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Behind The Spotlight
- Thread starter Pujimaki
- Start date
Chapter 181
Pujimaki
Padoru padoru
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2022
- Messages
- 1,247
- Likes received
- 21,101
[This novel has 70 chapters on Patreon.]
---
Behind The Spotlight Chapter 181
Vivian didn't like Collin's answer. She believed that Collin should fix his client because Princess Chantal was their money maker. Moonrise Music needed her. Vivian, Collin, Lila, and Niko earned millions because of her.
It would be extremely disappointing if they failed to maximize Princess Chantal's profitability. Vivian sympathized with the young woman, but she understood her own priorities. She was a businesswoman, the biggest shareholder and the owner of Moonrise Music.
Obviously, she loved her company and wanted it to succeed. She had sacrificed years of sleep, relationships, and personal happiness just to build it from the ground up.
Now that they had finally taken the first step and achieved success, Vivian was terrified of losing Princess Chantal.
"Vivian, you do understand that people change, right? In my opinion, Chantal is still doing fine. I've met people with much worse attitudes."
"Attitude and behavior can change, but that's not what I'm asking from Princess Chantal. I want her to stick with us forever. Don't let her sign with a different record label. Loyalty is useless, only contracts are absolute."
Vivian recognized Princess Chantal's talent. She had never seen someone who could charm people through her voice alone. She was a star. And now that Princess Chantal was famous, it seemed many people had begun to notice her immense profitability.
It wouldn't be surprising if more record labels approached her with promises of creative freedom and higher compensation.
'... Is $15 million still too low as payment for breaking a contract?' Vivian asked herself.
According to the contract both sides agreed to, Princess Chantal was obligated to pay $15 million if she wanted to break it. Vivian feared that Princess Chantal might be stolen away, just like their past artists. $15 million seemed insufficient.
Back then, Niko and Vivian almost had a falling-out because the artists Vivian chose betrayed them so easily.
"Do you trust me?" Collin asked Vivian.
"We don't know each other that well."
Collin laughed lightly.
"I'm a shareholder. Of course I won't let Princess Chantal leave Moonrise Music. I'll prioritize my own interests first."
"Hm." Vivian nodded and stood up. She accepted that mutual self-interest was the strongest form of trust.
"I'll leave Princess Chantal to you."
It seemed their conversation had been pointless. At the end of the day, it all depended on whether Princess Chantal chose to leave or stay.
Vivian left the party. It was regrettable that she had bought an expensive dress for the event when no one even appreciated it.
Collin bid her farewell and sat on the chair Vivian had been using. He waited patiently for the door to open. He had plenty of patience.
He glanced at his watch. There were only two hours left before the new year arrived.
'... The world isn't going to end, right?' Collin asked himself. On his way to the mansion, he had seen protesters holding signs about the end of the world. He couldn't help but feel uneasy.
After his thoughts drifted away, the door finally opened, and three people exited the room.
The first was a Frenchwoman with long black hair. Her lips were smeared with lipstick, and her eyes were hazy. It was Isabella.
The second was a dark-skinned woman with curly, wavy hair. Like Isabella, Princess Chantal had lipstick smeared on her lips. There were even hickeys on her neck.
The third was a blonde gorgeous woman with shoulder-length hair. She also had hickey marks and kiss marks scattered across her neck and cheeks.
The three women were smiling, clearly under the influence. Their laughter was loose and careless.
'... Did they kiss each other or something?'
Collin raised an eyebrow and glanced inside the room. He found no one else. Those three women had been the only occupants. Judging by their messy clothes, uncombed hair, and unfocused gazes, something had definitely happened inside.
'I know something strange has been going on between Isabella and Chantal. I also know they're interested in men, so they're probably bisexual. Anyway, does two women kissing make them lesbians or not?'
What truly confused Collin was the third woman, whom he assumed was Gabriella Wallmart. He wasn't surprised by the intimacy between Princess Chantal and Isabella, he had already suspected it. But adding another woman into the mix was unexpected and potentially dangerous.
"Collin!" Princess Chantal exclaimed happily when she saw him. She hugged him and rubbed her head against his chest. She had always found Collin attractive.
