Ready to Rule: The Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 594

Elliot let out a short laugh. “Funny, you weren’t half this excited when you met Lucinda.”

Leo cleared his throat. “Lucinda was never interested. No point wasting my energy.”

He’d met Lucinda twice. The first time, he’d even asked if she ever thought about getting into showbiz, but she made it clear it wasn’t for her. She felt like entering the industry would lower her status, so Leo never brought it up again. Besides, he always thought Lucinda’s looks were just average in this business. He used to wonder how she and the Norwood brothers could come from the same family, when she didn’t have that same jaw-dropping vibe. Now it made sense. She wasn’t a real Norwood after all.

“Anyway, we’ll talk about that later. How’s it going with Lorelei? Did you manage to get her to guest at my concert?”

Lorelei was the queen of the charts. She’d only been famous for three years, and already it was nearly impossible to book her. Elliot wanted to try anyway. He really admired her.

Leo shrugged, looking sorry. “She turned you down. Didn’t even hesitate.”

Elliot was stunned. He’d figured that with his reputation, she’d at least consider it. He didn’t expect her to reject him without a second thought.

“She didn’t say anything else? No conditions or anything?”

He was thinking, if Lorelei wanted a sky-high appearance fee, he’d pay it. Whatever it took.

Leo grinned. “You’re thinking too much. She just said no.”

Elliot fell silent, annoyed.

Seeing him look so down, Leo decided to twist the knife. “Oh, and about Melody Mastro—she can’t write a song for you either. Says she’s too busy.”

Elliot let out a frustrated hiss and frowned at Leo. “Was I gone too long? Did my status drop or something?”

How could it be that everyone he wanted to work with was turning him down? Was this concert even going to happen?

Leo couldn’t help but laugh. “No, you’re still the king, still the fans’ favorite. It’s just, the people you’re asking, they’re big enough to say no to you.”

Elliot looked even more annoyed. “Reach out again. I’ll talk to them myself.”

Her phone rang. It was Katie, calling again. Katie asked where she was.

Lydia shot back, “Why do you want to know?”

Katie laughed. “Babe, someone took me out for lunch today and asked to meet you. Can you do me a favor and just come say hi?”

Lydia’s face darkened. “Nope. You enjoyed the meal, so you take the meeting.”

Katie had expected the rejection, so she immediately switched to her sweet-talking voice. “Babe, you’re making this really hard for me. It’s that superstar, you know, the one who wants you to show up at his concert. He won’t give up.”

“I don’t have time.”

“I know you’re busy, but can’t you spare five minutes? He wants to talk to you in person. Just meet him, and if you’re not interested, you can turn him down to his face. Please? Do this one thing for me.”

Lydia sighed. “Why are you suddenly so eager to help someone else?”