Chapter 135: Concert vs Concert

Ruby threw her arms around my neck, pulling me into a tight, warm hug that lasted for a long, quiet moment. I wrapped my arms around her, breathing in her scent and genuinely enjoying the feeling of having her so close against me. Seeing the sheer relief and radiant joy on her face made every single calculated move worth it.

When she finally pulled back slightly, her cheeks flushed pink and her eyes shining with pure excitement, I gave her a warm smile.

"We’re not done yet, Ruby," I said smoothly, running a hand down her arm. "We have one last move to complete this setup—your live concert."

Ruby perked up, her violet eyes widening with interest. "A concert? Right now?"

"Not just a concert. A full live album recording," I explained, my mind already calculating the massive returns. "We strike while the iron is burning hot. The whole world is talking about your unedited live vocals after that Quin Records debacle. We give them a full-length live concert album, raw, uncompressed, and utterly undeniable."

"I love it," Ruby said, a fierce, determined spark returning to her voice. "I’ll get with the band and start vocal prep immediately. If we’re doing a live album, every single note has to be iconic."

"Leave the production and venue logistics to me," I replied with a calm smirk.

In reality, this was the ultimate play. By personally funding the entire arena rental, high-tier stage production, sound engineering, and broadcasting crew out of my own pocket, every single dollar spent would trigger my System’s 100x Cashback Multiplier on any direct investment made into Ruby’s artist trajectory. A multi-million dollar arena setup would convert into an astronomical financial return the second the venue contract was signed.

Later that evening, while Ruby was in the back of the bus running vocal warmups with Patricia, I sat down in the private lounge area with Chloe and Ruby’s main manager.

"Here’s the budget breakdown," I said, sliding a tablet across the sleek glass table. "I am personally financing the top-tier arena booking for the live concert, full production, and the high-concept music video for her new single. Total coverage, fully funded by me."

Ruby’s manager stared at the funding figures on the screen, his jaw practically dropping. "Ethan... this is a multi-million dollar production budget. You’re throwing down top-tier stadium money without a single record label backing?"

"I don’t need a label," I said calmly, leaning back with a quiet, lethal confidence. "And neither does Ruby. Set up the venue contracts and book the video director tonight. We’re going to give the world a show they’ll never forget."

Ruby’s manager laid out a sleek digital booklet on the lounge table, displaying three top-tier arena options available for immediate booking.

"These are the only venues with open dates for this weekend that can handle our production size," he said, tapping the screen. "We’ve got a state-of-the-art indoor dome, a seaside amphitheater, and this huge stadium complex downtown."

I scrolled through the options, but one specific location immediately caught my eye. It was a massive, high-capacity arena situated directly across the plaza—literally right across the street—from the central stadium where Quin Records was hosting their annual flagship label showcase this very weekend.

Fastine had stacked their lineup with every major artist signed to Quin, including their newly crowned "Best New Artist" ColdZon, intending to turn the event into a massive media flex.

A dark, amused smile spread across my face as I tapped my finger firmly on the screen right over that stadium.

"We’re taking this one," I said, my voice smooth and brimming with absolute confidence.

Ruby’s manager blinked, looking at the location pin and then back up at me with wide eyes. "Wait... Ethan, are you sure? That’s right next door to Quin’s mega-show. They’ve been promoting their lineup for six months. They’re going to have massive crowd draw, media trucks, and heavy security blocking the whole strip."

"Exactly," I smirked, leaning back in my chair. "They built a circus right across the street, so we’re going to steal every single person in their audience."

Chloe let out a low, appreciative whistle, a razor-sharp grin forming on her lips. "You want to run a head-to-head live concert right on their doorstep? The media coverage alone will be insane."

"It’s not just a head-to-head," I said quietly, looking over at Ruby, who was watching us with bright, eager eyes. "It’s a complete siege. When Ruby opens her mouth and those unedited vocals carry across that plaza, nobody in that city is going to give a damn about Quin Records’ lip-synced showcase."

I pulled out my card and handed it straight to her manager. "Book the entire arena, double the sound system budget, and clear the venue for the exact same night and time. Let’s show Quin Records what real competition looks like."

Patricia glanced at her watch and let out a small sigh, gathering her coat. "As much as I’d love to celebrate all night, I need to get back to Lumen Restaurant. The morning prep team arrives early, and I have to oversee the inventory delivery."

"I’ve got plenty of time," I said, standing up and buttoning my jacket. "I’m not letting you head back alone this late. I’ll drive you."

"Wait, I’m coming too!" Ruby chimed in instantly, springing up from the sofa before anyone could object.

"Ruby, you just finished a massive performance and a crying session," May pointed out with a smirk. "You should be resting."

"Nope, no way, I’m way too hyped up to sleep now," Ruby insisted, sliding her oversized sunglasses on and grabbing my arm with a playful grin. "Besides, if my lead investor and my vocal coach are going, I’m coming along."

The drive to the airport with Patricia and Ruby was filled with easy laughter, the high-stakes tension of the evening finally giving way to genuine fun. But the moment I pulled the SUV into the VIP drop-off lane to see Patricia off, the sudden flash of camera lenses cut straight through the tinted glass.

"How on earth did they find us here?" Patricia gasped, adjusting her coat as the shadows of dozen press crews swarmed toward the vehicle.

"Paparazzi have a terrifying radar when a story is blood in the water," I said smoothly, shifting the car into park.

Before we could even unbuckle, microphones were practically pressed against the side windows. The press was out in full force, ravenous for a statement.

"Ruby! Ruby, over here!"

"Is it true that Quin Records forced your team to take down the performance because of pitch-correction?!"

"ColdZon’s team released a statement calling your live set ’studio magic’—what do you have to say to allegations that you can’t actually sing live?!"

"What about the raw audio track that just leaked onto streaming services?! Is that authentic, or another PR stunt?!"

Ruby sat frozen for a second, her violet eyes widening as the camera flashes strobed through the dark cabin. Just hours ago, those false claims would have crushed her. But now, with the unedited live single sitting comfortably at number one on the charts and the truth exploding across the internet, the narrative had completely flipped.

She looked over at me, a sharp, electric confidence flashing across her face.

"Stay in the car with Patricia," I said with a calm smirk, opening my door. "Let me clear a path."

I stepped out into the cool night air, instantly drawing a wall of flashing lights and shouted questions. Stepping into the crowd with an authoritative, unbothered posture, I raised a single hand, cutting through the noise.

"If you’re asking about Quin Records’ statement," I announced, my voice carrying clearly over the click of shutter blades, "I suggest you check the global streaming charts before printing their fairy tales. Ruby doesn’t need to answer ridiculous rumors. She answers with raw talent—and right now, millions of people are listening to the real, untouched audio."

I opened the passenger door, giving Patricia a swift, protective escort through the terminal entrance while keeping the press line held back.

Ruby leaned out slightly from the back seat, lowering her dark sunglasses just enough to look straight into the main broadcast lens.

"If anyone still thinks my voice is ’studio magic,’" Ruby called out with a radiant, victorious smile, her voice smooth and totally unfazed, "they’re welcome to buy a ticket to my live arena show this weekend. Right across the street from Quin Records."

The reporters gasped, instantly erupting into a frenzy of shouted follow-up questions as I slid back into the driver’s seat, pulled the door shut, and stepped on the gas, leaving the stunned paparazzi in our rearview mirror.