"Chantal, no fair! I want to hug Collin too!" Isabella joined in, wrapping her arms around him as well.
The two were clearly under the influence, their rationality clouded.
"Chantal, Isabella, what is going on? I thought today's event was supposed to be a formal party?"
"Hehe, I changed it."
"Why?"
"Gabriella said it would be fun if we invited people and turned it into a frat party instead."
Collin stared at the blonde woman. Gabriella extended her hand for a handshake.
"Hello, I'm Gabriella Wallmart."
"Collin East."
"I've heard about you. Chantal and Isabella told me you're an amazing person. And now that I've met you in person," Gabriella's eyes glinted slightly, "it seems they weren't lying. You're an outstanding man."
"Thank you for the compliment." Collin shook her hand while Chantal and Isabella clung to him. Fortunately, the two women were already twenty-one and legally allowed to drink. Although, based on their behavior, Collin wasn't sure alcohol was the only thing involved.
"Collin, we should talk sometime. Here's my business card."
"Alright."
Gabriella excused herself, understanding that Collin wanted to speak with Princess Chantal and Isabella privately.
"Bye-bye, bestie~"
"Gurl, slay~"
The blonde woman walked away.
Collin stared at Gabriella's retreating figure, chills running down his spine. More precisely, he was staring at the golden words floating above her head.
'I guess I know why she convinced Chantal to change the party.'
--Gabriella Wallmart
-- Master Manipulator (Gold)
Collin had thought Gabriella was a simple woman, but he was wrong.
"Girls, stop clinging to me. We need to talk seriously."
"But you smell nice~" Princess Chantal inhaled his scent.
Collin sighed.
"Let's go to your room."
"Alright~"
When the three of them stepped inside, Collin immediately caught the scent of weed. He frowned slightly and opened the windows to let the air circulate. His concern deepened.
"Now, can someone explain to me what is going on here?"
---
Behind The Spotlight Chapter 181
Vivian didn't like Collin's answer. She believed that Collin should fix his client because Princess Chantal was their money maker. Moonrise Music needed her. Vivian, Collin, Lila, and Niko earned millions because of her.
It would be extremely disappointing if they failed to maximize Princess Chantal's profitability. Vivian sympathized with the young woman, but she understood her own priorities. She was a businesswoman, the biggest shareholder and the owner of Moonrise Music.
Obviously, she loved her company and wanted it to succeed. She had sacrificed years of sleep, relationships, and personal happiness just to build it from the ground up.
Now that they had finally taken the first step and achieved success, Vivian was terrified of losing Princess Chantal.
"Vivian, you do understand that people change, right? In my opinion, Chantal is still doing fine. I've met people with much worse attitudes."
"Attitude and behavior can change, but that's not what I'm asking from Princess Chantal. I want her to stick with us forever. Don't let her sign with a different record label. Loyalty is useless, only contracts are absolute."
Vivian recognized Princess Chantal's talent. She had never seen someone who could charm people through her voice alone. She was a star. And now that Princess Chantal was famous, it seemed many people had begun to notice her immense profitability.
It wouldn't be surprising if more record labels approached her with promises of creative freedom and higher compensation.
'... Is $15 million still too low as payment for breaking a contract?' Vivian asked herself.
According to the contract both sides agreed to, Princess Chantal was obligated to pay $15 million if she wanted to break it. Vivian feared that Princess Chantal might be stolen away, just like their past artists. $15 million seemed insufficient.
Back then, Niko and Vivian almost had a falling-out because the artists Vivian chose betrayed them so easily.
"Do you trust me?" Collin asked Vivian.
"We don't know each other that well."
Collin laughed lightly.
"I'm a shareholder. Of course I won't let Princess Chantal leave Moonrise Music. I'll prioritize my own interests first."
"Hm." Vivian nodded and stood up. She accepted that mutual self-interest was the strongest form of trust.
"I'll leave Princess Chantal to you."
It seemed their conversation had been pointless. At the end of the day, it all depended on whether Princess Chantal chose to leave or stay.
Vivian left the party. It was regrettable that she had bought an expensive dress for the event when no one even appreciated it.
Collin bid her farewell and sat on the chair Vivian had been using. He waited patiently for the door to open. He had plenty of patience.
