Monica blinked, her lips parting slightly, caught off guard by how sincerely he said it.
She'd heard compliments before… too many, in fact. They were usually shallow things, designed to flatter her looks or her fame. Empty praises from people who wanted something. But this… this was different. Rex wasn't talking about her beauty, or her charm, or her name trending online. He was talking about her.
"Absolutely," he said, tone calm but firm. "Your path to stardom wasn't paved with easy compromises, but with relentless self-belief. Unlike the thousands who took shortcuts… who bartered their futures for fleeting promises of fame or money… you kept your focus on the craft. There's a fire in you, Monica. A stubborn refusal to trade your authenticity for a temporary spotlight. Every rejection, every closed door… it didn't break you, it just made you sharper. That's what separates you from the rest."
