CHAPTER 99

Solia wasn’t Madelyn’s only so–called marketing best friend, but Madelyn kept that circle tight. Any

scandal involving one of them spelled trouble for her.

“Can’t we just squash this?” she asked Lily in a low voice. “Doesn’t the agency know about this

mess?”

Sofia’s managed to tick off all the actors on set,” Lily replied, distressed.

“If she had kept a low profile, someone might have stood up for her, but the company’s sentiment is

souring. They might cut her loose,”

“Cut her loose?” Madelyn was shocked, her voice tinged with disbelief. “Sofia’s landed more roles than

anyone else at Global Entertainment Group these past two years! How could they drop one of the most

dedicated actors with a solid fan base?”

“Madelyn, times change,” Lily sighed. “Think about it. Sofia’s 32. The roles she can play are narrowing.

In a few years, she’ll be up for some old roles while these new starlets, barely 25. are rising. Audiences

are fickle with their affections.”

The more Madelyn heard the angrier she got. “Even so, I can’t just abandon Sofia!”

“Have you lost your mind? If you defend Sofia now, you’ll be the bad guy both ways! The

internet is shredding her reputation. Stand with her, and you’re just as bad in their eyes. You’ll

lose followers! But you, you’re young. Think about it. I’m making sense, right? The smart

move is to play dumb.”

Madelyn knew Lily was right deep down but couldn’t swallow her pride.

After brooding for a moment, she replied, “I’ll discuss it with Brian.” With that, she ended the call with

Lily and dialed Brian immediately. The phone barely rang before she heard, “Sorry, the person you’re

calling is currently unavailable…”

Stunned, Madelyn realized Brian had rejected her call. She tried again, only to find his phone turned

off!

Before recovering from the shock, she received a message from Reid. (Mr. Howard is in a meeting and

can’t take calls. Anything you need, Ms. Harris?)

[Does he know about Sofia’s situation?] Madelyn texted back urgently.

It took five minutes before Reid replie

with a terse message. [Global Entertainment Group’s stance is clear. They’re sacrificing a pawn to save

a king. Sofia’s no longer valuable to them. Mr. Howard respects their decision.]

[But Sofia’s my best friend. Her trouble is my trouble!) she shot back anxiously. This is property © .

[Then keep quiet. That’s the best you can do.] That was Reid’s swift final reply before he went silent on

her.

Finally, Madelyn understood she was nothing without Brian.

If Brian didn’t care, who would take her seriously? She had no voice in the matter!

Meanwhile. Nate sat quietly in the living room, engrossed in his cartoons. The volume was loud. grating

on Madelyn’s already frayed nerves.

“Can’t you turn that down?” she snapped at him.

Nate turned to look at her, an eyebrow raised.

He noted Madelyn was in a foul mood, having been on edge for a while now.

It wasn’t that he enjoyed being around her. If it weren’t for his great–grandfather’s illness and his dad’s

fear of cross–infection, he wouldn’t even be here. He’d rather be anywhere but in the presence of

Madelyn. Even the household staff had a better temper than her.

“What are you looking at?” Madelyn retorted irritably.

Nate’s expression soured, echoing his mother Natalie’s childhood stubbornness. Just the sight of him

was annoying to her!

With a furrowed brow, Nate grabbed the remote and switched off the TV, preferring the silence

to her complaints.