Frank Castle had been a celebrated talent during his college years, and after graduation, he became a moderately well-known songwriter. His vocal talent, however, was ordinary, which is why he never pursued a singing career.
In the early days, Frank had written many songs for Amelia Quinn, but due to Amelia's vocal limitations at the time, none of these songs achieved commercial success. Then, when Amelia shot to overnight fame after participating in a reality singing competition, Frank suddenly lost his inspiration for songwriting.
At that time, a peculiar element appeared in his mind: "Earth Memory Read Progress." This progress bar advanced incredibly slowly, taking a full two and a half years to reach 99%. Until today, the memory read finally completed.
Now, memories from a parallel universe flooded Frank's mind like a giant tidal wave. Frank's head throbbed with excruciating pain, his usually calm and scholarly face showing a rare sign of agony.
After an unknown period, the pain on Frank's face slowly receded, and an unprecedented brilliance shone in his eyes. Chart-topping golden hits, soul-stirring blockbuster series, rating-breaking reality shows, era-defining literary works... all were now etched into Frank's mind.
The current Frank possessed the brilliant civilization of an entire world! Sacrificing two and a half years of lost inspiration for this immense treasure trove was incredibly worthwhile! It also served to test the true heart of the woman beside him.
A woman like Amelia Quinn could only share hardship, not prosperity. She was not worthy of sharing this colossal treasure with him.
Frank had always worked diligently behind the scenes, yet never received the respect he deserved. Now, with countless hit songs at his disposal, he decided to step into the spotlight. However, he first needed to find a suitable stage to test if these works from his mind could become as popular and successful in this world as they had been on Earth.
Frank stepped out of the villa complex, deep in thought, when his phone rang. He looked at the caller ID and was somewhat surprised. It was Amelia Quinn's aunt.
Celeste Monroe.
In Frank's impression, this aunt was very special: both glamorous and mature, yet also fiery and straightforward. In the entertainment industry, countless people had been verbally sparred with by her, and countless others had been helped by her. She acted independently and never followed trends.
Within her family, Celeste Monroe was also an outlier. One Christmas, Frank visited Amelia's family, and Celeste was there. Amelia's uncle tried to get Celeste to help his wayward son enter the entertainment industry. Celeste refused. Amelia's uncle accused her of being ungrateful to family, to which Celeste retorted:
"Years ago, when you were being bullied, I rushed in to help you, but you abandoned me and ran, and I ended up in the hospital. Who's ungrateful to family then?"
Amelia's uncle was so enraged he fainted on the spot. Everyone else panicked and called for help, but Celeste calmly continued eating, even casually putting a piece of steamed bass on Frank's plate.
"Fish is good for the brain and eyes. Eat more, so you can clearly see the people around you."
That was one of only two times Frank had ever interacted with Celeste. He never expected that now, after divorcing Amelia, Celeste would actually call him.
Frank hesitated for a moment, then answered the phone: "Aunt Celeste... Ms. Monroe, hello."
A soft chuckle came from the other end, as clear and melodious as a nightingale, with a magnetic richness that hinted at a mezzo-soprano. Just hearing her voice made one's heartstrings vibrate. This voice was truly a gift from the heavens. Frank had always envied this elder's talent.
"Frank, about the photo, I'll clarify it."
The pleasant voice continued, direct and decisive – Celeste Monroe's usual style. The photo she referred to was the one currently circulating online, showing Frank embracing a woman entering a hotel.
That was two years ago. Celeste had been drugged, and Frank happened to be there and saved her. At the time, Celeste's consciousness was blurry, so Frank could only take her to the nearest hotel. To prevent her from being recognized, he even used his own coat to cover her face and body. Afterward, Frank called Amelia to help take care of Celeste. This was Frank and Celeste's second interaction.
Celeste had clearly seen the photo, which was why she was calling.
"Ms. Monroe, no need. It might lead to misunderstandings about you."
After all, Celeste Monroe was a top diva and single; if people found out the woman in the photo was her, it wouldn't look good for her image.
"You helped me; I should clarify. You're my junior; no one would dare misunderstand."
Celeste's voice was firm and carried a cold, regal authority.
"Alright, thank you, Ms. Monroe."
Frank didn't feign humility. After thanking her, he was about to hang up when Celeste added: "What are your plans now?"
Frank smiled faintly: "Continue making music, I suppose."
"'The Voice of America,' as a contestant, interested?"
Celeste's question was blunt, and Frank was slightly stunned.
"The Voice of America" was a popular music competition show, featuring new artists and forgotten singers as contestants, with famous celebrities as mentors, and live audience votes determining scores. Its first season was a massive hit, generating high buzz. Frank had often seen news about the second season's preparations, but he never imagined he could participate in such a popular show. And the offer came from his ex-wife's aunt, no less.
