William didn’t rush to hang up, his voice warm. “Being pursued by Miss Joy is a form of flattery. I consider it an honor.”

“Mr. Leighton, I truly hope you’ll consider our show,” Evelyn interjected sincerely.

“Nothing to consider today, but perhaps tomorrow.” William’s tone had softened considerably.

“I look forward to good news from you, Mr. Leighton,” Evelyn replied, still hopeful.

Just as she thought he was about to say goodbye, William changed the subject. “Miss Joy, how’s your car doing?”

“I haven’t checked with the repair shop yet. It’s only been a day, so I doubt there’s any progress,” she replied honestly.

“If there’s any trouble with the repairs, be sure to let me know right away,” William said.

“I will. Don’t want to take up more of your time, so I’ll pester you again tomorrow,” Evelyn joked, ending their first call.

Inexplicably, her mind began comparing Jason and William. Both were second-generation business elites in Riverton, handsome, fit, and capable, each working in their family enterprises. Jason was brash and cavalier; William was calm and understated. As she thought about it, she chuckled at herself. Why was she even comparing the two?

After finishing the live broadcast for Finance Today, Director Logan informed her she was needed as a judge in Studio 1. A month earlier, the station had launched its first youth hosting competition for contestants aged ten to eighteen. Within just three days, almost 4,000 youngsters had signed up, making the preliminary auditions a hefty task.

Originally, Evelyn, as one of the station’s key figures, was only slated to appear as a judge for the final round. However, with one of the judges down with acute appendicitis, Director Logan had no choice but to have Evelyn fill in last-minute.

To boost viewership, the station was livestreaming the auditions. Before stepping in, Evelyn turned off her phone and slipped into a sharp royal blue suit—formal yet lively.

This was her first time as a judge, and she took the role seriously, giving each contestant constructive feedback, regardless of whether they were barely over ten or closer to eighteen. With three judges, decisions on who advanced or got eliminated were reached by consensus. Since the elimination button was closest to her, Evelyn ended up being the one to press it.

The auditions were brutal, and those with less resilience often burst into tears upon being eliminated.

One 16-year-old girl started speaking with a thick rural accent, and just as Evelyn raised her hand to press the elimination button, the male judge beside her nudged her elbow and coughed meaningfully. It turned out the girl had connections.

Evelyn knew that, while the competition was supposedly about discovering young talent, the real purpose was the station’s financial gain. Plenty of affluent families had children in the arts, with varying levels of talent. Parents were willing to shell out money just to win their kids a title, however meaningless, because even a small award could add a touch of prestige to their child’s profile.

Evelyn remembered the injustice she had faced in high school when she had been selected, after multiple rounds, to be the only female host for the school’s anniversary celebration—only to be replaced the day before. Later, she discovered that the daughter of a local official, also a broadcast student, had wanted the experience and had been granted the role instead. Evelyn had cried in secret that whole afternoon.

Now, she felt a deep resentment for this kind of unfairness, yet was powerless to change it. If this girl advanced in the audition, she’d likely breeze through the rest of the competition, displacing someone who truly had potential.

Unable to sway others’ choices, she could only stay true to her own principles.

Her hand fell on the ‘Fail’ button.

The loud buzz that followed made the girl’s face go pale as she stood frozen, visibly shaken.

At that moment, a staff member approached the girl, whispering a few words before quickly escorting her away. Following this was a three-minute advertisement break.

Evelyn picked up a stack of contestant resumes for the upcoming auditions when she heard Director Logan call out, “Miss Joy, I need to see you.”

She hurriedly stood up as Director Logan, with a dark expression, walked into the studio and ushered her to a secluded corner.

“Did you not see the message I sent you on your phone?” Director Logan spoke faster than usual.

She shook her head. “Isn’t there a rule that everyone must turn off their phones in the live studio?”

“You really follow the rules! Couldn’t you at least set it to silent?” Director Logan was so angry he started pacing in circles, lowering his voice. “The girl you just eliminated, Jenny Walker, her father, John Walker, is the most profitable real estate developer in Riverton this year. He donated two million to the competition.”

Evelyn had heard of John Walker before; he was once a good-for-nothing from a nearby county. A few years ago, he had somehow connected with a powerful figure and secured the project for the urban renovation in Riverton. He used inferior construction materials and delayed payments to migrant workers, lining his own pockets handsomely. It was more accurate to call him a nouveau riche than a legitimate developer.

“I’m sorry, but I had my phone off and had no idea about the connections. Tell Jenny to try harder and join the next competition,” Evelyn said, glancing at her watch.

The live broadcast was about to start in two minutes.

“They paid money and promised me personally—” Director Logan’s voice lowered even further, “As long as Jenny comes in first, they’ll donate three million to the station in the name of advertising.”

“What do you need me to do?” Evelyn felt a bad premonition rising in her gut.

“After the auditions, there will be a revival round. I need you to ensure Jenny advances,” Director Logan said urgently.

“Time is short, so I’ll be brief. The auditions are wrapping up, and you only have two spots left. One is for the boy who has connections, number 3888. Make sure to remember that. The other revival spot goes to Jenny.”

“Are you saying the remaining one hundred contestants are just for show?” Evelyn’s face was a picture of shock.

She couldn’t believe that Director Logan, at over forty, would be so spineless.

“It’s not my decision; it’s the station’s.” Despite his slender frame being slightly hunched, Director Logan stood tall at this moment as if he had taken some kind of invigorating tonic. “In the second half, just remember number 3888. No matter how talented the others are, they must be eliminated.”

Evelyn snapped back to reality as the countdown reached ten seconds.

Once seated again, her two colleagues exchanged knowing smiles beside her. Director Logan had made it clear: if she didn’t comply, she would be going against the station.

As the auditions resumed, the first several contestants failed to impress, and Evelyn continuously pressed the elimination button.

One judge curiously asked a young girl why she was participating. The girl replied cheerfully that she had come with a group of classmates to gain experience.

Evelyn secretly prayed that the rest of the contestants would maintain this low standard, so she wouldn’t feel guilty about her decisions.