Chatper 99


    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.


    Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


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


    souring. They might cut her loose,”


    “Cut her loose?” Madelyn was shocked, her voice tinged with disbelief. “Sofia’snded 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 y 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


    inte 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 y 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 unavable…”


    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.


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


    her.


    Chapter 99


    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 herints.