My company clawed its way up from a back-alley workshop to an industry titan, and it was all thanks to me – the cornerstone who raked in billions. The entire company treated me like royalty. My boss, overflowing with gratitude, publicly promised me free rein over any resource I wanted, no questions asked, no corporate red tape. But the new agent didn't get the memo. She didn't just reassign all my high-end endorsements to a rookie; she even made me hold the train of her new favorite starlet on the red carpet. Her reasoning? "Washed-up old-timers should make way for new talent. You're just a background player now." I nodded, posted a quick message on social media, packed my bags, and walked out. The next day, my boss rushed back overnight, bringing her along, and they both knelt outside my door. My social media post had been liked and pinned by the CEO of a rival media company, rocketing to the top of the trending topics. 1 "V&G's global ambassador for this fall's collection? The company's decided to sign Lily next month." Eliza Braga. A golden-ticket agent who’d parachuted into the company three days ago. She slid a termination agreement across the table towards me. V&G – a top-tier luxury brand I'd represented as their Asia-Pacific face for five years. And Lily? She’d only just made a tiny splash after two web series. A fresh face the company had just signed. Eliza saw I was still leaning back in my chair, unmoving, and lifted her chin. "Summer Hayes, you've peaked. But for the company to grow, we need to cultivate new talent." "Lily has immense potential. This endorsement will help her quickly gain national recognition. As a member of this company, you have an obligation to cooperate." I finally lifted my gaze to meet hers. "Is this Arthur’s decision?" Arthur Price. The company’s CEO. Back when Starlight Entertainment couldn't even make payroll, I worked grueling shifts for zero pay, filming countless projects back-to-back, pulling the company back from the brink of bankruptcy. I alone was responsible for ninety percent of the company’s revenue. It's safe to say Starlight wouldn’t be where it is today without me, Summer Hayes. Just last year, at the annual gala, Arthur had publicly declared to the entire company that I could use any resource I wanted, with no one to interfere. But Eliza, seeing me invoke the CEO’s name, merely scoffed. "Mr. Price is a busy man. For trivial matters like this, I, as an agent, can decide. He entrusted your contract to me, which shows his faith in my professional judgment." She pulled out a rather simple script from her bag and placed it on top of the endorsement termination agreement. "Of course, the company won't mistreat you. There's a short series project here; you can pick any role you like. While it's a short series, the production team is quite competent. Do well, and you could still make waves." Me, a top-tier, multi-award-winning actress, starring in an unknown short series? The audacity. I couldn’t be bothered with her. I just picked up my phone and dialed Arthur’s number. It rang five or six times before he picked up. "Summer, why are you calling so early?" I cut straight to the chase: "The new agent has pulled my high-end endorsement, saying she wants to use it as a stepping stone for Lily. I just want to confirm, is this your decision?" There was a noticeable pause on the other end. After a moment, Arthur cleared his throat. "Summer, Eliza mentioned this to me yesterday. You know, the company needs to nurture fresh blood. You’re not short on endorsements, are you? It’s not worth arguing over a little piece of the pie with a young girl." The back of my hand, gripping the phone, tensed, veins protruding. "Arthur, are you really going with this?" He chuckled awkwardly. "Eliza’s new; you should give her some respect, don't always act like the untouchable star. Let's think about the bigger picture. I’m still with some investors on the golf course. We’ll talk when I get back to the office later, alright?" The call was abruptly ended. Eliza watched me, perfectly composed, a smirk playing on her lips. "Hear that?" "Your track record used to be impressive, but this year's just begun. You need to face reality and stop thinking the company can’t function without you. Mr. Price handed me your full contract, so I have the authority to plan all your work. This endorsement, you will give it up today. And this series, you will join the cast." Eliza and her entourage stormed out. I stared at Arthur’s name on my phone, then removed him from my starred contacts. Afterward, I instructed my assistant, Ashley: "Find my contract and all associated agreements from over the years. Every single one." 2 The next day, at the Starlight Gala red carpet. In previous years, my gown would be the top design of the season, flown in and attended to by personal stylists. But this year, my dressing room was still empty moments before it was time to leave. Ashley was frantic, making countless calls, only to get the same reply: "Agent Braga is arranging it; please wait." Just then, the dressing room door swung open. Eliza walked in, her heels clicking, followed