"Ex-wife and Ex-wife's Aunt?"
Frank Castle frowned at the trending topic on his phone's social media. He shook his head helplessly. These people really have too much time on their hands!
He was currently watching TV in his hotel room. The Voice of America was indeed popular. It had only been on for less than ten minutes, and the show had already dominated almost the entire top ten trending list. Frank, this obscure D-list artist, had the honor of occupying three of those spots. Trending #10 and #8 were both about hating him. Trending #2 was that baffling "Ex-wife and Ex-wife's Aunt."
Frank knew this was likely Eastwick TV's doing. An ex-husband as a contestant, and an ex-wife and her aunt as mentors—how could Director Scott not capitalize on such an interesting gimmick? It was just that the trending tag was a bit odd, making it sound like he had some strange relationship with his ex-wife's aunt.
Just as he was thinking, Celeste Monroe sent him a text: "Tonight's homework isn't in yet."
Frank slapped his forehead. He had been busy practicing with Cecilia Rhodes during the day, then rushed back to watch the show at night, and had completely forgotten to record his vocal exercises.
"Aunt Celeste, I forgot to record my homework. Can I send you a double portion tomorrow?"
"Triple."
"Okay, Aunt Celeste, my bad."
Frank admitted his mistake promptly, and Celeste Monroe didn't pursue it. She then sent another message: "Don't mind the online comments. I know you didn't cheat, and you didn't do anything wrong." Frank felt a warmth in his heart and immediately replied: "Thank you, Aunt Celeste!"
After a moment, Celeste Monroe didn't send any more messages. Frank put down his phone and continued watching the show. The host had just announced the theme for the first episode—"Old Flames." This immediately sparked countless discussions.
"Old Flames? Sounds like it's pointing to something specific, doesn't it?"
"No 'sounds like,' it's definitely about Amelia Quinn and Frank Castle!"
"Wow, Director Scott has some nerve, he'll ride any wave of publicity!"
"I'm so excited! What song will Frank Castle choose?"
The camera appropriately cut to the contestants' backstage. The assistant director had just announced the theme, asking the contestants to report their song choices and necessary instruments. Most people chose covers. When it was Alex Stone's turn, he proudly announced he would perform an original song, with the piano as his instrument. Alex Stone had delicate features, similar in style to Liam Reed, immediately attracting many female viewers. Comments were already praising his androgynous beauty.
Then, a staff member asked Frank Castle. Under countless gazes, Frank calmly stated: "I'll sing an original song. Just a guitar will be enough."
Alex Stone immediately mocked him: "Just a guitar and you dare go on stage? Do you think this is some campus talent show?"
Frank remained calm: "I did participate in campus singing competitions, but as a judge."
"You... you..." Alex Stone pointed at Frank, speechless.
They actually showed this segment? Frank was a little surprised to see this. He then shook his head with a wry smile. Well, I guess even more people are going to curse me now.
"He's so arrogant! How can that scum be so cocky?!" Lynn Evans, at home with her dad, pointed at Frank Castle on the TV screen, cursing loudly. "What 'Old Flames'? Amelia only has old hatred for that scum, not old flames! Shameless!"
Mr. Evans asked, confused: "They were married, after all. I looked it up online, and apparently Frank was quite a talent in college. Amelia Quinn's rise to fame might have been partly thanks to him, right?" He had just searched online and read that Amelia Quinn had initially pursued Frank, and that Frank had been the one earning for their living expenses when they first got married.
"Amelia's fame is entirely her own doing. What does Frank Castle have to do with it?" Lynn retorted indignantly: "On the contrary, Frank has been leeching off Amelia ever since she became famous! Being a gold-digger is bad enough, but he also cheated and was abusive! That kind of scum should be sent to prison and never allowed out to harm anyone again!"
Mr. Evans frowned slightly: "Daughter, don't use such harsh words."
"Dad, you don't know! Amelia never abandoned Frank, never looked down on him, but Frank never helped Amelia and did so many things to betray her! That man really isn't a good person!" Lynn was extremely agitated, speaking with intense conviction, clearly believing her words were the absolute truth.
