She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 480

Finn acted as if he completely missed the venom in her voice. He pulled off his sunglasses, revealing a face that had clearly undergone meticulous cosmetic refinement, and replied with a smooth, perfectly calibrated tone. "The lead singer spot for Apex. Lillian asked me to come test my vocals."

Yolene looked him up and down.

Finn had clearly put in a massive amount of work over the years. His physique was perfectly toned, and under Bianca's styling, his clothes, his hair, and even his micro-expressions were nearly identical to Holt's. At first glance, he absolutely possessed that untouchable superstar aura. He was lightyears away from the pathetic trainee he used to be.

Realization dawned on her, followed quickly by a vicious, mocking smile. "Oh, no wonder Holt hasn't been using Vincent's name to promote himself lately, and actually stooped to shooting a magazine cover with me. Lillian is actually putting him on the back burner and letting his 'knockoff' take the stage?"

Finn offered a humble smile, though his eyes remained dead and entirely devoid of warmth. "It's an unfortunate fact that Holt's voice is permanently damaged. But Apex needs a frontman. I'm just here to shoot my shot."

"Shoot your shot?" Yolene scoffed loudly. "Please. You're practically wearing Holt's skin at this point. But hey, good for you. At least you've secured the job as his permanent body double. Otherwise, you'd never get within ten feet of a microphone."

Finn's eyes darkened instantly, his knuckles turning white around his guitar case. But he expertly kept his mask in place, not bothering to argue. He simply stepped aside. "You're hilarious, Yolene. Walking in?"

"Let's go. I have a meeting with Lillian anyway," Yolene snapped, her stilettos clicking aggressively against the marble. She immediately started complaining. "Did you see the absolute bloodbath online last night? The psycho who destroyed Holt's voice somehow managed to sleep her way into becoming Hank Lonsdale's new favorite pet. It's actually nauseating. And Holt is so pathetic! I shot a cover with him yesterday, and that stalker actually used Hank's connections to track him to the set. And Holt just sat there and smiled at her. Ugh."

Finn paused mid-step. "Is that right? They seemed... close?"

Seeing him stop, Yolene followed his line of sight. Walking right toward them through the lobby was Holt, his head tilted as he listened intently to Loyce. They weren't overtly touching, but there was an invisible, impenetrable barrier around them that made it clear no one else existed.

Yolene's eyes instantly darkened. Holt always treated her like toxic waste, refusing to even look her in the eye. But here he was, looking at this random girl with such total, undivided warmth?

"Why else do you think he's doing it?" she hissed, the jealousy practically burning a hole through her stomach. "He's terrified of Hank Lonsdale! Holt's career is hanging by a thread; you really think he's going to disrespect his sugar daddy's flavor of the week? I just can't believe how shameless she is. Two-timing a billionaire and a pop star right out in the open, even parading through the label headquarters! She's making an absolute joke out of everyone who actually worked hard to get here!"

Finn's mind raced. *So she's obsessed with Holt, but she's being bankrolled by Hank Lonsdale?*

Whispers immediately broke out across the lobby. Holt stepped directly in front of Loyce, shielding her. "Yolene, everyone in this building knows exactly what you did on your knees to get famous. Don't project your filthy tactics onto someone who actually has class."

Yolene's face turned purple. "You—!"

"Hey, let's keep it professional, Yolene," Finn interjected, smoothly stepping between them. He turned to Holt, flashing a perfectly manufactured smile laced with fake sympathy. "Holt. I'm honestly shocked to see you here. I figured after everything you've been through, you would have accepted reality and found a new career path."

"Why would I do that?" Holt's face was completely devoid of emotion. His voice was slightly raspy, but his tone was absolute steel. "The frontman for Apex—past, present, and future—is me."

Finn chuckled, completely unfazed. His eyes deliberately dropped to Holt's throat, his tone dripping with mock pity. "You suffered a catastrophic medical emergency. We both know your vocal cords are never going to fully recover. Especially considering..."

He tilted his head, his gaze shifting to Loyce with lethal intent, ensuring every single person in the lobby was staring directly at her. "Don't you read the news, Holt? Everyone knows the surgery would have been a total success if it wasn't for a certain unlicensed 'doctor' playing hero and butchering the emergency response. And look at that. The person who ruined your life is standing right next to you."