by Lily, resplendent in a shimmering, starry gown. I recognized that dress—it was the very same top-tier haute couture piece confirmed to me in photos, a global exclusive. Lily smiled at me, her face brimming with smugness. "Summer, isn't this dress just gorgeous? Eliza said I'd shine on the red carpet tonight." Eliza eyed her creation with satisfaction, then pulled out a garment bag. "Considering Lily's commercial value, the company decided, after careful deliberation, to give the haute couture to her. This is your gown. Time’s almost up, hurry and change!" Ashley took the bag and opened it. Inside was a black, long dress, outdated in style, and utterly unremarkable. It had even been worn before by some third-rate actress. Ashley’s eyes welled up with anger. "Agent Braga, what is this? Summer can't wear this!" "And why not?" Eliza’s face immediately darkened. "The company treats everyone equally. Given her current status, this is perfectly suitable. What's wrong with an older design? It's still haute couture, paid for by the company. Smaller companies would kill for it! The red carpet is about to start. If you don't change, the damage to the company, you won’t be able to afford even if you’re all fired!" "You—" I pulled back a fuming Ashley, merely gazing at my reflection in the mirror. Fifteen minutes later, I had changed into the black dress. Eliza scrutinized me, then sneered. "Not bad. This color will be perfect for accentuating Lily." I ignored her. But unexpectedly, just before we were about to go out, she grabbed me again. Eliza pointed to Lily’s gown. "Lily's train is too long. The red carpet will be crowded, and it wouldn't do for someone to step on it. You’re just a plus-one today, so you can help her hold up her train. Taking care of junior colleagues is also something you should do." At her words, the room fell silent. Ashley’s face flushed crimson, her fists clenched. "Eliza Braga, don't you dare go too far! Make a top-tier star hold the train for a rookie, in front of everyone? You're deliberately trying to humiliate Summer!" I stopped Ashley from exploding. Looking at Eliza, I asked, each word deliberate, "Is this Arthur’s decision too?" Eliza smirked, her triumph evident. "Mr. Price specifically instructed that all red carpet arrangements tonight are to be handled by me. Your job is to be a background player, to fully support the new talent. The company’s PR statements have already been sent out. If you don’t cooperate, I’ll have no choice but to freeze all your endorsements and contracts for insubordination. Summer Hayes, everything you have is currently in the company's hands. I don’t care what privileges you had before; from now on, you must comply with all company decisions." I clenched my jaw. I dialed Arthur’s number again. The phone rang for a long time, but no one answered. This was the first time in all these years that he hadn’t picked up my call. Meeting Eliza’s triumphant gaze, I lowered my eyes and nodded. "Alright." As soon as the red carpet event ended, the topic "Washed-up Star Summer Hayes Holds Train for Rookie" soared to the top of the trending topics. On social media, my fans and Lily's fans were engaged in a fierce war of words. Yet, the company’s PR department did nothing, allowing the controversy to escalate. In just one short hour, Lily’s followers surged by several million! 3 The red carpet drama was still unfolding. The next morning, Eliza called me into her office again. She was in excellent spirits and even offered me a cup of tea. "Last night’s event was quite effective. Lily’s national recognition skyrocketed overnight." Next, she pushed another script towards me. "Strike while the iron's hot. This series, I want you to mentor her through it." The script’s cover bore two bold words: Chasing Light. The author, Clara Vance, was a dear friend of mine for ten years, and now one of the hottest literary sensations in the online fiction world. Every story she penned became a hit, making her work incredibly valuable commercially. Chasing Light was her passion project, and also a gift she wrote for my thirtieth birthday. She explicitly stated that the film and TV rights would only be sold to my company, and only I would play the leading role. Eliza clearly knew the weight of this series, a smile playing on her lips. "Clara’s team has confirmed; the rights will be signed to Starlight. The company has decided to make this series a top-tier, S+ project this year." She paused, tapping her finger on the script. "However, for the leading lady, the company has new considerations. Lily’s image aligns very well with the character's early stages, so the company plans to cast her. As for you, you can play the supporting female lead. It's a very likable character, and it shouldn't be too challenging for you." I almost laughed at her audacity. Using a gift from my friend to promote a rookie, and then expecting me to play second fiddle to her? "Eliza Braga, you’re dreaming." "This is the company’s decision," she said, unfazed. "As a member of the company, for the company's growth, you must comply." Soon after she left, my phone rang. It