He glanced at his watch. There were only two hours left before the new year arrived.
'... The world isn't going to end, right?' Collin asked himself. On his way to the mansion, he had seen protesters holding signs about the end of the world. He couldn't help but feel uneasy.
After his thoughts drifted away, the door finally opened, and three people exited the room.
The first was a Frenchwoman with long black hair. Her lips were smeared with lipstick, and her eyes were hazy. It was Isabella.
The second was a dark-skinned woman with curly, wavy hair. Like Isabella, Princess Chantal had lipstick smeared on her lips. There were even hickeys on her neck.
The third was a blonde gorgeous woman with shoulder-length hair. She also had hickey marks and kiss marks scattered across her neck and cheeks.
The three women were smiling, clearly under the influence. Their laughter was loose and careless.
'... Did they kiss each other or something?'
Collin raised an eyebrow and glanced inside the room. He found no one else. Those three women had been the only occupants. Judging by their messy clothes, uncombed hair, and unfocused gazes, something had definitely happened inside.
'I know something strange has been going on between Isabella and Chantal. I also know they're interested in men, so they're probably bisexual. Anyway, does two women kissing make them lesbians or not?'
What truly confused Collin was the third woman, whom he assumed was Gabriella Wallmart. He wasn't surprised by the intimacy between Princess Chantal and Isabella, he had already suspected it. But adding another woman into the mix was unexpected and potentially dangerous.
"Collin!" Princess Chantal exclaimed happily when she saw him. She hugged him and rubbed her head against his chest. She had always found Collin attractive.
"Chantal, no fair! I want to hug Collin too!" Isabella joined in, wrapping her arms around him as well.
The two were clearly under the influence, their rationality clouded.
"Chantal, Isabella, what is going on? I thought today's event was supposed to be a formal party?"
"Hehe, I changed it."
"Why?"
"Gabriella said it would be fun if we invited people and turned it into a frat party instead."
Collin stared at the blonde woman. Gabriella extended her hand for a handshake.
"Hello, I'm Gabriella Wallmart."
"Collin East."
"I've heard about you. Chantal and Isabella told me you're an amazing person. And now that I've met you in person," Gabriella's eyes glinted slightly, "it seems they weren't lying. You're an outstanding man."
"Thank you for the compliment." Collin shook her hand while Chantal and Isabella clung to him. Fortunately, the two women were already twenty-one and legally allowed to drink. Although, based on their behavior, Collin wasn't sure alcohol was the only thing involved.
"Collin, we should talk sometime. Here's my business card."
"Alright."
Gabriella excused herself, understanding that Collin wanted to speak with Princess Chantal and Isabella privately.
"Bye-bye, bestie~"
"Gurl, slay~"
The blonde woman walked away.
Collin stared at Gabriella's retreating figure, chills running down his spine. More precisely, he was staring at the golden words floating above her head.
'I guess I know why she convinced Chantal to change the party.'
--Gabriella Wallmart
-- Master Manipulator (Gold)
Collin had thought Gabriella was a simple woman, but he was wrong.
"Girls, stop clinging to me. We need to talk seriously."
"But you smell nice~" Princess Chantal inhaled his scent.
Collin sighed.
"Let's go to your room."
"Alright~"
When the three of them stepped inside, Collin immediately caught the scent of weed. He frowned slightly and opened the windows to let the air circulate. His concern deepened.
"Now, can someone explain to me what is going on here?"
Killya-Caesar
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Just finished reading all chapters, thanks for the fiction!
Chapter 182
New
Pujimaki
Padoru padoru
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[Author's Note:]
Please subscribe to my Patreon, so we have something to eat this holiday season. You can read:
72 advance chapters of Behind The Spotlight
Patreon link: https: //www. patreon. com/Puji_maki
---
Behind The Spotlight Chapter 182
Gabriella waited for her driver as she stood in front of the mansion. The party was still ongoing. She waited for a few minutes before an expensive car stopped in front of her. She opened the door and stepped in without sparing the mansion a glance.
"Let's return to my villa."
"Yes, Ma'am."
Gabriella was affected by the weed, but her rationality remained strong. Her thoughts stayed sharp despite the lingering haze.
