“Sit down!” Candace tugged at his sleeve, her voice barely above a whisper and edged with desperation, as if she might burst into tears at any moment.
Fitch jerked his arm free with a scowl, but it seemed he’d found a way out of the confrontation, and with a dramatic sigh, he slumped into a chair.
“Second option,” Alessia continued, her tone cool and businesslike. “If you pass the audition, you’ll write andpose your own songs. Thepany gives you one year–if you show no progress, the contract ends, no strings attached.”
“Third option–leave now.”
She pped his file shut on the table, her gaze steady. “Which will it be?”
“I’m not choosing any of them!” Fitch shoved past Candace’s restraining hand and nted himself in front of Alessia.
“What’s wrong with you people? Who put a kid in charge here? Is there no one actually running things in thispany? Get Moon in here–I’ll talk to her! If it’s about the money, whatever Tristan can offer, so can I! I’ve got a million followers, you know!”
Tristan, having been named, folded his arms and smirked, clearly enjoying the show.
“And you?” Fitch scoffed, turning to Alessia. “Stop ying grown–up, little girl. Shouldn’t you be studying for your finals or something? Better hurry, or your parents will ground you when you flunk out.”
“So, you’re picking the third option, then?” Alessia’s voice was even, untouched by
his insults.
<i>“</i>Are you deaf? I said–I’m–not–choosing–any!” Fitch jabbed a finger at the table, eyes bulging as if they might pop out of his head.
Alessia’s patience snapped. “Lillian, get the termination papers ready.”
“I’ll have them sent up right away,” Lillian replied, hurrying out to make the call. The conference room’s ss walls offered no privacy, she kept ncing back in, watching the drama unfold.
“Hey! What’s that supposed to mean? You’re firing me? Do you even know who my dad is? If you kick me out, I won’t lose a thing–it’s your loss, not mine!” Fitch was practically shouting, and Alessia could see the spit flying from his mouth.
<b>14.47 </b>
Her hands clenched into fists under the table. Fitch, oblivious to the storm brewing, kept ranting.
“Well, that’s it for him,” Tristan remarked, grinning. And as if on cue, Alessia’s fist shot out, connecting squarely with Fitch’s face.
He crashed backward, knocking over two chairs with a thunderous tter. Candace shrieked, dropping to her knees beside him, frantically checking his face. Fitch stared up in utter disbelief, clutching his cheek as it swelled up before their eyes.
Lillian, who’d just finished her call, caught sight of the chaos, hung up in a panic, and rushed in–only to sigh and step back out to call again.
“You psycho!” Fitch howled, pointing at Alessia. “Do you have any idea how much my face is worth? I’m suing you all! I’ll take this wholepany down!”
“If you want to get a medical report, you’re wee to wait for ourwyers from Libra & Associates to arrive,” Lillian replied, cool as ever. “Candace, please take Mr. Tillman to the hospital. When you get back,e see me.”
Unfazed, Lillian sorted out the arrangements without missing a beat. Tristan, apparently unbothered by themotion, fished out a pack of tissues from his bag and handed them to Alessia.
Thewyer arrived quickly. Lillian apanied them for safety, and in no time, the conference room was empty except for Alessia and Tristan.
“Not bad,” Tristan said, a sly smile on his lips. “You’ve grown up–you can really hold your own now.”
“He’s disgusting,” Alessia replied without a trace of restraint.
“Honestly, I thought you’d end up writing songs for your brother.”
“He’s barely got his footing. Right now, your fans all think we’re a package deal. If I wrote for him now, your fans would tear him apart with just a few angry
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14.475
<b>Chapt</b>