Ivy Holden, who already had little appetite, lost it completely after seeing James Zimmers. After just two sips of milk, she excused herself to go to the restroom. However, just as she turned down the hallway, she saw a familiar figure violently shove another person into the men's room. Sensing she had stumbled upon a secret, Ivy tiptoed toward the restroom.
The men's restroom door was shut tight, showing no sign of anything amiss from the outside. Ivy Holden furrowed her brow. 'James Zimmers was clearly furious just now,' she thought. 'Who was that person he pushed inside? Logically, with his popularity still on the rise, he should be doing everything he can to maintain his public image and avoid making enemies.'
Just as she was hesitating, Ivy Holden suddenly heard faint voices from inside the men's room. Her interest piqued, she focused on listening, and James Zimmers's voice came through clearly—
"...Don't push your luck! If it weren't for me, you wouldn't even have the chance to sing!" James Zimmers's voice sounded hysterical.
"Say whatever you want. I just don't want to sing anymore."
Ivy Holden froze. 'That voice saying he doesn't want to sing anymore... it's so familiar—that's James Zimmers's singing voice!'
Suddenly, it was as if a light bulb went off in her head, and everything clicked into place. 'No wonder James Zimmers, who debuted as a pop idol, pivoted to acting at such an awkward time,' she realized. 'He has a ghost singer! And from the looks of it, the ghost singer is having a falling out with him?'
With that realization, Ivy Holden quickly pulled out her phone, opened the voice recorder, and pressed it against the door to the men's room.
"Hah! Easy for you to say! Don't forget you have a contract with me! And don't forget about your half-dead sister!" James Zimmers's tone sounded as if he were God himself, holding the power of life and death.
"My contract with you is only for singing in your place, nothing else... This has nothing to do with my sister! You're going too far!"
"'Me, going too far? Want to see me go even further?" In his rage, a loud THUD came from inside, followed by a pained grunt.
A curse was followed by what sounded like a counterattack from the ghost singer.
James Zimmers's voice rose in fury. "You son of a bitch, you dare to fight back?!"
The commotion inside grew more intense, and soon the sounds of CLANGING AND BANGING could be heard. Ivy Holden recorded for a little while longer before stopping the recording and knocking on the restroom door. The noises inside stopped abruptly. After a moment, James Zimmers yelled irritably, "Just a minute!"
Ivy Holden left her phone recording and slipped it into her pocket, then stood straight and tall by the door, ready for a direct confrontation with James Zimmers. Suddenly, an arm reached out from behind her and pushed her into the women's restroom.
"Who—? Why is it you?" The curse on the tip of her tongue died when she got a clear look at Jensen Morrison's captivating face.
"A girl as reckless as you is bound to get hurt." Jensen Morrison had barely finished speaking before he shut the door to the women's restroom.
"Mor...rison? What are you...?" James Zimmers stared in astonishment at Jensen Morrison, who was standing by the women's restroom door. 'The famous superstar singer Jensen Morrison has a fetish like this?' he thought. 'What a field day the paparazzi would have if they caught this?'
Jensen Morrison glanced at James Zimmers's knuckles and asked nonchalantly, "Fighting monsters in the bathroom?"
"Uh, no..." This sudden quip wasn't funny in the slightest. In fact, it made James Zimmers tense up.
"It's best to be careful when you're out and about." Jensen Morrison walked past James Zimmers, reaching for the men's restroom door.
"Morrison!" James Zimmers's heart clenched as he remembered the knock on the door. He had a feeling Jensen Morrison knew something, so he quickly called out to stop him. "The plumbing over here seems to be clogged..."
"Is that so?" Unfazed, Jensen Morrison raised his hand and pushed the door open.
A thin man of average height walked out, one hand covering the side of his face. His messy hair obscured his eyes. With his plain face and unremarkable build, he had the kind of appearance that wouldn't earn a second glance no matter where he went—the kind of look that destined him to be a ghost singer, hidden from the light.
Jensen Morrison deliberately sized up the man. James Zimmers, standing beside them, immediately explained, "I have an outdoor shoot this afternoon, and I had my assistant help me test some special effects makeup. Issac Sutton, Morrison is our senior. You don't need to be shy. Take your hand down and let Morrison see how it looks."
"Hmm, not bad at all." Jensen Morrison gave his wholehearted approval. "I've heard of passing off a fake as the real thing, but this is the first time I've seen someone pass off the real thing as a fake."
Issac Sutton went to wash his hands without a word. James Zimmers, terrified that Jensen Morrison might figure something else out, stood close by, refusing to leave and staring daggers at Issac Sutton.
A moment later, Jensen Morrison came out of the restroom and saw that both of them were still there. He asked, "Are you two waiting for me?"
"Of course! It's such a coincidence running into you here. I was wondering if I might have the honor of buying you a coffee? If I may be so bold, there are a few things I'd like to ask for your guidance on." James Zimmers sidled up to Jensen Morrison, trying to start a conversation.
Jensen Morrison washed his hands in silence. Just as James Zimmers thought he was about to refuse, he said, "Sure."
James Zimmers's face lit up in a smile as he quickly pulled a paper towel from the dispenser and handed it over. Jensen Morrison accepted it without ceremony, dried his hands, and started to walk out. James Zimmers shot a glare at Issac Sutton before hurrying to follow.
Issac Sutton finished washing his hands slowly. When he turned to grab a paper towel, he found a young woman blocking his way.
Issac Sutton frowned, looking at Ivy Holden questioningly.
Ivy Holden pulled her phone from her pocket, showed him the recording screen, then stopped it. Raising an eyebrow, she said, "I'm guessing you're in trouble. I can help you."
Issac Sutton shook his head and said, "No one can help me."
A plan flashed through her mind. Ivy Holden quickly played her trump card, lowering her voice to say, "Zimmers Group. Ever heard of it?"
"..." Issac Sutton frowned but didn't speak.
"Carson Holden. Know him?" Ivy Holden played another card.
A flicker of light appeared in Issac Sutton's eyes, only to be extinguished a moment later.
"I'm the largest shareholder in the Zimmers Group, and I'm also Carson Holden's only daughter." Ivy Holden extended her hand to Issac Sutton and said with conviction, "Come with me. I can help you."
"Hello. I'm Issac Sutton." Issac Sutton reached out and took Ivy Holden's hand.