"Collin East... It seems like I didn't make a mistake in choosing you." Gabriella smiled faintly as she leaned back against her seat, her lips curving with calculation. She had her reasons for being interested in Collin.
Gabriella was a major shareholder of a record label, but the one who handled most of the business was the CEO, a role she deliberately avoided. She preferred manipulating people rather than being hands-on in business. Direct management was tedious to her.
Last year, Gabriella and her older brother started an agency in Hollywood, and it was a rough start, far more challenging than expected. The company had a lot of liquid funds, but it lacked capable people to manage it. Money alone was never enough. In particular, they lacked capable agents and clients, the backbone of any agency. Their agency was called One Entertainment Agency.
An agency was useless without agents and clients who could generate profits. Gabriella felt she had to do something about it.
Thus, she paid people to conduct research and look for agents they could hire. She received a list and found several veterans who handled famous celebrities. However, those veteran agents already had deep roots in their respective agencies. They owned significant shares, and stealing them would be expensive.
Instead, Gabriella looked for less prominent agents with outstanding track records. The person who caught her attention was none other than Collin East.
His ability to see through people's talent was unmatched. Gabriella studied Collin's achievements and was genuinely impressed.
In her opinion, even veteran agents couldn't compare to what Collin had accomplished in just eight years.
He guided a fresh graduate into making a comedy film and created a box office hit, defying industry logic.
He helped an unknown actor become the recognized Romance Box Office King.
He assisted another actor who later landed a famous role in an action movie.
Collin also found ways for a female actress to thrive as a host.
His latest achievement was turning a Frenchwoman into a superstar, making her the best pop idol of 1999. In fact, Gabriella had been interested in Princess Chantal even before she looked into Collin. The singer had already caught her eye. Gabriella had met her briefly at a music awards ceremony and exchanged a few greetings.
When Gabriella studied Collin's achievements more deeply, she realized she wanted this man without hesitation. She couldn't fully explain it, but she believed that whoever acquired Collin would become one of the most successful figures in Hollywood. Her instincts told her that Collin was worth it.
Of course, she couldn't simply approach him and invite him to join her agency. That wasn't her style, nor would it be effective.
As a woman who survived the power struggles within the Wallmart family, Gabriella preferred slowly befriending her target's friends before striking, a strategy that had proven effective time and time again.
This time, since Gabriella was also interested in Princess Chantal, she chose to befriend the singer, and it was effortless. Charm was her weapon, and she wielded it skillfully.
'If I acquire Collin East, his clients will naturally leave ANT and work with One Entertainment Agency instead. Collin is the main reason these people became successful, and I know they recognize that fact. These clients need Collin the most.'
The conclusion was simple.
The idea made Gabriella excited.
Having profitable clients was important, but possessing a talented agent was far better. Gabriella trusted her intuition. She knew hiring Collin would be worth it, even at a great cost.
Now that she had laid the groundwork, she planned to proceed step by step.
Collin thought Gabriella was interested in Princess Chantal, but he was only half right. Gabriella was far more interested in him than in Princess Chantal.
As Gabriella rested her head against the seat, she smirked and imagined how satisfying it would be once she acquired Collin.
.........
......
...
"Can you explain to me what is going on?" Collin looked seriously at the two women, his tone firm. Isabella seemed to have sobered up, so Collin directed his gaze toward her.
"We just wanted to have fun."
"Hosting a frat party isn't wrong, but changing an event at the last minute is disrespectful," Collin reminded them, carefully choosing his words.
"I promise this will be the last time this happens. To make up for it, Chantal will host a formal party next week, right, Chantal?"
"Uhh, yeah~" Princess Chantal purred and pushed Isabella onto the bed, laughing softly.
"... I can't talk to you properly if you're like this." Collin sighed.
"By the way, that Gabriella, where did you meet her?" He hadn't forgotten that someone might try to steal Princess Chantal from Moonrise Music. Now that he recognized Gabriella as dangerous, he wanted to ensure his client distanced herself from her as soon as possible.
"We met her at an award show," Isabella answered.
"Stay away from her. She's dangerous."
