"This is for you." Wolf said, handing over a brown envelope.They were back home, discussing the next steps Zoe would take the day after tomorrow. It would be the first time Zoe would appear in public."What's this?" Zoe opened the long brown envelope and found her new identity—an ID card, driver's license, passport, and credit cards—all under the name Loria Moreau. Zoe's new name.Zoe looked at the photos on all the identification cards and felt satisfied. After choosing a wig with Albert, Zoe took the pictures and was pleased with how realistic her hair looked.The face in those photos was still Zoe but, at the same time, different. It still carried the essence of Zoe, as she desired."Is this all?" Zoe asked, putting all her new documents back into the envelope."Yes, is there anything else needed?" Wolf asked, pulling an ashtray from the table to hold the cigarette ash in his hand."Our divorce papers. Shouldn't I sign them now? I'll be leaving this house tomorrow."Zoe said it ca
"You look like shit! Are you a vampire or something?"Clay honestly assessed Wolf's appearance as he approached. Despite being in the middle of a golf course, basking in the sunlight, Wolf stood out in his all-black attire—a black jacket, black pants, black shoes, and black sunglasses. His face looked pale, adding a vampiric touch to his ensemble."When was the last time you took a shower?" Clay asked, examining Wolf once again. It turned out that Wolf looked disheveled beyond imagination.Wolf just shrugged, then sat on the golf cart Clay was driving, leaning against one of its posts."Are you hungover or something?" Clay inquired.Wolf groaned. His head was indeed pounding from excessive drinking, but he was coherent enough to understand what Clay was saying. He had managed to drag his own body this far onto the golf course, so physically, Wolf wasn't weak. His disheveled appearance was more of a psychological issue."You said you wanted to meet, and now you show up like this?" Clay
"I thought it would be disgusting, but it turns out it's not," Wolf muttered after a while."Disgusting? Oh, you mean the kiss?" Clay momentarily felt confused, but quickly understood."Well, I can't comment much, but maybe you need therapy if it's bothering you until now," Clay scoffed, squinting. Clay still recalls when Wolf shared that horrible incident with him while they were intoxicated together."Not very bothersome; I'm fine. It's just...""The incident has tainted your mind, causing your judgment of human emotions to become narrow. Not all women are disgusting like that." Clay raised his hand, feeling he might have gone too far."Sorry, I don't mean to trivialize it. Of course, I'll never understand how it affected your life and what consequences it had. But I know one thing, and listen to me."Clay flicked his fingers again, signaling Wolf not to look down."There's no use running away and avoiding it. And right now, Zoe is making a reasonable decision based on your attitude
Zoe stepped onto the stage, trying not to slip on its seemingly slippery surface. She easily found the marked spot and stood there. The music momentarily paused as the voiceover narration would be added later. But Zoe knew the camera had already started recording.The brief silence gave Zoe a chance to observe what lay in front of her.Dimness surrounded her as the brightest lights focused on her. However, Zoe could make out three large chairs where the judges sat, their backs turned to her. They would turn around to judge her later, once the chairs rotated.It was Wolf's idea for her to join this reality show to gain full exposure in a short time. It was advantageous for instant popularity but also risky. Eliminating Zoe in the initial rounds would require them to start over. But Wolf assured her that would only happen if all the judges were deaf.Zoe stared at two names among the three, each written behind the semi-circular chairs.The first one was Jacob, whom she would choose as h
Zoe's concerns faded. Billy still gazed at Zoe's face, undoubtedly curious but not reacting strongly. Zoe's mistake was subtle. Billy merely displayed the expression of someone surprised to find a familiar yet unfamiliar face."Okay, Loria. Where are you from? I heard a bit of an accent when you spoke," Syanna asked."Bristol, England."Zoe had prepared a false background, even adjusting her accent to sound English. She chose a distant place to avoid suspicion, as no family members accompanied her."Ah, English person. Nice to meet you, Lori," Jacob chimed in."Stop sweet-talking her and tell us your judgment!" Syanna interjected eagerly. She clearly favored Zoe.Jacob laughed but quickly shifted back to a professional demeanor."I don't need to comment much because you surely know how the three of us immediately turned around upon hearing a few notes from you. That alone indicates that your voice is incredibly beautiful. And just so you know, I hit the button faster than both of them
Billy stared at Zoe without blinking, but Zoe was no longer surprised. Sooner or later, she hoped for a confrontation like this. It happened a bit sooner than expected, but not too surprising. Zoe quickly prepared herself mentally."Mr. Dacosta, I don't know what you mean, but please let go." Zoe pulled her hand away, displaying a face of reasonable fear as she was roughly cornered by an unfamiliar person."Don't pretend to be ignorant and deny it! I know you're pretending! How can you be here?!" Billy pressed on while continuing to forcibly pull Zoe's hand."Mr. Dacosta, you're hurting me!" Zoe intentionally shouted loudly, drawing attention from people around her. They were still in the building's lobby, and some heads turned their way.Billy realized it too. There were too many witnesses, and of course, Billy appeared as if he were confronting a woman without any clear reason. Billy let go of Zoe's hand."I don't know what you're talking about." Zoe stepped back, still looking at B
