“If he doesn’t want it, then just let it go. We’ll postpone his debut. If he keeps refusing to cooperate, we’ll go through the formal process and terminate his


    contract.”


    “His father is the CEO of Mika & Co. If we could get his father to sponsor-”


    “Did I stutter?” Alessia shot Candace a look. Candace instantly mped her mouth


    shut.


    “Sponsorships and advertising are the responsibility of the PR department,


    understood? If a newbie who hasn’t even debuted yet is causing this much trouble, what will it be like once he actually makes it? Are we supposed to hire a whole team just to clean up his messes? Or has ourpany sunk so low that a single endorsement can save us now?”


    “Of course not. Tristan alone already has three major brand deals lined up. Mika’s sponsorship is nice to have, but hardly essential.” Lillian’s earlier ease was gone, reced with a businesslike air as she dutifully summarized the year’s endorsement deals for their various artists.


    “Are we clear, Candace?” Alessia’s usual nonchnce was nowhere to be found.


    “Yes.” Candace fidgeted with her fingers, conceding that she’d let visions of dor signs cloud her judgment.


    Liam watched in silence. Thest time he’d felt this kind of pressure was when Brendan was running things as CEO.


    “That’ll be all. If you can’t manage the artists you bring in, you can leave with them.” Candace didn’t dare argue. She kept her head down and slipped out of the room. The atmosphere was tense, but Tristan seemed perfectly at ease. He lounged on the sofa, a faint smirk on his lips. Even in the dim light, his face was striking.


    “Want a sweet?” he offered, but he’d already tossed the candy across the room.


    Alessia caught it without missing a beat, unwrapped it, popped it in her mouth, and tossed the wrapper into the trash bin by the door.


    “So, where are we in the recording?”


    “Just getting started.”


    “The song for, what’s his name, Fitch–where is it?”


    14:46


    “Right here, Miss Morton.” The producer handed his score to Alessia, looking more than a little put out.


    Alessia took the sheet and slid into the seat next to him.


    “Let’s get the vocals down first.”


    At her word, Tristan and the producer got to work, while Lillian and Liam settled onto the sofa Tristan had just vacated, watching as the three shifted into work mode.


    Tristan and the producer had been working together for two years now, so their back–and–forth was quick and efficient. Alessia quietly flipped through the manuscript, asionally marking it up with a pen.


    After about thirty minutes, the recording wrapped up smoothly.


    “Alright, Tristan, good job. I’m impressed–your vocals haven’t slipped even after all this time.”


    “Singing’s what I do best. Can’t afford to lose my touch. Appreciate it.” Tristan slipped off his headphones and came out of the booth, his in white tee and cut–off jeans making him look every bit the boyish star.


    “So, what do you think, princess?” Tristan asked, shing a grin.


    “If you’d gotten worse, I wouldn’t waste my songs on you.”


    “You sure know how to give apliment.” Despite his sarcastic tone, Tristan looked visibly relieved.


    “By the way, who’s this?”


    “My third brother, Liam. He’s also about to sign with us.”


    “So you didn’te just for me?” Tristan feigned disappointment, his face adopting a wounded look. If his fans saw this, they’d probably be screaming about how adorable he was. Too bad the only fan here–Liam–didn’t even nce his way.


    As expected, Alessia gave him a look that clearly said, “Cut the crap,” then went right back to her sheet music.


    <i>212 </i>


    14:47


    Chapter <b>105 </b>