One Man Band System

After heading back into the meeting room, Eric replayed his song and asked the girls once more for their opinions on his new track, "All Kinds of Love." Emma, Chloe, Priya, Heidi, Monica, and Laura looked to be deep in thought, while Ruby and Tania discussed it among themselves.

"I think the song is good... really good, actually, and... it definitely moved us, right, girls?" Emma asked.

"Yeah, it’s true. Sorry about earlier, that’s why we stepped out," Priya answered.

"And thanks to your song, we actually talked... like, really talked," Monica added, shooting a glance at Chloe, Laura, and Heidi.

"Yep... and reached an agreement," Chloe chimed in.

"Basically, we love the song, and it’s perfect for Nobelia as a four-piece act... but how did you manage to change your voice like that when singing it?" Heidi asked.

"I just used a voice modifier downstairs. I was testing out what four different voices would sound like using the computer," Eric answered casually.

"No wonder. I actually thought there were four of you when I listened to it again," Laura said.

"I’m gonna head over there first. I want to discuss the song with Ruby and Tania," Emma said, standing up.

Emma walked over to Ruby and Tania, and the three of them immediately dove into a serious discussion about the song Eric had given them. Every now and then, they would replay the track and study it. Seeing this, Eric felt somewhat relieved, but suddenly he felt a bit weird as Monica and Priya flanked him, taking his arms hostage.

"Um... what’s up with you two?" Eric asked.

"Nothing," Monica answered.

"Yep... just wanna be close to you, that’s allowed, right?" Priya said.

"It’s not a problem... but... this is new," Eric replied.

"Don’t overthink it," Monica and Priya replied in unison.

Eric turned to look at Chloe, Heidi, and Laura sitting across from them. The three of them seemed to be looking away, completely avoiding his gaze. But before Eric could process the girls’ bizarre behavior and ask about it, click, the meeting room door opened. He turned to see Caleb stepping inside, and he wasn’t alone—Jade had come with him. Both of their faces were etched with deep concern as they rushed over to Eric.

"Eric, you and Ruby are okay, right?" Caleb asked anxiously.

"We’re fine. You rushed over here without your smartphone, driving your wife crazy with worry. What’s wrong with you?" Eric asked.

"I was in a hurry. I already told Avery to lock the doors and not open them for anyone except me," Caleb answered.

"I heard from Caleb and Mike. Jason really came here?" Jade asked.

"Yeah, he went to Ruby’s school. They’re the witnesses," Eric answered, pointing at the girls.

Naturally, Monica, Priya, Chloe, Heidi, and Laura detailed the entire chronological order of events to Caleb and Jade, though they refrained from playing the audio recording. After hearing the story, Caleb and Jade’s faces darkened.

"That’s crossing the line. How far is that guy willing to go with this crap? What a moron," Jade muttered.

"And the funny thing is, the one who tipped you off in the first place was Melissa... she got the news from Vivian, who accidentally dialed your mom’s number while working?" Caleb asked.

"Yep... exactly. She showed me her chat history with Vivian, and even with my mom after she heard from Vivian and asked what was going on," Eric answered.

"Melissa... is still in touch with Aunt Vanessa?" Jade asked.

"She is... they were never actually enemies from the start. My mom knew all about that fake video," Eric answered.

The atmosphere in the room fell dead silent instantly. Caleb stared at Eric’s face, which looked completely normal, as if he was entirely unfazed by his past. Jade, on the other hand, looked furious and deeply hurt by the deception.

"But what was the goal? Why go to such extremes? Why would Aunt Vanessa support Jason’s plan?" Jade asked.

"The reason is simple. Jason is her favorite son. And as for why Jason did all of that, it’s because he knows about my origins, and he didn’t want Dad’s inheritance falling into my hands. Even though Dad is still alive, when Dad divorced Mom, he panicked," Eric said.

"Plus, Uncle Martin put you in his will... no wonder he came here," Caleb added.

"That’s pretty much the gist of it. I read my mom’s entire confession on Melissa’s smartphone," Eric said.

"You’re okay, right?" Jade asked, looking at Eric with concern.

"I’m fine, no need to worry," Eric answered with a smile.

