Chapter 8
My father took me home. Under the care of our family doctor and nutritionist for over half a month, I finally fully recovered.
I heard that Antonio came to my house several times looking for me, only
to be thrown out each time.
I knew my father didn’t take direct action against Antonio because he understood that, for a former superstar like him, a slow and painful downfall was the most painful punishment.
A storm of insults, fans turning their backs on him, relentless pursuit by paparazzi, and enormous compensation claims would go after him one after another.
All of these would crash him down bit by bit.
It was only later that he found out the company was one of the birthday gifts my father gave me when I turned eighteen.
When I strolled into the company with my friends, Judy and Jack greeted me with smiles upon seeing me.
Just as I sat down in the CEO’s office, the door burst open. The only person who would be so reckless now was him.
Given that he was once a high–spirited top celebrity, his days must have been miserable lately. Now, he stood before me unshaven and disheveled.
He had been completely blacklisted from the showbiz industry. He received over 100 contract terminations, setting a record among fallen stars. The penalty fees were huge, an amount he couldn’t have paid off even if he had started working from the Stone Age.
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The industry jokingly called me the “Dream Manager,” claiming that even the God of Wealth himself wouldn’t be as effective. I had turned a mere
D–lister into a top–tier star.
He simply stared at me, his eyes unfocused. “Grace, didn’t you love me? How could you bear to let them do this to me?”
I took a sip of my herbal tea and smiled faintly. “When I loved you, you were the moon in the sky. When I don’t, you’re nothing but dirt on my shoe.”
“Why would I hesitate?
“Are you here now just to emotionally blackmail me?
He panicked, stepping forward hastily before gritting his teeth and kneeling at my feet.
“What will it take for you to forgive me?” He blinked, using the secret signal we used to share when we were together. Back then, whenever he made that face, I couldn’t resist kissing his cheek.
But now, I felt nothing. That once–handsome face no longer held the slightest attraction for me.
“Antonio, wasn’t it you who was always willing to trade anything for fame and resources?”
I examined him like an object, my gaze indifferent. “I’ve assessed your value, and frankly, you’re not worth much anymore.”
The man I once worshiped was now nothing more than a groveling dog at my feet, begging for money.
I no longer saw anything in him.
I lazily gestured toward a dazzlingly adorned woman beside me. She was
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an old friend of mine, despite our age gap. She had refined tastes and loved beautiful young men.
“Why don’t you ask Joyce?”
Joyce looked intrigued, playing along with my act.
I knew she had no real interest in Antonio.
“Take off your shirt first. Let me see if you have abs.”
Antonio’s face darkened.
But there was no one here he could afford to offend.
When he finally started undressing, I completely lost interest.
His willingness to degrade himself was just another slap in my face, reminding me of what kind of man I had been blind enough to fall for.
“Get lost. We’re a legitimate entertainment company. We don’t trade flesh.”
Joyce chuckled behind her hand, her eyes full of mockery. I knew she was also laughing at my foolishness in the past.
A knock sounded at the door, and Judy led in a group of youthful trainees, lining them up before me.
“Ms. Parrish, these are our newly signed trainees. I brought them here to introduce them to you.”
I nodded, then glanced at Antonio, whose face had turned deathly pale. “Still standing here? Planning to give us a live stripping show?”
Under the contemptuous gazes of the crowd, he fled like a stray dog.
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I handed Judy a stack of business cards to distribute.
11
The title on the card read: Grace Parrish, Executive Director of Aurora
Group.
Aurora was my mother’s given name.
My parents had long shown me, through their actions, what true love and devotion should look like.
I lifted my gaze to the array of young men before me and smiled.
How promising they looked!
My life was about to thrive again.
