"No... don't do this again..."Clay immediately groaned with a long exhale as he saw Wolf approaching him. Almost the same as yesterday, disheveled with sunglasses. Worse yet because his bangs were probably a week overdue for a trim.Clay had to look around, hoping that his unkempt appearance wouldn't attract the attention of the people around him. They were currently in a public place, one of the studios owned by the production house collaborating with Clay's company. Clay was working, of course, and had to make time for Wolf, who requested—or rather forced—him to meet.Seeing the rough appearance, Clay knew something bad had happened—perhaps even worse. "Can't you wash up? I..."Wolf waved his hand in front of Clay's face, asking him to be silent. "I want to talk to you! Your friend is a jerk!" Wolf cursed loudly, undoubtedly drawing attention."Are you drunk?" Clay asked, "Are you drunk?" as Wolf stood there with an unsteady stance."Your friend...""Okay... okay..." Clay surrender
Zoe gazed at the tall building in front of her. It had a unique shape—not the usual box-like structure, but triangular. The Wolf building had all its sides covered in black glass with gray walls, and each side had a large letter W emblem attached.After only seeing it from afar, Zoe finally had the opportunity to visit it. Jacob scheduled the shoot today at his studio. Zoe couldn't refuse. Jacob had mentioned that the equipment in that building was more modern than in his own studio. Zoe accepted that explanation as normal because Jacob had to compose a song for her.Jacob prepared a new song for her to sing. Among the three mentors, only Jacob had the ability to create and produce songs. Both finalists would sing the song.Today was Zoe's turn to hear the new song and practice. The other contestant—Julio, a singer from Billy—had already practiced yesterday. They continued to practice separately, even though they both met Jacob.Zoe was startled as the front door of the building opene
"May I hug you? You deserve it," Jacob asked as the camera stopped recording. Zoe chuckled softly."Of course," she said."Congratulations! You finally made it to the final." Jacob gave a brief hug and a pat on the back, showing his true feelings off-camera. Such a hug could spark gossip if he's not careful. Zoe knew and appreciated Jacob's effort to protect her reputation.The hug only meant congratulations because Zoe had gone through two tough weeks and finally made it to the final. Another contestant performed even worse, saving Zoe from elimination—a stroke of luck.Two days ago, Zoe advanced through the semifinals with the last song arranged by Wolf. An easier song. Zoe managed to get through it smoothly, although Syanna said Zoe didn't perform a hundred percent. That achievement was almost unimaginable for Zoe because of her messy performance."Thank you once again for everything you've done," Zoe said. She was genuinely grateful to Jacob for being a patient mentor."I'm paid f
"Correct, it was Wolf who made it," Jacob easily guessed whose name crossed Zoe's mind."And I guess the song couldn't possibly be for Julio," Jacob smiled.The possibility of Wolf creating the song for Julio was as likely as snow falling in July in New York. Everyone in the building knew Wolf's nature and about his collection of women.Jacob rested his head on his hand. He was undoubtedly itching to ask what had happened to Zoe and Wolf, but he restrained himself. He didn't know Zoe as well as he knew Wolf. However, Jacob could still offer advice."I don't mean to meddle, but I can tell when a singer isn't singing with their whole heart. And that's what I've been seeing for the past two weeks."Zoe lowered her head upon hearing Jacob's words. She could already guess that Jacob must know something when he mentioned Wolf's name so easily earlier."Your performance yesterday was indeed better than it was two weeks ago, but it's still not satisfactory. Your emotion is strain, and your vi
Wolf dragged Emily to the edge of the road, intending to toss her into a taxi and send her back to Maryland.But it certainly didn't go smoothly. Emily struggled and hit Wolf's hand to free herself. Some people glanced over, puzzled by the scene, but only briefly, intrigued but shaking their heads and moving on.The sight of Wolf with an angry woman was not new, and at most it was just day-old gossip. They assumed Wolf was just trying to cut ties with a woman who didn't want to be just a bedmate. Normal and unsurprising.But for Zoe, the sight was all new. She continued to follow and watch from a reasonable distance. Not too close, but still able to hear what the woman was saying."Tomy, let me go!" Emily hit Wolf's hand for the umpteenth time."Tomy?" Zoe frowned upon hearing the call, which sounded even more personal than Thomas.Wolf finally let go of Emily's hand, disgusted by the nickname. They had reached the roadside, but it wasn't enough to call a taxi."What are you doing her
"That... your stepmother?" Zoe pointed at Emily, stuttering."Yes, but there's nothing between us!" Wolf quickly stated the fact before Zoe could think too far."You kiss her!" Zoe's voice remained disturbed, particularly because Wolf had kissed her stepmother; it was more than disgusting."That's not a kiss! She forced me!" Wolf vehemently denied, trying to approach Zoe, but Emily restrained their hand."Who is that woman?" Emily asked, and Wolf's patience was running out. He should eliminate the most disgusting thing first."Go away, Bitch!" Wolf snarled again, grabbing Emily's hand, moving faster, and raising their hand to hail a taxi."No! I don't want to!" Emily rebelled as Wolf opened the taxi door and tried to push her in."Sir, what are you doing?" The taxi driver, who had stopped, of course, panicked to see the altercation and got out. The question momentarily diverted Wolf's attention, and Emily managed to push Wolf away, freeing herself."Emily!" Wolf exclaimed as Emily now
Zoe was startled as her phone suddenly vibrated in her pocket. The call came from an unknown number. Zoe answered out of habit, without much thought."Mrs. Wolf?""Um... Yes?" Zoe replied hesitantly. She was surprised and puzzled because she didn't expect anyone to address her by that name. It was the first time someone had called her Mrs. Wolf."Sorry, we're from the emergency service. We regret to inform you that your husband has just been in an accident."For a moment, Zoe was confused about how the officer had contacted her, but then she realized that they must have found her phone number from Wolf's personal data already brought to the hospital."Mr. Wolf has been taken and will be treated at the hospital...""Yes, I know. I'm on my way to that hospital."Zoe ended the call and bowed her head, covering her face.She felt guilty for feeling what she shouldn't. Zoe felt relieved when she received the emergency contact as Wolf's wife. She was the one in that data, not anyone else. N
"I hope your explanation doesn't have anything gross in it—like sleeping with your own mother-in-law," Zoe added."I'll give you the full scoop."Wolf doesn't deny it, and it totally grosses Zoe out, but Wolf's expression, which appears to be in anguish, keeps Zoe glued to the waiting chair."Let me start from the beginning, okay? There might be stuff that doesn't really matter, but I'll bring it all up." Wolf doesn't have any willpower left to figure out what stuff matters and what doesn't."My mom is actually from South Asia. I have a mixed heritage. Maybe you have already guessed it." His wonderful green eyes indicate some white ancestry, while his face reflects a combination of diverse backgrounds."She passed away when I was a little kid. I didn't really know her. After my mother passed away, my dad never brought up her side of the family. He's busy, so he left me alone with a babysitter and money."This aspect of the story seems rather distant from Emily, but it helps Zoe feel s