"Now I get why you asked me for help with Melissa back then. Turns out Melissa was a victim stuck in the middle, getting manipulated by Jason too," Caleb said.

"Yeah... that’s why when she showed Jason that ultrasound photo when I got kicked out and ended up in the hospital, Jason felt betrayed and kicked her out because he thought he was getting played by Melissa and me... talk about ironic, right?" Eric said with a smile.

"Ridiculous... completely ridiculous... I’m embarrassed to have a cousin like him," Jade said, shaking her head.

Eric picked up his smartphone and sent the song to Jade. Ding, a message arrived on Jade’s smartphone, and she opened it.

"What’s this?" Jade asked, looking at the notification.

"A new song for Nobelia. Go ahead and open it, give it a listen. They seem to be discussing it right now," Eric said, pointing toward Emma, Ruby, and Tania, who were lost in the music and their own world.

Jade played the song. The beautiful, energetic, yet soothingly refreshing melody with a fast tempo filled the room once again. Emma, Ruby, and Tania, who were in the middle of their discussion, turned to see Jade standing there listening to the track, while Monica, Priya, Chloe, Laura, and Heidi started swaying in their seats. Caleb also seemed to enjoy the track, unconsciously tapping his hand against the table. Once the melody came to an end,

"Wow... this is... awesome... What’s the title? All Kinds of Love?" Jade asked.

"Yep, that’s right. Nobelia’s debut song," Eric answered.

"Alright... I’m heading over there," Jade said.

Jade turned around and walked over to Emma, Ruby, and Tania, who had been waving to call her over from the start. Then Monica, Priya, Chloe, Laura, and Heidi stood up.

"Huh... where are you guys going?" Eric asked.

"Heading upstairs first to take a little break," Monica answered.

"Yeah... probably gonna take a quick swim, hehe," Priya replied.

"Yep... catch up with us later," Chloe added.

"You guys go ahead and chat for now. I probably won’t swim, just wanna catch some sleep, hehe," Heidi said.

"Same... I want to sleep too," Laura added briefly.

"Alright... just get some rest first, then we can head back later this afternoon," Eric said.

The girls walked straight toward the meeting room exit. Once they left and shut the door behind them, Caleb turned to look at Eric.

"Are you heading back to your penthouse first? Why don’t you just stay here?" Caleb asked.

"For now, it’s safer at the penthouse. Security there is 24/7. This place is still empty and probably won’t be active until next month. Katie’s still coordinating with the people from Trinity, right? You obviously know, you’re the CEO," Eric said.

"Yeah... getting everything up and running will probably take at least another month... maybe more. I was in a meeting with Katie this morning too. You’re right, your penthouse is safer... Jason won’t be able to just waltz in there," Caleb replied.

"My advice is, you should head home. Poor Avery is worried sick at home, and she’s definitely anxious being alone," Eric said.

"Hmm... alright, I’ll head back first. But if anything comes up, call me, don’t just stay quiet. You get me?" Caleb said.

"Yeah... I get it," Eric replied.

Caleb turned to look at Jade, who was having a lively chat with Emma, Ruby, and Tania at the far end of the table.

"So just leave Jade here?" Caleb asked.

"Just leave her. I’ll drop her off later when I head back with the others," Eric said.

"Oh... I see. Sounds good then," Caleb replied, standing up. "Alright then, I’m heading home since I didn’t bring my smartphone either," Caleb said.

"Yeah, drive safe," Eric replied.

Caleb turned and walked to the door, saying goodbye to Jade, Ruby, Emma, and Tania before stepping out. After the door shut, Eric sat in quiet reflection, staring at the table in front of him. His fingers tapped against the wood as his face suddenly turned serious. A new sensation welled up in his chest, a suffocating feeling that burned hot yet felt ice-cold all at once. An anger he found difficult to explain.

"That guy is slinging threats everywhere... This time, I’m not just going to sit back and do nothing," Eric thought in his head.

Then he picked up his smartphone and sent messages to a few contacts. He set the smartphone back down on the table, and just seconds later, ding... ding... ding, he picked it back up and saw three incoming message notifications on the screen. A cold, sardonic smile crept onto his lips.