Are you going to make me talk to you through the
door? Scarlett asked. She then bit her lower lip and tried to look pitiful. Aiden didn't know
why, but lately he felt like there was a fire inside him that left him hot and thirsty.
Enchanted by Beauty. Concentration plus one. Trigger entry-level concentration.
Auto-eliminate emotional interference. Suddenly, his head felt cool, as if a pitcher of ice
water had been dumped on him. Aiden's head was clear, and he looked at the woman in
front of him calmly.
Scarlett stood staring at Aiden. She had seen many handsome men over the years, but
there was something about Aiden. She looked at Aiden's eyes and studied him carefully.
After an awkward moment of the two staring at each other, Aiden coughed and stepped
aside so Scarlett could properly enter the restaurant. As she fully entered the room,
Scarlett noticed Anthony was there. Well, isn't this a surprise? What brings you here, Mr.
K? Anthony also recognized the famous Black Rose and nodded hello before asking, are
you looking to do business with the Midnight Snack restaurant? Anthony was surprised to
see Scarlett.
As far as he knew, Star Arts did not already have any business connections with Aiden.
The restaurant? Scarlett asked with a smile. No, I've come to speak with Mr. Dale about
something more personal.
I'm not interested in the restaurant or its famous teas. Anthony sent Aiden a questioning
look. Seeing the look on Anthony's face, Aiden realized he was completely out of the
loop.
If it was personal business, why would she approach him in front of his parents and sister? What was going on? I'm sorry, Ms. Sullivan, was it? I don't think I know you. You
don't, but I know you, she said as she pulled out her phone and opened a video file. Mr.
Dale, is this you? She asked.
Um, call me Aiden, he muttered as he looked at her phone and saw the segment of his
performance at Otis High's talent show. He didn't know someone had recorded the show.
He nodded and did not deny it was him.
Great, I'm not mistaken, Scarlett said with joy. I was deeply impressed by your piano
skills, singing level, and stage presence. She then continued, I came to sign you as an
artist with my company.
Aiden backed up and dropped onto a chair behind her. What? He asked. Before Scarlett
could respond, Leah gasped and said, Oh my God, it is her.
I thought I was going crazy. She recognized Scarlett the moment the woman entered the
store. Who is she? This time, it was Clara's turn to ask questions.
She's the CEO of Star Arts Media. You don't like her? Leah asked. Clara shook her head.
Clara and Leah were from two different generations and had different interests. Star Arts
is one of the top talent agencies in the country. They represent a bunch of celebrities,
Leah explained.
She then continued, people on TV like Angel Rivera, Frank Park, Charlie Young, they're all
signed with Star Arts. Oh, and Dan Walton too.
Clara nodded and then said, Wait, you said Dan Walton is
also... She trailed off as they all looked at Dan and his manager Stephanie standing in
the corner listening intently. Now that Aiden understood who Scarlett was, he was
starting to understand what was going on.
Scarlett was a famous agent from Hollywood and head of Star Arts Media and was
looking to sign more artists to her company. D, discovered by a star scout. Popularity,
plus one.
Current progress, one out of ten. Current level, beginner. Singer, actor, star.
Aiden never thought that one day he might become a celebrity. He'd certainly never
thought of himself as an artist. It was overwhelming.
While he now had plenty of free time, he didn't want to waste it on uncertainty, and
becoming an artist was risky. So many singers and actors, big and small, tried to make it
in the world. There seemed to be an unlimited supply of talented people who dreamed of
becoming stars.
But in the end, how many actually made it? The term starving artist existed for a reason.
Those who weren't successful might struggle just to survive. Even if you got a manager,
an agent, booked a job or two, there was still no guarantee.
He also wasn't sure how much he wanted to be exposed to the problems of the
entertainment industry and the life of celebrities. While Aiden thought about this, two
timid voices said, Ms. Sullivan, Scarlett. It was Dan and Stephanie.
