“Are you still in the competition?” Lydia asked stunned.
She had thought after Caspian’s warning, Arian would stay away from the competition.
“Isn’t that why you came to celebrate with me?” Aria asked with a smile.
“We came to cheer you because you were not going to attend, not because you were in it.” Lydia corrected herself.
“B…
but brother Caspian had talked about his new artist attending the competition yesterday and even though I scolded him, he didn’t change his mind about it.” She said with a serious tone.
“Don’t you think he would get mad at you again for going against his orders Aria?” Lydia asked calmly.
“It’s enough that he already blacklisted you, he might kick you out of his label for good.” She said, acting like the concerned little sister she was.
“Isn’t that what everyone wants?” Aria asked.
“Stop being such a hypocrite Aria and listen.
The rules were clear.
Only one new artist from each label could compete there.
Caspian already picked the new artist, how would you attend?
They’ll kick you out.” Sharon said sounding so upset already.
“Oh, that’s not something you should worry about.
I didn’t enter the competition under any label.
I entered as an independent artist.
Since Caspian Graves has decided to blackball me, I will find a better label for myself.”
“Huh?” Lydia said.
“Aria, I know nothing about the music business, but from the little I know, I think brother Caspian’s label is enough.
If he gets to cut ties with you, no one will accept you.” She said.
That was true, but Aria was a different person now, she’ll always find her way around like she always does, and she’ll destroy them while doing it.
First their public image, one thing Fred valued the most and then she’ll destroy them finally.
“It’s wise to leave the music space for now Aria.
Your name and reputation have been ruined, no label will want you anyway.
Just give out your songs as he had said.” She added.
“That is not up to you to decide,” Came Aria’s voice.
She took another sip of the warm water which had turned cold now.
“I should be heading to bed now, I have a bright day ahead of me.
I hope you two will attend the competition to cheer me on.
We’re family anyway.” Aria rose from where she sat and started towards her room with Evelyn behind her.
She had no idea when Lydia left, but she knew she had left her apartment with Sharon, after trying to convince her not to attend the competition.
When morning came, Aria was about to walk into the bathroom, when her cellphone rang.
“Aria, come to my office immediately,” Caspian said and hung up before she could respond.
She wondered what crime she had committed this time.
She should really say no, but Caspian Graves owned her and her music for the next one year.
He could do whatever he wanted with her career as long as it benefited him and helped him milk the millions she owed him.
When Aria reached Silver Crown, there were already a lot of reporters and paparazzi gathered at the entrance of the building, so she used the back door.
She had heard from Evelyn that Silver Crown had made a late-night announcement about who they had chosen for the competition.
And to keep the fans entertained, they had announced that Leah’s identity would be revealed at the competition while she performed.
The entire Velmora was eager to know who the new heavenly voice belonged to.
There were already countless speculations online about what she looked like.
Even though Aria already knew who Leah was, she still wanted to see her for herself.
She would make her pay today.
This is the first gift to her past self, who didn’t deserve the mistreatment these people have her.
Most fans mocked Aria, especially her former fans who wanted her and Caspian’s marriage to remain intact simply for bragging rights against other fandoms.
Silver Crown had even created a bot account dedicated to praising Leah and constantly comparing the two artists, trying to push Leah far above every accomplishment Aria had achieved over the past year.
Aria wasn’t impressed by Caspian’s little smear campaign.
She knew her career had already been ruined almost beyond repair.
That was exactly why this competition was going to be her comeback.
“You’re saying you haven’t seen her before either?”
Aria heard the voices coming from Caspian’s office as she stepped inside.
It seemed he was in a meeting with an investor or sponsor involved in the upcoming competition.
They were probably discussing how to bribe Leah’s way through since she had no real talent.
These men would spend millions deceiving the public.
It was always a fifty-fifty chance that they would even get their investment back.
In her previous life, Caspian had made a fortune from Leah while Aria simply watched from the sidelines.
She had been Leah’s driving force.
The brain behind every song, every note, every instrument.
And yet, she had received nothing but betrayal in return.
“No, but her identity will be revealed today.
I cannot wait either.
So the crown is hers either way.” Caspian said calmly, then his eyes shifted toward Aria, and he frowned a little.
“I think we’re done here, Mr.
Collins.
I need to speak to my artist.”
The man turned to look at Aria.
His face immediately soured at the sight of her.
It was normal.
They all hated her because of the scandal that had been forced upon her.
Aria was almost certain that if any of them had the chance to kill her, they would have done it without a second thought.
She needed to save her name by whatever means she could.
“Sit, Aria,” Caspian said once Collins had left his office.
“I have a competition this morning, Mr.
Graves.
I should be rehearsing for it.”
“You’re not attending that competition, Aria.”