Chapter 1655: Failure is Not an Option

Iris Long's performance continued.

When the song reached a crescendo, she pulled out her whistle notes, prompting a frenzy not only among the Black Stars but also among everyone in the audience. The whistle notes were long and ran smoothly through different notes, causing the Black Stars to almost faint from overexcitement.

"This rebirth of a tiny bird

Into a rising phoenix

Power courses through my veins

To break the chains

To spread my wings

So this is freedom

I am free

Oh yes, I am free"

Finally, the performance ended on a soft and delicate note. The audience felt like they literally flew up high, soaring in the sky while tumbling and rolling in the clouds, before landing softly on top of a mountain.

The entire studio was filled with deafening applause and ecstatic cheers.

"Boss Iris, you're the best!!!"

"Wow! I have goosebumps!!!"

"KYAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!!"

The Black Stars weren't the only ones calling Iris Long "Boss Iris" anymore. Even those who weren't that familiar with her before this were now calling her "Boss Iris" as well. They were now utterly convinced that today's foreign guest was really as amazing as she was hyped up to be. No, she was even more amazing than she was hyped up to be in the news programs after she landed in the Philippines.

Those who hadn't heard of "Rebirth" prior to the former defending champion's performance earlier could now compare it with the original singer's performance.

Wow, what a difference between the two!

Iris Long's performance was several leagues higher than the former defending champion's cover performance. The difference in quality was tremendous.

In the front seats of the audience, the former defending champion watched everything with the new champion and the other failed contestants. The tears were gone now. There were no hard feelings, only deep introspection.

Watching Iris Long performing "Rebirth" after her was enough to make her realize that she still had a lot to learn as a singer. Being complacent was never an option if she wanted a career in the music industry. Most importantly, she realized that there were so many people who were more talented than she was in this world.

Like this Iris Long.

She looked so relaxed singing such high notes and difficult runs. It looked as easy as breathing to her.

Something that almost strained her own voice and made her look so constipated was apparently so easy for another person.

The defending champion sighed.

Now, she was convinced by her loss. She just needed to work harder and smarter next time. Never be complacent again just because of a few triumphant days.

On the stage, Iris Long slowly opened her eyes and watched the cheering audience.

This was what she loved the most.

This was what fueled her to go beyond her limits as a musician and performer.

The stage was where she felt alive. It was where she belonged.

Her eyes once again zeroed in on her husband.

Only when it concerned her would Jin Liwei show other emotions besides his usual coldness and indifference. Right now, his eyes were gentle as he looked at her with love and pride. His hands clapped with a rhythm as steady as his love and presence for her.

To Iris, he was her biggest fan, her biggest supporter. He was her rock, her partner in life.

"Well done, love," he mouthed.

She immediately understood. She beamed at him, causing another round of loud cheers from the audience, who were dazzled by her bright smile.

Finally, she managed to tear her eyes away from her gorgeous husband and face the band. She gave them her iconic curtsy bow and prompted the audience to cheer for them as well. Then she faced the audience and performed another deeper curtsy bow.

There were some who attempted to mimic her curtsy bow. Most of them stumbled on their first try. It wasn't as easy as it looked.

"Thank you, Philippines!" Iris Long said. "You're so awesome!"

###

The next morning was another busy day of getting ready for Iris Long and her team. Those who weren't familiar with the team's practiced routine would think that everything was chaotic.

The glam team surrounded Iris as they worked on making her fabulous. Dom was the conductor of everything, making sure that every single little detail was accounted for in this symphony of orderly chaos.

Iris felt exhausted as a Filipino acting coach came last night for a mini workshop with her. This was requested by her manager, Tang Yiyi. Since Iris' acting was nothing to be proud of, she needed constant training to increase it to an acceptable level.

Linda Chua helped connect Iris with a local acting coach who had mentored so many actors and actresses in the Filipino showbiz industry.

Iris was aware of her lack of talent in acting, so she could only make up for it through sheer hard work and training. There was no way around it.

