"Senior, my artist has discovered a talented singer and we’re here to submit his work for screening," Betty lied without batting an eyelid as if she already made herself believed that what she was telling was the truth, Hera could onlyugh in her mind as she saw her collected manager act like a servile puppy in front of the director who was like a dragon spitting fire everywhere.


    The Director nced behind Betty and saw only one man standing there beside her artist, indicating he was the singer she referred to. He snorted dismissively, showing reluctance to give in, leaning back in his chair while fixing his gaze on the trio.


    "Senior, why not give it a try? You’ve been busy listening all this time, and one more wouldn’t hurt, right?" Betty suggested, but the Director remained unmoved.


    Seeing her manager struggle to convince the Director, Hera decided to step in. Since they were already there, she couldn’t pass up the opportunity to let Logan audition. "How about this, Director?" she suggested casually. "If we lose and you really don’t like how my friend sings, I’ll personally allocate a hundred million funds for the music department."


    Only then did the Director take a long look at Hera, young and beautiful, a true gem. He smirked. "Little girl, we’re not talking about y money here. Besides, are you openly bribing me? Me?!" He pointed at himself incredulously, emphasizing that he had never epted a bribe before and had a clear conscience.


    "Director, this isn’t meant as a bribe. We understand everyone’s tired, and we’re just asking you to consider going a bit further. The money would simply bepensation if we end up wasting your time. It would only be bribery if we asked you to ept our submission without scrutiny," Hera exined with an innocent look, genuinely believing her perspective.


    Hearing Hera offer such arge sum made Logan clutch onto her sleeve. He didn’t believe he could make the cut and feared putting Hera in an awkward position. He wanted to stop now and go home, feeling he was pushing his luck by dreaming he could achieve something significant. Back where he lived, no one had everplimented him, and he often felt like a toad stuck in the bottom of the well.


    He began to entertain the thought that maybe they were right; perhaps he was just a dreamer wanting to leave the well and explore beyond its limits with his own abilities. Reality now seemed to p him in the face, and he worried he was dragging Hera and her manager into his futile aspirations. The Director’s piercing gaze only intensified his sense of intimidation.


    Hera could feel Logan’s hesitation and fear in the way he grasped her sleeves, and it pained her to see such a big guy disying the timidity of a mouse. Clearly, he had been suppressed for a long time.


    Hera’s exnation seemed to amuse the Director despite his grumpy and annoyed demeanor since their arrival. He had been trying to intimidate them into leaving him alone, but here was this young girl boldly making bets with him, and over such arge sum at that. He knew that heirs and heiresses often dabbled in the entertainment industry for fun and fame, spendingvishly as they pleased. However, it was the first time someone had offered such a substantial amount without treating it as a bribe, but rather as casually as if it were money for snacks.


    The Director smirked amusedly and swiftly snatched the CD from Betty’s outstretched hand, which seemed weary from repeatedly offering it to him.


    "Then, young girl, to make this a little more entertaining, how about you starring in one of the music videos I’ll release for an artist if I don’t find this submission good enough? Hmm?" The Director’s question sounded more like amand than a request.