Gangster to Idol

"A-are you sure Nova Entertainment will take me in?" Rhea's voice quivered, each word laden with the weight of her uncertainty.

It pierced through Cain's heart, igniting a protective instinct that surged within him. Just like he was feeling when his gang members were in trouble.

Lexter leaned nonchalantly against the wall, exuding an air of self-assuredness that starkly contrasted with Rhea's evident nervousness.

"One word from me, and they'd be fools not to hire you." A charismatic grin spread across Lexter face, one that promised opportunities yet felt tainted with ulterior motives.

"Rhea, you're beautiful—truly unique in a world full of clones. You could waltz right into our company on my recommendation alone." His words were honeyed, sweetened with flattery, but Rhea's eyes betrayed a flicker of doubt as she bit her lip.

"But . . ." she hesitated, grappling with the implications of his proposition.

Lexter, sensing her hesitance, grasped her chin and tilted her head upward, forcing her to meet his gaze. There was a predatory gleam in his eyes as he rubbed his thumb over her lower lip, an unsettling intimacy that sent shivers down her spine.

"Trust me, one word from me and you're in. You won't have to compete here anymore. Your future will be secure. All you have to do is become my woman, and I'll take care of everything."

Rhea averted her gaze, her mind screaming at her to reject him. Logically, Lexter was a great catch—handsome and affluent, with connections that could skyrocket her career.

But her heart recoiled; she was not interested in dating anyone right now, especially not someone whose reputation as a playboy was well-known.

"Wait, let me think about this . . ."

But Lexter was relentless. "This isn't a forever option, Rhea. If you don't accept now, then I won't offer you the same chance again. If you get eliminated here, you're on your own." His tone hardened, transforming the offer into a veiled threat, pushing her into a corner.

"T—that . . ." Rhea's words faltered, her thoughts spiraling into confusion.

Just then, a voice cut through the tension like a knife.

"Are you threatening the lady before the show? Knowing that the pressure, anxiety, and emotional turmoil she's experiencing could cloud her judgment? That's a whole new level of exploitation you've got there," C.C. stepped forward, his presence commanding attention.

His gaze was fierce, eyes blazing with a protective fire as he fixed Lexter with a challenging stare. The air crackled with tension, the stakes rising exponentially as Rhea's heart raced between fear and gratitude.

C.C.s intervention was like a breath of fresh air, cutting through the suffocating pressure Lexter had applied.

"Stay out of this, man," Lexter replied, his confidence wavering for a split second before he masked it with a sneer. "I'm merely offering Rhea a golden opportunity."

"Opportunity?" Cain scoffed, his voice low and dangerous. "Or are you just trying to trap her in your web of deceit? She deserves better than being coerced into a decision that could define her future."

Rhea's pulse quickened, the weight of the moment settling heavily on her shoulders. She had never felt so torn—between the glimmer of a promising future and the suffocating embrace of someone who saw her not as an individual, but just another trophy.

"Rhea," C.C. continued, his tone softening, "you don't have to make this choice right now. You have talent. You have potential. Don't let anyone rush you into a decision that doesn't feel right. Believe in yourself."

Caught in the crossfire, Rhea's heart fluttered, a cacophony of emotions raging inside her. She glanced between the two men—one offering a path cloaked in shadows and the other illuminating her worth.

In that moment, she was really torn between self-doubt and her heart's desire.

"Rhea," Lexter said, his voice smooth but laced with an underlying threat, "remember me if you change your mind. You know where to contact me. But don't wait too long; I'm not a very patient guy, and this offer only lasts until your turn in this show."

With that, Lexter brushed past C.C., his body colliding against C.C. like a pebble against a wall. But as he tried to move on, he immediately regretted his decision, recoiling slightly as he realized the solidness of the man before him.

Clearing his throat, Lexter shot a glare at C.C., his bravado cracking under the intensity of Cain's gaze. Without another word, he stormed out through the fire exit, leaving a charged silence in his wake.

Once they were alone, Cain turned to Rhea, the urge to punch some sense into her bubbling just beneath the surface. He fought against the impulse, his aversion to women holding him back, but frustration surged within him.

"How could you be so foolish to believe him?" Cain scolded, his tone sharper than he intended.

Rhea's cheeks flushed crimson, and she looked down, hands clenched tightly together as if they could hold her trembling resolve. "You don't understand, C.C. This is my last shot. If I don't make it through this, it's back to a life of hell for me. My family back in my country . .

. they all rely on me. I can't . . . I can't afford to lose now."

Cain took a sharp intake of breath as he watched the first tears spill from Rhea's eyes, glistening like shattered dreams in the dim light.

"Rhea, how many times do I have to tell you that you've got a real shot? Your voice is beautiful—soft, clear, soothing. You have a distinctive sound, so use it to your advantage! You just need to be more confident in yourself."

She bit her lip, struggling against the tide of emotions threatening to drown her.

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"You can't blame her," Fifi chimed in, fluttering overhead. "First, she received low points from the rest of her team. When she didn't reach 100 points, her team and company discarded her. It all happened within a month. Anyone would break and doubt themselves under that depression and pressure."

Cain took a deep breath, fighting against the surge of anger and helplessness that boiled within him. He reached for his wrist and removed his [Charm Bracelet].

"Here, take this."