Chapter 55

Selina and Lydia were speechless. Their fury was palpable. Frank looked down on them, and indeed, on all women.

Seeing their gloomy expressions, Elaine quickly lowered her voice, pleading, "Selina, Lydia, please stop! The next band is about to perform. If this continues, the entire music festival will be ruined. We can't be held responsible. Please, I'm begging you."

Selina responded coldly, "You're alive… temporarily." She glared at Frank, then turned and left, fearing she might lose control and attack him. One glance was enough to leave Frank terrified. His earlier arrogance vanished instantly.

Lydia joined Selina, and they exchanged a look, understanding their predicament. Surrounded by so many people, they couldn't act. They were law-abiding citizens. But privately… Selina vowed, Just wait and see! How could Frank escape unscathed after offending them?

The storm subsided. Onlookers sighed in relief. Elaine breathed a sigh of relief and hurried after them. Finding Frank still dazed, Justin patted his shoulder. "Frank, are you alright? Let's go. There are too many people…" Frank muttered, "Oh, I see!" He silently wiped the cold sweat from his brow. What was that feeling? He felt as though he'd been glared at by a devil, his heart pounding uncontrollably, his body cold. He felt he'd unwittingly provoked a terrifying monster. He thought, I must be imagining things.

Back in the lounge, Thomas and Luke bowed deeply. "Thank you, Lydia and Selina, for helping us."

Selina said, "We're in the same band. Cut the crap. You're very capable; you'll achieve your dreams. The band needs all four members; no absences allowed. I believe in my own judgment, and in Lydia. Only with everyone's help can The Rose truly reach its peak!" She finally understood Lydia's choice to be The Rose's drummer: it wasn't just about the underground rock scene; Lydia also recognized the talent and dedication of Thomas and Luke. They were focused on music, striving for improvement, and committed to their dreams, unlike other band members. Of course, compared to Selina and Lydia, they might feel discouraged.

Lydia put her arm around Selina. "Selina's right. When I joined The Rose, I said I saw your talent. Accompanying young people pursuing their dreams… it feels good…"

Thomas said, "Thank you. Facing Frank's mockery, Luke and I were speechless. We know we're not strong enough yet, that we're a hindrance to the band. But since Selina and Lydia trust us, we won't let you down. We'll strive to be a lead singer and bassist worthy of The Rose!" He gritted his teeth, his eyes sincere and burning. Luke nodded in agreement.

Lydia added, "Exactly! That idiot Frank dared to humiliate us; we can't let him get away with it!" Still seething, she craved revenge.

Elaine said, "Please, sweetie, let's not escalate this. If something happens to you, how can I explain? I'll contact the company for more bodyguards. Underground rock bands rarely have a good reputation, and Black Smoke is the worst! I hear they're involved with gangs. Don't take them lightly!" Elaine was terrified. Though Lydia was loyal and capable, she was still a girl, as was Selina. A fight with Black Smoke would leave them severely injured. The thought of stalking and attacks sent shivers down her spine.

Lydia blew a strand of hair back. "Elaine, we'll handle it. Don't worry. We'll protect you."

"How can I not worry? I was terrified seeing the conflict. I was afraid you'd be hurt…" Elaine cried.

Selina felt a warmth in her heart, touched by Elaine's concern. This team, Lydia's chosen team, truly cared for each other.

Thinking of the Harvey family, Selina laughed bitterly. Some people were more agreeable dead than alive. If they had died, her previous life wouldn't have ended so tragically. She had foolishly trusted them, believing their affection was genuine. She had been so stupid.

Chapter 35

It wasn't anyone's fault. Suddenly, a festival staff member announced that all bands should remain after their performances; the organizers had an important announcement.

Elaine whispered, "I thought the sponsor was going to cause trouble because of the Black Smoke incident. I've already told the company to suppress the news. Some photos and videos were posted, but luckily, underground rock isn't that popular yet." But how could she feel relieved about their lack of popularity? She wondered if her actions as an agent were sufficient.

Lydia comforted her, "It's okay. We'll be famous nationwide, right? Thomas, Luke, Selina?"

Selina smiled confidently, "Of course." Thomas and Luke nodded.

The 2.5-hour music festival ended. The backstage incident hadn't affected the audience's enthusiasm. The sponsor then sent a host to announce the audience favorite award, to be presented by a mysterious guest, along with medals, trophies, and a $500,000 bonus check. Everyone was stunned. They hadn't received this news beforehand. Even the backstage bands were shocked. Was the sponsor a fan of The Rose? The rewards were incredibly generous! Every band was envious. Then, the mysterious guest appeared.