Chapter 5: The Audition Begins

Raine stood in the audition hall, surrounded by hopefuls who had no idea what they were walking into. Bright-eyed dreamers, nervous rookies—she had been like them once. Naïve. Trusting. Oblivious to the monsters lurking behind the spotlight.

Not anymore.

She adjusted the microphone in her hand, her fingers steady. The judges—industry veterans, producers, and talent scouts—whispered among themselves as they scanned the lineup.

Then, her gaze locked onto one of them.

Kairo Lin.

A smirk played on his lips, his silver hair falling effortlessly into place, golden eyes gleaming with amusement. He leaned back in his chair, tapping his pen against the table. "Interesting. Let's see what you've got, Raine Vesper."

She kept her expression unreadable. He didn't recognize her.

Perfect.

The music started. The moment the first note hit, she became the song. Her voice poured into the room like a slow-burning fire, raw, powerful—filled with the emotion of a girl who had lost everything but refused to stay buried.

The air shifted. The judges sat up straighter.

And Kairo Lin?

His smirk was gone.

Good. Let's play.