I Read Their Tragic Fates, and My Family Reads My Mind?

Chapter 337: Chapter 337: I Think So Too

Arabella Donovan had no idea that her speculations were fueling the furious, radical thoughts of the person standing behind her.

She was spending an awfully long time on this last artist, making him and everyone else around them tense up.

After a moment, Arabella Donovan finally spoke, her expression serious. "You’re a composer?"

"I wouldn’t dare call myself a composer. I’m just a songwriter."

To be fair, Joseph Hale’s appearance wasn’t particularly outstanding. He had a square face and plain features. Most importantly, his overly long hair obscured his eyes and brows—his only potentially captivating features. It made him look increasingly gloomy and introverted. He exuded an aura of listlessness. Combined with his genuinely reclusive personality, he came across as a total misfit.

But Arabella Donovan knew he was just a bit slow to warm up and had social anxiety. Compared to being on stage, he much preferred being behind the scenes. But as fate would have it, his talent and natural advantages were all in singing and songwriting...

’But none of that is a problem. Geniuses get special privileges, right? Worst case, we’ll just have him write good songs and release albums. Stage appearances can be a bonus for the fans. If he wants to do them, great. If not, he can stay in his comfort zone. I doubt my cousin will object.’

Zane Lynch nodded eagerly to himself. ’As long as this guy is as talented as she says, the company can pull out all the stops for him. You have to be willing to invest to retain talent. I’m not some unscrupulous, black-hearted boss. I get it, I get it!’

"Do you have any finished pieces with you? May I see them?"

"I do." Joseph Hale doubted that a big shot whom even company seniors were desperate to flatter would bother stealing from an unknown like him, so he readily handed over his songwriting notebook.

Arabella Donovan had intended to offer a few critiques of Joseph Hale’s songs, just enough to make Zane Lynch and Melody notice this brilliant star of tomorrow.

But when she opened the little notebook Joseph Hale handed over, she realized she had oversimplified things.

’Help me, what is this chicken scratch? I’ve never learned this stuff, I can’t make heads or tails of it!’

Arabella Donovan’s internal scream was so comical that the Lynch cousins could almost picture a string of crying kaomoji trailing after her mental wail.

Melody Lynch let out a snort of laughter. The moment she looked up, her eyes met Arabella Donovan’s, which were wide in a glare.

"..."

The two stared at each other for a long moment. Arabella Donovan broke the silence first. Gesturing with the notebook, she asked tentatively, "Want to see?"

Melody Lynch quickly cleared her throat, looking serious. She took the notebook, and after just a few glances, she was completely captivated by the rhythm and cadence of the compositions.

"These pieces... the tunes are beautiful, the melodies are lovely, and most importantly, the rhythm is coherent and the meter is perfect. They look simple, but when put together, they’re unbelievably catchy and good. These are all rare masterpieces."

Arabella Donovan nodded with great satisfaction, saying with a straight face, "Mm, I think so too."

’Thank you, dear cousin! My cousin is the best! Phew, that was close. Good thing my cousin is quick on her feet and actually knows her stuff, letting me get away with my bluff. How awkward would that have been otherwise!’

Amused by the girl’s starkly different inner and outer persona, Melody Lynch silently replied in her mind, ’You’re welcome. You’ve earned it.’

As for Zane Lynch, he naturally thanked the God of Wealth for this gift and stepped forward with a clear conscience to pick this delicious fruit.

"Have you ever thought about releasing a solo album?"

"Huh?" Joseph Hale didn’t react for a moment, looking blankly at the people in front of him.

But a clamor rose from the surroundings. By now, any discerning person could see that the biggest winner of the day had emerged.

In an instant, all kinds of gazes—of surprise, envy, jealousy, resentment, and disgust—were focused on Joseph Hale.

The other four who had formed a group with him and were signed to the company at the same time had even more complicated feelings. While the others were mostly just envious and impressed, Joel Thorne alone couldn’t stop his face from darkening, his gaze on Joseph Hale filled with cold hostility.

"You don’t want to?"

"No, I do." Joseph Hale, as if waking from a dream, said with a flushed face, "I... I just never thought I’d get an opportunity like this so soon."

Compared to the powerhouse he would become in ten years, who could face a landslide without batting an eye, right now he was just a fledgling hoping for recognition. Hearing he could release a solo album, the light in his eyes made his whole person come alive.

"You can start thinking about it now. Pick the ten songs you’re most satisfied with from this notebook and take them to the recording studio. A producer there will go over them with you. Just make some revisions according to her requirements, and once the first draft is confirmed, you can start recording."

"Oh, okay, okay, okay." After agreeing, Joseph Hale seemed to remember something and bowed to Zane Lynch. "Thank you, Boss."

Then he turned and bowed a second time to Arabella Donovan. "Thank you, Master Donovan."

Finally, he turned to Melody Lynch, who was so startled she quickly raised a hand to stop him. "Whoa, not me too! Or else I’ll have to give the ’family’s return bow,’ and we’ll never get out of here."

Only then did Joseph Hale realize he had messed up again. He scratched the back of his head in embarrassment and lowered his head in frustration.

"...Thank you, miss."

"Alright, stop joking around. Everyone, dismiss. We should be heading back now." Zane Lynch gave the order, deciding to end this rollercoaster of an internal visit.

The artists who hadn’t even been named looked at the five specially favored ones with a mix of envy, jealousy, and hate. Amidst their own confusion, the chosen five couldn’t help but feel a little smug and joyful.

But when they thought of Joseph Hale, who had ascended to heaven one step ahead of them, they couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed again.

Hearing Zane Lynch’s words, Arabella Donovan gave the surroundings a quick scan but didn’t see any other outstanding talents like Joseph Hale or Samuel Foster.

She thought that finding Joseph Hale today was already a huge stroke of luck for Zane Lynch. She never expected that just as they were about to reach the door, she would suddenly hear a girl in the corner by the door grabbing her friend’s arm and whispering something.

"Sharon, that Master Donovan could tell at a glance that Joseph Hale’s compositions are good. It shows she’s a person of refined taste who knows her stuff, not like those previous good-for-nothings who were led by lust and only ever thought about a bit of flesh. Why don’t you try approaching her? Maybe she’ll see your strengths at a glance too and recommend you to the boss."

The girl couldn’t help but sigh as she finished, "Your lyrics are so good and so beautiful. It’s such a shame for them to be buried just because you haven’t met someone who appreciates them!"

Arabella Donovan came to a screeching halt. "Wait."

Everyone in the room, including the Lynch cousins, turned to look. They saw Arabella’s eyes light up as she stared at the girl who had just spoken in the corner.

"What did you just say her name was?"