"But why?" This time, Princess Chantal reacted, genuinely confused. She liked Gabriella. To her, Gabriella was a good friend.
"Because you can't trust her. She has bad intentions." Collin didn't elaborate further, especially not while the two women were still tipsy and unfocused.
"What are your plans for the people in the mansion? Are you going to continue the party?"
"Yeah! We're waiting for the new year!"
Suddenly, fireworks shot into the sky and exploded, painting the night with dazzling lights. The three looked toward the window and realized it at the same time, it was officially the New Year.
Even the people partying inside the mansion cheered and popped champagne, celebrating wildly.
'It seems the world isn't going to end, which is a good thing,' Collin thought to himself.
"Collin, Happy New Year! Thank you for taking care of us. Thank you for making me a star." Despite her hazy gaze, Princess Chantal was sincere. She stepped forward and hugged him.
Collin saw the honesty in her eyes and smiled faintly. He patted her head, making Princess Chantal blush. To him, Princess Chantal and Isabella were like younger sisters he instinctively wanted to protect. Still, he knew people had to face the real world to mature. He couldn't protect them forever. Eventually, they would have to confront reality on their own.
"Happy New Year," Collin replied softly.
"You're wearing the watch I gave you. That's great," Isabella grinned when she noticed Collin's wristwatch.
Please subscribe to my Patreon, so we have something to eat this holiday season. You can read:
72 advance chapters of Behind The Spotlight
Patreon link: https: //www. patreon. com/Puji_maki
---
Behind The Spotlight Chapter 182
Gabriella waited for her driver as she stood in front of the mansion. The party was still ongoing. She waited for a few minutes before an expensive car stopped in front of her. She opened the door and stepped in without sparing the mansion a glance.
"Let's return to my villa."
"Yes, Ma'am."
Gabriella was affected by the weed, but her rationality remained strong. Her thoughts stayed sharp despite the lingering haze.
"Collin East... It seems like I didn't make a mistake in choosing you." Gabriella smiled faintly as she leaned back against her seat, her lips curving with calculation. She had her reasons for being interested in Collin.
Gabriella was a major shareholder of a record label, but the one who handled most of the business was the CEO, a role she deliberately avoided. She preferred manipulating people rather than being hands-on in business. Direct management was tedious to her.
Last year, Gabriella and her older brother started an agency in Hollywood, and it was a rough start, far more challenging than expected. The company had a lot of liquid funds, but it lacked capable people to manage it. Money alone was never enough. In particular, they lacked capable agents and clients, the backbone of any agency. Their agency was called One Entertainment Agency.
An agency was useless without agents and clients who could generate profits. Gabriella felt she had to do something about it.
Thus, she paid people to conduct research and look for agents they could hire. She received a list and found several veterans who handled famous celebrities. However, those veteran agents already had deep roots in their respective agencies. They owned significant shares, and stealing them would be expensive.
Instead, Gabriella looked for less prominent agents with outstanding track records. The person who caught her attention was none other than Collin East.
His ability to see through people's talent was unmatched. Gabriella studied Collin's achievements and was genuinely impressed.
In her opinion, even veteran agents couldn't compare to what Collin had accomplished in just eight years.
He guided a fresh graduate into making a comedy film and created a box office hit, defying industry logic.
He helped an unknown actor become the recognized Romance Box Office King.
He assisted another actor who later landed a famous role in an action movie.
Collin also found ways for a female actress to thrive as a host.
His latest achievement was turning a Frenchwoman into a superstar, making her the best pop idol of 1999. In fact, Gabriella had been interested in Princess Chantal even before she looked into Collin. The singer had already caught her eye. Gabriella had met her briefly at a music awards ceremony and exchanged a few greetings.
When Gabriella studied Collin's achievements more deeply, she realized she wanted this man without hesitation. She couldn't fully explain it, but she believed that whoever acquired Collin would become one of the most successful figures in Hollywood. Her instincts told her that Collin was worth it.
Of course, she couldn't simply approach him and invite him to join her agency. That wasn't her style, nor would it be effective.
As a woman who survived the power struggles within the Wallmart family, Gabriella preferred slowly befriending her target's friends before striking, a strategy that had proven effective time and time again.
