Chapter 105

As the news exploded online, the sixth contestant was just about to step on stage.

In Serena's private dressing room, Millie finally noticed Vivian's move-she had seen the news.

She chuckled softly and glanced at Charles beside her.

Naturally, Charles had caught it too. He was already typing. "It's all because of that fake medical record from before," he wrote.

Millie smiled, shook her head, and sent a message to their group chat. "No need to get sidetracked. Our only focus right now should be my sheer talent."

Charles nodded in agreement. That was exactly the stance they had just decided on.

Serena was a contestant who wore a mask made specifically for the show. No one had heard of her before the competition began.

That meant her fans wereall viewers of this program,drawn purely by her performances.

As long as she delivered and didn't cross any serious lines, what did it matter if she had a boyfriend? And anyway,she didn't.

There was nothing to explain, and certainly nothing to deny.

"Got it!" Alexia replied instantly in the group chat.

Alexia and Seville were still at Sheridan's apartment.Although Sheridan used to only allow them to use the study,recently he'd started letting them use the living room freely.

Seville, though a bit of a homebody,had a sharp mind for PR.

He quickly mobilized all his buddies. "Group One, push the TalentsOverRumors hashtag-use sharp visuals and catchy memes. Group Two, create momentum around Serena's singing skills, boost every post highlighting her talent. Group Three, you're with me.We'll stir the waters and keep the opposition confused."

Alexia coordinated between the different teams, and then regrouped with Seville to consolidate data and plan their counterattack against Vivian's camp.

Everyone had their role.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Vivian's team, led by Johnny,was mobilizing as well.

Johnny gave his own set of instructions. "Group One, argue that Serena's performance wasn't about talent.Emphasize that this is a music competition. Her visual flair doesn't even count. Group Two, plant seeds about a possible romantic connection between Serena and Charles-suggest she lacks moral integrity. If necessary, start spreading rumors about her messy private life. Group Three, stay alert. When the opposing team moves,we strike back."

What followed was an all-out online war.

But in the end, Serena's ability spoke louder than any rumor.

"What do you mean she's not talented? Are you blind?Five instruments, five vocal styles, five languages-all in a single performance-with top-tier lyrics and composition. If that's not musical strength, what is?"

That comment soared to the top of the trending discussion,racking up thousands of likes.

It struck a chord with a wide audience.

Online users might be misled at times, but they weren't blind.

Back at Johnny's command center-

"Boss, we're losing ground. Serena's performance was too strong. Nothing we post is sticking. And their team's no slouch either."

One of his subordinates hesitated before asking,"Should we leak that miscarriage scandal we prepared?"

Johnny didn't dare take that step without consulting Vivian first.

He had already messaged her multiple times, but she still hadn't replied.

He grew more anxious as the sixth singer wrapped up and began the audience appeal part. He sent another message,urging a response.

Why hadn't Vivian reply to any of his messages?Because she was in trouble herself.

She was still in the staff corridor when someone approached her with a polite smile.

"Miss Simpson," the man said, "we have something you might find interesting."

Vivian ignored him at first, until he played a recording.

It was her voice recorded earlier in that same hallway.Her expression changed instantly.

The man leaned closer. "We've been planting devices here since the first live broadcast of Heavenly Melody.Think about everything you've said in this very corridor."

"You were recording me without permission?" Vivian's voice trembled with fury. "Aren't you afraid I'll sue?"

The man smirked. "Do you think we'd be doing this if we hadn't considered that? The question is-which is worse? Us getting sued, or having your secrets exposed? Think carefully. If you don't cooperate, my partner's heading straight to Serena. I'm sure she'd be very interested. Oh, and Millie too."

He lowered his voice. "Give us a little something,and you can keep Mr. Watson. Otherwise... if he finds out what you've been hiding, I doubt it'll be worth it."

He began to count. "One. Two. Th-"

"Fine," Vivian snapped before he could finish.

Back in Serena's dressing room,Millie found it strange that Vivian hadn't made another move.

She exchanged a look with Charles.

He seemed puzzled as well.

This wasn't like Vivian.

Just then, the sixth contestant finished their appeal.Commercials and variety clips rolled, giving both the live and online audiences time to cast their votes.

Voting inside the venue moved steadily, while online voting was a heated race.

Serena remained in first place, but the other contestants were closing in.

Each had their own fanbase, and online voting allowed fans to cast multiple votes across different contestants.

Vivian finally emerged from the small room with an ugly expression on her face.

They had demanded ten million dollars.

Where was she supposed to find that kind of money so quickly? And even if she could,it wasn't worth it.

"Miss Simpson," the man had told her, "you can transfer two million now. The rest? Get it from Brandon. With his wealth, ten million won't be a problem."

Left with no choice, Vivian transferred the two million and left.

The blackmailers weren't worried she'd run. They had leverage-and they knew it.

They celebrated behind her back.

"Boss, you're a genius! I was getting impatient, but you said to wait. You were right! Now she has no way out!"

"Yeah, boss! You've really nailed it!"

They laughed, oblivious to the cold glint in Vivian's eyes as she walked away.

Paying them off wasn't enough to fix the problem She had to silence them for good. Otherwise, they'd just keep coming back for more.

She still planned to marry Brandon, and she had to ensure nothing got in the way.

Her expression unreadable, Vivian pulled out her phone and saw Johnny's latest message. She was just about to reply when everything changed