Brian Bennett frowned and said, "Although I don't want to criticize anything... the fact is, it's those eight who had a problem, not you."

The girls all lowered their heads.

After a while, Ashley Carter finally said, "No need to eat together, we'll eat on our own and discuss things a bit."

"Alright then." Brian Bennett opened the door, then suddenly stopped, pointed at Ashley Carter and smiled, "This is the second time you've refused my dinner invitation."

Rachel Cooper's gaze fell on Ashley Carter, who gave an awkward smile and didn't respond.

Seeing Brian Bennett leave with Tyler, a chorus of sighs rose in the practice room as the nine girls all collapsed onto the floor. Too much had happened today, leaving them physically and mentally exhausted. Even during their busiest days, after a full day of schedules, they'd never felt this utterly drained.

Ashley Carter said weakly, "Let's discuss what to do. We can't get this dance right, and that's not going to work."

Hannah Carter asked cautiously, "Rachel, was OPPA the first love you mentioned before?"

"Yes." Rachel Cooper nodded. "Actually, I know he's long forgotten about me, but I just can't let it go."

Tiffany immediately forgot what they were supposed to be discussing and asked, "He's really rich, right? Even the president calls him Young Master An, and that attitude isn't how you'd treat a music master."

Jessica Reed said lazily, "Of course, he even has a bodyguard with him."

Rachel Cooper said calmly, "The An family's influence is beyond your imagination. My family and Siwon OPPA's family have some assets, but we're just picking up scraps under the An family. You all heard the conversation between the president and him just now. To put it simply, if he really wants someone, none of those he sets his eyes on can escape." After speaking, she gave Ashley Carter a meaningful look. Ashley Carter turned her head away, pretending not to notice.

Actually, after hearing this, the girls didn't feel the same disgust as before at being coveted. Instead, it felt more like back in school, gossiping with friends about which handsome guy the campus heartthrob liked. There was a bit of nervousness and shyness, but absolutely none of the humiliation or anger that came with certain unspoken rules. They couldn't help but recall how, when he entered earlier, everyone had acted nonchalant while secretly hoping to be chosen, and now they all blushed a little. No one could figure out why they were acting this way.

Rachel Cooper glanced around at her sisters and smiled, "With things like this, what are you all shy about when performing?"

Emma Clark giggled, "That's different. Maybe we can't escape, but someone here doesn't even want to run."

Rachel Cooper rolled her eyes at her. "Exactly."

Seeing Rachel Cooper so straightforward, everyone had nothing more to say. So Emma Clark's eyes darted around and she fixed her gaze on Ashley Carter: "Unnie, confess honestly and spare yourself some pain."

Ashley Carter laughed, "MO ya? What is there for me to confess?"

"Ahem." Julia Grant stood up, walked to the door, and imitated Brian Bennett's gesture: "This is the second time you've refused my dinner invitation."

Molly Thompson clenched her fists, her eyes sparkling: "You hit me last night, aren't you afraid I'll cry?"

"Pfft... I'm not as good at acting cute as you!" Ashley Carter couldn't take it anymore and hurriedly recounted the bizarre encounter on the Hangang Bridge.

"Wow! You knocked him out?" Hannah Carter exclaimed excitedly, "Did anything happen?"

"Hey! It was on the Hangang Bridge! Tyler was there, what could have happened!"

"That's not necessarily true..." Rachel Cooper sneakily reached out with her salty pig hand, "Let everyone check if your chastity is still intact..."

Emma Clark quickly covered Grace Howard's eyes.

Ashley Carter clutched her waistband in protest, "Hey! Rachel Cooper, are you jealous?"

"Yeah, yeah! You even refused to go out for late-night snacks, could you be any dumber?"

Ashley Carter was exasperated: "...I'm not talking to you, you lovesick fool! Didn't you notice all his questions to me at first were ANTI comments? How can you all be crushing on an ANTI!"

Tiffany said quietly, "Would an ANTI come write songs for us? Now I'm starting to suspect that someone paid a price last night, and that's why OPPA is willing to help us."

As soon as she said this, everyone was shocked. Grace Howard's face turned bright red: "Unnie!"

Julia Grant praised, "Pani's Korean is getting better and better."

"Is that the point, Kwon dummy!"

"You guys... just let me die..." Ashley Carter looked up at the ceiling in despair. She knew it—the so-called discussion would always end up like this. Oh no, maybe from the very first sentence, the whole thing was already doomed.

...

On the way home, Tyler smacked his lips, "Young master, is that Rachel Cooper really that ugly little girl from back then?"

Brian Bennett glanced at him, "Honestly, what right or confidence do you have to call someone else ugly?" He pressed his temples in frustration. "Aish, who would've thought, girls really do change a lot as they grow up!"

Tyler was baffled, "Young master, what are you so troubled about? Is this really you? Just push her down and be done with it!"

"Tyler, you've gone bad."

"You're too kind, young master. It's all thanks to your excellent guidance."

Brian Bennett praised, "Actually, Tyler, you've already graduated."

Tyler replied modestly, "I still need to learn a lot from you, young master."