At the doorway.
Charlotte's face is as delicate as ever, her cheeks adorable as if they were made of water, yet her eyes lack the usual liveliness and playfulness, now carrying a hint of depth and composure.
"Charlotte, is there something on your mind?" Jessica stands at the doorway, somewhat flustered. She hasn't quite recovered from the shock of ten million and instinctively doesn't want others to know.
"Just realized it's been a while since we last talked, and I happened to be resting..." Charlotte smiles softly.
"I'm a bit tired..."
"I've heard some rumors lately."
"You know, those are just rumors."
Jessica moves aside, allowing Charlotte to enter the room, and after closing the door, she shrugs and says, "You know, if it were true, I would admit it. Similarly, if it's false, no one can force me to admit it."
She knows what Charlotte is referring to—the rumors.
In fact, Jessica also finds it absurd, not knowing where it originated from.
The pervert from KG Studio and herself... how could that be possible?
"Whether it's true or false, I think it's best to try to avoid such rumors."
Charlotte sits on Claire's bed, her gaze slightly shifting as she looks at the pile of stockings under Jessica's bed.
"I can responsibly tell you that those rumors are false."
Jessica walks over and explains, "Besides, what kind of celebrity doesn't have scandals and gossip?"
"We're different; our days ahead will be very difficult, so we need to try to avoid unnecessary trouble," Charlotte says calmly.
"What kind of difficulty?" Jessica asks in response.
"You'll find out soon enough," Charlotte says in a light voice.
Jessica looks at Charlotte, who looks back at her calmly.
Their eyes meet.
"Charlotte, I know that since your debut last year, the pressure of being the team leader has been great," Jessica says, her gaze softening a bit. "But there's no need to always fight with imaginary enemies. As a leader, you've been more than good enough this year."
Then, she shifts the topic, saying, "However, although you're excellent now, I still prefer the old you who could laugh and joke with us without a care."
"It has nothing to do with being a leader or not."
Charlotte's gaze is calm and steady as she says, "I just hope that during this rise phase of our group, everyone doesn't make any mistakes, and matters of love and affection, let's wait until the day we succeed..."
"Which day is the day of success?" Jessica interrupts Charlotte's words. Even as the leader, if you say something is wrong without giving a reason, it makes her increasingly impatient.
"If success is just about being famous, are we successful now?"
"What does success mean to everyone?"
"Competing with Spicy Girls for the top position of our generation?"
"Completely pushing out big-name girl groups like 'The Spicy' from the entertainment business?"
"Or is it only considered success when you dominate the charts over your peers?"
Jessica says, "Don't joke around, the word 'success' is a pseudo-concept. It's not about success, it's about desire, and desire and ambition are endless."
"Why would there be no end?" Charlotte asks in response.
"Alright, then where do you see the end?" Jessica asks.
"Becoming number one," Charlotte says earnestly, "We will definitely become the top group in the world, so before that, I don't want any of our group members..."
"What about after becoming the top in the world?" Jessica interrupts.
"After that, I will..."
"Don't tell me you'll be satisfied. Once a person's desires are ignited, there will be no end."
Jessica sneers a bit, saying, "Let me tell you, after becoming the top, you'll be wandering around the world to maximize your exposure, maximize your income and then what?"
Charlotte is silent for a moment, then says, "Is there anything wrong with such thoughts?"
"There's nothing wrong with such thoughts," Jessica agrees. "I also fully support the competitive spirit that comes after debuting. But Charlotte, have you ever thought about one thing."
Jessica can't help but say, "How long will it take to achieve these goals? How long do we have in our lives, and how long can our competitiveness last?"
"I will lead you to success," Charlotte says with determination in her eyes, "No matter how long it takes."
"You still don't understand, do you? The point I'm trying to make is not about success or failure."
Jessica explains, "I want to succeed, and I'm crazy about the idea of our group reaching the top in the business, even worldwide, but life is so long, and a person's eyes can't only focus on the group."
"Taking the rumor about KG's Sebastian as an example, although I've stated that it's false, if one day I really meet someone I like, without affecting the group, I will never give up," Jessica says with a resolute tone.
"What about the group?" Charlotte asks again, but this time, as she asks, there is a sense of confusion in her eyes, and it seems as if something inside her is starting to waver.
"Who says dating will definitely affect the group the bad way as you imagined?"
Jessica is almost frantic, saying, "There are so many popular group members who date, some deny it when caught, and I don't see their groups having any problems."
She says indignantly, "Let alone, this time it's just a rumor!"
She feels that Charlotte is mentally ill. Since last year, her concern for the group has almost reached a pathological level. Just like now, she would come to warn her because of endless rumors. From the perspective of the group, such a leader is undoubtedly competent. But from a personal perspective, Jessica only feels somewhat oppressed.
Not only for herself but also for Charlotte. The once cute and soft Charlotte is gone, replaced by a Charlotte whose mind is only filled with thoughts of the group!
"Ah, Charlotte, sometimes I really doubt if you've been replaced by someone else's soul, just like in the novels," Jessica finally can't hold back and speaks her mind.
However, Charlotte is no longer listening. "In any case, as long as you think it through before doing anything," Charlotte says as she gets up, slightly apologetic, and then, under the gaze of the members in the living room, returns to her own room.
"Who says dating will definitely affect the group?" Charlotte sits on her bed, looking out the window, and the words of Jessica echo repeatedly in her mind.
After a while. A bitter smile appears on Charlotte's lips. Yes! Who says dating will definitely affect the group? Something that even the eighteen-year-old Jessica can figure out, why hasn't she been able to see through it herself...
In the living room.
The members whisper to each other.
"What's wrong with Charlotte?"
"She's been so quiet recently, why did she suddenly have an argument with Jessica?"
"Is it because of dissatisfaction with the rumors?"
The dormitory of Pretty Generation is quite spacious, but the sound insulation is obviously not very good, and everyone hears it clearly.
Only Victoria's eyes move slightly.
Suddenly, a bolder idea flashes through her mind.
Sebastian Vanderbilt...
Could it be because of Sebastian Vanderbilt?
Last time in the meeting room, she felt that Charlotte's gaze towards that President Vanderbilt is a bit strange.
Could it be that she is jealous because of this time's rumor?