Amelia Quinn sat down amidst the cheers and mournful cries of the entire audience. Just like the last episode, she exchanged a loving gaze with Liam Reed, once again eliciting screams from their CP fans. After playing out the CP drama, Liam Reed continued to gaze at Amelia Quinn with fervent intensity, while Amelia Quinn subtly, unnaturally, averted her eyes.
Earlier, she and Liam Reed had already agreed that in this episode, they would both give Frank Castle low scores. No matter what song Frank sang, they would give him a maximum of 70 points, ensuring he ranked at the bottom. Amelia Quinn now had the upper hand in public opinion and was fearless. Even if she gave Frank Castle a low score, there would be no controversy from the public; instead, it would be praised as "a woman's great revenge." It might even gain Amelia Quinn another wave of fans. Moreover, Frank Castle wasn't proficient in classical style to begin with, so he would likely reveal his true colors this episode. Perhaps in the end, Amelia Quinn and Liam Reed's scores wouldn't even be the lowest!
Amelia Quinn gently smoothed the tips of her wavy hair, which had been specially styled to highlight her mature beauty, and looked towards the stage. In a daze, she seemed to return to the days when she attended events or shows, with Frank Castle accompanying her backstage. At that time, she had just become famous and knew nothing. Frank Castle had been by her side every step of the way, helping her handle countless troubles. Yet, precisely in the area of song resources, which she needed most, Frank, as a lyricist and composer, couldn't help.
Amelia Quinn sighed inwardly. She didn't do Frank Castle wrong; they simply weren't a good match. But Frank's persistence in bothering her, and even writing songs to insult her, that was Frank's fault. Eliminating Frank was for his own good. He wasn't suited for the entertainment industry. Living a simple, ordinary life as a normal person was the best choice for him.
Next to appear was Cecilia Rhodes. The UK Pop Princess was quite popular in the mainland, and warm cheers also erupted from the audience. However, some discordant boos were mixed in. Upon closer inspection, these came from the section of the audience holding Amelia Quinn's light boards. Clearly, Amelia Quinn's fans were very displeased with Cecilia Rhodes's duet of No Makeup with Frank Castle.
"What UK Pop Princess? She's just a trash-picker with a hidden agenda!"
"Exactly! Our Amelia Quinn doesn't want that garbage man, but she's rushing to grovel to him. How pathetic!"
"I think she's just jealous of Amelia's popularity and is deliberately using Frank Castle to step on Amelia!"
"That scheming woman, still pretending to be pure and cute. How disgusting!"
Amelia Quinn's fans cursed harshly, but their voices were still drowned out by the majority of cheers and applause.
Cecilia Rhodes took her seat at the mentor's table. Her seat was right next to Amelia Quinn's. Amelia Quinn showed a gentle smile: "Ceci, nice to see you again."
Cecilia Rhodes grinned back at her: "Hello, Teacher Amelia!" She showed absolutely no awkwardness at facing her ex-wife after collaborating with her ex-husband. She really is a scheming little hussy! Amelia Quinn cursed inwardly, her expression still gentle and elegant, casually remarking: "So you like that style of song. I know quite a few lyricists and composers. Next time there's a song like that, I'll introduce them to you."
"That style of song" naturally referred to No Makeup. Her words sounded enthusiastic, but they couldn't hide the veiled sarcasm. Yet, Cecilia Rhodes apparently didn't catch on, blinking her big eyes: "What style of song are you talking about?" She liked sweet pop songs, jazz, rock, classical style—she had many styles she enjoyed. Which one was Amelia Quinn referring to?
Amelia Quinn looked at Cecilia Rhodes, seemingly trying to find a hint of deliberate pretense on her face, but ultimately failed. Heh, she's really good at faking it. As expected, anyone who can climb to this position is not to be trifled with. Amelia Quinn, judging others by herself, had already listed Cecilia Rhodes as her strongest rival, both in career and in love.
"You know, those self-pitying, melancholic, heartbroken love songs. They suit you quite well." Amelia Quinn's face was smiling, but her words were full of barbs.
Cecilia Rhodes thought for a long time: "I haven't sung any heartbroken love songs."
Amelia Quinn couldn't help it: "Haven't you been singing heartbroken love songs lately?"
Cecilia Rhodes: "All the songs I've been singing recently are pretty sunny and cheerful. I'm a sweet girl!"
"..."
Amelia Quinn stared deeply at Cecilia Rhodes, cursing inwardly that the little hussy was really thick-skinned. That song, No Makeup, insulted me from beginning to end. You call that sunny and cheerful? On the mentor's panel, the gentle and elegant Amelia Quinn glared intensely at the sweetly laughing and adorable Cecilia Rhodes. Yet, Cecilia Rhodes remained bewildered, innocently invincible. This scene was precisely captured by the cameras.
In the control room, Director Scott stroked his chin, his eyes gleaming: "Contestant's ex-husband, mentor's ex-wife, and a young diva mentor who collaborated with the ex-husband... This relationship is exciting!"
The associate director reminded him: "Director Scott, this is a music show, not a dating show." Another associate director also reminded: "Moreover, this episode's theme is so difficult. I heard Frank Castle isn't good at classical style. If he ranks last, he'll most likely be eliminated."
Director Scott chuckled: "Who says a music show can't have romance? I don't think Frank Castle will be eliminated!" Seeing both associate directors staring at him blankly, Director Scott added: "This episode is purely based on strength. No one is allowed to operate behind the scenes!"
Everyone around quickly assented, muttering to themselves: Didn't you always do the behind-the-scenes operations before?
The fourth to appear was Arthur Zheng. This time, he was holding an exquisite box. The audience probably guessed what he was about to do. Indeed, when Celeste Monroe appeared, amidst the volcanic eruption of frenzied cheers and screams, King Arthur knelt on one knee towards Celeste Monroe, holding up the box with both hands, and opening the lid. Inside was a necklace studded with diamonds.
Arthur Zheng said with deep affection: "Celeste, I haven't been sleeping well lately. The doctor told me to take some vitamins, but I don't need them, because... you are my Vitamin E!"
"Uh..." The audience fell silent.
"Originally, this latest Swarovski 'Goddess of the Moon' necklace made me very emotional, but that cheesy pickup line made me unable to move."
"King Arthur, next time you propose, can you just give the gift and not speak?"
"The Untouchable Diva really didn't respond to King Arthur. Sigh, what a shame about that Goddess of the Moon necklace."
"If King Arthur just gave the gift next time, maybe Ms. Monroe would agree!"
"I think so too. After all, in the entertainment industry, King Arthur is the only one who can barely match the Untouchable Diva."
Celeste Monroe did not accept the necklace, which was worth over a million. She simply said faintly, "Excuse me," and walked straight to the mentor's seat. Arthur Zheng scratched his head, accustomed to it by now, and quickly followed suit, sitting down.
In the contestants' lounge, everyone was also discussing.
"Wow, the Goddess of the Moon! 1.29 million! King Arthur is so devoted!"
"Liam is also very devoted to Amelia!"
"Teacher Celeste is truly too beautiful! If I were King Arthur, I wouldn't give up either!"
"Teacher Amelia and Teacher Cecilia are also beautiful, but Teacher Celeste's beauty is different, inspiring admiration and worship!"
"Otherwise, how could she be Asia's number one beauty for two consecutive years?"
Everyone else was marveling at Arthur Zheng's devotion and Celeste Monroe's beauty. But Frank Castle, however, frowned slightly. Aunt Celeste's complexion doesn't look too good. Is she feeling unwell?