New York City.
CBD, in a towering skyscraper.
On the twentieth floor, a sign hung above the entrance to an office suite occupying half the floor:
Twilight Studio.
Those familiar with the industry knew that the studio's name was derived from two popular rising stars in American pop music: Amelia Quinn and Liam Reed.
When Amelia founded this studio, her relationship with Frank Castle hadn't yet broken down. But to draw in Liam Reed, who could offer more career assistance, Amelia disregarded her husband's feelings and named her studio after another man.
At this moment, Amelia, in a flowing blue gown, stood before the spacious floor-to-ceiling windows, looking down at the bustling city below, like a goddess high above. Liam Reed, standing behind her, gazed at her graceful, curvaceous figure, a flicker of desire in his eyes. He moved closer to Amelia, his right hand tentatively reaching for her waist, only to be interrupted by Amelia's annoyed voice:
"Why did my Aunt Celeste help Frank? Doesn't she know how difficult this makes things for me?"
Liam subtly withdrew his hand and echoed, "Exactly, Amelia. The public opinion online has shifted; many are now saying you're just ditching your husband after years of being with him because you've become famous, calling you opportunistic."
"They're talking nonsense!" Amelia fumed, her chest heaving. "It's Frank who lacked ambition and couldn't keep up with me. Is it wrong for me to choose a better life?"
Liam stepped forward, gently putting an arm around Amelia's shoulder: "Amelia, don't be afraid. I'm here for you."
Amelia's body stiffened, and she instinctively stepped back half a pace, evading Liam's hand, her voice soft: "Thank you, Liam, but my image is already affected. What should I do?"
Liam's expression momentarily hardened, then he smiled faintly: "Amelia, it's actually simple. As long as we continue to smear Frank and make everyone believe he wronged you, that's all it takes."
Amelia paused, asking, "How should I do that?"
Liam said, "We'll say Frank was overly patriarchal, couldn't stand your success, wanted to suppress you, control you, prevent you from singing, and even..." Liam's face twisted into a cruel smile, "We could even say he was abusive!"
"No!" Amelia instinctively shook her head. "That would completely destroy him!" A man branded a "domestic abuser" would find it almost impossible to clear his name for the rest of his life. While Frank was incompetent, he had always treated her well, and Amelia didn't want to go that far.
"Amelia, this is the only way to salvage your image. Frank has dragged you down for so many years; consider this his compensation to you. Don't you want to surpass your Aunt Celeste?" Liam's voice was low and full of temptation.
Amelia bit her lip, struggling internally for a long time before finally nodding. "Alright, let's do it." She decided that once the public outcry from the divorce settled, she would give Frank a sum of money and help his sister find a good job, thus clearing her debt to the Castle family entirely.
Liam looked deeply into Amelia's eyes. "That's right, Amelia. Trust me, everything I do is for you!"
Feeling the fervent gaze in Liam's eyes, Amelia changed the subject: "Earlier, Ms. Vance said she's finalized the deal with 'The Voice of America.' We're both going to be mentors."
Amelia had heard the news yesterday about her Aunt Celeste Monroe joining "The Voice of America," and she keenly sensed an opportunity. Celeste Monroe had, since her debut, focused solely on singing and never appeared on any reality shows. "The Voice of America" would be the Pop Queen's reality show debut, and the attention it would garner was unimaginable. Whoever could sit beside Celeste on the mentor panel would ride a massive wave of publicity, and if managed well, might even elevate their celebrity status. Amelia didn't want to miss this chance.
So, she had their joint agent, Fiona Hayes, urgently contact the network. After exchanging many resources, they finally secured mentor spots for both of them.
Liam was also excited. "Ms. Hayes messaged me too, Amelia! You have to help me get an autograph from your Aunt Celeste!"
Amelia laughed: "We're family; why ask for an autograph? I'll ask Aunt Celeste to invite you to dinner!" Aunt Celeste had some misunderstandings about Liam, and this would be a good opportunity to clear things up during the show's recording. Remembering how her aunt had sided with an outsider instead of her this time, Amelia's heart sank slightly.
Frank, I hope you'll just live a normal life and stop being a burden to me.
...
"Brother, I just cursed out all those people online who were badmouthing you. Don't be sad, I've got your back!"
New York City suburbs, in a slightly old house.
In the relatively spacious living room, various instruments like pianos, guitars, basses, harpsichords, and recording equipment were scattered about. This was a house Frank had bought with money earned from songwriting before marrying Amelia. Later, to help Amelia practice her singing, Frank converted the house into a simple recording studio.
When Amelia participated in the reality show, it was here that she rehearsed the songs that made her famous. But now, this house was too old, and Amelia had long since forgotten about it.
Frank's music theory was solid, and he now had countless hit songs from Earth. His only weakness was his vocal talent. Although slightly better than the average person, there was still a gap if he wanted to perform on stage.
Frank had just received notification from "The Voice of America" production team that the first episode would begin recording in a month. Frank planned to use this month to rigorously train his singing. If he could unleash even 60% of the Earth's golden hits' charm, it should be enough to overwhelm the other singers on the show.
Frank was also careful to register the copyrights for every song on a music licensing website, ensuring no future copyright issues.
He had just finished practicing a song when his sister, Daisy Castle, called. Daisy was a junior at the New York School of Arts. She was beautiful, had a sweet voice, and was widely recognized as the campus queen, though she had never dated because she had beaten up every guy who pursued her.
