I Married the President

Claire Sinclair slowly turned to the trainee who had just spoken. "Cecily Taylor shamelessly promotes materialism and gets lauded for it online," she said gravely. "So I wrote an article criticizing that corrupting influence. Do you think I was wrong? That she was right?"

The trainee shot back, "That’s her freedom! You’re practically her colleague now. Going after her like that isn’t an honorable thing to do. I think you’re the one who’s wrong!"

Claire Sinclair drew a sharp breath, suppressing her fury. Her voice was like ice. "So by your logic, if I saw Cecily Taylor murder someone, I should just pretend I didn’t see anything? All because she’s a colleague, I should just look the other way?"

"Cecily Taylor just got a lot of birthday presents! She didn’t kill someone! You’re twisting the argument!"

"How am I twisting anything? Worshipping money is wrong, period. Especially for a celebrity with millions of fans. Do you have any idea how many impressionable young people she’s affecting? Let me tell you something. Stealing a million dollars is still stealing. Stealing one dollar is also stealing. Wrong is wrong. If you insist on judging a misdeed by its scale, then you’re a fool."

The trainee was stunned into silence.

Claire Sinclair’s gaze left him and swept slowly across the other trainees. "It wouldn’t have mattered if it was Cecily Taylor or any other celebrity celebrating a birthday like that; I still would have written the article for the *Astoria Daily*. You’re all here competing, whether for fame and fortune or for a dream, and I support that. But if what you’re chasing is the kind of bloated vanity Cecily Taylor represents, then I can dock all your professional conduct points right now. Xavier Wallace, you’re eliminated."

Xavier Wallace was the trainee who had just been arguing with her.

Everyone stared at Xavier Wallace in shock. Some looked sympathetic; others thought he had it coming.

Xavier Wallace said indignantly, "What gives you the right to eliminate me? I just voiced a concern. Are we not even allowed to ask questions on this show?"

Claire Sinclair smiled faintly. "Anyone can ask questions. But your question clearly demonstrated your own lack of professional integrity. Defending materialism, failing to distinguish right from wrong, blindly chasing vanity... values like yours make you unfit to be anyone’s idol. That’s why I’m eliminating you."

Xavier Wallace’s lips parted, but he was silenced once again.

One of the trainees who was close to him couldn’t help but whisper urgently, "Xavier Wallace, just apologize!"

Claire Sinclair cut in immediately. "Don’t bother apologizing. It’s pointless. Let me remind all of you: management has already sent out a notice. From now on, every talent show will have a professional conduct officer. I’m just the first. If you can’t learn how to conduct yourselves properly, you’ll struggle to get ahead on any other show. Xavier Wallace, if you want to make it in this industry, you have to adapt to the new rules. If you can’t learn, then give up on being an idol. As you are now, you truly aren’t qualified."

In the end, Xavier Wallace said nothing. He quietly stood up, gathered his belongings, and prepared to leave.

The other trainees watched his every move with mixed emotions. They were clearly sad to see him go, and their eyes kept darting back to Claire Sinclair, hoping she might change her mind.

Claire Sinclair then addressed the group. "I can see that some of you still aren’t happy with me. But rest assured, I’m only guiding you through next week. For the final round, the professional conduct officer will be someone else. And, if all goes to plan, your new performance mentor will arrive tomorrow. She’s a top-tier artist with a spotless record. I’m confident she’ll be a pleasant surprise, and you will all learn a great deal from her."