Behind The Spotlight Chapter 134
Isabella and Chantal followed Collin meekly, their steps slower than usual, as if they carried an invisible weight. They knew they had made a mistake and felt guilty, so guilty that they didn't dare look him in the eye, afraid of what they might see in his expression.
They had never intended to sign a deal with the talent agent from AAC. They only wanted to gather information, test the waters, and see how others valued Chantal's talent. That was why Isabella had told Chantal to stay quiet, thinking it was harmless curiosity rather than a betrayal.
They had been in America for a month, and Collin had made sure they lived comfortably with decent meals, safe lodging, and a steady routine that eased the transition. They appreciated it deeply because they knew how tirelessly he worked behind the scenes, chasing contacts, arranging meetings, and sacrificing sleep. Yet Isabella had thought they could secure better deals by consulting another agent. The fleeting, horrifying thought of selling herself crossed her mind, but she quickly dismissed it, it would be a last resort only if all other paths truly closed.
Still, she hadn't expected Collin to react with such raw anger and intensity. She clenched her fists on her lap, her throat burning, forcing herself to hold back tears. Chantal, however, weakly sobbed, repeating her apologies in a trembling whisper.
When they reached the car, the two women kept their eyes down, ashamed like children caught stealing. They knew they had done wrong, and words alone might not be enough to make amends.
Collin started the car and drove slowly, using the motion to calm himself. In the rearview mirror, he saw them struggling to maintain composure. He sighed, a long, weary exhale carrying frustration but also compassion. They were still young, but old enough to understand that careless mistakes could destroy them if they weren't careful.
"You guys are still young, so you probably don't understand," he said, and the women sniffled, pausing their sobs, listening intently to the weight behind his tone.
"I had a friend. He was scouted by our agent before me, and he had more experience, but we were the same age. We were both 19."
Looking ahead at the road, Collin decided to share a story he had never told openly before, a wound he had kept buried.
"Our agent helped us get modeling jobs. I thought…" Collin shook his head weakly, tightening his grip on the steering wheel. The women waited, sensing the pain behind his voice.
"One day, we got the same offer. All we had to do was have sex with an old rich woman, and we'd be successful. It wasn't even a man, it was just an old hag. I didn't accept the deal, but my friend did."
"Since then, his career took off. He became a magazine cover model and the ambassador of a clothing brand. I was honestly happy for him… Eight months later, he jumped off a building. He was only 20 years old."
"…"
The two women were speechless, their throats tightening as they processed the cruelty of what they had just heard. Collin's expression remained cold, but they could hear the wavering in his voice.
"He couldn't endure the shame and guilt. He was a good guy, no, a great guy. He helped me navigate the modeling industry. And then he was gone."
"Collin, I'm sorry… I'm so sorry," Isabella sobbed loudly, covering her face with her hands. She had been wrong. It wasn't a simple transaction, it was selling yourself to the devil, a contract with no undo button.
"I know you have doubts about me, but I will make sure Chantal becomes a star. I have four clients, and they are all successful. I have no reason to fail," Collin said steadily, his chin lifted with quiet determination. For the first time, he took pride in his title as the hidden ace of ANT.
When they reached the apartment, Chantal and Isabella apologized once more. Their words were soft but genuine, heavy with remorse. Collin smiled slightly and bid them farewell, but the shadow of lingering depression in his eyes didn't go unnoticed.
From that day on, the two women behaved responsibly, following Collin's rules and learning from their mistake. They realized his strictness came from painful experience.
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Another month later, October 1998.
Bride Runaway had grossed $318 million worldwide, an astounding achievement that cemented its place as one of the year's top hits. Lawrence and Jolyne further proved themselves to the industry; their box office appeal was undeniable, and Hollywood had no choice but to take them seriously. Producer Jeremiah redeemed himself with the film's success, his reputation gradually recovering after the kidnapping incident.
During this month, Lawrence attended rehearsals and script readings for The Boss Proposal, immersing himself in the role with professionalism.
Ellie Bridget had auditioned for the movie but didn't meet the director's criteria. The role required a Latina actress for an immigrant Boss. Ellie had hoped to revive her declining career by acting alongside Lawrence. Lately, her fame had been fading, and opportunities were scarce.
Even Madison Morgan, Collin's ex-client, auditioned, but her youthful appearance disqualified her in the second round. Frustrated yet determined, she resolved to work harder.
Face: Swap had finished its North American screening, grossing $172 million, a respectable sum. Its international performance was slowing at $244 million, bringing the worldwide total to $416 million, exceeding expectations.
Touchpebbles Pictures was pleased. Their previous grudge against Axel Gunner was gone, and they even expressed interest in working with him again, showing how profit often outweighed pride in Hollywood. Collin wasn't sure if they were serious, as the industry was full of empty promises. But once The Frightening Movie released and became a box office hit, Axel's status would rebound, possibly higher than before.
Wyatt and Jennifer were also extremely busy. Wyatt spent late nights in post-production perfecting the film, while Jennifer tirelessly hosted The Singing Voice, smiling through exhaustion. Ratings remained high, and families continued to watch the show together, sharing laughter. Jennifer took pride in knowing her efforts brought joy to viewers.
Meanwhile, Collin searched tirelessly for a record label for Chantal, leveraging every contact and resource available. Almost every label was interested, captivated by her unique voice and presence. Her talent and charisma met and exceeded their criteria.
However, Collin remained unsatisfied. His instincts told him some labels had hidden agendas. Even major companies often masked darker intentions. One producer even had a talent for "Career Sabotager," a sinister skill that could destroy a client's future.
Collin knew he had to say no despite tempting upfront offers. He wasn't seeking short-term profit. His goal was to ensure Chantal thrived, building a career on solid ground, free from exploitation.