Lina froze.
Say yes? The question raced through her mind. Logically, she knew she shouldn't hesitate. A relationship, a quick kiss—so what? People gave up far more for a single chance at fame.
But a quiet hesitation held her back.
It wasn't because of Aisha.
She turned, her eyes flickering with hope and quiet plea, toward Kael.
Kael blinked, confused. Why was she looking at him now?
He stood up abruptly. "I'll head to the restroom too."
Under Lina's gaze, he walked out.
After using the bathroom, Kael washed his hands.
With his enhanced senses, he heard a faint, muffled sobbing—familiar, broken.
He followed the sound to the emergency exit stairwell.
Aisha was crouched on the floor, crying silently, pressing his hands over his mouth to muffle the sound.
Kael didn't judge him. He didn't speak.
He just watched, and saw himself.
In his past life, hadn't he felt this helpless, too?
Aisha noticed someone standing there and quickly wiped his eyes.
When he saw Kael, his voice cracked.
"Kael… am I that pathetic?"
Kael thought of his old self, and spoke quietly.
"You're not pathetic. You're just not cruel enough."
Mason won people over with cruelty.
Kael himself had used it, too.
After those twenty kisses with Aurora, he knew she wouldn't slip away.
Back in the private room, Lina watched Kael leave without a word, her heart sinking.
She shouldn't have expected anything from him. They weren't close. She'd known from the start that he only cared about Aurora.
Handsome, wealthy, outstanding—none of that belonged to her.
Lina took a deep breath and turned to Mason.
"I'm sorry. I don't have feelings for you. I can't be your girlfriend."
Mason and Jake froze.
What?
They'd planned far more than a kiss. Mason had softened the request to avoid scaring her, certain she'd agree without hesitation.
Mason recovered quickly, forcing a smile.
"It's okay. We just met. We can take our time. I'll still help you with the show."
Jake cleared his throat, shifting his target.
"Since my guy here really likes you… how about this? You go on a dinner and a movie with him. I'll get you on the show."
Before Lina could refuse, Jake cut her off.
"Look at him! He's good-looking, nice. Can't you even give him a chance? You're being too proud."
Lina fell silent.
She glanced at Mason, then toward the door, where Kael had yet to return.
She exhaled. "Fine. Thank you. I'll pay for dinner."
Mason lit up, grinning wildly. Not perfect, but progress.
Jake stood, his own plan now in motion.
He stepped quickly in front of Aurora.
"You. I noticed you the second you walked in. Sing something for me."
Aurora shook her head gently. "I'd rather not."
Jake didn't back down.
He reached out and grabbed her hand.
"C'mon. If you're not good enough, I'll teach you myself. With my help, you'll place for sure."
Aurora's calm, ethereal expression didn't shift—but a flash of cold, dangerous sharpness flickered in her eyes.
"Let go, sir."
Jake ignored her, holding on tighter, leering.
"Talent doesn't mean shit. Connections do. Get close to me, and I'll make you a winner. How close? We can talk somewhere private tonight."
A cold, low voice cut in from behind him.
"Teach me too, then."
Jake spun around, furious. "Who the hell do you think you are?!"
SMACK.
A hard slap exploded across his face.
Jake was sent sprawling to the floor.
The entire room went silent, shocked gasps filling the air.
Jake's sunglasses flew off, revealing his small, shifty eyes. He stared up at Kael in disbelief.
"You hit me?! Do you know who I am?!"
Everyone else stared, stunned.
Had Kael lost his mind? Attacking a music director—their only shot at the show!
Lina, though, watched Kael with bright, shining eyes, utterly captivated. Raised around strength and courage, she was drawn to power like a flame.
Kael crouched down, looking at the ugly, leering man before him.
"Who are you? Nothing but a liar."
Panic flashed across Jake's face, but he snarled defiantly.
"Liar?! I'm the music director! I'm somebody! You'll regret this!"
Kael stood and pressed one foot hard into Jake's chest, pinning him to the floor.
No matter how he struggled, Kael's weight was unshakable.
Mason jumped up, panicked.
"Kael! What are you doing?! I know you like Aurora, but he was just talking to her! Calm down!"
Kael glanced at him coldly.
Mason flinched and fell silent immediately.
Kael hadn't cared about their scheme at first. Let them lie, let them trick people—so long as they left Aurora alone.
But they hadn't.
He pulled out his phone, opened the search page, and pulled up the official music director for The Voice.
Name: Liam Wang.
He shoves the screen in Jake's face.
"Your name is Liam Wang?"
Jake's mind went blank. He swallowed hard and lied.
"Y-yeah! I use two names!"
Kael pulled up the photo.
"This you?"
Jake nodded without thinking. "Yeah!"
"Really?"
"I was… just a lot thinner back then…"
Lina stepped over, snatched the phone, and stared at the screen.
The real director was a slim, gentle-looking middle-aged man. Nothing like the greasy, long-haired creep in front of them.
"That's not you!" she shouted.
Jake kept lying, scrambling to his feet.
"You saying that's not me?!"
"It's not!"
"I never said it was! That photographer forced that picture on me! I told him it wasn't me, but he wouldn't listen!"
At that moment, the door burst open.
A drunk man stumbled in, arm wrapped around a minor celebrity in revealing clothes. She wore sunglasses, letting his hands roam freely over her.
Behind them stood a large, intimidating brute, and a tall, thin man.
That thin man?
It was Liam Wang—the real music director, staring awkwardly at the scene.
The manager's face paled. He'd recognized the drunk man at once.
Fuck. Tiger's early.
The drunk man, Tiger, laughed loudly, reeking of alcohol.
"Pick out four hot ones! Bring the most expensive wine to the royal suite! Tonight, I'm treating my guest!"
He turned to Liam Wang, clapping him on the back.
"Liam! Gonna line you up some girls! You showbiz guys see plenty, but not like these! I'll make sure you're entertained. Get my girl on your show, and you can have anything you want."
Liam smiled awkwardly and nodded.
The group started toward the private room.
The manager blocked their path, sweating.
"Tiger! Wait—let me turn on the AC first! Make it nice and cool for you!"
Tiger shoved him aside roughly, scowling.
"I can turn on a fucking AC myself. Get out of my way."