This time, since Gabriella was also interested in Princess Chantal, she chose to befriend the singer, and it was effortless. Charm was her weapon, and she wielded it skillfully.
'If I acquire Collin East, his clients will naturally leave ANT and work with One Entertainment Agency instead. Collin is the main reason these people became successful, and I know they recognize that fact. These clients need Collin the most.'
The conclusion was simple.
The idea made Gabriella excited.
Having profitable clients was important, but possessing a talented agent was far better. Gabriella trusted her intuition. She knew hiring Collin would be worth it, even at a great cost.
Now that she had laid the groundwork, she planned to proceed step by step.
Collin thought Gabriella was interested in Princess Chantal, but he was only half right. Gabriella was far more interested in him than in Princess Chantal.
As Gabriella rested her head against the seat, she smirked and imagined how satisfying it would be once she acquired Collin.
.........
......
...
"Can you explain to me what is going on?" Collin looked seriously at the two women, his tone firm. Isabella seemed to have sobered up, so Collin directed his gaze toward her.
"We just wanted to have fun."
"Hosting a frat party isn't wrong, but changing an event at the last minute is disrespectful," Collin reminded them, carefully choosing his words.
"I promise this will be the last time this happens. To make up for it, Chantal will host a formal party next week, right, Chantal?"
"Uhh, yeah~" Princess Chantal purred and pushed Isabella onto the bed, laughing softly.
"... I can't talk to you properly if you're like this." Collin sighed.
"By the way, that Gabriella, where did you meet her?" He hadn't forgotten that someone might try to steal Princess Chantal from Moonrise Music. Now that he recognized Gabriella as dangerous, he wanted to ensure his client distanced herself from her as soon as possible.
"We met her at an award show," Isabella answered.
"Stay away from her. She's dangerous."
"But why?" This time, Princess Chantal reacted, genuinely confused. She liked Gabriella. To her, Gabriella was a good friend.
"Because you can't trust her. She has bad intentions." Collin didn't elaborate further, especially not while the two women were still tipsy and unfocused.
"What are your plans for the people in the mansion? Are you going to continue the party?"
"Yeah! We're waiting for the new year!"
Suddenly, fireworks shot into the sky and exploded, painting the night with dazzling lights. The three looked toward the window and realized it at the same time, it was officially the New Year.
Even the people partying inside the mansion cheered and popped champagne, celebrating wildly.
'It seems the world isn't going to end, which is a good thing,' Collin thought to himself.
"Collin, Happy New Year! Thank you for taking care of us. Thank you for making me a star." Despite her hazy gaze, Princess Chantal was sincere. She stepped forward and hugged him.
Collin saw the honesty in her eyes and smiled faintly. He patted her head, making Princess Chantal blush. To him, Princess Chantal and Isabella were like younger sisters he instinctively wanted to protect. Still, he knew people had to face the real world to mature. He couldn't protect them forever. Eventually, they would have to confront reality on their own.
"Happy New Year," Collin replied softly.
"You're wearing the watch I gave you. That's great," Isabella grinned when she noticed Collin's wristwatch.
Chapter 183
New
Pujimaki
Padoru padoru
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2022
- Messages
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- Likes received
- 21,101
Behind The Spotlight Chapter 183
"That's not fair. You also used the car I gave you, right, Collin?" Princess Chantal pouted, her tone carrying childish dissatisfaction.
The two women had actually given him Christmas gifts, expensive ones. Far beyond what he had expected. A watch and a sports car, both luxury items, with the sports car being the most overwhelming. Collin wanted to decline the gifts, but the two women were adamant and refused to take no for an answer. Left with no choice, he accepted the gifts.
Of course, Wyatt and the others also gave Collin Christmas gifts, but they were far less expensive than what Princess Chantal had given.
Out of all his clients, Princess Chantal had spent over $100,000 on a sports car. A fact that still gave him a headache whenever he thought about it. Collin had no idea what to do with it… He was afraid of driving such an expensive car. He worried about scratches, accidents, and unwanted attention.
"Well…" Collin averted his gaze. He was guilty, as he hadn't used the sports car even once since receiving it.
