It was Peter calling.
The moment Henry saw the name displayed on his phone, his expression turned indifferent. Without even the slightest hesitation, he pressed the red button and hung up.
A few seconds later, the phone rang again.Henry ignored it.
The ringtone stopped, only to start again almost immediately. Then again. And again.The screen lit up so many times that it became almost annoying.
"...Persistent bastard."
Clicking his tongue, Henry finally answered the call and lazily lifted the phone to his ear.
"What's up?"
On the other end of the line, Peter's brows immediately furrowed.
He was clearly dissatisfied by Henry's casual, almost dismissive tone. Just a few days ago, the young man had been desperately trying to please him, speaking with nothing but respect and caution. Yet now, he sounded as though he couldn't care less who he was talking to.
For a brief moment, Peter felt the urge to scold him.However, remembering the astonishing performance from the previous night and the unimaginable value Henry now possessed, he forcefully swallowed his dissatisfaction.
Money came first.
His voice softened as he replied, "I'm downstairs right now. Could you come down for a bit?"
Henry blinked.
He walked toward the window and pulled the curtain aside just enough to peek outside. Sure enough, a luxurious black sedan was parked below the old apartment building.
He couldn't help raising an eyebrow.
The mighty Emperor Peter actually came to this dump himself?
The sight was almost unbelievable.Even after somehow getting his address, Peter had personally driven all the way here instead of simply summoning him back to the company.
It seemed the guy had finally realized that the "worthless trainee" he'd thrown away had suddenly transformed into a walking golden cash cow.
Money truly made people perform miracles.People always claimed they had principles, dignity, and pride.But when enough money was placed in front of them, those things became surprisingly flexible.
Wasn't that exactly how countless politicians behaved?
Before elections, they would passionately swear to serve the people, promising heaven and earth with solemn faces.
After winning?
Many of them conveniently forgot every promise they had made, chasing wealth and power instead.Compared to them, Peter wasn't much different.
As long as profit was involved, even someone as arrogant as him was willing to lower his head.
Henry almost laughed.
"Tell me over the phone," Henry said calmly. "I don't have time to see you."
Peter's expression stiffened.He closed his eyes for a second before suppressing the irritation building inside him.
"Let me put it simply, Henry."
"I hope you'll sign back with RockMedia. I'm sure Jonas already told you about the terms we were offering."
He paused deliberately before throwing out what he believed was his trump card.
"If you agree... I can let you and Anne continue your previous relationship."
"I know you still like Anne, and I know you haven't truly let her go. The two of you originally came from completely different worlds, but after hearing that song yesterday... I've realized your potential."
Peter spoke with absolute confidence, convinced he had already figured Henry out.
"With RockMedia's resources and your talent, you'll grow much faster. Reaching the level of a superstar won't just be a dream."
"And if you agree to come back, I'll personally apply to the company to promote both you and Anne together."
"The two of you can become RockMedia's golden couple."
"What do you think?"
Henry quietly listened from beginning to end without interrupting.The silence on the line stretched for several seconds.
Inside his mind, however...
What... the actual hell?
Is this guy serious?
Does he honestly think I'm that pathetic?
Using Anne as bait?
Promote me with Anne?
What kind of ridiculous joke is this?
After everything that had happened, Peter still believed the old Henry was hopelessly obsessed with Anne.He was trying to use a woman as leverage to control him.
How laughable.Who in their right mind would willingly jump back into that pit after finally escaping?
Peter glanced at his phone, his brows knitting together.
"Hello?"
"Are you listening?"
Suddenly...
Henry burst into laughter.
It wasn't a happy laugh.
It was the kind of laugh someone made after hearing the most absurd joke imaginable.
"I'm listening," Henry finally said between chuckles.
"But I still have to tell you..."
"There's no need."
His voice gradually turned cold.
"Mr peter, stop bothering me,and while you're at it, tell Anne that it's over between us.Completely over.From now on, I'll walk my own path and she'll walk hers."
"So don't contact me again."
"Let her go be her big star."
Herny annoyed, hung up the phone.
Downstairs.
Inside a black sedan.
Peter slowly lowered the phone after the call ended, staring blankly at the dark screen.Henry's resolute refusal echoed repeatedly in his mind.He had expected resistance.He had even prepared several backup plans.
But he had never imagined Henry would reject him so decisively, leaving absolutely no room for negotiation.For a long while, the interior of the sedan remained silent.
Peter leaned back in his seat, deep in thought. Suddenly, his eyes lit up as an idea surfaced. He instinctively tried to turn his thick neck toward the passenger seat beside him.
Well...
Calling it a neck was rather generous.Considering how overweight he was, his head and shoulders practically blended into one solid mass.
He shifted his entire upper body instead and looked at Anne.She sat quietly beside him, her beautiful eyes fixed outside the window.
More specifically,She was staring at the old apartment building.
Or rather...
At Henry's window.
"Anne," Peter suddenly called out.
"You heard everything.He can't be convinced to come back."
He rubbed his chin before continuing.
"So why don't you try calling him? Back then, he listened to you more than anyone else. If you speak to him personally, I'm sure he won't refuse."
Anne remained silent.Several seconds passed before she finally lowered her gaze.
"There's no point. Even if I begged him, he wouldn't agree. He already seemed like a completely different person. He even had the guts to set me up on stage in front of everyone. I'm sure he'd made up his mind a long time ago... so let's just go."
