The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 256

Chapter 256: Chapter 256 The Moment of Truth
“Hmm,” Hera mused, placing her fingers on her chin as she considered the Director’s suggestion. “Fine by me. But what would I get in return if my friend passes the screening?” Hera looked at the Director with a sly smile, like the cunning little fox she was.

Seeing her like that, the Director blinked a few more times before bursting into hysterical laughter at the audacity of someone asking him for a reward when even her manager couldn’t openly negotiate with him. “Alright, what do you want in return?” he asked Hera, his eyebrow raised, though his eyes remained stern and intimidating.

“How about this: if my friend manages to amaze you and you choose him, I’d like you to make him a star. But if we lose, I’ll give you the $100 million, and I’ll star in a music video of your choice. How does that sound?” Hera proposed, wearing a thoughtful expression.

“Well then, let’s consider everyone inside the recording studio as witnesses. Anyone who backs away will be kicked out of UE,” he said nonchalantly, but his seriousness was palpable. He wanted to impress upon Hera that not everything was child’s play just because she had money and could do as she pleased.

For Hera, losing wouldn’t be a major loss since the money was Rafael’s, and gaining a favor with someone else’s money would bring her satisfaction. Even if she lost, starring in the music video would still provide exposure. So, she felt she could only win, regardless of the outcome—though not everyone would understand her perspective.

Hearing the Director mention the possibility of someone being kicked out of UE was enough to make Logan’s knees buckle. Outwardly, he kept his head lowered and fidgeted with his thumbs, his nervousness and fear palpable.

Even Betty grew apprehensive as she listened to both sides escalate their stakes. While Hera had a powerful backer, Betty wasn’t sure if this backing could resolve things if they went wrong. Despite this, she couldn’t dissuade Hera, who was known for her strong-willed nature and steadfast opinions. All Betty could do was purse her lips and hold her breath, uncertain of how things would unfold.

The Director passed the CD to his assistant so they could play it loud and clear for everyone to hear.

As the assistant placed the CD into the player, a palpable sense of nervousness and anticipation filled the air. Even the Director, despite trying not to show it, couldn’t help but feel the tension mounting in the room.

Moments later, a cool and refreshing voice resonated from the speakers. His tone was clear and evocative, carrying a range of emotions. It was accompanied by a melancholic melody and poignant lyrics that depicted a young man’s yearning to break free from the constraints holding him back, akin to a bird in a cage longing for the freedom of the open skies and lush landscapes beyond.

The song unfolded with a melodious beauty, its lyrics resonating with both profound meaning and captivating beauty. As the music filled the room, tears welled in everyone’s eyes, and goosebumps prickled their skin. The singer’s voice captured the raw emotions embedded in the song, evoking a poignant response that was undeniably moving and profoundly beautiful.

The singer’s voice expertly conveyed the lyrics, effortlessly reaching higher notes with a blend of power, coolness, and sensuality. The Director could already envision the potential—a versatile vocalist capable of singing anything he desired, unbound by genre or vocal limitations. It was a performance that showcased the singer’s complete mastery and range.

Not only that, but he also performed his own original composition, which he had both composed and written himself. The Director and everyone else were left with goosebumps, deeply immersed in the performance. They remained in a trance-like state, emotionally moved by the song long after it had ended.

Some, like Betty, were moved to tears by the music, their hearts trembling with indescribable emotions. The song resonated deeply with them, offering a perspective that was both familiar and refreshing, evoking new insights and emotions among the listeners.

After hearing the song, Hera’s eyes widened in astonishment. She experienced the same powerful emotions as everyone else, feeling a tingling sensation on her scalp. Logan’s performance exceeded her expectations; she had always appreciated his voice, but now she realized its exceptional quality. Hera felt a pang of regret for not fully recognizing his talent earlier. Yet, she was perplexed by his lack of confidence despite possessing such remarkable ability. Was it solely due to his best friend’s criticism had overshadowed his belief in himself? Logan’s undeniable talent was now unmistakably apparent to everyone present.

As soon as the Director regained his composure, he rose abruptly from his seat and strode directly towards Logan. Logan glanced at Hera with uncertainty, unsure of what was to come next. Hera nodded reassuringly at him, confident that the Director had already made his decision in favor of Logan. Even without their wager, she believed the Director would spare no effort in nurturing Logan’s talent, knowing he had the potential to reach the international stage solely through his talent.

“He wouldn’t even need anyone to help him, he was a true genius…” Hera pondered this thought, reflecting on Logan’s remarkable talent. As thoughts of genius lingered in her mind, she recalled a similar reference in the novel, where a genius was meant to assist Alice. Could it be Logan? She resolved to inquire with Athena later, realizing she didn’t know the name of the genius singer-composer from the novel.

The Director then ushered Logan into the recording room. “Everyone, get ready. Let’s have this young man perform an acapella version of the song,” he announced. The team enthusiastically prepared for the live broadcast of Logan singing acapella. Their goal was to confirm the authenticity of his performance, but as professionals, they could discern genuine talent from any reliance on auto-tuning technology.

So, even before this acapella performance, they all knew that what they heard was genuine talent. But Logan who was shoved inside the recording room was now scared, he didn’t even know what was happening yet, he still believed that everyone was angry and wanted to find some issue with his performance so they could make it hard for Hera and her manager.

Observing Logan’s evident fear and unease, Hera couldn’t help but reflect on his lack of self-confidence. She sensed he might be imagining the worst possible outcomes at that moment. Determined to support him, she followed the Director into the room, when the Director sees her his expression betrayed surprise at her presence. His raised eyebrow this time seemed to acknowledge her more seriously than before when he had simply seen her as a young girl.

“What are you doing here?” the Director asked abruptly.

“I think he was nervous and scared,” Hera replied straightforwardly.

The Director was taken aback. “What is there to be scared of? Not unless this song was…” he mused, hinting that perhaps the singer wasn’t who he seemed or that there was more to the song’s origins than they knew.

Hera also followed his train of thought and did not dismiss it because it was always possible, she conceded, mindful that they hadn’t yet heard him sing. But she pressed on with what she knew. “I believe he lacks confidence in his talent. Whatever he’s been through has made him doubt himself.” She paused, pondering their next move. “Perhaps I should calm him down first and encourage him to sing. What do you think?” Hera suggested, aware that allowing Logan to leave without performing could adversely affect his career prospects.