"Depression? How could that be?"
Lily, who was tidying things nearby, looked up in astonishment upon hearing this. "Just because she was assaulted by Amelia Quinn?" She had already heard Sarah Chou recount the Solstice Company incident from two years ago. Jane Doe was slapped by Amelia Quinn, but Frank Castle immediately apologized and offered compensation, trying his best to make up for the harm she suffered. And that's enough to cause depression? Wasn't she a bit too fragile?
"Of course, it's not that simple." Sarah Chou continued, "Not long after that incident, Jane Doe was harassed by her superior, who threatened that if she didn't comply, she wouldn't get a permanent position."
"Jane Doe went to Solstice Company's higher-ups, but she was the one who ended up fired."
"And that wasn't all. Those people also spread rumors everywhere that Jane Doe had actively seduced her superior and had poor character, which was why she was dismissed."
"Jane Doe's father passed away early, and she lived with her mother, coming from an unhappy family background. Coupled with these two incidents happening one after another, it caused the inexperienced young woman to have a psychological breakdown and develop depression."
After Sarah Chou finished speaking, Lily practically jumped up. "Those people are too evil! No wonder Solstice Company is doing worse and worse; it's karma!"
Sarah Chou looked at Celeste Monroe and slowly said, "Celeste, Leo said Jane Doe is now very afraid of meeting strangers and hardly leaves her house."
"Plus, she just had a failed suicide attempt, and her family is also very resistant to visitors. Getting her to come forward to help Frank Castle clear his name is almost impossible."
Lily frowned, troubled. "Then what do we do?" Frank Castle saved Celeste Monroe the day before yesterday, and Lily now considered him half of their own, so she naturally wanted to help Frank Castle.
Celeste Monroe was silent for a moment, then suddenly said to Sarah Chou, "Sarah, isn't SK's new product launch next week in Royal City?"
Sarah Chou was surprised. "SK's new product launch? Haven't we already refused it?" Celeste Monroe typically disliked attending brand events, as they interfered with her vocal practice. Moreover, SK was only a second-tier international brand; for such a small new product launch to invite Celeste Monroe was simply wishful thinking. Sarah Chou had immediately refused the engagement at the time and later only mentioned it to Celeste Monroe as a joke.
Celeste Monroe said, "SK's lipsticks are quite good. I quite like them." Lily blinked. "Celeste, when did you start using SK lipsticks?"
Sarah Chou looked at Celeste Monroe and suddenly said, "Celeste, this is Frank Castle's matter, and Jane Doe has depression. It's very easy for people to use this to create a scandal for you."
Lily finally realized. "Royal City? Celeste, are you going to personally go find Jane Doe?!" Sarah Chou had just mentioned that Jane Doe was in Seven Mile Town, a subordinate town of Royal City.
Celeste Monroe glanced at her and said blandly, "I'll go take a look while I'm there."
Lily mumbled softly, "Picking up an engagement that was already refused, traveling all the way to a small town... that's quite the 'coincidence.'"
Sarah Chou still disagreed. "Celeste, the company is already rushing you back to Capital City. If it really comes down to it, I'll make a trip to Seven Mile Town?"
Celeste Monroe said nothing more, merely looking at Sarah Chou quietly. Her eyes were no longer cold, gradually welling up with a misty layer, seeming to hold a hint of grievance. Sarah Chou immediately surrendered. "Alright, I'll contact SK. Sigh, they're really lucky!"
Sarah Chou dejectedly went back to her room to make the call. Lily stared dumbfounded at Celeste Monroe. "My goodness, when did Celeste become so 'teatime-like'?"
However, the very next second, the mist in Celeste Monroe's eyes vanished, returning to her perpetually icy demeanor. "I'm going to sleep." Lily felt a chill from her gaze and quickly ran out of Celeste Monroe's room.
After Sarah Chou and Lily had both left, Celeste Monroe picked up the phone on her bed, unlocked the screen, and saw her chat with Frank Castle. Twenty minutes ago, Frank Castle had sent three audio files; these were his assignments for the night. Celeste Monroe opened each one, listened carefully, then meticulously typed out a detailed review of Frank Castle's practice, commenting on each transition and high note. After sending the message, she sat by the bed, phone in hand.
Ten minutes later, Frank Castle finally replied: "Aunt Celeste, sorry, I was just showering. I'll continue to improve on the issues you mentioned with the transitions and high notes. Thank you. Please get some rest."
Celeste Monroe's lips curved slightly, but she only replied with a cool "Mm." Afterward, she changed into her pajamas, got into bed, and turned off the light. In the dark room, the nightmares that used to torment her the moment she closed her eyes no longer appeared. The Ice Queen, admired and feared by countless people, curled up under the covers, falling into a deep sleep with a faint smile.
The next day.
Capital City.
Silverwood Studio.
Frank Castle waited at the entrance. After a short while, a taxi pulled up, and a petite figure emerged, scurrying over. Her appearance was somewhat similar to Rachel Chen. The only difference was that when Rachel Chen ran, it was a smooth glide, while when Chloe ran, it was like the ground trembled.
"Good morning, Professor Frank!" Chloe said happily to Frank Castle.
Frank Castle smiled. "Good morning, Professor Chloe. Thank you for your trouble today." After all, Chloe had proactively offered to collaborate with Frank Castle on a song she had composed herself, and Frank Castle was grateful. The two chatted and laughed. Olivia White emerged from the studio, her pretty face soft. "Good morning, Professor Chloe."
Chloe blinked and looked at Frank Castle. Frank Castle quickly introduced the two. "This is Olivia White, Professor Charles's granddaughter, who I consider a sister. And this is Chloe, a traditional-style singer and my friend." Hearing the words "my sister," Olivia White's expression subtly froze. Chloe had already extended her hand: "Wow, Miss Olivia, you're so beautiful!" Chloe was only twenty this year, so technically Olivia White was indeed two years older than her. Olivia White's cheeks blushed slightly as she shook Chloe's hand. "Professor Chloe, you're more beautiful." She subconsciously glanced at Chloe's chest, then lowered her head. She looked less exaggerated on TV, but now, up close, Olivia White felt even more self-conscious.
Chloe shook her head repeatedly. "Miss Olivia, you're much prettier than me!" She tilted her head in thought, then spoke candidly: "Prettier than Professor Quinn, just as pretty as Professor Chen... Hmm, not as pretty as Professor Monroe."
"Um, maybe we should go inside first," Frank Castle interrupted the honest young woman. The three walked into Silverwood Studio. Professor Charles wasn't there today; he had gone to meet old friends, he said. Olivia White had no classes during the day and conveniently came over to help them record the song.
Chloe's original traditional-style song was poignant and tragic. Her own version was indeed a bit too soft, lacking a bit of masculine vigor. After adding Frank Castle's male voice, it was indeed much better. The two practiced and discussed as they went along; Frank Castle even helped Chloe re-arrange the song. Sure enough, it sounded even better after the arrangement, and Chloe's eyes shone even brighter when she looked at Frank Castle.
"Professor Frank, you're amazing! You truly are my idol!"
Olivia White sat silently to the side. Frank Castle was a bit helpless. Chloe kept saying he was her idol, and he had no idea why.
By 7 PM, the male-female duet "Ballad of Parting" was finally recorded. At this point, both Frank Castle and Chloe received a reminder from the show's production team. Tomorrow night, American Voice Season Two was set to air.