Corrine glanced at Keanu before replying with a smile, "Thanks for your concern; his fever has gone down a bit."

"Glad to hear it," Vicki said, before adding, "By the way, I saw the news. You handled that situation flawlessly."

Corrine's lips curled. "What goes around comes around." Vicki agreed, "Yeah. But there's something you should know." Corrine raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

"Rosie's friend, Rita, is now apprenticing under Langston." Vicki revealed before pausing briefly. "Word is, he's planning to push her into the spotlight, get her signed with Lowell's company, and turn her into the next you."

Corrine's smile faltered. "You're serious?"

"Dead serious. I was at dinner with some friends, and Langston was there too. He openly bragged about it," Vicki explained. "Said he'd make Rita a star just to spite you. He made you famous a decade ago, and he can do it again with someone new-his exact words."

Corrine's grip tightened around her phone. Old, unwanted memories stirred within her.

Langston and Lowell had always been close friends.

Back when Lowell first established his entertainment company, Langston had been both the music director and a major stakeholder.

In those earlier days, her unwavering faith in Lowell was fueled, in part, by Langston's relentless efforts to bring them together as a couple.

However, after her bitter split from Lowell, his business crumbled into ruin, leaving Langston to suffer a devastating financial blow.

Furious, Langston pointed the finger at her, unleashing a torrent of harsh words in her direction.

As time passed, she carved out a respected name for herself within the industry, fostering strong and positive connections along the way.

Still, to those two men, she remained a persistent source of irritation, as they worked tirelessly to sabotage her success and steal away her clients.

Rita, ever the shrewd operator, quickly identified her adversaries and aligned herself with them.

How did Rita always manage to attach herself to someone influential? Corrine wondered bitterly to herself.

Her expression grew stormy as she ended the call with a sharp click.

"What's the matter?" Keanu asked, catching the deep crease in her brow.

"It's all about Rita again. She's now apprenticing under my greatest adversary, and they're scheming to boost her up the ranks," Corrine replied, her voice edged with frustration. "Your recent incident is Linked to her, too. Rosie only came after you because I targeted Rita. I'd wager Rita was the one pulling the strings. It's a shame there's no solid evidence, or I'd see her locked up alongside Rosie in a heartbeat."

Listening to Corrine, Keanu swallowed the last spoonful of soup, lost in thought.

After a brief silence, he said, "Rita and Rosie are so close. If we let public opinion stir for a while, don't you think people might start linking Rosie's scheming to Rita? If Rita's image is damaged, she won't deserve a place in the music industry."

Corrine's eyes lit up at his words. "Exactly! While everyone's furious with Rosie, we can steer the outrage toward Rita and let the momentum build against her. Though the law can't touch her, public opinion will. Once her name is tainted, let's see how she holds onto her career. Langston and Lowell may have backed her, but will anyone else?"

Keanu nodded. "That's the plan."

Corrine grinned at him. "You're quite the strategist, darling."