Ten minutes later, the door exploded open.
The sound was so loud it echoed through the penthouse like a gunshot.
Avery didn't flinch.
Heavy footsteps entered first. Confident. Arrogant. The kind of steps that belonged to someone who believed the world existed to serve him.
Marcus Thorne walked in.
He was the CEO of Titan Management, one of the largest entertainment agencies in the country. He didn't look like a businessman. He looked like a butcher dressed in an expensive suit. His shoulders were broad, his face hard, his eyes small and cruel.
Behind him came six people in black suits.
Lawyers.
Each of them carried a black briefcase like a weapon.
The door slammed shut behind them.
The room felt smaller.
Marcus didn't bother greeting her. He walked straight up to the bed and threw a thick stack of papers onto Avery's lap.
The sound of the papers landing felt heavier than it should have.
"Sign it," Marcus said coldly.
Avery lowered her gaze and looked at the documents.
Termination Agreement.Debt Acknowledgment.Breach of Contract.Moral Clause Violation.
Her name appeared on every page.
Marcus crossed his arms. "We've already calculated the damages," he continued. "Canceled movie deals. Endorsements pulled overnight. Penalty clauses."
He smiled slightly, like he was enjoying this.
"You owe Titan Management fifty million dollars."
One of the lawyers stepped forward and added flatly, "If you refuse to sign, the company will pursue criminal fraud charges. We have enough 'evidence' to bury you."
Evidence.
Avery almost laughed.
She knew exactly how that evidence had been created.
Edited footage. Fake timestamps. Carefully planted witnesses. All arranged by the man standing in front of her.
Marcus Thorne.
The same man who had tried to force her to sign a twenty-year exclusive contract.
A contract that would have taken ninety percent of her income.
A contract that allowed Titan to control her private life, relationships, and even marriage.
A slave contract.
She had refused.
And this was the result.
Avery slowly lifted her head and looked at Marcus.
Their eyes met.
For a brief second, something strange happened.
Marcus felt it.
A chill ran down his spine.
He frowned slightly, annoyed at himself, then sneered. "Don't look at me like that. This is business."
Inside Avery's mind, a familiar sound rang out.
Ding.
[System Notification: Hostility Detected.]
A translucent blue screen appeared.
[Target: Marcus Thorne][Talent Level: D][Greed Level: SSS]
Avery's lips curved slightly.
So even the system thought he was trash.
New text appeared.
[Novice Gift Pack Unlocked!][Would you like to open it?]
Avery didn't hesitate.
Open it, she commanded silently.
The screen flashed.
[Reward Acquired.]
[Passive Skill: "Ice Queen" Aura]→ Remain calm under extreme emotional or psychological pressure.→ Fear, panic, and hesitation greatly reduced.
[Physical Enhancement: "Vocal Cord Reconstruction"]→ Unlock full vocal potential.→ Five-octave range.→ Perfect pitch stability.
A cold sensation washed over her body.
It started at her chest and spread outward, like frost blooming under her skin.
Her racing heart slowed.
The tightness in her throat vanished.
The anger, fear, and humiliation that had been boiling inside her suddenly became distant—like watching a storm from behind glass.
Avery exhaled slowly.
The lawyers watched closely.
They were waiting.
Waiting for tears.
Waiting for excuses.
Waiting for her to collapse.
But Avery didn't cry.
She didn't beg.
She calmly picked up the pen.
Marcus smirked. "Smart choice."
Avery flipped through the pages slowly, deliberately. Then she signed.
One page.
Then another.
And another.
The pen moved smoothly, without shaking.
The room was silent except for the sound of paper turning.
When she finished, she placed the pen down.
Then she looked at Marcus again.
Her eyes were calm.
Too calm.
"I'll sign," Avery said evenly. "But Marcus—"
Marcus raised an eyebrow. "But what?"
She tilted her head slightly, her voice steady and clear.
"Make sure you keep this penthouse clean," she said. "I'll be buying it back at a foreclosure auction."
Marcus froze for half a second.
Then he burst out laughing.
It was a dry, rasping sound, full of mockery.
"You're delusional," he said. "Do you have any idea what position you're in?"
He leaned closer, his voice dropping.
"You're blacklisted from every studio in the country. Every director. Every investor."
He straightened up, eyes full of contempt.
"You're not an artist anymore, Avery."
"You're a ghost."
The lawyers nodded silently, already packing up their documents.
Marcus turned to leave, confident and satisfied.
Behind him, Avery spoke again.
Softly.
"Marcus."
He paused.
Against his better judgment, he turned back.
Avery smiled.
It wasn't sweet.
It wasn't gentle.
It was sharp.
"Next year," she said, "Titan Management will collapse."
Marcus scoffed. "Dream on."
He walked out.
The door slammed shut.
The penthouse fell silent once more.
Avery leaned back against the bed, staring at the ceiling.
Her phone vibrated again.
A new notification appeared on the system screen.
[Main Quest Updated.][Objective: Re-enter the entertainment industry.][Sub-Quest Unlocked: Prove your worth without Titan Management.]
Avery closed her eyes.
A slow smile spread across her face.
"A ghost?" she whispered.
"No."
"I'm a comeback."