The soft hum of studio monitors filled the room, but Liam barely heard it. His mind was still echoing with the playback of his new track—raw, emotional, and unapologetically him.
Ace leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, nodding slowly. "That one… That's the one you lead with."
Liam exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Feels like it's finally saying something."
Before Ace could respond, a knock at the studio door cut through the moment.
It wasn't Dex this time.
The door creaked open, and in stepped Rhea Vale, clipboard in hand, heels clicking against the hardwood floor.
"I hope I'm not interrupting," she said, although her tone made it clear she didn't care if she was.
Liam straightened. "Rhea?"
She gave a thin smile. "Everline Media wants to talk. That track you just recorded—it's already gotten attention. Somebody in our satellite team forwarded a snippet. Let's just say… there are people upstairs who see dollar signs and headlines."
Ace's expression darkened. "Of course they did."
Liam's heart pounded. It was happening. The kind of moment most people dreamed of.
Rhea stepped forward, offering a sleek white folder. "This isn't a contract yet. It's a pre-deal. A statement of interest. Read it. Think it over. But know this—offers like this don't sit around forever."
Liam took the folder, hands shaking slightly. The Everline logo gleamed like a brand.
"I'll read it," he said quietly.
She nodded once, then turned and left, her perfume lingering long after the door clicked shut.
Ace remained silent for a beat before finally saying, "Whatever you do… don't trade your voice for volume."
Liam looked down at the folder. For the first time, the path ahead split.
The Empire was calling.
But would he build it… or sell it?
The End of Chapter 11