was Clara, her voice filled with barely suppressed fury. "Summer, is that Eliza Braga at your company insane? She just called me, saying Chasing Light is for Lily to play the lead, and for you to play the second lead! I refused on the spot, told her no one but you would play the lead in this script, or I'd rather let it rot on my computer! And then guess what that woman said?" "She said I’d already sold the rights to Starlight, so Starlight calls the shots now. And that I'm just a writer, I shouldn’t think too highly of myself!" Clara was panting with rage. "Not only did she insult me, she also said you’re a washed-up actress now, lucky to even get a role, so I shouldn’t be picky! The worst part is, I called Arthur, and he actually played coy with me! Said it was all for the company’s development??? Has he forgotten how the company started? What an idiot!" I gripped my phone, my knuckles white from the pressure. I remembered years ago. Back then, I was a nobody. The company was on the verge of bankruptcy. I landed a cosmetics endorsement and excitedly called Arthur to share the good news. That day, he was even more thrilled than I was, getting completely drunk at the celebration dinner. He grabbed my hand, his eyes red-rimmed, repeating over and over: "Summer, you’re the savior of our company! From now on, the company is your home, and I’m your big brother! Do whatever you want, and if anyone dares to give you a hard time, I’ll be the first to go after them!" His excitement and sincerity back then felt like yesterday. But now, it had become so alien. At this moment, the last shred of sentiment I held for him was completely severed. "Clara, don't be angry yet. Chasing Light was just a verbal agreement back then; I deliberately delayed the paperwork. Since they’re being dishonorable, don’t blame us for finding another company to work with!" After hanging up, I scrolled through my contacts to another name: Danny Vance. The CEO of Stellar Media, and Starlight Entertainment’s biggest competitor. For three years, he'd tried to poach me no less than a hundred times. The phone was answered almost instantly, Danny’s deep voice coming through. "Summer Hayes? What a rare treat." I got straight to the point: "Mr. Vance, I’m bringing Clara and all the rights to Chasing Light to sign with Stellar. There’s only one condition: I must be the lead actress in this series." Silence on the other end for three seconds, followed by a soft chuckle from Danny. "I’ve been waiting for you to say that for three years. I agree to all your conditions. Just come, without worry." 4 The next morning, the news of Chasing Light officially announcing Summer Hayes as its lead actress, personally released by screenwriter Clara Vance, instantly captivated the entire internet. My fans celebrated, overjoyed to tears. The general public also expressed immense anticipation for this explosive combination. The topic quickly climbed, directly topping the trending charts. Arthur Price, on a business trip in a neighboring city, saw the news—my photo with Clara and the overwhelming praise. He immediately messaged me: "Summer, such great news about Chasing Light having a press conference, why didn't you tell me in advance? As your boss, I must be there to support you." I looked at the message, didn't reply, and just turned off my phone. The next morning, at the press conference. I was holding the microphone, thanking Clara for her trust and the company for its support, when the back door of the venue suddenly opened. Arthur, with Eliza Braga in tow, strode in confidently, beaming. He walked directly onto the stage and naturally took the microphone from the host. "Hello everyone, I’m Arthur Price from Starlight Entertainment. Summer is our company’s most outstanding artist, and Chasing Light is our most important core project this year. Starlight will spare no effort to invest all resources to present the best possible work to everyone." He spoke with grandiloquent enthusiasm, but the media in the audience exchanged bewildered glances. Finally, a reporter couldn't help but raise a hand and ask, "Mr. Price, aren't you mistaken? As far as we know, the production company for Chasing Light is Stellar Media. And today’s press conference is also hosted by Stellar Media." Arthur's smile froze. He stared blankly at me, then at the massive Stellar Media logo below the stage. Just then, Danny Vance slowly emerged from backstage and stood beside me. He took the microphone, offering Arthur a slight smile. "Mr. Price, I believe you are mistaken. Today, Stellar Media is holding a welcome ceremony and new series launch press conference for our newly signed actress, Ms. Summer Hayes." Danny paused, his gaze sweeping across the entire room. It finally settled on Arthur and Eliza's pale faces. "Oh, and by the way, I’d like to extend a special thanks to Mr. Price. If it weren’t for your short-sightedness, your self-sabotage, in handing over such an excellent actress and such a top-tier project to us, Stellar would never have had the chance to pick up such a massive bargain."
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