateful to you, which is why I promised I would never leave the company."
Mr. Evans sneered, "If you're so grateful to me, why do you reject me? Why don't you listen to me?"
Celeste Monroe said, "Mr. Evans, I've already told you: I only feel gratitude towards you. Your mother, brother-in-law, and cousin should not be involved in company matters."
"Celeste Monroe!" Mr. Evans was furious. "I am the owner of Gemstone Records, not you!"
"If it weren't for me, your family would have destroyed you long ago!"
"This is how you treat your benefactor!"
"Celeste Monroe, you are indeed heartless and ungrateful. You are destined to never receive a shred of familial love in this life! And certainly not a bit of true affection!"
The other side hung up after that. Celeste Monroe put down her phone, slowly stood up, and then her body suddenly swayed. Sarah Chou and Lily, her assistant, quickly rushed to support her.
"Celeste, don't take it to heart. Mr. Evans is always so rational about everything, except when it involves his family or you." Mr. Evans's voice had been loud, and Sarah Chou and Lily had both heard the most piercing lines.
When you were abused by your family, beaten by others, and bullied like a dog.
Destined to never receive a shred of familial love in this life, and certainly not a bit of true affection.
He truly was the person who knew Celeste Monroe best; every word precisely pierced her heart. Sarah Chou felt the pain just listening, let alone Celeste Monroe. Lily, meanwhile, looked shocked. It was her first time hearing Celeste and the boss argue. Mr. Evans usually seemed so gentle, but his words were so venomous. Taking advantage of Celeste's gratitude to bully her so recklessly. He truly isn't a good person!
"Lily, go stand guard outside." Sarah Chou instructed. After all, they were out in public; it was better to be careful.
"Got it!" Lily agreed and scurried out.
Celeste Monroe sat back on the couch, her face as white as a sheet of paper. At this moment, images from her childhood uncontrollably surfaced: being neglected by her father, older brother, and older sister, and later being bullied while her family remained indifferent. It felt as if she truly had never received a shred of familial love.
"Celeste, are you alright?" Sarah Chou reached up and tucked a stray strand of dark hair behind Celeste Monroe's ear, her face full of concern.
Celeste Monroe shook her head, her expression quickly returning to calm. "I'm fine, Sarah. Let's go."
Sarah Chou looked at her worriedly but knew her temper and could only nod. "Okay."
The two walked out of the lounge and saw not only Lily outside the door, but also Frank Castle.