After the first episode of American Voice Season Two aired, the presence of Amelia Quinn, Liam Reed, and Frank Castle on the same stage, along with Celeste Monroe serving as a mentor, made the show a massive hit. Countless people were eagerly awaiting the broadcast of the second episode.
Today was the day of American Voice's second episode recording. Netizens were hotly discussing what great songs would emerge from the live show. They speculated about what memorable moments would be created by contestants like Chloe, Brandon, Felicia, Jackson, and Alex Stone, who had performed well in the first episode. As for Frank Castle, the song "Plain Face" in the first episode had slightly improved his public image, but the subsequent "Solstice Scandal" had plummeted his reputation back to freezing point. People's perceptions of him were now complex: he had a little talent, but unfortunately, his character was questionable. However, some still held expectations for Frank Castle, wanting to see if he could produce another astonishing song in the second episode.
Just then, someone claiming to be a former employee of Solstice Company posted a tweet, detailing the events of the Frank Castle assault incident from years ago.
"I was backstage that day. A new young woman accidentally bumped into Frank Castle, and he flew into a rage, beating the young woman. Note, not just a few casual bumps, but a beating!"
"That young woman was a fresh college graduate, very innocent and honest. To be publicly beaten by a grown man, her screams were chilling."
"Frank Castle's appearance at the time was terrifying, like he wanted to kill someone. No one dared to stop him."
"It was Amelia Quinn who ran out of the dressing room and stopped Frank Castle, but Frank Castle even slapped Amelia Quinn. Everyone was stunned."
"Later, Amelia Quinn and her assistant coaxed Frank Castle into the dressing room, then personally took the young woman to the hospital."
"We were arranged by the stage manager to follow them. Amelia Quinn rushed around the hospital, accompanying the young woman for examinations. After confirming the young woman was fine, she bowed and apologized, begging her not to call the police."
"Then she apologized to all of us staff, crying and pleading with us not to reveal Frank Castle's assault."
"Honestly, I felt quite sad at the time and felt Amelia Quinn was being unfairly treated. How could you, Frank Castle, bear to lay a hand on such a good woman?"
"Now that I've resigned and Amelia Quinn has divorced Frank Castle, I can finally speak out about this."
"My conscience can finally be at peace."
It must be said, this person's writing was excellent, describing the events vividly, sounding truly as if they had witnessed it firsthand. Because it included the latest trending terms, "Frank Castle" and "Amelia Quinn," this tweet quickly went viral. In less than an hour, it soared to the top of the trending list.
Amelia Quinn's fans exploded.
"What do those defending the scumbag have to say now?"
"Toxic men only empathize with toxic men! They'll never admit a man hits women!"
"@CityPolice, assaulting someone is against the law. Can you arrest Frank Castle?"
"Arrest Frank Castle, without delay!"
"My heart aches for Amelia (sobbing)"
Passersby were also indignant.
"I was wrong. I watched the first episode of American Voice and actually sympathized with Frank Castle. I deserve to die!"
"Holy crap! Beating a young girl, this guy is a beast!"
"Such a person can still be on a show? American Voice, are you crazy?"
Of course, some also raised questions:
"Has no one doubted the identity of this 'ex-Solstice employee'?"
"Yeah, anyone can post a short story online and condemn someone else. That's too reckless, isn't it?"
"Haven't there been plenty of major reversals online in recent years? Don't pick sides so easily."
"May those who empathize with violent scumbags die!"
The internet quickly erupted in arguments. The ripple effect of "Frank Castle assault confirmed" spread into the lives of many ordinary people.
This evening, Mr. Nelson drove his taxi home. As soon as he entered, he saw his daughter, Elise Nelson, sitting on the sofa, lost in thought. Ever since meeting Frank Castle that day, Mr. Nelson had also started following social media. Today, after seeing the trending topic about Frank Castle's assault, his first reaction was disbelief. After all, he had personally witnessed Frank Castle saving the little girl from under the car wheels, while Frank Castle assaulting a woman was secondhand information. Mr. Nelson still believed in seeing for himself. However, he had also prepared himself to come home and find his daughter furiously ranting about Frank Castle online. He had even decided to let his daughter be; there was no need to argue over an outsider. But he hadn't expected to enter and see his daughter sitting in a daze, showing no signs of indignant, spitting anger.
Mr. Nelson asked with concern, "Daughter, what's wrong? Why aren't you yelling at Frank Castle?"
Elise Nelson turned to look at Mr. Nelson, her face full of confusion. "Dad, do you think a man with such noble character and good looks would really hit a woman?"
Mr. Nelson was shocked. He raised his hand and felt Elise Nelson's forehead. "No fever, huh?"
Elise Nelson flopped onto the sofa, letting out a frustrated groan. "Argh! This is so annoying!" She had just returned from the recording of American Voice Season Two, and her mind was still filled with the image of Frank Castle on stage, singing with such emotional theatricality about the righteousness of a performer. And her guilt for not giving Frank Castle a higher score. Then she quickly saw the trending topic about Frank Castle's assault, and Elise Nelson was immediately thrown into confusion. If she hadn't gone to the live show today, she would have already picked up her keyboard and joined Amelia Quinn's fans in furiously blasting Frank Castle. But now, Elise Nelson was conflicted. She intuitively felt that Frank Castle wasn't that kind of person. She couldn't bring herself to insult Frank Castle like before.
However, her phone kept vibrating. The administrator of Amelia Quinn's fan group kept tagging everyone, urging all "Amelia loyalists" to attack Frank Castle, saying it would improve Amelia Quinn's image and boost her popularity. The administrator also said that Frank Castle had committed too many evil deeds, which was why even employees of Solstice Company couldn't stand it anymore and had come forward to expose Frank Castle's wrongdoings. They were speaking up for justice.
However, Elise Nelson just felt like something wasn't right. She suddenly sat up from the sofa and said to Mr. Nelson, "Dad, do you think Frank Castle might really be innocent?"
Capital City Airport.
Amelia Quinn, Liam Reed, and Alex Stone emerged from the airport's VIP通道 (VIP通道 - VIP Channel/Gate, a discreet exit for celebrities), wearing hats and masks, and got into a business van. Once inside the vehicle, Alex Stone took off his mask, his face full of excitement. "Amelia, Liam, did you see the trending topic? Frank Castle will most likely be kicked off American Voice this time! This is great!"
Liam Reed was surprised. "What trending topic?"
Alex Stone showed Liam Reed his phone. "Liam, you don't know yet? An employee from Solstice Company exposed the truth about Frank Castle's assault two years ago!" He then looked at Amelia Quinn. "Amelia, you're really too kind. You should have let Frank Castle go to jail back then!" Amelia Quinn looked at Liam Reed, her face grim, and said nothing.
Alex Stone got off midway to go home. Amelia Quinn and Liam Reed went to Sundown Studio. The two entered Liam Reed's office. With no one else around, Amelia Quinn asked Liam Reed, her face stern, "Was that your doing?"