She already promised Meimei that she would do her best to try getting the female lead role for the live-action adaptation of "Queen of the Shadows". Since she had already made the commitment, she would see it through until the end.

LXC Studio was going to heavily invest in the project, so as the potential female lead, she couldn't slack off.

If in the end, her efforts still couldn't reach a high enough level, then that could only mean that the female lead role wasn't fated with her. She couldn't blame anyone else but her lack of talent in acting.

All she could do was do her best in preparing for the role.

"Boss? Boss!"

Iris snapped her eyes wide open. "Huh? Dom? What's wrong?"

"Ah, were you sleeping, Boss?" Dom asked.

"Almost. Don't worry about it. Why were you calling me?"

"I was reporting that I already had someone send the thank-you gifts to the TV station executives and the cast of 'Ready, Set, Lunch Party'. Dina Bendita's assistant also contacted me, asking if you're available to join her and Albert at her home for dinner tonight."

"If you can fit it in my schedule, sure," Iris replied.

"I can make it work," Dom said. "But only if your body can bear it, Boss. Today is going to be an even longer and more hectic day than yesterday."

She yawned. "I'll be fine. I'll just take power naps whenever I can. By the way, where's my husband?"

"Sir Boss went out with Sir Bro Yehan for morning coffee downstairs. Sir Bro Yehan is just waiting for my father to pick him up, so that they can go to another meeting with that distant uncle of mine. Sir Boss will probably return here after Sir Bro Yehan leaves."

"What about Ying Yue?" Iris asked. "Where is she?"

"Big Sis Yue is briefing her colleagues about their formation to best protect you later. Today is Orchidia Philippines' grand launch, so there is going to be a big crowd later."

Iris nodded. Her stylist prompted her to stand up and change into her outfit.

It was a classic-cut, olive wrap dress which draped around her body like a dream. No unnecessary skin was left exposed, yet it still looked sexy as it flowed whenever it moved like ocean waves.

She inspected her reflection in the mirror, turning here and there, before nodding in satisfaction.

The door opened, and in came Jin Liwei.

"Beautiful," he said while marching towards her and giving her a lingering kiss on the mouth.

He tasted like bitter coffee.

"Eldest Brother left already?" Iris asked after the kiss.

"En. He left with Dominic's father."

She patted his arm. "Start getting ready, too, darling. We can't be late to the launch."

"En, I'll be quick."

###

Orchidia Philippines Headquarters.

Hordes of people crowded outside the building.

Reporters and their cameramen also attended. They were ushered to a designated area reserved for invited media representatives.

The most eye-catching among the attendees outside, however, were those wearing suits. The Filipino Black Stars made sure that they attended today's event.

There were also regular people who lined up just because they wanted to be the first people to buy Orchidia products in person.

Linda Chua also invited local beauty influencers, models, and most importantly, celebrities to help with advertising Orchidia products to the masses. These personalities had their own fans and followers who attended today's event just to see them.

All of these people made up today's giant crowd.

Good thing that today was a cloudy day with a slight cool breeze. It wasn't that unbearable for the people to wait outside.

Like before, local police and additional volunteers helped the security to maintain peace and order. Orchidia also made sure to ask the district government's permission to host a big event today. There were also fire trucks and ambulances on standby in case of emergencies.

Linda Chua was very thorough. This was her first venture as a business leader. Iris Long might be the company chairman, but Linda was the head of Orchidia Philippines. The company's success in the country rested on her shoulders.

Failure was NOT an option!

Orchidia Philippines MUST succeed!

Today, her family also attended.

"Have Iris, Liam, your brother, and the others arrived yet?" Reina, the Chua matriarch, asked.

"Not yet, Ma," Linda replied. "Dom texted me just now. There's a bit of traffic, but they should still be on time."

"Your father is accompanying Yehan to a business meeting today, so he won't be able to come, unfortunately. That annoying bastard just insists on having a meeting today! Your father already said that we have something important today, but that bastard just keeps on scheduling meetings at inconvenient times. Tsk!"

Reina Chua was talking about her husband's distant cousin, whom Lin Yehan was attempting to connect with for a business deal.

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