Chapter 1698


    Chapter 1698


    Zavier casually extended his right hand, pressing a button on the central console to retrieve a business


    card, which he handed to Skyler. “I’ve got a buddy in the music industry. If you need anything, give him


    a call. Don’t bother dropping my name. He’s all about the talent, not the connections.”


    Skyler took the card and her eyes widened. The name was familiar: a renowned wunderkind in the


    music scene, famous for his contemporary twists on ssical tunes.


    Talented folks often march to the beat of their own drum, and this guy was no exception. People who’d


    worked with him said he was a tough nut to crack, but there was no denying the fire in his tracks.


    Despite his rep, the line to coborate with him snaked around the block. Landing a gig with him could


    mean ying to her strengths, and maybe she wouldn’t have to worry about the constant tug-of-war


    between the two families anymore.


    Skyler was genuinely thrilled. “You know Carter?”


    Zavier shrugged, “What’s so surprising about that?”


    To Zavier, it was a simple gesture, but for Skyler, it was a lifeline thrown to her in deep waters. “Zavier, I


    really can’t thank you enough.”


    “Just do your thing,” Zavier replied. “Show some guts, make a name for yourself. When you’re your


    own boss, you won’t have to live at the mercy of others.”e2


    “Thank you.” Skyler’s voice was heartfelt. She hadn’t expected the first person to tell her to stand on


    her own two feet would be Zavier, who didn’t seem to take much of a shine to her initially.


    “Don’t thank me. Thank yourself,” Zavier said with a nonchnt tone.


    Skyler nodded.


    Having quit her odd jobs, Skyler took a couple of days to regroup and then reached out to Carter. She


    didn’t mention Zavier’s referral, but Carter cut right to the Lucas at their meeting. “Anyone Zavier sends


    my way has gotta have some chops. So, what have you got? Any tracks to show?”


    Skyler fidgeted, her portfolio was still a work in progress. “I don’t have any finished pieces just yet.”


    “Everyone starts somewhere,” Carter said, unfazed. “If you’ve got the talent, I’ve got the space for you


    to grow.”


    “I’ll work hard.”


    “I hear you y a slew of instruments?”


    “I do.”


    “That’s not always a good thing,” Carter mused. “With music, it’s all about the depth, not the breadth.


    There’s a piano over there. y me something, and let’s hear your musicality.”


    “Sure,” Skyler replied, walking towards the piano but couldn’t resist asking, “Mr. Carter, how did you


    come by all this info about me?”


    Carter just smirked, “What do you think?”


    “If you don’t feelfortable telling me-”


    “I’ve known Zavier for years, and he’s never sung anyone’s praises before. You’re the first.”


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    So it was Zavier. Pretending to keep his distance, he was quietly paving the way for her.


    Skyler didn’t press further. She took a seat at the piano and yed a simple, yet beautiful melody. After


    thest note lingered and faded, Carter spoke, “I was expecting something moreplex, something


    to prove Zavier right, but you went with something straightforward.”


    Skyler said, “You weren’t looking for shy technique, just a sense of musicality.” Overdoing it in front of


    someone like Carter was a rookie mistake. Skyler had done her homework beforeing, and she


    knew Carter’s likes and dislikes.


    Carter chuckled, “Looks like Zavier owes me another dinner.”


    “So, does this mean I’m in?” Skyler ventured.


    “Sticking around is easy,” Carter said with a challenge in his tone. “Producing something worthwhile,


    that’s what’ll determine if you stay for the long haul.”


    Skyler got the message loud and clear. “Thank you, Mr. Carter. I won’t let you down.”