"No way?" Mr. Evans was a little swayed. After all, he didn't know as much about Amelia and Frank's past as his daughter. At that moment, he didn't want to argue with his daughter anymore. "Let's not talk about him. Let's just keep watching the show."
Just then, the first contestant walked onto the stage. She sang a song by Celeste Monroe.
"What a coincidence! Diva Queen Celeste will definitely give her a high score, right?" Lynn and many viewers guessed. When the mentors gave their scores, Amelia Quinn and Liam Reed both gave 90 points. Lynn clapped hard. "Our Amelia truly has great taste!"
Cecilia Rhodes gave 75 points. Lynn immediately scoffed with disdain: "Just trying to stand out. So obvious!"
Finally, it was Celeste Monroe's turn. Just when everyone expected her to also give a high score, Celeste Monroe awarded a mere 40 points. She then pointed out several flaws in the contestant's performance, making the young woman burst into tears. The internet erupted in an uproar.
"She's that strict?"
"Truly The Untouchable Diva, her standards are too high!"
"Hey, hey, Amelia Quinn and Liam Reed don't look too happy."
Lynn was very upset and couldn't help but complain: "What's Celeste Monroe's deal? Is she purposely trying to make Amelia look bad? No family loyalty at all!"
Mr. Evans said: "That young lady's singing wasn't very good."
Lynn glared at her father, grabbed her phone, and was about to go online to curse Celeste Monroe, but then saw a notice in Amelia Quinn's fan group: "Everyone, absolutely do not curse Celeste Monroe, to avoid bringing negative attention to Amelia." Lynn was dumbfounded, but she also knew that Amelia Quinn couldn't afford to offend Celeste Monroe right now, so she could only endure it.
Fortunately, every subsequent contestant who took the stage received low scores from Celeste Monroe. She even made five consecutive contestants cry.
#TheUntouchableDivaFiveKills#
#MostStrictMentorCelesteMonroeInHistory#
Soon, Celeste Monroe had two more trending topics. Tonight, her individual popularity overshadowed all the other mentors and contestants. However, so far, no contestant had truly stood out.
Then it was Alex Stone's turn to perform. He was full of confidence. As he passed Frank Castle, he suddenly spoke: "I believe you're contestant #18, right? Heh, going after me? Bad luck for you."
This kind of public provocation was quite juvenile, but the comments were full of cheers:
"Alex Stone is a genius singer-songwriter! After Alex Stone sings, will Frank Castle even dare to go on stage?"
"Wasn't Frank Castle so cocky? Why isn't he talking now?"
"Haha, with his level, he'd be exposed on stage. How could he retort?"
"Good comeback! Roast that scum Frank!"
Lynn looked absolutely delighted, while Mr. Evans shook his head slightly: "That girl is a bit rude."
Lynn corrected him: "Dad, he's an artist from Amelia's studio. He's a guy!"
"?" Mr. Evans looked shocked. Another effeminate one? Remembering that Liam Reed also had that "metrosexual style," he immediately felt resigned. No wonder, birds of a feather flock together.
Alex Stone went on stage, sat at the piano, and performed an original song with practiced flair. Many swooning fangirls online frantically sent comments, yelling "He's so beautiful!"
After Alex Stone's performance, Amelia Quinn and Liam Reed both gave him 90 points. Cecilia Rhodes gave a very objective 80 points. Zach Mountain, continuing his style as the easy grader, also gave 90 points.
It was Celeste Monroe's turn. After pointing out a few minor issues, she gave her highest score so far: 60 points.
The entire venue immediately erupted in cheers. At the same time, a trending topic suddenly appeared:
#GeniusSongwriterAlexStone#
This was a trending topic that the Liam & Amelia studio had prepared long ago. As soon as Celeste Monroe's score was out, it was immediately pushed to the top ten of the trending list. Alex Stone walked off the stage, smug with satisfaction.
Next, it was Frank Castle's turn.
"Here he comes!"
"The judgment of the ex-wife and the ex-wife's aunt on the scum ex-husband is finally here!"
"Will Frank Castle be made to cry by The Untouchable Diva? Hahaha!"
"I just want to know, can Frank Castle even sing?"