Since Anthony's cruel words earlier, the two had not said a word. Aiden had mostly
forgotten that they were still in the restaurant. You are… Scarlett trailed off with a frown.
They were familiar, but so many people worked with Star Arts that she couldn't
remember everyone's name and face. I'm Dan Walton, you just threatened to drop me
last month. Dan looked nervous.
He was more afraid of his boss than he was of Anthony. After all, with her position in the
entertainment industry, she had far more power over Dan than Anthony. She controlled
the life and death of her artists.
Oh, Scarlett said with a nod, suggesting she might know who he was. Then she returned
her attention to Aiden. She had been the CEO of Star Arts for many years and seen
countless talented young men and women come and go.
But no one had ever left such a deep impression on her as Aiden had. She had watched
the talent show video over and over again and was certain that Aiden would be a star.
She was so certain, in fact, that rather than sending one of the agents who worked for
her, she had personally come to recruit Aiden.
Standing in front of him now, however, Scarlett started to worry this wasn't going to go
her way. She saw Aiden's expression harden. What's the matter, Aiden? She asked.
Aiden sneered and pointed to Dan and Stephanie as he asked, Do they work for your
company? If so, there's nothing for us to discuss. His sudden attitude change took
Scarlett by surprise. She immediately turned to Dan and Stephanie and asked angrily,
What's going on? Did you offend Aiden?
While Dan and
Stephanie had worked for Star Arts for several years, neither had ever seen Scarlett so
angry.
They both looked around for a place to hide, both scared to tell Scarlett the truth. But
there was nowhere to go. After hearing them explain what had happened, Scarlett was
livid.
You fools! She shouted. It's one thing to not convince somebody to sign, it's another
thing to convince them to never sign with you at all! She continued yelling at them. Get
out! Leave now and go think about what you've done! So Dan and Stephanie stepped outside.
The two stood shivering in the cold wind, uncertain what to do. With an apologetic
expression, Scarlett said, Aiden, I am very sorry. This is not how I have trained my
employees to behave.
However, no matter what Scarlett said about the situation, Aiden's mind had been made
up. He was not interested in hearing more from her. This frustrated Scarlett and she
couldn't help losing her patience.
In her opinion, as the CEO of Star Arts, she should get some respect for personally
coming to recruit Aiden. All she could do was frown at his indifferent attitude. Finally, she
turned to Anthony who had been watching everything unfold.
In a low voice, she asked him, Mr. K, Aiden listens to you, right? Perhaps you can help
me? From Scarlett's perspective, Aiden would be subordinate to Anthony and he was
also younger. If she could influence Anthony, you could get Aiden to listen. But to
Scarlett's disappointment, Anthony just smiled, shook his head and said, Don't look at
me.
I can't change Aiden's mind. It's not uncommon for me to ask him for help. Scarlett's
mouth opened in shock.
Aiden's impression of her kept changing. He realized that she wasn't a normal talent
agent. As he tried to figure out what to make of her, there was another knock at the
door.
Who now? Aiden thought. Would this night never end? Aiden thought no matter who it
was this time, he can't let them in. He decided that whoever it was, he was not letting
them in.
But the moment he opened the door, his resolve disappeared. Was it really the Wileses
on the sidewalk? Arthur? Aunt Susie? He asked. They were not the ones who had
knocked, however.
Standing by the door was a sharp-eyed young man in a suit. When Aiden opened the
door, the man had given him a standard military salute, then turned back to the street.
There was a limousine there with the national flag on the front corners.
Aiden remembered seeing the car when the restaurant opened. Arthur and Aunt Susie
are both dressed in thick coats, and Arthur was supporting Aunt Susie up the steps.
Aiden could hear Aunt Susie speaking.
While her voice was weak and didn't travel far, Aiden could just hear what she was
saying. Don't help me, don't I have hands and feet here? She fussed. Aunt Susie was far