Chapter 86
“Go, Lisette p>
“Lisette, you’re amazing p>
“Lisette, we love you forever! Let’s go, let’s go p>
The cheering from the crowd came in loud and suddenly, making Lisette freeze mid-step on the red carpet. She turned her head toward the noise, and the second she spotted the culprits, a muscle in her jaw twitched.
What on earth p>
A big, blinding patch of red stood out starkly among the reporters and fans. It was so out of place, like a fire truck had parked itself in a sea of tuxedos and gowns.
She squinted, staring at the sea of red, and finally recognized the ring leaders-Hannah, Justin, Owen, and Gabriel.
Who had pulled this stunt together? All four were dressed identically in bright red cheerleader uniforms. Real ones. With pom-poms. They waved them around with unbridled enthusiasm while yelling at the top of their lungs, “Go, Lisette! You totally rock p>
As soon as they noticed her glance their way, they got even louder. Like, doubling down on volume kind of loud.
Their roars were impossible to ignore. Every head turned.
Lisette rubbed her forehead and wished she could vanish. This was a piano summit, not a halftime show. Why the dramatic display?
Whispers started around her.
“Are those her fans p>
“Don’t think so. Look at other musicians’ fans-super classy. These guys look like they were hired p>
“Yeah, it screams paid promotion p>
The more people commented, the weirder their looks got.
Suddenly, Lisette felt like the human equivalent of a blinking neon sign. Trying to pretend she didn’t know those four was useless now.
Odd as their support was, it came from a good place. So she decided to face it head-on. She strode right toward them.
Her gaze locked first on Justin and her tone went full manager mode. “Aren’t you supposed to be on set? What are you doing here making a scene p>
Justin didn’t even blink. He threw everyone under the bus with zero hesitation. “Hannah said you were invited today, and Owen pointed out the other pianists all have fans. You’re new and didn’t have a base. Gabe thought you’d feel left out, so we came to back you up p>
“I got half a day off ’cause I’ve been killing it lately. This is my big fan support debut p>
Lisette’s mouth twitched. She turned to Owen with a dry stare. “Well, thanks a whole lot p>
Sporting heavy eye bags, Owen just grinned with pride. “You’re my girl. No way I’m letting you look any less impressive than anyone else p>
“If we don’t have the means, we make ’em up p>
He waved grandly at the sea of cheering fans behind them, all decked out in matching red. “Feast your eyes on the empire I built for you. Not bad, huh p>
With a flash of eye contact, the hired squad behind them sprang into synchrony. “Go Lisette! You’re our forever favorite p>
Lisette: p>
Oh lord, Owen, you’re seriously too much. What even is that chant? Feels like it came straight outta the 2000s.
And then-someone in the crowd yelled, “Mr. Clemens is here p>
Just like that, all attention shifted.
Philip had arrived, dressed to the nines in a flawless black tailcoat, every strand of hair in place. He looked like he’d stepped out of a royal portrait.
In that instant, the focus of the entire summit shifted to him. Eyes followed him like moths to flame. Reporters fumbled for their cameras, eager to capture this legendary pianist finally stepping into the spotlight after his five-year silence.
The pianists walking ahead all paused when they saw him, silently stepping aside to give up the center spot on the red carpet. That kind of respect? It said everything.
Owen’s mouth dropped open. “Holy crap! Who’s that old dude? Why’s he giving off final boss energy p>
He glanced quickly at their manager p>
Then clicked his tongue twice. “Lame. Totally lame p>
Just moments ago, all eyes had been on Lisette, but the second that guy-whatever his name was-showed up, she got sidelined like a prop. Too pretty to be ignored, but now she was just there.
With a wave of his hand, Owen sent a signal.
The very next second, a tidal wave of deafening cheers split the silence wide open-
“Lisette, you’re the queen! We love you forever! Go Lisette p>
The roar was overwhelming, blasting through the atmosphere like a sonic boom.
And just like that, the crowd’s focus snapped back to Lisette.
Owen looked beyond pleased with himself.
Raising an eyebrow at her, he grinned. “Behold, the empire I’ve built for you. You’re impressed, right p>
Lisette muttered, Please. Just. Chill p>
But her voice didn’t stand a chance against the thunderous shouting. Owen couldn’t hear a word, just saw her lips move.
With a knowing smirk and a flashy eye raise, he gestured again. “Louder! I’ll throw in a bonus p>
The crowd obliged-shouting even harder.
Their voices hit full throttle. Energy? Off the charts.
Not about to be overshadowed, Justin, the “founding member” of Team Lisette, was now bright red from yelling so hard, leading the chant like the world depended on it. No lie, he was the loudest of them all.
Lisette was speechless.
Honestly, you can never wake someone who’s fake-sleeping. And you sure as hell can’t shut up someone going nuts in a cheering frenzy.
And this? This was a masterclass in public secondhand embarrassment.
Off to the side, whispering had already started: “Is that chick’s fan group nuts or what? Screaming like that in front of Mr. Philip. Do they have a death wish p>
“Probably trying to steal the spotlight. Snag a headline p>
“I bet tomorrow’s trending topic will be how she tried to upstage him. Girl’s about to go viral for sure p>
“Jeez, timing and tact? Ever heard of ’em? Going up against Philip freakin’ Clemens? Bold p>
“Or dumb p>
“No, no… she’s not dumb. Just playing too smart for her own good p>
“I mean, this summit isn’t a regular event. All these big-name pianists are here, with Clemens leading the charge to raise money for the missing children’s foundation. Even the mayor showed up. Veridia’s backing it hard. It’s a big deal. Doing something loud? Boom-insta-attention p>
“Yeah, and her move wasn’t exactly subtle p>
“Kids these days… seriously, will do anything for fame p>
“She’s literally gambling her whole career p>
All eyes locked on Lisette. Some looked down on her. Some were just waiting for the drama. A few clearly felt sorry.
Such a gorgeous girl, full of life-why get stuck in clout-chasing mode? And she seemed deep in it.
While everyone watched with mixed feelings, Philip walked toward her, a faint smile on his face, his expensive shoes silent against the scarlet carpet.
Time froze.
Now this was gonna be something.
Was Mr. Clemens about to blow up? Or was he going to politely have security escort her out?
Hype level: maxed out.
The entire room held its breath, waiting.