"Oh... That... Hello. Sorry, my mistake. I thought it was someone else's car." Zoe apologized hesitantly, lowering her gaze and stepping back from the car with a flushed face. Jacob laughed at her panic."Maybe it's my fault for stopping suddenly in front of you. I just wanted to greet you, but if the pickup you're waiting for hasn't arrived, I could probably take you wherever you want." Jacob offered kindly.Zoe immediately shook her head."No! I mean, thank you, but no. I can... I still have to wait... Here." Zoe complained, stumbling suddenly. It had been a while since she had experienced it. Sara had reminded Zoe about this. She had to stay calm to prevent stuttering."Okay, no need to panic. I'm not trying to kidnap you." Jacob joked to reassure her. "Well then, see you later on at the next scheduled shooting." Cameras would always record every meeting between the mentor and singer."Alright. Sorry again." Zoe had composed herself, and her words were no longer chaotic.Jacob nodd
"Look at this!" Billy handed his phone to Max, who was playing his guitar. He was in the process of writing a song.Max stopped playing, squinting as he looked at Billy. He didn't understand why Billy wanted him to watch the video on the phone, but from Billy's forced expression, Max knew he had to comply. Billy could be nice, but opposing him could be frightening.Max played the unedited video he got from one of the crew members at the TV station earlier—something impossible without a connection."What am I supposed to see? What..."Max fell silent as the black-haired woman in a pink dress began to sing. Max squinted to get a clearer view of her face in the video."She...""Zoe, right? It's Zoe! I knew it was Zoe!" Billy immediately exclaimed.Max fell silent again, watching the video until it finished and scrutinizing the face."She does look similar, but it seems not to be her. She's very beautiful, and her eye color is different, as is her hair. Dark eyebrows, unlike Zoe," Max sai
"LORIA MOREAU!"Zoe froze. She heard her name, but couldn't believe it was hers."Wake up, baby. And smile. It’s yours."Wolf's whisper finally stirred emotions in Zoe. She blushed with emotion, only able to stand when Wolf helped her. Unfortunately, Wolf couldn't escort her to the stage.Luckily, Syanne's hand was there to assist her, followed by Jacob, who was closest to the stage, helping her navigate the stairs to reach the top.Zoe expressed her gratitude several times to the person presenting her award before finally standing in front of the microphone to deliver her speech.Zoe took a few deep breaths, wiping away tears, before finally being able to address the camera and the patiently waiting audience."This is something I never dreamed of, standing here and receiving this." Zoe glanced down at the trophy in her hands once more and smiled."I... I once buried this dream. I no longer hoped to sing, let alone receive this. Not long
Zoe did something that Wolf would not like. She wouldn't lie, but she would inform him later, once the task was complete. Zoe wants to handle this herself without anyone else's interference.Of course, it's not easy. She walks with an anxious heart. Zoe adjusts her sunglasses several times on her nose, while her other hand carries a beautiful pink flower and gift box.Zoe feels anxious, knowing that people will recognize her when she enters later. But she's resigned. It's not possible to hide her identity now, considering the person she's going to meet.Approaching the counter after filling out a form with the prisoner's name and number, Zoe submits it."Please wait over there. We'll call you," says the prison guard behind the counter.He stares at Zoe several times as another guard checks Zoe's belongings—making sure no contraband is smuggled, glancing to confirm—even reading her name on the form but doesn't comment.Relieved—because
"Here." Wolf handed the cup to Zoe.Zoe wanted to take it, but her hands were still busy responding to messages on her phone."Cliff really doesn't have a girlfriend, does he?" Zoe asked."Hm? Why are you asking?" Wolf asked suspiciously."For Sara. She wanted to confirm this because she doesn't believe someone like Cliff is still single.Zoe sighed, showing the message Sara sent to her. Showing that she wasn't lying. She was indeed asking for Sara, not for herself."Not yet. According to Clay, he used to have one—a journalist or an MC, if I'm not mistaken. But they broke up when Cliff was about to move here. Either he moved and then they broke up, or they broke up and then he moved."Wolf just repeated Clay's words, of course. And now Zoe repeated them in the form of a message to Sara and sent it to reassure her."How do you know these details?" After sending the message and taking her cup, Zoe asked in amazement. The knowle
