“Who extorted money from your sweetheart? Huh?” Eva rage had over-written her fear as she continued to poke his chest.

“Arya said you took a card from her.” Aiden’s voice sounded hesitant. He couldn’t help but ask, “Didn’t you?”

Eva, who was about to pounce towards Aiden stopped at her tracks. She was not sure how to respond before someone from the side responded in a low voice, “She gave it to us.”

As soon as Aiden's eyes fell on Mia, she shuddered in fear.

“Yes, she gave it to us and closed the door on us.” With the right words, Eva protested yet Aiden was expressionless.

“Didn’t your parents teach you to return the things that are not yours?”

“What did you say?” Eva’s fuse was lit and she almost exploded, before…

“Silent. If anybody spoke any more words I will fire all of you.”

“But he had started it.” Eva’s weak protest fell into deaf ears.

“Shut up.”

Throughout the whole ordeal, nobody in the room had observed that there was one more person in the room who was moments away from exploding. It was the manager, Owen.

People were continuously calling him. It was almost the time of the press-conference yet none of the girls was ready and on top of that…

“I don’t want to hear anything. I want all of you at the venue within 10 minutes. Noah will be protecting Iris, Mateo will be with Mia and…”

Both Iris and Eva wanted to say something at the same time but, “Shhhh… I say silent. Aiden you will be with Eva.”

Looking at the cowering girls, Owen felt happy inside. Next, he turned to Aiden, “You are here for work. Don’t you have any respect for your employer?”

Owen was staring right into the eyes of Aiden but failed to see any fear or respect, “I, I will let your boss know about your behaviour.”

Aiden was about to say something but Noah stopped him.

Looking at Aiden, he shouted again, “Now wait outside. If anybody touches the girls it won’t be just your job that you will be losing.”

None of the three responded to his threat just left without a single word and Owen yelled again, “What are you waiting for? Complete the makeup as soon as possible.”

The artists performed their job without any more instructions. Soon the girl group came out of the room and without a word their bodyguards followed behind them.

The Stardust talent agency was one of the top talent agencies. There were almost 5 A-listers and more than 15 B-listers signed with them.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

A 20- storied building in the city heart was their property and the press conference was about to take place at the conference hall on the ground floor.

The security was tight throughout the whole building. Without proper checking, nobody can go above the ground floor. So the ground floor always remained bustling but today it was more so.

Many of the well-known reporters, news portals managers and even some of the tabloid reporters were invited. Few lucky fans, chosen through the lucky draw, were invited to receive the groups signed platinum edition of the album.

It had started late as Owen had expected. The group performed two singles which are currently at 1st and 3rd position of the pop charts. Followed by the album signing event and photo sessions with the fans.

Then Owen introduced and congratulated the group for their chart-topping success, hence starting the interaction session.

Reporter: Mia, out of the 8 songs in the album, there was not a single song that was led by your voice. Now that your group mates have at least one chart-topping song under their voice, do you think that you have missed your chance? Do you think if you had a better exposure you would have done better?

‘That bastard!’ Owen couldn’t help but clench his fist from the side.

But Mia responded with a smile. “Not at all. I want to congratulate my sisters for their success first. As for me, I think I am not ready yet, but I will have my chartbuster too.”

“I like to add that all the songs in the albums are the result of our collective effort. It’s not like I have a chart-topping song, it is that all three of us have two songs in the top 10.” As soon as Iris finished, Eva added, “Ice hearts have two chart-topping songs.”

It must be one of the enthusiastic fans who had clapped first and soon others joined in. The question-answer session continued for quite some time before it came down to the last question.

Reporter: Now that the ice hearts have been recognised as B-listers will you be continuing your future with Stardust or you are looking for better options?

Iris: “Not at all. When we had nothing Stardust had supported us. Why would we be leaving now? We are willing to continue our future with Stardust, if possible. Also, we like to thank our manager Owen for his ceaseless effort. Thank you, Owen.”

The other girls chimed in too. Like a veteran, Owen spoke, “No need to thank me, girls. It is the result of your effort. Also, I want to thank you all for coming here. Thank you.”

Thus it ended. Without spearing any breath Aiden and others appeared behind the girls. Other security officers came in to stop the enthusiastic reporters, photographers and ever excited fans.

Mia was close to the door. She was guided by Mateo, through the path fenced by the securities on both sides. Noah led Iris and behind them was Eva who was closely followed by Aiden.

Crazy fans were on both sides, photographers were aiming for one close shot. The reporters were putting forward their mic and recording device to catch their one last answer.

It was chaotic and in between those hands, something reflected the light above. Eva, who was close to it missed it but someone behind her did not.

Even before Eva could understand what had happened, a hand wrapped around her slick waist and pulled her off the ground.

“Kyaaaa” She cried in fright but the next thing she saw was blood on the ground. She tried to find any point of pain on her body but failed to sense it.

Then the hand around her waist pulled again and gave her a twirl.

“What are you doing?” The intended words never left her mouth and…

*Boom*

A gunshot silenced the world. Being too close to the gun sent her ears buzzing. When it cleared again, cry and scream filled the ears, and her whole body collapsed under the heavyweight from behind.