Gwenda was struck speechless. "I don't care what others say," Olivier declared, "I know what kind of person you are, and that's enough." He gazed intently at her; the tenderness in his eyes seemed to engulf her. Gwenda felt as if something were lodged in her heart, about to burst forth. She took a deep breath and turned. "I'll be heading back to my room now." She hurried to her bedroom and locked the door.

Olivier stared after her, a smile playing on his lips. "Is she trying to get me to bail? Not a chance!" he thought, grinning.

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Cecilia's manager finally appeared after a years-long absence. Cecilia hadn't been working as usual. The manager aggressively knocked on Cecilia's door, attracting a crowd. "Cecilia Kelly! Get out here!"

Cecilia, composing a song, heard the commotion. She hurried to the door. The moment she opened it, Cindy Lee, her manager, barged in. "What's wrong with you? Where have you been? I arranged for you to sing at the bridge—why weren't you there?"

"I don't want to go anymore," Cecilia replied nonchalantly.

"Are you defying me? How dare you?" Cindy glared, as if Cecilia had uttered the most unthinkable thing. "Do you know that disobeying company orders results in a ban?"

"What's the difference between my current situation and being banned?" Cecilia retorted.

Her emotions bubbling over, Cecilia recounted years of grievances. "Since I signed with KG Entertainment, you've only had me sing at the bridge. My salary barely covers rent; I've never performed during release seasons or at any other time. And the album you promised? It's been five years, Cindy, and I've gotten nothing. How is this different from being banned?"

"You're bringing this up now?" Cindy frowned, surprised. "The company is doing this for your own good; we're training you."

"Five years of training?" Cecilia sneered. "Why weren't the new artists trained this way? They're on stage after two or three months. Why weren't they made to sing at the bridge?"

"Are you rebelling, Cecilia? You think you're so talented? There are more talented people out there. Why aren't you famous? Is it because we didn't give you chances? No, you're useless!"

Cindy's words stung, but Cecilia, who had endured similar taunts and self-doubt for years, had finally reached her breaking point. "Then the company can give up on me! I'll fend for myself. I don't need your training anymore!"

Cindy, furious, nodded. "Very well. You want to rebel? Fine. I won't renew your contract. I'll report to Mr. Evans tomorrow, and we'll see if any company wants an artist like you without KG Entertainment's backing!" She stormed out, slamming the door.

Cecilia stood there, stunned. She had actually yelled at someone! For years, she'd been the one yelled at; she'd never dared to talk back. But it felt…good. However, she knew she'd irrevocably broken with KG Entertainment.

"I just hope Gwenda doesn't disappoint me," Cecilia thought grimly. "Otherwise, I'll be completely doomed."