"Bro, what do you think of Olivia?"
Frank Castle watched Olivia White enter the dormitory building. A sweet, lively voice sounded behind him. Frank Castle turned around, helplessly saying, "Sunny, I treat Olivia like a sister, just like you." He was no longer a naive young man; he naturally knew Sunny Fox was intentionally trying to set him up with Olivia White. But the age gap between him and Olivia White was so wide. She was a fresh, unmarried young woman, and he was a divorced man. It was impossible no matter how he thought about it. Only Sunny Fox, this wild child, would even consider it.
Sunny Fox scoffed. "I'm your actual sister. What kind of sister is Olivia to you? A 'love-sister'?"
"Sunny Fox!" Frank Castle's voice turned serious. "Olivia is only twenty-two, with a bright future ahead of her. Do you really have the heart to push your good friend towards an older, divorced man like me? What would people think of her then?"
Sunny Fox feared nothing but her brother's stern face. Hearing his tone, she immediately stopped jumping around, put her hands behind her back, and said meekly, "I'm just worried that you, this divorced old man, won't find anyone, ungrateful for my good intentions!"
Frank Castle chuckled, exasperated. He raised his hand and ruffled her hair. "Your brother isn't so unwanted that he'll have no one. But even if I remarry, I should find someone closer to my age. How can I delay a young woman's future?"
"You, you should focus on acting properly, and stop thinking about meaningless things all day!"
Seeing he wasn't angry anymore, Sunny Fox stuck out her tongue at him. "How do you know I'm not studying hard? Bro, let me tell you, a talent scout from Gemstone Records came to see me yesterday. They want to sign me!"
"Gemstone Records?" Frank Castle was surprised. Gemstone Records originally specialized in music, but as its scale grew, it gradually ventured into film and television. It had produced several hit TV series and box office successes. A large company like that usually recruited new talents from top academies like Royal Film Academy or Grand Drama Institute. Why would they come to Capital City Academy of Arts to find an ungraduated student? Unless... a thought flashed through Frank Castle's mind.
"Bro, don't underestimate me. Your sister just won an award!" Sunny Fox proudly pulled up a photo on her phone. It was a trophy she won representing her school in a drama competition in Capital City. "The Gemstone Records scout said that's where they discovered me!"
Hearing Sunny Fox say this, Frank Castle believed it a bit more. He had heard of this drama competition; it was considered the most prestigious among college students, and major film and television companies would go there to select people. It wasn't strange that Sunny Fox, having won third place, caught their eye.
"My Sunny is truly amazing!" Frank Castle praised her, then asked, "So, what are your thoughts?"
Sunny Fox didn't hesitate. "Of course, I said yes! That's Gemstone Records! If I get in, maybe I'll see Diva Celeste every day!" Frank Castle was silent for a moment. He ultimately decided not to tell Sunny Fox that he had carried Celeste Monroe to the hospital yesterday and still had to submit assignments to Celeste Monroe for review every night. After all, he was Amelia Quinn's ex-husband, and so much private contact with Celeste Monroe wouldn't look good if people found out. Sunny Fox's personality wasn't one that could keep a secret.
"Good. Go for it. If it doesn't work out, your brother can still support you!"
"Hmph, I'll definitely become a big star! When that happens, I'll help you deal with that Amelia bitch!"
After seeing his sister into the women's dormitory, Frank Castle walked out of Capital City Academy of Arts, his face turning somber. He took out his phone and went to X (Twitter). #FrankCastleAssault# was still trending. Logically, a rumor about a C-list obscure celebrity shouldn't dominate trending topics for two consecutive days. The only possibility was that someone was paying for bots to maintain the buzz! Needless to say, the people behind it were Liam Reed and Amelia Quinn. Frank Castle wasn't sure how much Amelia Quinn contributed, but she was undoubtedly an accomplice. Sunny Fox calling her a "**" (bitch) was spot on. Bitches are heartless from ancient times. Seven years of acquaintance, six years of relationship, genuine treatment, only to receive this kind of repayment. Frank Castle's eyes held a chill. He wouldn't forget this grudge.
Now, if he wanted to clear his name, the only way was to find the girl Amelia Quinn had assaulted back then. Frank Castle remembered that the girl's name was Jane Doe. She had just graduated from college at the time and was participating in Solstice Company's brand event for the first time. Afterwards, Frank Castle specifically inquired and learned that Jane Doe had left Solstice a fortnight later. Solstice's official statement was that she was not competent enough for the job and failed to get a permanent position. Frank Castle tried calling a few acquaintances from his old circle, asking them to help him find Jane Doe's whereabouts. But no one had any leads. It was also possible that someone knew but was unwilling to help him. After all, Frank Castle's reputation was too tainted now; no one wanted to be associated with him. Frank Castle wasn't surprised; instead, he became even more convinced of one thing: one needed status and strength to prove one's innocence.
He ignored the online insults and called Chloe, telling her he had found a recording studio. Chloe was delighted, and they arranged to record their song tomorrow. On the way back to the hotel, Frank Castle messaged Celeste Monroe:
"Aunt Celeste, are you feeling better?"
Celeste Monroe quickly replied: "I've been discharged. Thank you for yesterday."
"Aunt Celeste, you don't need to be so formal with me. You've helped me so much."
Frank Castle had just sent the message when Celeste Monroe's next message arrived: "It's time to submit your assignments. Three of them."
Frank Castle: "..."
Celeste Monroe was already urging him to submit assignments just after recovering. Since his mentor was so dedicated, he naturally had to work even harder. Back at the hotel, Frank Castle immediately sent the three vocal practice assignments. However, there was no reply for a long time. Perhaps she was still working. After all, she was America's number one Diva; who knew how many engagements she had every day. Frank Castle naturally wouldn't rush Celeste Monroe. He put down his phone and went to take a shower.
Capital City International Hotel.
"Jane Doe won't testify?"
Celeste Monroe sat in a chair, arms crossed, the chill in her eyes almost freezing the air. Sarah Chou poured her some milk. The doctor had instructed this; Celeste Monroe's constitution was too weak and needed nourishment.
"I sent someone to Seven Mile Town in Royal City, Jane Doe's hometown. After she left Solstice, she never went out to work again, staying in the village and rarely going out."
"When Leo found her, her parents even chased him away. He went again in the evening and finally saw her."
"Jane Doe remembers Frank Castle, but she's unwilling to come forward and testify."
Celeste Monroe frowned. "Were the terms offered?" Celeste Monroe had instructed that if Jane Doe was willing to come forward to clarify the matter from back then, she could receive a large thank-you payment and would also be arranged a job in Capital City that would allow her to buy a house within five years. Such conditions would be impossible for an ordinary person to refuse.
"Jane Doe refused," Sarah Chou slowly said.
Celeste Monroe's face was grim. "Why?" Jane Doe's family lived in a small town, and she herself was only in her twenties with a long life ahead. Why refuse wealth delivered to her doorstep?
Sarah Chou sighed. "Those things might not be useful to her."
Celeste Monroe's eyes narrowed. Sarah Chou continued, "When Leo went, Jane Doe had just been discharged from the hospital... she attempted suicide last week. It was her fifth suicide attempt."
Celeste Monroe was stunned. "How can that be?"
Sarah Chou sighed again: "After that incident two years ago, Jane Doe developed depression."