Chapter 18
A young girl in a flowing white dress descended like an angel; her radiant smile was blooming as she approached him. With each step closer, she whispered sultry words into. his ear, while gently applying ointment to him with her slender and smooth fingers.
And then that teasing ‘Good boy, each syllable laced with a poison so tempting, drew him deeper into torpor.
As the image of the girl flickered in his mind, Orion reached a crescendo; his usually deep voice turned raspy and unrecognizable.
“Xan, my Xan.”
She was wrong; he wasn’t good, not at all. He thought about it, crazily, desperately.
Saturday, 7 PM, at the Discovery Pavilion, the finale of The Masked Singer beckoned.
As the season’s most anticipated prime-time music reality show, the finale drew crowds in droves, making the pavilion packed with fans holding up glow sticks and banners. The show was broadcast live across major TV and online platforms, which captured the grand spectacle.
“Colorful lights and passionate screams have ignited the finale!” the host bellowed into the microphone, pumping up the atmosphere. Tonight, right here, we’ll witness eleven contestants who’ve battled their way to this grand finale. Who will emerge victorious and be crowned ‘the century’s greatest singer? Let’s find out!”
“Before we start, let me lay out the rules. There are 11 contestants in the finale, each of whom will perform their chosen songs. Three judges will score them, and we’ll also open up online voting so that you, the audience, can have your say. Scores will be based on 70% from our judges and 30% from public votes!”
“Additionally, this season of The Masked Singer introduces a challenger round. Three surprise contestants, masked and mysterious, will battle the top three finalists. The scoring remains the same, and if the challenger wins, they claim the championship!”
“Everyone’s familiar with the rules now, and here’s a special surprise: the CEO of TOYUM Group, our main sponsor, is here tonight. He’ll be watching the entire finale and will crown our champion with the title of ‘the century’s greatest singer”!”
As the host finished, Matthew spotted a striking figure settling into a dimly lit corner with the best view. The lights made it hard to see his face, but his chilling aura was
unmistakable. Orion?
After a rare gemstone auction where Xan had secured a once-in-a-lifetime jade for him, and his sole competitor Timothy met with an unfortunate accident, had he now fully taken over the reins of the Lockwood Group?
What a gap between the fortunes of men, Matthew mused. If Xan got any closer to a titan like Orion, could she really remain unaffected?
What was he thinking? Xan wasn’t that kind of girl. Shaking his head, Matthew glanced at the bouquet next to him, and started to regret his decision to come and support Miranda. Xan hadn’t even revealed her surprise to him yet.
Backstage at The Masked Singer, the contestants buzzed with excitement at the news.
“OMG! Did you guys hear who the new CEO of TOYUM Group is? Orion of the Lockwood Group!”
“No way! I heard he’s not only a billionaire but also insanely handsome, outshining top. models!”
“And he’s presenting the trophy tonight. Word has it, the winner might also land a major endorsement deal with one of TOYUM’s upcoming lines!”
Miranda, upon hearing Orion’s name, couldn’t help but rise and sneak closer to the stage, only to catch a glimpse of that distinctively handsome face in the dimly lit corner. Just one look sent her heart racing.
At Xanthea’s coming-of-age party, she had noticed him, who was the most dazzling presence; however, he was surrounded by intimidating rumors and gave out a frosty aural that kept everyone at bay.
Now, just days later, he had ascended from heir apparent to the actual power behind the Lockwood Group?
With her eyes gleaming, Miranda clenched her fists. Tonight, she was determined to win, to become the center of attention, and to prove her worth to the Nightshade family; she was aiming for heights even they couldn’t reach.
With that, the host announced, “Let the grand finale of The Masked Singer begin!”
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