"What? You wore Isabella's gift, but you didn't use my car? How could you?" Her voice rose slightly in disbelief.
"Alright, alright. Let's change the topic. What are you going to do with the people in the mansion? The New Year has already arrived. There's no point in them staying any longer." He quickly redirected the conversation.
"We want to party more!" Princess Chantal exclaimed enthusiastically.
"Woohoo!" Isabella cheered.
The two women ran out of the room to join the party downstairs. They were indeed young people.
"…"
Collin was speechless, staring at the empty doorway for several seconds.
'I thought Isabella was mature enough to be an assistant and handle serious matters, but I guess I was wrong. Isabella is still young. I need to hire another person who can help me manage Chantal, someone more level-headed and experienced.'
Collin made a decision.
He stepped out of the room and went downstairs. The two women were already adults, and they could do whatever they wanted as long as it didn't spiral into trouble.
When he stepped into the party, he saw Princess Chantal and Isabella dancing, their movements carefree and energetic. The music playing was Princess Chantal's pop song, which made the scene a bit better, at least thematically appropriate.
'At least they are dancing to Chantal's song.'
Princess Chantal saw Collin and invited him to dance, but he shook his head and declined. Princess Chantal approached him anyway.
"Collin, you'll help me if I get in trouble, right?"
"Why are you asking that? Chantal, don't do something stupid." He frowned.
"Of course not." She giggled and twirled a strand of her curly hair. "If I need your help, please help me."
There was seriousness in what she said.
"What kind of question is that? I'm your agent. My job is to help you." He assured her.
"Then, thank you in advance." She returned to dancing with the others as if the conversation had never happened.
Just to be safe, Collin stayed at the party until 3 a.m. in case Princess Chantal and Isabella did something stupid. But nothing happened, fortunately.
He sighed in relief. Before he left, he reminded the two that he would visit them later once things settled down. He hoped that Princess Chantal and Isabella would be sober by then.
.........
......
...
Technically, Collin was still on vacation until January 4, but there were some things that needed his urgent attention, responsibilities that couldn't be postponed.
"You got a gig for me?" Jennifer was surprised that Collin had found a job for her. She thought her entire career would revolve around hosting The Singing Voice, with no room for other opportunities.
It seemed that Collin was still thinking of her as his client despite her doubts. She smiled, feeling thankful.
"That's right. I got a role for you. But it's different, you don't have to act. You'll be dubbing a character in a cartoon movie," Collin explained.
"A cartoon movie?" She was curious.
"You know Toys Stories, right?"
"Of course, I know it. It's the first 3D cartoon movie released years ago, produced by Fixar." Even though the movie was advertised for kids, Jennifer had the chance to watch it, and she was surprised by how much technology had improved.
A decade ago, 2D animation was the norm, while 3D animation was considered difficult and nearly impossible due to technical limitations.
"You'll be voicing a cowgirl toy in the sequel. The production team watched The Singing Voice and felt that your voice fit the criteria. Don't expect something huge, though. Just think of this as gaining work experience and broadening your portfolio."
"Gosh darn it, this is going to be fun." Jennifer squealed and clapped her hands together. She found the idea of voicing a cartoon character interesting and refreshingly different. At this point, trying something new sounded fun to her.
"Excuse me?" Collin frowned, clearly disturbed.
"Yes, Collin?"
"What did you say?"
"I said voicing a cartoon character is going to be fun. What about it?" She tilted her head.
"…Never mind."
'Did I hear that right? Did Jennifer just say "Gosh darn it"? What is going on?'
Out of curiosity and concern, Collin placed his palm on the woman's forehead, intending to check if her temperature was high. Perhaps she was sick or exhausted.
When his palm touched Jennifer's skin, she shivered in shock and instinctively avoided him. She noticed Collin staring at her seriously, and she felt "uncomfortable" whenever he did that. His deep gaze was just that hypnotizing.
"What the heck, dude? What are you doing?" Jennifer slapped his hand away and glared at him defensively.
"…I just wanted to know if you're sick," he replied honestly.
"I'm not sick."
"Then why are you speaking like that?"
"Like what? Goodness gracious, Collin, you should be mindful of your words."
"Like that! You're speaking like that!"
