Chapter 4 The New Song Goes Viral
After hanging up, Wyatt opened a music app. The top song on the chart was called "Unshared Umbrella."
He hit play, and a familiar melody filled the room.
Jordan, standing nearby, recognized it right away. "This is Catherine's new song. The melody is identical—she just changed the lyrics."
The more Jordan talked, the angrier he got. "This song was supposed to be Harper's. Catherine went ahead and released it first. That's completely out of line."
Wyatt's expression darkened. The first time he heard this melody, he knew it would be a hit. He'd even started arranging a custom gown for Harper to wear when she accepted her award.
Now Catherine had taken everything. He was furious.
"Wyatt." Jordan scrolled through his phone. "The song has already topped the charts across every major platform. Catherine's name is trending too."
He looked worried. "At this rate, she could easily win Best New Artist. She'll start landing premium deals, and it might threaten Harper's position in the industry."
"It's just one song. Don't panic." Wyatt stayed calm. "How are the negotiations going for 'Flawless Escape'? We need to get Harper a spot. That show has massive reach—it would do a lot for her popularity."
The show was created by a well-known director, produced on a large scale, and every artist in the industry was fighting for a place on it.
Jordan nodded. "I'll go follow up."
He came back not long after, looking grim.
"This is unbelievable. The production team just told me the confirmed guest list includes not only award-winning actor Stanley, but also Catherine."
Harper clenched her fists when she heard that. Catherine had stolen her song, and now she was going after the same show. She wasn't going to stand for it.
"Wyatt, Jordan." Harper lowered her head, her voice soft and hurt. "Do you think Catherine is doing all this out of anger, just to go against me? It's my fault this happened."
"None of this is on you."
Wyatt hated seeing Harper, who was kind and gentle, get hurt like this.
"I'll talk to the director myself. Harper, you will be on this show. I'll make sure Catherine understands that going up against the Taylor family has consequences."
The moment Wyatt finished speaking, "Unshared Umbrella" reached its chorus.
Catherine's distinctive voice drifted through the room.
Every line laid bare what Catherine was feeling. Wyatt's face grew darker with each word.
He closed the app in irritation.
Standing on her own? As far as he was concerned, every bit of fame and opportunity Catherine had ever gotten came from the Taylor family.
A few days later, "Flawless Escape" held an online launch event to officially announce the full guest lineup.
Catherine arrived early and went over to greet the production crew. Everyone told her how much they loved her new song.
The director was especially candid—he said the song captured the story of a girl pulling herself out of her lowest point and finding her footing again. That emotional power, he said, was the main reason he'd reached out to Catherine.
After the small talk, Catherine ran into Harper and Lloyd Taylor in the hallway.
Lloyd was her brother—an actor and singer, good-looking, with a huge fanbase.
Catherine frowned slightly. Given where Lloyd stood in his career, a variety show like this wouldn't normally be on his radar.
Harper spoke first, her tone carrying a deliberate smugness. "Catherine, what a coincidence—you got an invite too? I was so nervous at first. I've never done a variety show before. Lloyd said he'd come with me, so I finally said yes."
As she spoke, she naturally looped her arm through Lloyd's, making a point of showing off how close they were as siblings.
"Is that right." Catherine let out a short, cold laugh. "Funny—the director just told me that Lloyd was the one who reached out and asked to join, and that he made bringing you along a condition. That's the only reason the production team agreed to give you a spot."
That came straight from the director. Lloyd had enough pull to drive real traffic to the show, so the team had accepted the arrangement.
Caught in the lie, Harper's face flushed red. The silence was brutal.
"Harper is my sister." Lloyd stepped in immediately. "Of course I'd help her. That's what family does."
He added, "If you'd just behave yourself, I'd be willing to help you too."
In his mind, Catherine was the one stirring up trouble—throwing away her family over a song.
"I don't need your help." Catherine raised an eyebrow, her eyes full of contempt. "A singer who built her name on stolen work, and an artist who coasts on his looks—you should both focus on holding onto what you have. You're in no position to do anything for me. Don't flatter yourselves."
"You—!"
Harper stamped her foot in rage.
Once filming started, she was going to make sure every viewer saw exactly who Catherine really was. She'd make everyone despise her. No matter how talented Catherine was, no one would ever want to listen to her music again.
