Chapter 160
Chapter 160
Three days later, Arianna had released a new song and the moment it dropped, it caused a sensation across the entire internet!
The reason was simple–it sounded incredible!
Arianna had never been well–liked by the general public and had plenty of haters. But this song changed everything. Many people suddenly saw her in a whole new light.
This outcome had been completely unexpected.
Even her agent hadn’t anticipated such a viral explosion. She couldn’t stop grinning and greeted everyone she saw with pure delight.
Neither Meredith nor Jasmine had expected that the songs they’d discarded would end up creating such a huge stir!
Watching Arianna’s popularity rise higher by the day, with endorsement deals and commercials flooding in, they were so full of regret they could barely breathe. They immediately contacted her agent, hoping to claw back a little more money.
But the agent simply tossed a contract at them and said, “We agreed on a full buyout back then. And you really think you could’ve gone viral singing it yourselves? Don’t be ridiculous. The only reason this made waves is because it was our Arianna who sang it–she’s got a massive fan base. If it had been you two, do you honestly think it would’ve blown up?”
As she spoke, she pulled out a 40 thousand dollar check and casually said, “I’m not heartless. Let’s regard this 40 thousand dollars check a thank–you gift. If we’ve got more good songs in the future, we can still collaborate. Besides, your names are listed under ‘Composer. If you become famous one day, don’t forget who gave you your first big break.”
It was the perfect example of slapping someone across the face, then handing them a sweet treat.
Jasmine was furious, while Meredith simmered in silence. The two of them left in utter embarrassment.
The agent, in a great mood, sipped her tea in the office while leisurely arranging Arianna’s upcoming schedule.
Meanwhile, Valerie had returned to school. She’d been busy preparing for a jewelry design competition and spent every day drawing–she hadn’t even had time to write music lately.
When she heard that Arianna had released a new album, she wasn’t surprised in the slightest.
Adrienne came across the song while scrolling, turned up the volume, and listened to the melody. She couldn’t help but exclaim, “No wonder it’s trending–it sounds amazing! But… doesn’t this song sound kind of like your style?”
While the arrangement was different, the melody itself was strikingly similar to Valerie’s style.
Valerie listened for a moment and replied, “It is mine–I rewrote it.”
Adrienne paused and probed, “What do you mean?”
Valerie smiled and said, “Remember the gift I said I left for Meredith and Jasmine?”
“Gift?” Adrienne asked in confusion before she finally recalled that when Valerie moved out of the dorm, she had left a box behind for them.
“You mean that box?” she asked.
Valerie just smiled and said nothing. Then she pulled out her phone and played a song aloud,
Adrienne immediately perked up and exclaimed, “No way–isn’t this Arianna’s song?”
“No,” Valerie said calmly. “It’s actually a classical piano piece from Atlantis. It might be obscure to the public, but any pianist would recognize it. That whole box I left behind contained sheet music that I had personally rearranged. If they’d found the box l’accidentally‘ left under the bed and returned it
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Chapter 160
to me, nothing would’ve happened.
“But instead of giving it back, they claimed everything in it as their own and used it freely… Look at the credits for Arianna’s song whos fered an composer and arranger?”
Adrienne checked immediately, inhaled sharply, and said, “Composers: Jasmine Duncan and Meredith Knapp. Wow. They’ve got no shame
What was even more shameless was that the arranger and lyricist were both listed as Arianna. Adrienne looked closer and was stunned. She gasped in shock, “Wait a second… this is one of my poems! I even posted it on XI”
Valerie beamed in response, “Yep! It was one of the notes you gave me thought it fit perfectly, so I included it. Who would’ve guessed they’d actually use it?”
Adrienne could hardly believe it and uttered, “Valerie, you…”
Valerie chuckled softly, “Now, it’s time to claim your rights.”
Arianna’s song was currently so popular it had practically taken over the entire internet.
Adrienne stood frozen and replied, “Claim my rights?”
“Exactly. Right now, while they’re riding this wave of fame and you’re the original author of that poem, the moment you speakup, all eyes will turn to you. You could use the moment to promote book–and your X account.”
Adrienne hesitated, stammering, “But if I speak up now, won’t people say I’m just chasing clout?”
“Chasing clout?” Valerie tilted her head, looking genuinely confused. “Why would you care about that? They stole your original work. The only reason they’re famous is because they plagiarized you. Isn’t it only right that you stand up for yourself?”
Adrienne was convinced and nodded in response, “You’re right. It is the right thing to do!”
She immediately opened X–only to find that the trending list had already exploded with a new hashtag “Arianna ReedPlagiarism.”
On Arianna’s end, she had still been sipping tea leisurely when her phone suddenly rang. The operations team was panicking as they spoke, “Check X- what the hell’s going on? How does a song end up being plagiarized work?”
Arianna and her agent were stunned by this revelation. They rushed to check X, only to realize that somehow, this whole situation had already blown up.
The first post that caused a stir came from a verified account named “Little Star Who Loves Piano“.
Little Star Who Loves Piano: [A friend excitedly shared a song with me today, saying it was absolutely beautiful–like the sound of heaven itself. They told me to study the melody and arrangement. I listened and chuckled to myself. Of course it sounds good! lit’s the signature song of Atlantis‘ rising piano prodigy. [Song shared: A Planet Moving with the Wind]. I wish I could learn it too. But unlike certain people, I’m not bold enough to steal someone else’s. song and call it my own. Think about it, folks. Really think.]
This “Little Star” was already a popular piano content creator, and their post shot straight to the top of the trending list. Given Arianna’s recent surge in popularity, the comments section was soon flooded.
[Holy crap! I was blown away when I first heard it–never expected it to be stolen!]
[How can you be so sure though? Maybe Arianna bought the rights to do a cover?]
[That’s impossible. Look at the listed composers–Jasmine Duncan and Meredith Knapp. Aren’t they that trending indie duo right now?]
[And the lyrics sound so familiar too… I think it’s from a poem I really liked by one of my favorite bloggers…]
Arianna was so furious she nearly smashed her phone. She turned and shouted at her agent, “What the hell is going on? Didn’t you say there were no
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Chapter 160
issues with the composition? You promised me it was original! Now it’s suddenly some famous plano piece from Atlantis?”
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