REBIRTH : Chasing The Limelight-Chapter 41: Complaint...

Elara and Ziva walked into director Han’s office. Mr Kain was already seated in front of the director’s desk, his posture was straight and it was obvious that he has a lot of things to say.

Elara stood beside Ziva. Her face looked calm, but her heart had already turned cold. She truly did not expect Mr Kain to go to this extent.

Director Han looked at them briefly, then she said. "Sit." pointing to some other two chairs at the side.

They sat down.

Mr Kain did not waste time before he began. "I filed a formal report last night. Third grade singer, Elara joined a rival sponsored event without notifying the management." he said.

Ziva immediately spoke up. "Director, she is still new. And the system has changed recently. Grade Three singers are now allowed to take independent activities, collaborations, and even participate in outside events as long as they don’t break Voice rules."

Mr Kain cut her off. "This is not a small open mic event. It is sponsored by Rye Entertainment."

He turned toward the director. "Participating without informing us risks exposing our internal training standards." 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Ziva frowned. "There is no clear rule that says she cannot—"

"There is something called judgment," Mr Kain interrupted. "While other Grade Three singers are focusing on the company’s official external showcase in two months, she is already building connections outside."

Then he turned back to the director, his voice more lowered. "It gives the impression that she is using Voice as a stepping stone."

Everyone kept quiet.

Director Han folded her hands together before she sighed. "In Voice, loyalty matters almost as much as talent," she said.

Ziva pressed her lips together. "How has she acted against loyalty when she hasn’t broken any rules?"

"That is not for you to decide," the director replied calmly.

Mr Kain continued as if he had more prepared. "If we had not heard about this in time and she went to perform poorly, Voice would still be associated with her as her training company. If she embarrasses herself, our reputation will also be affected."

He paused and then turned to Ziva, "And as her assistant, you should have guided her. Instead, you support everything she does, whether it is good or bad."

Ziva’s gaze hardened, but she could not speak harshly to him. "This matter is not serious enough to file a formal complaint," she muttered.

Mr Kain gave a loud snort. Director Han stayed silent for a few seconds, then she spoke up again. "Elara will write a reflection letter to the management. She has to admit her own mistakes"

Elara’s fingers slowly tightened at her sides.

"She will also be placed under temporary suspension from all external activities, including this challenge. She is to cancel it." the director continued.

Ziva could not hold back anymore. "No. Tomorrow is the live showcase. Everything has already been arranged. Canceling now will create more trouble."

"I’ve already decided. She should be thankful that I haven’t made a stricter judgement," Director Han said. "And since the Vale family is her sponsor, she will meet them tonight and apologize for acting without their consent."

Elara did not say a single word till the meeting ended shortly after. Everything felt very familiar to her, like she had traveled back to her past life. When she could do nothing to protect herself. When every mistake she made, or even things that couldn’t be considered mistakes could turn into something very serious.

As she stood up to leave, she raised her eyes slightly and looked at Mr Kain. Their gazes met. His expression was calm and very satisfied.

Elara did not look away immediately. Instead, she gave a faint smirk and held his gaze calmly, as if she understood everything he had done and was not much affected by it.

When they returned to her room. Ziva turned to her quickly. "I’m very sorry," she said before Elara could speak.

Elara smiled faintly. "Thank you." she said.

Ziva stared at her for a few seconds, studying her face. Then she sighed and reached out her hand to pat her arm. "Do not worry too much. We will visit Adrian Vale tonight. More opportunities will come in the future. One challenge does not decide your future."

Elara nodded. But inside, she felt quite disappointed, though she isn’t annoyed a bit.

A thought rose again in her mind and her eyes dropped...

–

Adrian stood in front of a canvas in the private gallery lounge of his office. He looked as if he had been standing there for a long time.

The painting in front of him was not clear. The colors were dark and mixed together. It looked like a young girl lying at the end of a long stairway. One of her hands was stretched forward, as if she was trying to reach someone. Beneath the stairs, the space did not look solid. Instead, the lines were blurred, and it almost seemed like water flowed under it.

The girl’s face was not fully painted. Only the shape was there. There was no clear eyes or mouth.

Adrian’s expression was unreadable, but there was a bit of coldness in it. He slowly lifted his hand toward the canvas. His fingers stopped halfway hovering in the air. After a second, he lowered his hand and slipped it back into his pocket.

A knock sounded on the door. Before he could react, the door opened and Havis walked in.

Havis stepped closer and stood beside him. His eyes moved to the painting, then to Adrian’s distant face. He sighed softly, as if he had walked into the same scene so many times.

He cleared his throat. "Sir, Miss Relanie is in your office. She asked if she could come in."

He paused, then added in a lower voice, "It looks like she brought some goodies."

Adrian did not react at once. After a short moment, he gave a small nod.

Havis’ face brightened immediately. "Understood, Boss." he said lightly before turning and walking out, clearly pleased with himself.

Not long after, the door opened again and Relanie stepped in, holding a leather shopping bag in her hand. She paused near the door and looked at Adrian’s back, then at the painting in front of him. She stood there for a few seconds before walking inside quietly. She placed the bag on the coffee table and began taking things out one by one.

There were neatly packed lunch boxes, a container of grilled fish with herbs, a small box of rice, a bowl of vegetable salad, and a cup of fresh fruit slices. The smell of warm food filled the room.

"I just came back from Solmere, it is already lunchtime, so I thought I could bring something for you to eat." Relanie said softly.

Adrian did not respond.

Relanie hesitated. She knew he was very picky about food.

"I did not cook it myself, it is from a well known restaurant in Solmere. The taste should be fine." she added.

For a few seconds, there was only silence. Then Adrian gave a small nod.

Relanie let out a quiet breath of relief. She walked closer to him and looked at the painting more carefully. She pressed her lips together and glanced at Adrian.

"You see... you do not have to—"

"You may leave," Adrian said calmly before she could finish.

Relanie froze for a moment. But she did not look shocked. She had heard such words countless times from him before.

After a short pause, she nodded. "Okay. But please eat early. The containers do not have insulators. If it gets cold, it might lose its taste."

Adrian did not reply, but she knew he heard her. So she just gave him one last look, then turned and left quietly.

Not long after she left, Adrian walked back into his main office and sat down in his chair. He stayed still for a moment, then reached out his hand calmly and tapped a button on his desk.

Soon, Havis came in and stood in front of him with a straight face that did not match the playful light in his eyes.

"How may I serve you today, Boss?"

Adrian looked at him briefly, then he said. "Go pack it up."

Havis blinked once, then immediately understood.

As usual right.

A grin spread across his face.

"Yes, Boss. I’ll finish it up right away," he said with a small giggle before turning and walking toward the lounge to carry the food away...