Frank didn't want any more ties to Amelia.
As if sensing his thoughts, the magnetic, pleasant voice continued: "This has nothing to do with Amelia. You helped me; I never owe favors. You have talent; don't waste it." At the end, she added, "Now that you've seen the true colors of those around you, focus on your career."
Frank's heart stirred. He nodded and said, "Understood. Thank you, Ms. Monroe."
"Calling me 'Ms. Monroe' makes me sound old. Just call me Aunt Celeste."
Celeste hung up after saying that. Frank chuckled wryly. "Aunt Celeste" sounded even older than "Ms. Monroe," didn't it?
On social media.
"#FrankCastleCheats," "#FrankCastleScumbag" were still trending at the top.
Just as the entire internet was demanding "Frank Castle out of showbiz," pop diva Celeste Monroe suddenly posted a tweet:
"This photo? I was drugged, Frank Castle took me to the hotel, and Amelia Quinn was present."
Below the text was the very photo that supposedly proved "Frank Castle cheated." Celeste Monroe even tagged Amelia Quinn.
Within minutes, the tweet shot to the top of the trending list, marked with a red [EXPLOSIVE] tag. Everyone was stunned.
"OMG, what a huge twist!"
"Who dared to drug our CEO Celeste? I'll kill them!"
"I looked with a magnifying glass; the woman's leg curve in the photo is identical to our Queen Celeste!"
"Wait, I thought Diva Celeste was Amelia Quinn's aunt. She's not helping her own niece?"
"Our CEO Celeste is straightforward and loyal; how could she stand by while someone who helped her was wrongly accused?"
"Heh, picking fights with everyone is 'straightforward,' huh?"
Celeste Monroe was too popular. Her tweet immediately ignited the entire internet. Her fans instantly believed Frank's innocence, while her rivals seized the opportunity to blacken her name. Some gossip accounts even spread rumors that Celeste Monroe was Frank's actual cheating partner. Of course, such rumors were too outlandish for anyone to believe.
The most frustrated person was Amelia Quinn. She couldn't help but call Celeste Monroe: "Aunt Celeste, why are you helping Frank? I'm your niece!"
At this moment, Celeste Monroe was sitting in a luxury van, wearing a white button-up shirt and a black pencil skirt, her long, crossed legs clad in black stockings. Her fans knew that Celeste Monroe always wore black and white, no matter the occasion. Yet, even dressed so simply, wherever she went, other dazzling female celebrities always seemed to be mere backdrops. She was incomparably beautiful, cold as frost, like a majestic snow lotus standing proudly on a mountaintop, to be admired from afar, impossible to approach.
Hearing Amelia's words, Celeste's red lips slightly parted, her voice flat: "Frank was good to you. Even after the divorce, you shouldn't have done this."
Amelia froze, feeling as if she was seen through even over the phone. "Aunt Celeste, what... what do you mean?"
Celeste said, "You know deep down that Liam Reed isn't as simple as he seems. Be careful." With that, she hung up.
She looked up and met a pair of resentful eyes. It was a short-haired woman in a sharp women's suit, looking capable and decisive, but currently wearing a helpless expression. "Celeste, next time you decide to do something like this, can you at least tell me first?"
Her name was Sarah Vance, Celeste Monroe's manager. Celeste simply hummed in response. Next to Sarah, a young girl with a ponytail and a round face looked at Celeste with adoration.
"Standing up for justice, Celeste, you're so cool!" This was Celeste Monroe's assistant, Millie Chen.
Sarah Vance lightly slapped the young girl's arm, then said to Celeste: "Celeste, are you really going to participate in 'The Voice of America'?"
Celeste Monroe usually never participated in reality shows, but this time she proactively offered to join "The Voice of America," even postponing her new album recording. Sarah felt something was off. The most unusual thing was that Celeste's condition for participating in "The Voice of America" was that the show's producers give Frank Castle a slot.
Celeste looked out at the fleeting scenery outside the car window, her beautiful almond eyes as cold as ice. "I've been tired lately; consider it a relaxation trip."
Sarah sighed helplessly. No one could ever change Celeste Monroe's decisions. She could only remind her: "Amelia and Liam Reed heard you're going to 'The Voice of America,' and they're also negotiating with the channel. It'll probably be finalized soon."
"Your niece, her ex-husband, and her rumored new husband will all be on the show. It's bound to be a mess, Celeste, please don't get involved!" Seeing Celeste remain silent, Sarah's heart sank, and she added: "Frank saved you, but you've already helped him twice. That's enough, Celeste, please listen to me!"
"I merely view him as a talented junior. Their entanglements have nothing to do with me." Celeste turned her gaze back, her voice like a cold wind sweeping across an icy plain: "On stage, let the music speak."