He raised his chin in a defiant manner, like a street thug looking for a fight.

Suddenly, the teacher emerged from the practice room, drawn by the commotion. He quickly ushered Tyler away from the group and spoke to him in a concerned tone.

"You shouldn't be here. The contract signing is over, and there's nothing to gain by hanging around here.”

Tyler's voice was laced with sarcasm as he gestured toward Cole.

"So, how is he able to sign the contract then?"

Cole's face twisted into a sneer, his bright green eyes raking Tyler from head to toe.

“are you seriously comparing yourself to me? Just look at those ragged clothes of yours. Dreaming of being a star? Keep dreaming, loser."

The teacher's head was pounding as he leaned in and whispered urgently into Tyler's ear, "Your sister's situation has caused quite a stir in the company. The senior executives have made it clear that no contracts will be signed with you, and other companies have been warned about you. It's time to give up."

At first, Tyler's eyes radiated with a glimmer of determination, but because of the teacher's words, his countenance gradually turned gloomy, and even his once-straight back began to slump.

It was then that a familiar voice, sweet as honey, echoed through the air, breaking the oppressive silence.

"What's going on here?"

Ariana's voice rang out, her footsteps soft as she approached the group. Tyler's heart lifted at the sound of her voice, and he turned to see her walking toward him, her beauty shining like a beacon amidst the chaos.

Among the crowd, Tyler was the only one who recognized Ariana at a glance. The teacher was surprised by her sudden appearance and asked who she was and why she was there.

“I'm Ariana Edwards," she announced, her voice ringing out with authority. She looked at the group of trainees and continued, "I'm here to select one of you. Ms. Scott should have informed you beforehand."

Ariana's attire was sleek and professional, and her no-nonsense demeanor commanded respect from the slack-jawed boys who had been loitering around. In an instant, they straightened up, suddenly aware of the gravity of the situation.

“Let's not waste time out here,” Ariana said, striding toward the practice room.

"We can talk inside."

The boys quickly followed suit, lining up behind her like soldiers following their commander.

As the group filed into the practice room, Tyler also entered and stood in a corner near the window, observing the scene with a mixture of hope and apprehension.

"I trust you all know why I'm here. I'm seeking a new artist to launch into stardom, and I'll settle for nothing but the best," Ariana declared. She gazed icily over the assembly of trainees, her sharp eyes sweeping across each face, including Tyler's.