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
"What is this to show the pain in your heart?" Wolf asked when he saw Zoe's song choice for the upcoming second round.They were already in Wolf's studio at his home, and Zoe had just decided on her second song.Zoe's first-round song choice yesterday demonstrated strength and her ability to endure all challenges, but her next song choice revealed the pain she had to endure. A love song full of hurt. Zoe nodded."According to the PD explaining the rules, I will sing a trio with randomly chosen participants, and each can suggest a song. As long as this song is chosen, I can use it later," Zoe explained.Wolf already knew about that rule, but he just nodded at Zoe's explanation. Even though Sara no longer told him to talk a lot with Zoe—because Zoe was already very normal when calm—Wolf still wanted to hear her talk. Zoe's voice wasn't just beautiful when she sang.Wolf tapped his ear gently. That thought was too... wild. Wolf wanted to dispel such thoughts before he truly went crazy."
Because of that, Wolf could suggest to Zoe that she follow him. Wolf refused that offer, of course. He didn't want to appear in front of the camera for a long time. So, he instructed Jacob to represent Wolf."Oh? Then why did you ask about the details earlier?" Zoe was a bit annoyed, feeling that Wolf had let her do something useless. She explained the details of the next scene that she already knew."I didn't ask about any details. You told me this yourself earlier. Did you forget?" Wolf reminded her, then closed his ears with earphones again, working on arrangements on his computer.Zoe grumbled but couldn't argue. It was true that she freely told Wolf everything earlier. Without feeling awkward or having the need to restrain herself. Zoe couldn't remember when she became so talkative with Wolf.Since she regained the ability to speak, Zoe has spent most of her time talking to Wolf—besides Sara. Wolf's presence could be annoying at times, but he always listened patiently and attenti
"As usual, the music you bring is always 'clean.' There's nothing more I can do for you. It's already very ready."Jacob smiled as he removed the earphones from his ears. He had just listened to the music sample that Zoe would use tomorrow for her first live performance, and as always, Loria's music was well-prepared—thanks to Wolf, of course."Alright, I'll practice some more then." Zoe nodded but also looked nervous.This was her first live performance. The previous rounds were all tapping processes, and Zoe was fine. But live performances meant there couldn't be any mistakes. This made Zoe even more nervous."Did you arrange all of this yourself? If so, maybe I need to learn from you. You're very talented, Loria. If you don't win this competition, I'd be happy to have you work for Wolf. I...""Ah, no... no!" Zoe panicked, shaking her head. She had always claimed that she arranged her own songs because that's what Wolf ordered. She didn't want his name to appear until she was truly