"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