Chapter 46: Rising Attention
A week passed quickly.
The Sterlings gradually adapted to their new lives inside St. Claire Entertainment.
Their days were spent for training, meetings, lessons, photoshoots and evaluations.
Their schedules were always full. Every day was packed from morning until evening. And surprisingly, everyone was doing well.
Perhaps a little too well. Because success attracted attention. And unfortunately, it also attracted jealousy.
Inside Rhythm’s training hall, Nicole and Rose were becoming increasingly popular among the trainers.
The problem was that not everyone appreciated it. Especially some of the older trainees. Girls who had spent years waiting for opportunities.
Girls who suddenly found themselves competing against two newcomers who seemed to be advancing far too quickly.
One afternoon, Nicole entered the practice room only to hear several whispers.
"Must be nice."
Another girl laughed. "Three weeks in the company and she’s already getting attention."
Nicole immediately understood they were talking about her. She pretended not to hear.
Then another voice followed. "I wonder if talent even matters anymore."
The room grew uncomfortable. Several trainees exchanged awkward glances.
Nicole lowered her gaze and quietly walked toward her seat. Before she could say anything, another voice interrupted. A familiar voice.
"I think talent matters."
Everyone turned. River stood near the doorway. His expression remained calm. But his silver eyes looked unusually cold.
The trainees immediately became nervous.
River walked into the room. Then smiled. A dangerous kind of smile.
"Because Nicole can sing."
Complete silence filled the training room.
River continued. "Very well. And all of you know that."
Nobody dared answer. The trainees immediately looked away.
Nicole stared at him, embarrassed but grateful.
And slightly worried. Because now everyone was definitely going to gossip.
To her surprise, River took her hand and pulled her outside the room.
"Where are we going?" She asked.
"Getting you some fresh air."
At the rooftop, he handed her a strawberry juice. The one she always drinks after rehearsal.
"Thank you for this and for earlier."
River sighed. "If it happens again, tell me."
Unfortunately, Rose experienced the same problem. Only hers happened during dance training. Several girls were discussing her performance.
Not very quietly.
"She’s only popular because she’s pretty."
"Exactly."
Another girl nodded. "Anyone could do that choreography."
Rose simply continued stretching, ignoring them.
Then the music suddenly stopped. Everyone turned.
Aaron stood beside the instructor. His expression was unreadable which somehow felt scarier.
The room became silent. Aaron rarely spoke. So when he did, people listened.
"I don’t think anyone could do it."
The trainees froze. Aaron looked toward Rose. Then toward the others.
"If it was easy, everyone here would be performing at her level."
Nobody responded. Nobody even breathed loudly.
Aaron nodded once and left. But the silence he left behind was deafening.
Meanwhile, Rose was trying very hard not to smile.
News of Liliana’s Gucci campaign spread throughout the company like wildfire.
Every department knew. Every trainee knew. Even the cafeteria staff knew.
And the reactions were exactly what Matthew expected. Shock. Disbelief. Jealousy. Admiration. A combination of all four.
Some trainees accepted it. Others didn’t.
One model trainee stared at a magazine article and sighed dramatically. "Three days."
Another nodded. "Three days."
The first trainee pointed at the article. "I’ve been here for four years."
The second nodded. "I know."
Both stared at Liliana’s photograph. Then sighed together. Life was really unfair.
Meanwhile, Liliana remained completely unaware of her growing reputation.
She was too busy surviving training, model walking, posing, brand workshops, media coaching and photoshoots.
Every day felt exhausting. Fortunately, Nicolo was there who was also becoming famous.
The modeling division experienced another shock when Chanel selected Nicolo as one of the faces of their newest perfume campaign.
The announcement immediately created another wave of discussion.
"Seriously?"
"He just got here!"
"How is this possible?"
Meanwhile, Nicolo proudly showed the announcement to everyone.
Including people who hadn’t asked.
"I told you."
Nathan immediately regretted asking. "Told us what?"
"I was born for this."
Nathan walked away, shaking his head.
Speaking of him, his progress surprised everyone. Including himself.
The vocal trainers praised his improvement. The dance instructors were impressed by his discipline.
And Leo was beginning to understand why Matthew had recruited him.
Nathan learned very quickly. Within weeks, he had already memorized Pulse’s newest songs.
Every lyric, dance step and formation, Nathan memorized them.
The trainers and the members were impressed. Even Robin.
One afternoon, Leo watched Nathan finish a practice session. Then nodded. "Good."
Nathan nearly collapsed. That single word felt more valuable than an award.
"Really?"
Leo smiled. "Really."
Another surprise came. His first appearance with Pulse had already been scheduled for next month. A live stage.
Nathan immediately forgot how to breathe.
Back at the penthouse, Emily was somehow even busier than the idols.
Fabric samples covered the dining table. Sketchbooks occupied the sofa. Design boards appeared everywhere.
Emily was currently designing outfits for both Pulse and Rhythm. And she loved every second of it.
Meanwhile, Mary had become the most overworked person in the building.
She recorded and fixed everyone’s schedules from meetings, training sessions, photoshoots, interviews and brand appearances.
She managed all of it with frightening efficiency with every detail.
Robin was so impressed because Mary’s managerial skills were extraordinary.
One evening, everyone gathered in the penthouse living room, tired and exhausted. But they were happy.
Because despite the challenges, the jealous trainees, the endless schedules and the pressure, things were moving forward.
Nicole and Rose were becoming idols.
Liliana and Nicolo were becoming successful models.
Nathan was preparing to stand beside Pulse on stage.
Emily was building her career as a designer.
Mary was proving herself as a manager.
For the first time since losing everything years ago, the new generation of Sterlings weren’t looking back. They were building something new.
And somewhere inside St. Claire Entertainment, people were beginning to realize something.
They weren’t simply lucky. They were all talented people who kept their talent for a long time in the countryside.
And they were only getting started.
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