"Online rumors?" Frank Castle was confused.
"You haven't seen it yet?" Celeste Monroe paused. "Then don't worry about it. Focus on your singing practice, and remember to turn in your homework today." She then hung up.
Frank immediately went online with his phone and indeed saw a trending topic that had just made it to the list.
#FrankCastleAssault#
This was a leak from a marketing account, claiming that when Frank Castle and Amelia Quinn were still married, he frequently abused staff members, relying on Amelia Quinn's popularity. Once, when Amelia Quinn was attending an event for a cosmetics brand, a staff member accidentally spilled water on him while serving him, and he violently lashed out at the young woman. It was only after Amelia Quinn personally stepped in to apologize and offer compensation to the other party that the matter was resolved.
The leaker had excellent writing skills, describing the details of the entire incident so meticulously that it felt like he was truly an insider who had witnessed everything firsthand. Many people believed his exposé, and Frank's slightly improved reputation from last night completely collapsed again.
"He's truly an abusive man! Not only did he hit his wife, but he hits people outside too!"
"This is more than just domestic abuse! He's practically a criminal!"
"I heard that young woman who was hit was later fired. How awful!"
"Thank goodness Amelia Quinn left him!"
"I've always said Frank Castle is a rotten person. Forget anyone liking him, a normal woman wouldn't even give him a second glance!"
"Girls, stay away from Frank Castle, protect yourselves!"
Frank looked at the overwhelming insults online, his heart already calm. Actually, the assault incident was true, and even many of the details were accurate, but only one thing was wrong—he wasn't the one who did the hitting.
It was Amelia Quinn.
At that time, Amelia Quinn had just won "Best New Artist of the Year." After a long period of suppression, her career skyrocketed, causing Amelia's mindset to become inflated. It was an event for a B-list cosmetics brand. The endorsement fee wasn't high, and Amelia felt it wasn't commensurate with her status, but she didn't dare offend the brand. It just so happened that a new young staff member accidentally spilled a little water on Amelia Quinn's dress while bringing it over. So Amelia Quinn took her anger out on her. That slap swelled the young woman's face, leaving everyone stunned.
Frank was the quickest to react, immediately bowing and apologizing to the young woman. He personally took her to the hospital for examination, and after confirming she was unharmed, he also paid compensation. Luckily, the young woman wasn't difficult and promised not to spread the news. After that, Frank gave red envelopes to the staff present, asking them to keep it a secret. That's how the matter was suppressed.
This had happened two years ago. Frank had never imagined that Amelia Quinn and Liam Reed would actually use this incident to frame him. Heh, this truly exemplifies shamelessness to the fullest. Frank understood that even if he tried to clarify now, no one would believe him. That brand wouldn't offend the popular Amelia Quinn for his sake. It was still the same principle: only when you stand tall enough will people be willing to listen to what you say.
"Frank Castle, I'm heading back to the hotel. Want a ride?" Cecilia Rhodes finished recording her song, and Ms. Mo urged her to leave. Cecilia Rhodes ran over to call Frank to join her.
Frank smiled: "Thanks, but I plan to practice my singing a bit more."
"Is it the song you're singing in the second episode?" Cecilia Rhodes immediately grew curious, her big eyes wide: "What song is it?"
Frank said: "The production team said it's confidential."
Cecilia Rhodes pouted: "Fine, don't tell me, I'm leaving then!" She hopped into the car, then poked her head out: "I'm going to release our duet of No Makeup online tonight, okay!"
Frank was surprised: "That fast?"
Cecilia Rhodes chuckled: "This song is so popular now, I need to ride the wave, haha!"
The car started. Cecilia Rhodes waved goodbye to Frank, then settled back into her seat. Ms. Mo put down her phone and said to Cecilia Rhodes: "Ceci, how about we release that song a little later?"
Cecilia Rhodes blinked: "Why?"
Ms. Mo handed her the phone: "Frank Castle just got hit with another negative rumor. Releasing a duet with him now could drag you down."