As she finished speaking, her fingers quietly curled into a tight fist.Her perfectly manicured nails dug deeply into her palm.The humiliation from yesterday replayed vividly inside her mind.
The countless cameras.The endless mocking gazes.
The overwhelming embarrassment and those uncontrollable tears that had flowed before millions of viewers.
Every single memory was like a knife twisting inside her chest.
Anne slowly lowered her head, hiding the resentment flashing across her eyes.
Henry...
One day...
I'll make you pay for humiliating me.Peter watched her silently before letting out a helpless sigh.
He finally nodded.
He had already lowered himself far more than he ever thought possible.As RockMedia's Ceo,he wasn't accustomed to begging anyone.Even if Henry possessed the talent to become the God of Music...
So what?
It wasn't as though the entertainment industry revolved around one person.Every year, countless talented singers dreamed of becoming stars.
If Henry wouldn't cooperate...
Then RockMedia would simply discover someone else.After all, Henry had only just begun his career.
There were countless methods available to suppress a newcomer before he fully spread his wings.As for his father constantly nagging him...
He would deal with that later.
Peter snorted coldly before waving his hand.
"Drive."
The driver immediately started the engine.The luxurious black sedan slowly disappeared into the evening traffic.
---
After hanging up the phone, Henry simply stretched lazily and lay down on the bed.Before he knew it, he had drifted into a deep sleep.
When he opened his eyes again, the orange glow of the setting sun was already shining through the curtains.
"...Evening already?"
He yawned, rubbed his sleepy eyes, and casually turned on his computer.Out of curiosity, he opened the trending topics.
As expected,the internet was exploding.
Trending Topics
#1 – Zoom Court Mishap: "I Am Not a Cat!"
A lawyer accidentally joined a virtual court hearing with a cat filter enabled, repeatedly assuring the judge, "I am not a cat," causing millions of viewers to burst into laughter.
#2 – Animal Shenanigans
A mischievous raccoon broke into a convenience store, stole several bags of snacks, and casually walked out before eventually being caught on security cameras.
#3 – Chart-Topping Success
Following its stunning ROC performance, "Never Gonna Give You Up" rapidly climbed multiple music charts overnight. Its catchy melody, emotional lyrics, and unforgettable chorus left countless listeners addicted.Who exactly is Henry Storm?
#4 – Viral Interview Returns
The legendary interview clip featuring the unforgettable question, "Why are you gay?" resurfaced once again, inspiring thousands of hilarious edits, memes, and parody videos.
#5 – Sympathy for Anne
Entertainment journalist Daniel Brooks published an article expressing sympathy for Anne, arguing that regardless of the circumstances, no young singer deserved to break down crying before millions of viewers during a live broadcast.
Henry blinked twice.
"...Top five?"
Even he couldn't help feeling slightly dazed.Although he had expected his performance to generate attention...
Actually seeing his own name among the hottest topics in the country felt unbelievably surreal.In his previous life, he had been nothing more than an ordinary office worker.
Now...
Millions of people were discussing him.Leaning comfortably against the headboard, he continued scrolling through the comments.
---
@MusicAddict88:
"I've listened to this song twenty-three times today... someone send help."
@RhythmQueen:
"That chorus refuses to leave my brain. I'm not even complaining."
@OldSchoolFan:
"Who is Henry Storm? Where has this monster been hiding?"
@SleepDeprivedStudent:
"I played it while studying... now I'm singing instead of reading."
@KeyboardWarrior:
"RockMedia really threw this guy away? That's got to be the worst business decision of the decade."
@DefinitelyNotRick:
"I've been humming 'Never Gonna Give You Up' for six straight hours. My family is threatening to kick me out."
@FinancialGuru:
"RockMedia's shareholders are probably crying harder than Anne."
@GrandmaGrooves:
"I'm seventy-one years old and somehow this song has me dancing in my kitchen."
@UnknownNPC:
"Petition to let Henry release a full album immediately."
Henry couldn't help smiling especially the comments were far more entertaining than he expected.
Some praised the song.
Some were making memes.
Others were already arguing over whether he would become the next superstar.After browsing for nearly an hour, Henry stretched lazily before calling out in his mind.
"System."
A familiar blue screen flickered into existence.
Name: Henry Storm
Skill: Silver Tier Vocal Skill
Missions: None
Lottery: Open
Store: Open
Points: 5,000
Henry's eyes immediately landed on the final line.
"Five thousand points..."
That meant his performance had already generated over 500,000 views.According to the system's conversion rate.Every one hundred views earned one system point.
Which meant "Never Gonna Give You Up" was climbing at an astonishing speed, almost like a rocket blasting toward the sky.
Five thousand points...
That was enough for five Bronze Draws.
Or...
He could gamble everything on the lottery.
Who knew?
Considering his absurd luck ever since transmigrating into this world, maybe the system would bless him once again with another legendary song or perhaps an incredible new skill.
Just as he was seriously considering his options...
His phone suddenly rang.
Henry frowned.
"Not again..."
He instinctively assumed it was Peter or Anne.Already preparing a string of insults, he picked up the phone and glanced at the screen.
His expression paused.
It wasn't Peter.
Nor was it Anne.
It was...
A completely unfamiliar number.