apter 17
Renee’s eyes went wide, her heart suddenly pounding
Ralph’s name was known throughout the entertainment industry. To millions, he was the Golden Charmer–gifted not just with string looks but with undeniable acting talent and a voice that left no room for critique,
And to top it all off, it was Eamon who had brought them together. The first time Rence had seen Ralph, she’d been drawn in by his presence and talent. But she had never expected she’d have any real connection with
After all, despite being the eldest daughter of the Callahans, she had faced a string of tragedies, including a period spent in prison.
Yet, year after year, Ralph had relentlessly pursued her. No matter where she performed, he always managed to find his way to her. His gaze was always soft and unwavering as if she were the only one who mattered in his world.
“What are you doing here?” Renee whispered, settling into the coach’s panel, her voice filled with surprise and a touch of resignation.
Ralph tilted his head slightly, offering her a small smile.
His voice was deep and alluring as he replied, “You’re here.”
Renee’s heart raced, and a warm flush spread across her face. She shifted to the side, trying to create some space between them, but every move she made was caught clearly by the live
broadcast cameras.
The comment section went wild in an instant.
“Oh my gosh! Did the Golden Charmer just smile at Renee? Do they know each other?”
“I can’t even! The way he’s looking at her is so sweet! I’m totally rooting for them!”
“That’s it. They’re a thing now! The Golden Charmer and Renee are meant to be!”
Renee forced herself to stay composed, her gaze returning to the stage. But her heart wouldn’t stop pounding. Ralph’s presence sent a strange mix of nerves and excitement through her.
Just then, the contestants began walking onto the stage, one after another.
The first few contestants didn’t quite impress, and not a single coach turned their chair to select them. But that all changed when Sharon walked onto the stage.
She was dressed in a flowing white gown, her face glowing with a confident smile.
She made her way to the center of the stage, grabbed the microphone, and gently said, “Hi, everyone. I’m Sharon Swain. Today, I’ll be performing an original song, Stardust.”
C
hapter 1
Renee’s eyes widened, and she instinctively tightened her grip on the armrest. She recognized that song all too well. It was one she’d written years ago, a track that had never been shared with anyone.
She never imagined Sharon would still have the nerve to perform her song on this stage, especially after the plagiarism scandal.
Sharon’s voice poured out, the melody stunning and the lyrics charged with deep emotion. Yet, as Renee listened, her brow furrowed.
Her gaze drifted toward the audience, and sure enough, she spotted two familiar faces- Eugene and Calvin. They were sitting in a corner, holding an exquisite urn between them, their focus on the stage.
Renee’s gaze turned icy, a subtle smile appearing on her lips.
Sensing the change in her demeanor, Ralph leaned in closer and whispered, “What’s happening?”
Renee shook her head, her voice barely audible as she responded, “Nothing. I just noticed a few intriguing people in the crowd.”
Ralph followed her stare, a flicker of coldness creeping into his eyes. “Do you want me to handle it?”
Renee chuckled. “No. I’ve got it covered.
Her focus shifted back to the stage, her eyes gleaming with detachment and anticipation.
As the last note of Sharon’s song drifted into silence, the room hung still for a moment before erupting in a deafening burst of applause.
Despite a few flaws in her performance, the original piece, Stardust, was truly captivating. Without a second thought, both coaches turned their chairs around.
“The melody is beautiful! The lyrics are incredibly powerful! Sharon, you’re a true genius!” one coach exclaimed, his voice filled with awe.
The other coach agreed, nodding eagerly. “Absolutely! It’s not often you come across an original song that’s put together so perfectly. Sharon, you’ve got real talent!”
Sharon stood proudly on stage, a victorious smile lighting up her face.
Her eyes swept across the coach’s panel, eventually resting on Renee and Ralph. Seeing them still facing away, their backs to her, a brief flash of resentment stirred within her, but it quickly faded.
“As long as one more coach turns, I’ll make it to the next round,” she thought, a subtle smile spreading across her face..
Just then, the host stepped to the center of the stage and asked with a grin, “Mr. Sorensen, why didn’t you turn around? Sharon’s performance was pretty amazing, don’t you think?” Ralph met the host’s gaze, his voice even and composed. “Because Renee didn’t turn around.
