"It doesn''t matter if I''m famous-what''s the point if I don''t have a managementpany? A few agencies have reached outtely, but you know as well as I do, all our songs were ''borrowed'' from others. I''m afraid..."


    Rosita was exasperated with Ottilie''sck of ambition, but right now, she


    desperately needed money.


    Rosita''s eyes darted as she thought quickly. "Here''s what we''ll do: I''ll rmend you to mypany. You can sign with us, and then we can look out for each other."


    "But... what if your boss finds out the truth?"


    "Rx. I''ve alreadye clean to my agent. I told him we sourced those songs together from outside writers."


    Rosita continued, "This kind of thing happens all the time in the entertainment industry. Given our current poprity, thepany will definitely protect us-as long as we keep making money for them, they won''t care where the songs came from!"


    Ottilie couldn''t help but feel tempted. "Really? Will you ask for me?"


    "Of course."


    Rosita pulled out her phone and called Bill right away.


    After hearing her out, Bill replied without hesitation, "Bring Ms. Kensington to the officeter. The big boss is in today."


    "Great!" Rosita hung up and beamed at Ottilie. "He''s in. My agent wants us to head over now because the boss is at the office today."


    "Seriously? You think the boss will really sign me?"


    "I''m personally rmending you. If I vouch for someone, the boss will say yes." Rosita nced at Ottilie''s suitcase on the floor. "I''ll leave the jewelry here. I''ll also try to negotiate a bigger signing bonus for you. Once the deal is done, you give me half a million, and the jewelry is all yours."


    "Deal!" Ottilie threw her arms around Rosita. "Rosita, you''re my guardian angel!"


    Rositaughed. "We''re cousins-family. Of course I''d help you."


    Ottilie nodded enthusiastically, her face alight with excitement.


    The Kensington family was thrilled to hear Rosita would be taking Ottilie to negotiate her contract.


    Melody, ever the cautious mother, felt it was an important enough event to warrant extra care. "Should we have one of ourpany''s attorneys go with you?"


    "No need. Rosita knows the boss


    well!" Ottilie dered with confidence, ncing at Melody. "She''ll make sure I get the best deal possible. If we show up with awyer, the boss will think we don''t trust him."


    "But-"


    "Enough! Quiet!" Madeline cut Melody off with a stern look. "You know nothing about the business world! Rosita''s made it on her own in the industry-if you can''t trust the boss, at least trust our Rosita!"


    Chastened, Melody lowered her head. "Sorry. I guess I''m just being overprotective."


    Rosita offered a gentle smile. "Auntie, don''t worry. Ottilie''s like a sister to me. I''ll be extra careful."


    Melody nodded. "You''re the best, Rosita. Ottilie''s new to show business-she


    doesn''t know all the rules yet. Look out for her, will you?"


    Rosita nodded. "Of course, Auntie. You can count on me."


    Madeline waved them on. "Go on, you two-don''t keep the boss waiting!"


    "Right," Rosita said, and with that, she and Ottilie left together.


    Madeline watched the two girls walk off side by side, leaning on her cane with a satisfied smile. "That''s how you raise a girl-independent, resilient, and still loyal to her Ottilie''s lucky to have a cousin like Rosita."


    With her head lowered, Melody rolled her eyes so hard it hurt.


    After finishing an online meeting, Briony nced at her phone-it was a call from someone saved as ''Mr. Seven.''


    She answered smoothly, "Mr. Seven."


    On the other end, a man''s deep, steady voice replied, "The bait has taken the hook."


    Briony''s lips curved in a faint, knowing smile. "Good. Got it. Tell Bill to proceed as we nned."