The talk show "A Closer Look with Feng Jiu" started. While Madam Feng Jiu was doing her opening monologue, Iris stood backstage waiting for the signal for her to head out. Tang Yiyi was beside her, whispering reminders for her to control her straightforwardness even for just a bit.
Dom and Jiang Ying Yue were already sitting in the audience. The other bodyguards placed themselves in strategic places throughout the studio, so that they could respond and protect her immediately if something happened.
"Don't worry, Elder Sister Yiyi. I'll be fine," Iris assured her manager.
Tang Yiyi wanted to say more, but they heard Madam Feng Jiu's words.
"Please welcome the beautiful and talented…IRIS LONG!!!"
Iris gave a reassuring smile to her manager before straightening her back and walking out with confidence and elegance. She was wearing a tailored purple jumpsuit which accentuated her svelte hourglass figure and long legs. Soft, shimmery make-up and a French braid updo hairstyle completed her sophisticated look.
Loud applause greeted her as she reached the set. She smiled and waved at Dom, Jiang Ying Yue and the suits-wearing Black Stars all sitting together. They occupied more than half of the audience. She also saw Madam Feng Wan at the very front, looking posh as always. They nodded at each other.
"Welcome to my show, Iris!" Feng Jiu greeted her.
"Thank you very much for having me, Madam Feng Jiu. It's a great honour to be here."
After the greetings, the two sat down facing each other on big, comfortable armchairs. They first chatted about trivial topics before Feng Jiu eased the conversation to the interview.
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Iris recounted the story about how Eros got injured before their performance.
"We have the same manager so I think that it's only natural that we help each other out. We're like family. We're the siblings and our manager is our parent," she said. "It was the first time that we played together, so we sounded quite rough. Fortunately, we didn't make any big mistakes during our performance."
"What rough? I couldn't tell at all. All I know was that you were amazing while rocking that lead guitar. You looked so natural that it was as if you've been playing with them for a long time."
Then they talked about her solo performance which Feng Jiu praised even more.
"I have a cousin who loves 'Phantom of Your Love' so much," Feng Jiu shared.
After talking about 'Phantom of Your Love', Iris promoted her upcoming soundtrack album and the soon-to-be released film "Strong Yet Broken".
"Alright. Let's move back a bit in time and talk about the reason why you suddenly disappeared again from the limelight for a second time," Feng Jiu said. Her tone sounded more serious. "And it's safe to say that both times you disappeared were caused by the same person. Iris, can you tell us how you felt when you learned that it was Fan Luo who ordered your car accident two years ago? We all know that it almost killed you and that you were comatose for a whole year as a result."
Most of the audience, especially Dom and the Black Stars, all hissed when they heard Fan Luo's name. They cursed her but soon became quiet again because they also wanted to hear Iris' answer to the question.
Iris paused and tried to remember how the remnant inside her reacted. She couldn't help but shudder at the memory of the intense bloodthirst and desire for revenge overwhelming her that time.
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"I was angry…furious. I lost control of myself. Immense anger…it's all I felt," Iris finally answered.
"Did you ever think about revenge?"
"Of course," Iris said with honesty.
Feng Jiu nodded in understanding, not the least bit judgmental. "We can't blame you. If I was in your shoes, I would also feel the same way."
The audience murmured their agreement.
Feng Jiu: "Now on to a more sensitive topic. Despite the evidence gathered by the police and your strong alibi, there are still rumours saying that you were the one who kidnapped and tortured Fan Luo and the Alarm Girls. What do you say about that?"
Dom and the Black Stars expressed their dismay at the question. Some staff members requested them to calm down.
Iris already expected and prepared herself for this question. But it didn't mean that she wasn't affected. Her outward expression showed no visible reaction, but deep inside she felt panicked. Fortunately, she was able to tamp it down. She mentally reminded herself that it wasn't her who did it, that she had to allow the remnant to do it because if she didn't, she would die a second time after the connection between her soul and body was severed. This calmed her down but still left a bad taste in her mouth. It would forever be a stain on her that she could never wash away.
"The evidence is already available for everyone to see. Those who are still choosing to ignore the evidence are just creating an issue where there is none," she answered.
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"Alright." Feng Jiu accepted her answer. She didn't ask for additional details, choosing to move on to the next question instead. "Iris, where have you been while you were gone? We know that you were in Germany. Did you stay there the entire time?"
Iris: "No, I recuperated at a private place in Switzerland. It's where I met Maestro Ludovico De Luca. Sometime afterwards, he invited me to perform with him at his concert so we all flew to Germany together."
Feng Jiu: "Good thing that you mentioned Maestro De Luca. My next question is actually about him. I admire him greatly and he's one of my favourite living classical musicians. How did you meet the maestro?"
Knowing that Maestro De Luca hadn't introduced her as his student yet, Iris didn't want to be the one to reveal the fact.
"We met through a mutual acquaintance. Maestro recognized me through my piano album 'Rebirth Melodies'. It's doing well in Europe, if I may say so myself."
Feng Jiu: "Ah, how interesting! I'm sure that you're aware that one of our very own maestros have criticized your piano album harshly before. And now you're saying that Maestro De Luca recognized you through that very album and even became the catalyst for him to invite you to perform with him on his concert?"
"Yes." Iris nodded.
"What a liar!"
"Show us proof that you performed with Maestro De Luca first!"
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"Who the hell are you two?" A Black Star asked them.
"We're Maestro Liu Wei's students. We won't tolerate a mere pop singer making our maestro look bad in front of everyone. Why don't you all open your eyes and see that the person you're following is nothing but a liar?!"
"What did you say about our boss?!"
The Black Stars started quarreling with them. Despite being only two people, Maestro Liu Wei's students didn't back down and traded insults with Iris' fans.
Feng Jiu was very displeased watching this scene. She didn't like people interrupting her own show.
Iris stood up. "Please calm down, everyone. There is no need to get riled up."
Her bodyguards all became alert, ready to shield her at any given moment.
The Black Stars reluctantly listened to her. They returned to their seats but made sure to shoot nasty glares at the two f*ckers who continued to insult their boss.
"You can't show any evidence because you're a liar! You're just someone pretending to be a classical musician. Stay in pop music where you belong! We don't need a lowlife like you in our respectable world of classical music!"
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"You! How dare you?!"
Iris was about to move and intervene herself, but Feng Jiu stopped her. The host was listening to some new information from the show's director.
"Oh, we are receiving a call right now. From who?"
Then Feng Jiu gasped in shock. Her reaction drew everyone's attention. They stopped the ruckus and looked at her curiously.
"Oh my! On the line right now is someone that…I can't believe this…wow. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the one and only, MAESTRO LUDOVICO DE LUCA!!!"