Chapter 685:

What had all his years of painstaking planning, the sacrifices he made for endless hours of practice, and the careful efforts to win Elaine’s support amounted to now?

Everything he believed was already within his grasp had slipped away in an instant.

Anger and resentment clouded his reason, pushing him past the edge. In a sudden burst, he lunged forward, blocking Rylie just as she was about to leave the control room. His voice was hoarse with frustration and stripped of control as he shouted, “Why? Just because you say so? Do you think your authority gives you the right to dictate my future and destroy my life?”

Rylie froze mid-step, and Zander instinctively moved to shield her, positioning himself protectively in front of her.

She tilted her head slightly, her gaze locking onto Beal, whose wild expression betrayed a hint of madness. Her voice remained steady, each word deliberate and resonant. “Your fate was never mine to control. You sealed your own destiny long ago.”

Zander’s eyes burned with intensity. “No, that’s not true! I didn’t claw my way back to remain a nobody. I’m here to reclaim my rightful place as lead singer! My fans are waiting downstairs, ready to celebrate with me. Do you honestly believe you can manipulate everything from the shadows with your connections? The tide of public opinion online will bury you!”

Rylie’s lips curved into a sharp, mocking smile. “Precisely why I’ve decided to contact the authorities.”

She lifted her hand, revealing her phone screen displaying an active call, and spoke with calm clarity into the receiver. “Hello, I’d like to report a crime. The individual is at Evergreen Media Works, suspected of intentional harm. His name is Beal Gilbert. Please dispatch officers immediately.”

“Rylie!” Beal’s voice cracked with a mix of bravado and desperation. “Who do you think you are? Without proof, do you really expect the police to take your word for it?”

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Rylie’s smile didn’t waver, her eyes cold as ice. “You’ll find out soon enough whether I have evidence.”

Fresh from reclaiming his role as lead singer, Zander was eager to share the triumph with his fans on social media, hoping to ease their concerns. But as he opened the app, a torrent of private messages and notifications overwhelmed his phone, causing it to lag.

To his horror, he saw his fans viciously attacking Rylie online—his savior. He stumbled, nearly colliding with a nearby column, and steadied himself, his fingers shaking as he typed out a clarification on social media.

“My voice was restored at HaloFlow Hospital. The woman who provided emergency aid on stage followed proper medical protocols. I urge everyone to stop harassing Rylie online. She saved my life!”

The post sparked an immediate uproar.

While fans rejoiced over their idol’s recovery, many clung to their biases, convinced that Zander was simply too kind, covering for an “overzealous fan.” They showered praise on the “near-miraculous doctor” from HaloFlow Hospital while continuing to vilify Rylie.

But the controversy didn’t linger long. Curious nurses at the hospital, spotting the trending topics, were baffled—why were fans simultaneously thanking and condemning Rylie?

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