"Should have been in jail..."Max denied reality once again. For him, Loria still couldn't possibly be Zoe because she should have been in jail."You're endlessly foolish!" Billy slammed the table and went berserk.He grabbed Max by the collar with his handcuffs. Of course, chaos ensued immediately, and shouts erupted as the police guarding the area rushed in to subdue Billy, pinning him to the ground.But evidently, Billy was truly furious with Max, as he continued to resist and curse at Max even while being held down."YOUR STUPIDITY KNOWS NO BOUNDS!""SILENCE!"The judge's thundering voice overshadowed Billy's outburst. Not only Billy fell silent, but also the journalists and spectators who were making noise."Once again, if anyone disturbs me, I will reschedule this trial! UNDERSTOOD?!"The silence in the room signified that they all understood."Take him out. Mr. Dacosta, I'll make sure your charges include this incident. Assaul
The prosecutor began with standard questions, asking about Sara's background—education, how long she had been a psychiatrist, and so on. Only after that did she mention Zoe."Since when has Ms. Zoe Anderson been your patient?" the prosecutor asked."For over a year," Sara replied clearly. Gone was the cheerful demeanor she usually wore when facing patients."Can you explain Ms. Anderson's condition at that time?""Zoe came with a desire to heal because she suffered severe trauma that was very visible and prevented her from leading a normal life.""Could you please explain more about that trauma?"Sara nodded calmly because everything matched the expectations given by Cliff."Zoe came in a state where she couldn't speak, but medical examinations showed that Zoe didn't have any physical injuries anymore. The absence of any disturbances in her nerves confirmed that her inability to speak was a result of PTSD. Severe trauma due to a bad incident
"That's... Strange. You must be kidding!" Iris shook her head vigorously while staring at Zoe from head to toe, trying to recognize her as the same person she saw before with Max."Have I ever joked when talking to you?" Wolf replied flatly, pulling a chair for Zoe. The chair is furthest from Iris. She was still at a loss for words and kept staring at Zoe."Are you really Zoe Anderson?" Iris continued to stare at Zoe."Yes, before I changed my name to Loria Moreau, that was also my name." Zoe replied calmly. The apprehension that had plagued her earlier had vanished.The meeting with Iris might have been unexpected and almost annoying, but Zoe felt empowered, knowing that she was currently in control.Seeing Iris's surprise, Zoe felt satisfaction. A victory for successfully showing her new self to Iris. Zoe was no longer the disheveled individual she had encountered, who garnered disdain due to her perceived inferiority."That's impossible! You don't lo
Zoe smoothed her cream-colored skirt and blazer. Darcy's choice, so Zoe wouldn't appear intimidating or grim.She felt nervous, as she could see from a distance how journalists were crowding in front of the courthouse. They were undoubtedly waiting for the enigmatic figure of Zoe Anderson. There were no images of Zoe in the news because there was no documentation of Zoe's case.Due to her prior injuries and hospitalization, Zoe did not attend the trial as a suspect. No one recorded her face or bothered to find out at the hospital because the case clearly made her a suspect.Zoe also ran her fingers through her hair, which was back to being blonde. She wasn't wearing a wig today. It was the first time she would appear without her black hair, and honestly, it made Zoe even more nervous. It felt like she was removing the mask that had protected her. Zoe would be Zoe in front of everyone, no longer Loria.Wolf, who had been observing Zoe's nervousness, said, "Your be
"He's trying to save himself! So cunning!" Wolf hissed irritably.It was clear from Iris's statement that she only wanted to save herself by blaming Max and Billy."She made them look like she was under pressure to hide the truth about Zoe. Iris then used that pressure as an excuse to justify all her strange actions. She hid from her mistakes by using mental health as an excuse." Sara shook her head, looking annoyed. She was obviously upset when someone used mental health as a lie."She managed to escape using a lifeboat before her ship really sank." Cliff looked at Iris, who continued to sob and cry amidst her words."It doesn't matter. Let it be," Zoe said, folding her arms and staring at the television without blinking."What do you mean, let it be? She's lying again!" Wolf also pointed to the television with a disapproving face."At least she has been honest, especially about me. Whatever she said makes things right; just let it be," Zoe repeated.
"Why so fast?" Zoe stared at the summons she had received in panic.When Benson mentioned that she would receive a summons to attend court, Zoe assumed the trial would take place maybe around one or two months later, but it turned out to be only three days later and effective in two days."I think Benson waited until his file was complete before calling you. That's why now he just has to submit it to the court, and the schedule comes down immediately," Cliff explained. He took the letter from her hand to examine it."I only have to come once, right?"Zoe asked to confirm, as she really didn't want to attend the trial multiple times."Yes, that's why I asked to meet with the psychiatrist who treated you. I need to ask them to answer questions about your condition well. They have to give the right answers for the judge to grant the request," Cliff explained today's plan."I think they'll be here soon. She said they still had a patient earlier,