Cecilia Rhodes looked at the online exposé about Frank's alleged assault and suddenly burst out laughing. "Frank Castle hitting someone? Haha, that's hilarious! With his skinny frame, it's a miracle he doesn't get beaten himself!"
Cecilia Rhodes laughed so hard she was bent over. Ms. Mo slapped her impatiently: "I'm being serious with you! Whether we believe it or not, Frank's image is completely ruined. The Voice of America will likely eliminate him in the second episode. There's no need for us to get involved."
Cecilia Rhodes scoffed: "I'm just a singer. If I don't release songs, should I start slandering people like others?"
Ms. Mo's face hardened: "Ceci!"
Cecilia Rhodes puffed out her chest, looking valiantly unyielding. The next second, she suddenly linked her arm with Ms. Mo's, her voice as sweet and kitten-like as could be: "Ms. Mo, please, please, please~~~"
Ms. Mo felt goosebumps rising and impatiently pushed her away. "Fine! I'll indulge you this time, but next time you have to listen to me!"
Cecilia Rhodes narrowed her eyes, looking perfectly obedient: "Okay, definitely next time!"
Evening.
"Alright, this song is perfectly done now. Sing it like this during the recording, and you'll definitely get first place!"
"Thank you, Liam! Thank you, Amelia!" Alex Stone's song was finally perfected. He thanked Liam Reed and Amelia Quinn with a grateful expression.
"Sing well, I have high hopes for you!" Liam Reed had been furious last night, but his mood was excellent today, as he smiled and encouraged Alex Stone. Amelia Quinn, however, was expressionless. She suddenly said to Liam Reed: "I have something to ask you."
Alex Stone, sensing the mood, left the room. Only Amelia Quinn and Liam Reed remained in the recording studio.
Amelia Quinn said: "Was it your doing?"
Liam Reed looked puzzled: "What was my doing?"
Amelia Quinn looked at him: "That incident at Beauteous. You were there. Besides Frank and me, you were the only one who knew the details." Beauteous was the B-list cosmetics brand where Amelia Quinn had hit the staff member.
Liam Reed looked enlightened: "You mean the rumor about Frank Castle hitting someone? Yes, that's right, I had someone do it."
Amelia Quinn frowned: "But you know, Frank didn't hit anyone."
"Amelia, you and Frank are enemies now. If he makes a comeback, the first person he'll go after is you! Are you still going to be soft on him?"
"But..."
"Amelia, you saw it. Last night, Frank just released a somewhat decent song, and so many people sympathized with him and mocked you. If he truly becomes famous one day, what position will you be in?"
"This..." Amelia Quinn hesitated. After all, she was the one who actually did the hitting. For her sake, Frank had publicly apologized to that young woman, said countless good things, almost losing all his dignity. At least in that incident, Frank was indeed blameless. Amelia Quinn even considered clarifying the matter online.
Liam Reed, seeing her hesitate, continued: "Amelia, don't you want to replace your aunt and become the number one Diva Queen in America? Frank Castle is your black mark. If he continues to cling to you, how can you climb higher?" He added: "Only by completely getting rid of him can you achieve your ideals!"
Liam Reed's words made Amelia Quinn pause. A moment later, she suddenly looked up: "Alright, I won't interfere with this matter."
Liam Reed's face was filled with deep affection: "Amelia, you don't have to do anything. I've got everything covered!"
Amelia Quinn, however, didn't notice Liam Reed's expression. She lowered her head, inexplicably recalling Frank Castle and Lily Yuan's intimate closeness, and suddenly felt a sense of relief. This is good too. Now no woman should want to get close to Frank. Although she had already divorced Frank, she still couldn't accept Frank getting together with another woman so quickly. Now that Frank was saddled with the infamous reputation of "hitting women," she no longer needed to worry about that.
Just then, there was an urgent knock on the door. Liam Reed went to open it. Alex Stone rushed in: "Liam! Amelia! Cecilia Rhodes just released a single! It's that song, No Makeup! It's a duet between Cecilia Rhodes and Frank Castle!"