Chapter Four: The Price of a Song

“Something true that could ruin you. Lin Wan keeps the recording. If your borrowed twelve hours harm anyone, we release it.” This was the new rule at Twelve Divisions. Qi Man had predicted that no rich client would agree. The waiting list filled again in three hours. Power did not fear the existence of secrets. It feared secrets held by someone who refused to name a price. Tang Qi pressed Record. “The best song on my first album wasn't mine. It was written by Su Qiao, the girl who shared my basement room. After she died, I erased her name from the master. Every trophy afterward carried mine.” She stopped the tape. “Heavy enough?” “The collateral will decide,” Lin Wan said, locking it away.