Colton stood at the back of the training room, arms crossed, eyes scanning the group of trainees. At thirty-five, Colton had cemented himself as a force in both business and entertainment. His charm and commanding presence often made him seem older, though few dared to question his authority. People respected him—some feared him—and he was fine with that.

Today was no different from any other evaluation: another group of wide-eyed hopefuls desperate to prove themselves. Most wouldn’t make it. Colton knew better than anyone that talent alone wasn’t enough in this industry. Discipline and resilience were the key traits that turned a trainee into an idol. He had seen many wither under pressure, but that was the ultimate test.

His attention shifted to the clipboard in his hand, filled with the details of each trainee. Number 6—the one the coaches had mentioned. Promising, they’d said. Colton’s gaze moved back to the stage as the coach called for the next performance.

“Trainee number 6,” the coach announced, her tone professional but direct. “Mr. Franklin would like to see you perform once more.”

Colton’s brow furrowed slightly as the trainee stepped forward. Nerves were obvious—the trembling hands, the quick glances around the room. He had seen it a thousand times. Trainees often had the drive to impress, but too few knew how to channel it. It was rare to see one who understood what it took to really stand out.

As the trainee began to perform, Colton’s eyes never left them. He knew his presence alone could unsettle even the most confident of them, and today would be no exception. He wasn’t there to offer words of encouragement. This was an evaluation, plain and simple.

A fumble. His jaw tightened.

“Focus,” Colton commanded, his voice sharp, cutting through the air. His gaze stayed fixed on the trainee. Most would crumble under his scrutiny, but this was the test. If they couldn’t handle him, they certainly couldn’t handle a stage filled with thousand.

Maybe this one wouldn’t break so easily after all.