"Father, the Burgan Oil Field deal... it's been sabotaged," Alex finally blurted out, his voice tight with frustration.
David Sinclair sighed heavily, a sound that sent a chill down Alex's spine.
"I'm afraid that's not our only problem, son," David said, his tone grave.
"Jong-kook, Devon and every other Sinclair have been expelled from NOA. The Sinclairs are to be blacklisted until further notice for breaking Academy rules."
Alex felt the blood drain from his face. His free hand clenched into a fist, knuckles turning white.
"What? How... why do they all think it was us behind the hit?" he asked, struggling to keep his voice steady.
David's voice was cold as he replied, "It seems Gerald and Jong-kook have been clashing with Brandon Blackstone over the music industry. Being the only suspects…"
"Goddammit!" Alex exploded, unable to contain his rage any longer. \
"Gerald's incompetence knows no bounds! And that Korean fag... Father, you should have never brought him into the inner circle. He's a liability, not an asset!"
"Watch your tone, Alex," David warned, his voice sharp.
But Alex was too far gone, his frustration boiling over.
"No, Father! This is exactly what I warned you about. Gerald's petty feuds and that stray Asian mut of yours might cost us everything!"
David's voice remained calm, a stark contrast to Alex's outburst.
"Are you quite finished?"
Alex took a deep breath, trying to regain his composure. He could almost see his father's disapproving gaze through the phone.
"Nothing in life is a coincidence, Alex," David continued, his tone measured.
"I warned you that nothing good would come from working with those people. Especially when you aren't their equals."
Alex's brow furrowed.
"What are you talking about, Father? The Kuwaitis?"
David chuckled, a sound devoid of humor. "No, son. I'm referring to your... other associates. The ones you thought I didn't know about."
Alex felt his heart skip a beat. He swallowed hard, trying to keep his voice steady.
"I don't know what you mean."
"Come now, Alex. Did you really think you could keep secrets from me? I built up everything you think you own."
David's voice took on a harder edge.
"You see, son," David continued, "when you play with fire, you're bound to get burned. And when you play with people who are tiers above yourself, it's only a matter of time before you're reminded that you're nothing but a pawn."
Alex's blood ran cold. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.
"Sigh, you still have a long ways to go, get back home ASAP and we'll decided how we'll deal with the Blackstones and your co-conspirators… What did they call themselves again? Ah, yes. The Illuminati."
[ BMG Headquarters ]
Brandon strode into the Blackstone Music Group headquarters, his mind still reeling from the revelations at Noblesse Oblige Academy. As he approached the conference room, he noticed Jessie's anxious expression through the glass walls.
He pushed open the door, his eyes immediately landing on a familiar figure. The obese woman sat awkwardly in one of the plush leather chairs, her weathered guitar case propped against the table. She looked completely out of place amidst the sleek, modern decor.
"Mr. Blackstone," Jessie said, jumping to her feet.
"Thank you for coming so quickly."
Before Brandon could respond, Jessie grabbed his hand and practically dragged him back out of the conference room.
She shut the door behind them with a soft click.
Jessie giggled, covering her mouth with her hand.
"The lady in there says you promised her an audition. Is that why you're barely in the office? Picking up women from the street?"
Brandon's eyes widened as recognition dawned on him.
The busker from the shopping district – he'd completely forgotten about her in the chaos of recent events.
"It's not what you think," he started to explain, but Jessie was already shaking her head, her smile growing wider.
"No judgment here, boss," she teased.
"I just never pegged you for a chubby chaser."
Brandon rolled his eyes and gently pushed Jessie's forehead with his index finger.
"Get your mind out of the gutter. We've got an audition program, no? Talk is cheap, we need to show the people out there we mean business."
Just then, Izzy rounded the corner with a videographer in tow. Her face lit up as she spotted Brandon and Jessie.
"Brandon! Jessie! Perfect timing," Izzy exclaimed, her excitement palpable as she approached them. The videographer trailed behind her, adjusting his camera.
Jessie's brow furrowed in confusion. "What's all this about?"
Brandon's lips curled into a mischievous grin.
"Let's show the world that we can make anyone a star as long as they have talent," he said, turning on his heel and walking back towards the conference room.
Brandon strode into the conference room, his confidence a stark contrast to the woman hunched in her seat.
She seemed to shrink even further as he sat across from her, her eyes darting nervously between him and the imposing camera lens that had followed him in.
The woman's fingers fidgeted with the frayed edges of her oversized sweater, pulling it tighter around her ample frame as if trying to disappear into its folds. Her weathered guitar case leaned against her chair, a silent companion amidst the tension.
"Don't mind the camera," Brandon said softly, gesturing to the videographer.
"Just pretend he's a fly on the wall. This is just a casual chat between you and me, okay?"
The woman nodded hesitantly, her eyes still fixed on the floor.
Brandon leaned forward, his voice gentle.
"Why don't you start by introducing yourself?"
She took a deep breath, finally meeting Brandon's gaze.
"I'm... I'm Emmy," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Emmy Dawson."
"It's great to meet you properly, Emmy," Brandon replied with a warm smile.
"Can you tell me a bit about yourself? How long have you been singing?"
Emmy's fingers twisted in her lap.
"I've been singing since I was little, I guess. But never... never professionally, I perform as a street busker to pay the bills."
"What made you start busking on the streets?"
A flicker of passion crossed Emmy's face, momentarily overshadowing her nervousness.
"I just... I love music. It's the only time I feel like I can really be myself, you know? Even if no one's listening."