Hearing his sister's sweet yet feisty voice, Frank asked curiously: "Didn't Aunt Celeste already clear things up for me? Why are people still talking trash?"
"Brother, you don't know? Someone online is now saying you were jealous of your wife... Ugh, that B-word, Amelia! And they're saying you were abusive! Those jerks are saying the filthiest things. Forget it, don't look, I already cursed them back!" After Daisy's rapid-fire explanation, Frank realized he had been smeared again.
Jealous of my wife?
Abusive?
Frank now understood who was spreading these rumors.
Amelia Quinn, Liam Reed, it seems you two don't plan on letting me go.
Good, because I don't plan on letting you off the hook either.
Frank currently had little influence, and no one would listen to him. But he believed that once "The Voice of America" aired, many people would be willing to hear what he had to say. Everything Amelia and Liam had done to him today, he would return it in full!
"Daisy, don't worry. I'm not sad at all. Realizing the true colors of people around you isn't a bad thing."
"Exactly! We don't care about that manipulative b*tch. Next time, I'll introduce you to my best friend; she's definitely beautiful, kind, gentle, and has a soft voice... Gotta go to class, bro. You got this! Bye, bye, bye!" Daisy rattled off her words like a machine gun and hung up.
Frank shook his head with a wry smile. Girls were always so tempestuous; who would dare marry her in the future?
Just then, a message appeared at the top of Frank's phone screen.
Aunt Celeste: "Your vocal talent isn't enough. Be careful with song selection and practice your singing diligently."
Frank was a bit surprised. He didn't expect Celeste Monroe, whom he had only interacted with twice, to know his situation so well and offer advice identical to his own thoughts. Frank immediately replied: "Thank you, Aunt Celeste. I thought the same. I'm practicing now." He even took a photo of himself in the recording studio and sent it, much like a student reporting on their studies to a teacher.
A moment later, Celeste Monroe sent another message: "When you become stronger, people will listen to what you say. As a singer, let your music speak."
Frank pondered for a moment, understanding Celeste was referring to the rumors of him being abusive. Celeste saying this meant she believed him. However, this was a private matter between Frank and Amelia, and Celeste couldn't clarify it for him. And what Celeste said once again perfectly aligned with Frank's own thoughts: explaining now would be futile; only when he gained more influence would people listen to what he had to say.
"Thank you, Aunt Celeste. I understand."
As soon as Frank replied, Celeste Monroe sent another message: "Amelia Quinn and Liam Reed will also be participating in 'The Voice of America,' as mentors."
Frank paused slightly, then a smile suddenly appeared on his face. He quickly replied: "That's great."
Los Angeles.
Backstage lounge at an international luxury brand event.
Celeste Monroe, in a black evening gown, her hair elegantly styled into an updo, revealed a fair, slender swan-like neck adorned with a crystal necklace, which further accentuated the deep, pearly cleavage. The couture gown, combined with her unparalleled beauty and aura, had made Celeste Monroe the absolute star of the event.
At this moment, CEO Celeste, the "Queen Diva," the "Iceberg Goddess," held her phone, a rare, faint smile on her face.
Her manager, Sarah Vance, said helplessly: "Celeste, Director Miller said we shouldn't reveal the mentor list to the public."
"The Voice of America"'s main director was Aaron Miller, a man known for his mysterious ways. In the first season, audiences only found out who the mentors and contestants were on the show's premiere.
Celeste kicked off her high heels. Her ten exquisite, perfectly manicured toes looked like rosebuds, though there was a tiny, almost invisible scar on her left instep.
"I only said Amelia and Liam Reed would participate. I didn't say I would too. That's not revealing anything."
Sarah Vance: "..."
Just then, Celeste Monroe's phone rang. It was Aaron Miller, the director of "The Voice of America."
"Ms. Monroe, are you busy?" Celeste Monroe was thirty-two, and Aaron Miller was over forty, yet he respectfully called her "Ms. Monroe." He had never dreamed he could invite this "grand dame"; he'd call her "Grandma" if it meant she'd come.
"Director Miller, yes?"
"Ms. Monroe, what about Mr. Castle? How should we arrange him?" Frank Castle was someone Celeste Monroe had insisted on getting onto the show, so Aaron Miller dared not make a decision without consulting her.
Celeste Monroe said indifferently: "Let him participate in the show. It's just giving him an opportunity. For everything else, let the music speak."
"Understood!"
Los Angeles Television Station, "The Voice of America" production team.
Aaron Miller hung up the phone and said to the assistant director: "That Frank Castle, eliminate him in the second episode!" Frank Castle was just an outdated songwriter. Since Diva Celeste had already indicated her stance, he no longer had any qualms.
The assistant director suggested: "Director Miller, Amelia Quinn will also be here. Her and Frank's topic-level is so high; we shouldn't waste this buzz!"
Aaron Miller's eyes darted. "You're right. Let's change the theme for the first episode's songs." "The Voice of America" set a theme for each episode, and contestants selected or composed songs around it.
"The previous theme was 'Return,' which lacked impact. We'll change it to..."
After Aaron Miller finished speaking, the assistant director nodded repeatedly: "Brilliant, Director Miller!"
"Then it's settled. Our new season's first episode must start with a bang! Hahaha!"