Chapter 78
Valerie was both frustrated and amused. After a brief moment of hesitation, she sighed and said, “Forget it. This isn’t going to work. I’ll go find out what he really wants.”
After class, Valerie’s gaze drifted to the spot where Russell often hung around, and sure enough, he was there. She walked straight fowards him. As soon as Adrienne saw Russell, her eyes lit up, and she eagerly followed behind him.
Russell, visibly excited, exclaimed, “Finally, you’re acknowledging me! Ah, it seems like I’ve struck gold–what a breakthrough!”
Valerie kept her face impassive, replying coldly, “What do you actually want?”
It had to be said, if this was all about Juliette, his disguise had been flawless.
For all these days, Valerie hadn’t seen through his ulterior motives.
Russell smiled, handing her a business card. “Actually, I’m interested in buying the copyright to that piece you composed. I’m a music producer and a composer. I think your music has a lot of potential. What do you say, let’s collaborate?”
Valerie froze for a moment, her expression awkward. “Collaborate?”
Someone else had once said the same thing to her–Arianna.
Back then, Arianna had a high status in the Walker family and was also very close to Camille, the butler at Aiden’s villa.
After hearing Valerie play the piano, Arianna, aware of her compositional talent, had once said, “Valerie, I didn’t know you could compose! Let’s collaborate–I’ll handle the singing, you do the composing. We’ll be a hit!”
Valerie, without a second thought, had rejected her.
First, she didn’t have the confidence that her composition would be successful. Second, she despised Arianna.
After being turned down, Arianna had held a grudge, quietly contacting Valentina and arranging for the Clark family parents to visit. Valentina had taken that opportunity to secretly steal an entire notebook of Valerie’s compositions.
The notebook contained all of Valerie’s hard work, and yet, Arianna and Valentina’s collaboration led to their meteoric rise.
Valentina was packaged as a genius composer, and Arianna became the hottest pop idol.
It had to be said, Arianna was clever–she knew how to use the Clark family to her advantage. Valerie, at the time, was cornered by the Clark family’s ‘kindness‘ and, after their pleading, had never pursued the theft charges against Valentina.
Despite knowing their ulterior motives, Valerie couldn’t bring herself to act.
Looking back now, it was laughable.
What Valerie hadn’t expected was that Russell had come up with the same idea–collaborate with her and buy her copyrights?
Valerie stared at him, asking, “So, after you buy the copyrights, what exactly are you going to do?”
“Of course, I’ll release it,” Russell replied. “Don’t worry, I’ll credit you for composing it. I just need the rights to distribute it. Ideally, you could also give
me the adaptation rights, because the piano version is a bit too plain. I want to add reverb and lyrics…”
Valerie’s face contorted with confusion. “How many pieces do you want?”
Russell widened his eyes. “How many do you have?”
“Not many,” Valerie said, folding her arms as she looked at him. “Maybe a few dozen.”
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Chapter 78
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Adrienne, who had been looking at her with adoration, now had stars in her eyes. She exclaimed, “Wow, Valerie, you’re amazing! You’re literally my
idol…”
Valerie smiled and glanced at her.
Russell, equally surprised, asked, “A few dozen? Did you write all of them yourself?”
“Yeah,” Valerie replied.
“No way, really? How long did it take you to write them?”
Valerie answered, “Two or three years.”
Back when she had nothing to do in her past life, she wrote them, and this time she rewrote all of them–maybe even more than a few dozen.
“Incredible,” Russell said, his face beaming with excitement. “Can I hear some of them first?”
“Why?” Valerie folded her arms and glared at him. “I didn’t say I’d sell them to you.”
She turned and began walking away.
Russell hurried after her. “Hold on, you just asked me how many pieces I want, didn’t you?”
Valerie responded, “I was just asking, is that a problem?”
Russell was momentarily at a loss for words.
It seemed like that was the case.
“Well, anyway, since you have them, why not let’s make them shine together?” Russell’s eyes were full of sincerity.
Valerie froze.
Valerie, in her past life, never imagined meeting this version of Russell.
He was as friendly as a neighbor’s boy, completely different from the sharp, mean–spirited young master from her past life.
Seeing Valerie remain silent, Russell continued, “I know you can’t make up your mind right away, but think about it and get back to me. Let me add your WhatsApp.”
Russell was a determined person. Once he set his mind on something, he wouldn’t give up until he achieved his goal.
Fearing she might refuse, Russell said seriously, “I know your principal. If you don’t give it to me, I’ll ask your principal for it. If he can’t get it, I’ll go to your teacher. I’ll find a way to get it, but don’t worry, I’m a decent person. I won’t bother you unless it’s necessary.”
Russell said this with absolute conviction.
Valerie felt a headache coming on. Given Russell’s personality, things could escalate easily, and if Aiden found out someone like him was persistently bothering her, it could cause trouble.
Furthermore, Adrienne was already scared of him.Valerie didn’t want her friend’s life to be affected by her own issues.
Valerie thought it over and reluctantly said, “Fine.”
Russell’s eyes lit up, and he immediately took out his phone to exchange WhatsApp contacts. Seeing her WhatsApp name was just a music note, he smiled and said, “Your name is so simple.”
Valerie shot him a glance and said, “I’m leaving.”
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Chapter 78
It was Friday, and she had plans with Adrienne to get a spa treatment and then go shopping tomorrow, helping Adrienne change up her look,
620)
“Wait,” Russell said, taking advantage of the moment. “You must be hungry, right? Let me treat you to a meal. I know a great restaurant nearby. We can
eat and chat.”
Valerie was about to decline when she suddenly felt a cold, ominous gaze–a presence that became clearer and sharper.
The sensation was like needles on her back, sharp and unmistakable.
Rússell continued to invite her. “Look, I’m being sincere. Can’t you put your guard down and at least talk to me? I really have an eye for talent, maybe I’m your destined patron.”
The bad feeling grew even stronger.
Valerie turned around, and upon seeing a familiar car, her heart skipped a beat.
The window in the driver’s seat had been rolled down, and Lennox was staring at her with a cold, unreadable expression.
The icy gaze felt like the tolling of a death knell, sending a shiver down Valerie’s spine. She instinctively glanced at the back seat of the car.
The back window was also rolled down. A distinguished, cold man was shrouded in shadow, his chiseled jaw and expensive, bespoke suit barely visible in the shifting light.
He exuded an aura of mystery and depth.
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