Over the following two weeks, Tilan and several other songstresses continued to receive guidance from Idrylia within the academy, covering both aspects of Talent Ability and historical experience.
anwhile, Alanna led the remaining mbers to regroup those who had previously left and kept investigating upwards, trying to uncover the origins of the Mystic Organization.
"You're saying our company has been taken over by another corporation?" Alanna looked at the manager in front of her with so surprise.
"Exactly, Alanna. According to my insider sources in the company, the other party isn't just one entity but several corporations forming an alliance. They acquired large quantities of shares directly from the stock market, later negotiated with the company's board of directors, and finally completed the takeover."
"In just a few days, the new general manager and CEO will be arriving. Most likely, there will be significant personnel changes," the manager made a helpless gesture.
"The new company probably won't be as relaxed as before, Alanna. You'll need to reign in your roaming and playful ways going forward."
"How did it co to this?" Alanna stood up, pacing back and forth in the room. Though she was fairly well-known as a singer, she was still insignificant in the face of true capital power.
She silently prayed that the new company wouldn't bring too much upheaval.
The next few days were overwhelming for Alanna, leaving her little ti to ponder how to handle the changes with the new company. Instead, issues began erupting among her companions, keeping her rushed and exhausted.
Suoga leaned against the side of the doorfra, rubbing his disheveled hair with one hand, feeling both annoyed and ashad as he bid farewell to Alanna.
"You know, Miss, I've never gotten along with my family. They treated poorly since I was a kid. But this ti, they've forced to return. Even the local police departnt sent a letter, saying it's about disputes regarding inheritance distribution."
"I don't want their money in the slightest, but if this isn't handled well, I might inexplicably end up with so debts, all thanks to my gambling-addicted old man."
"It's fine, you go back first. Family issues are important." Alanna couldn't find a solid reason to dissuade him, so she could only send Suoga back to his distant ho in Star Domain—a round trip that would take at least half a year.
Shortly after Suoga left, Gen also encountered challenges.
"It's bad. The court has sent a subpoena, saying soone filed a lawsuit connecting to an accident from years ago. They've uncovered my past history as a Black rcenary. If this isn't handled properly, I might end up in prison." Gen punched the sandbag in the room, seething with anger but feeling helpless—his past couldn't withstand scrutiny.
"Do you need to hire a lawyer to help?" Alanna offered.
"No, I know a lawyer personally. Besides, if Miss hires a lawyer for , it could easily result in bad press. For now, just focus on protecting yourself." Gen thought about it briefly but politely declined.
"I feel things are looking grim, Miss. You should prepare in advance."
"Understood." Alanna nodded.
In the days that followed, various problems arose among those around Alanna. So stemd from family disputes, others resulted from the company transferring employees to assignnts in far-off locations, and still others involved school events that prevented mbers from being available.
"Shan, you called —are you asking for ti off as well?" One day, the exhausted Alanna leaned against the edge of her bed and received a call from an acquaintance.
"? No, I just dealt with all my school matters recently, so I'll be free for several days to help. But I don't know where everyone is right now." Shan sounded noticeably more upbeat than she had been in previous weeks.
"Really? You're sure there's no problem?" This was the only good news Alanna had heard in the past two weeks, as her group had dwindled significantly by now.
"No problem at all." Shan's reassurance finally lifted so of the weight off Alanna's shoulders.
After the call ended, she leaned against the headboard, rubbed her tired temples, and then covered her eyes with her arm, attempting to take a short nap.
But barely three minutes later, a sudden sharp ringing interrupted her.
"Hello, may I ask..."
"Can't even recognize anymore, Miss?" A sharp, sarcastic female voice ca from the other end.
"Uh, it's the manager, right?" Alanna's current manager wasn't the previous easygoing older man but a new middle-aged woman who often mocked Alanna and assigned schedules she found hard to adjust to.
"How rare for Miss to still rember . I'm deeply honored. On behalf of the company, I'm notifying you of a performance tonight in Center District 1's main street."
"Tonight? So last-minute?" Alanna glanced at the ti—it was already past 3 p.m.
"What's there to be rushed about? Haven't you done impromptu performances before, even ones notified two hours before showti?" The manager scoffed.
"But the main street in Center District 1 is different." Alanna tried to explain.
As the heart of Academy City, Center District 1 gathers the most prestigious schools, nurous governntal entities, and ga-corporations. Performances held there require not only strict approval but also a level of sophistication—since it represents the face of the city itself.
"The company has already handled everything and secured the performance permit. This is a rare opportunity; as one of the company's prominent figures, you must deliver your absolute best. Understood?" The manager emphasized repeatedly over the call.
"Got it..." Alanna understood she had no room to refuse or retort.
A performance in Center District 1 was far more critical than anywhere else. Any mishap wouldn't just hurt the company's reputation but would also severely damage her own image—she had to take it seriously.
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