Collin was scared and deeply unsettled. As their conversation continued, he realized that Jennifer hadn't used a single swear word at all. This was terrifying!
"Are you a skin walker or a doppelganger? Did you kidnap Jennifer? Where is she? Tell me!"
"Good grief, you're acting insane." Jennifer protested and crossed her arms.
"You're the one acting insane."
After confirming that Jennifer hadn't been kidnapped or replaced by a skin walker, Collin handed the script to her.
"The best I can ask for is $100,000 as your salary," he stated professionally.
"That's already good. I'm going to treat this project as a way to have fun."
For Jennifer, $100,000 was only equivalent to two episodes of hosting The Singing Voice.
Jennifer excitedly flipped through the script to read her lines, but she frowned when she noticed something strange.
"Why do my lines have sexual innuendo?" she questioned immediately.
One of her lines read, "Nice pants, I wonder what's inside."
In that scene, Cowboy Woodie had new pants, and there were small toy guns inside, which prompted the line. It was innocent yet suggestive.
"Are you sure this movie is for kids?" Jennifer asked suspiciously.
She would probably be shocked once she realized that many cartoon movies cleverly hid sexual innuendos.
---
[Author's Note: Happy Holidays. For 2000, I have a lot of side plots to tackle, so this year might take me many chapters to write. Also, since I've tackled the music industry, I'm going to explore the sports industry next. I'm going to set a poll later about that. This novel has 72 chapters on Patreon.]
"That's not fair. You also used the car I gave you, right, Collin?" Princess Chantal pouted, her tone carrying childish dissatisfaction.
The two women had actually given him Christmas gifts, expensive ones. Far beyond what he had expected. A watch and a sports car, both luxury items, with the sports car being the most overwhelming. Collin wanted to decline the gifts, but the two women were adamant and refused to take no for an answer. Left with no choice, he accepted the gifts.
Of course, Wyatt and the others also gave Collin Christmas gifts, but they were far less expensive than what Princess Chantal had given.
Out of all his clients, Princess Chantal had spent over $100,000 on a sports car. A fact that still gave him a headache whenever he thought about it. Collin had no idea what to do with it… He was afraid of driving such an expensive car. He worried about scratches, accidents, and unwanted attention.
"Well…" Collin averted his gaze. He was guilty, as he hadn't used the sports car even once since receiving it.
"What? You wore Isabella's gift, but you didn't use my car? How could you?" Her voice rose slightly in disbelief.
"Alright, alright. Let's change the topic. What are you going to do with the people in the mansion? The New Year has already arrived. There's no point in them staying any longer." He quickly redirected the conversation.
"We want to party more!" Princess Chantal exclaimed enthusiastically.
"Woohoo!" Isabella cheered.
The two women ran out of the room to join the party downstairs. They were indeed young people.
"…"
Collin was speechless, staring at the empty doorway for several seconds.
'I thought Isabella was mature enough to be an assistant and handle serious matters, but I guess I was wrong. Isabella is still young. I need to hire another person who can help me manage Chantal, someone more level-headed and experienced.'
Collin made a decision.
He stepped out of the room and went downstairs. The two women were already adults, and they could do whatever they wanted as long as it didn't spiral into trouble.
When he stepped into the party, he saw Princess Chantal and Isabella dancing, their movements carefree and energetic. The music playing was Princess Chantal's pop song, which made the scene a bit better, at least thematically appropriate.
'At least they are dancing to Chantal's song.'
Princess Chantal saw Collin and invited him to dance, but he shook his head and declined. Princess Chantal approached him anyway.
"Collin, you'll help me if I get in trouble, right?"
"Why are you asking that? Chantal, don't do something stupid." He frowned.
"Of course not." She giggled and twirled a strand of her curly hair. "If I need your help, please help me."
There was seriousness in what she said.
"What kind of question is that? I'm your agent. My job is to help you." He assured her.
"Then, thank you in advance." She returned to dancing with the others as if the conversation had never happened.
Just to be safe, Collin stayed at the party until 3 a.m. in case Princess Chantal and Isabella did something stupid. But nothing happened, fortunately.
He sighed in relief. Before he left, he reminded the two that he would visit them later once things settled down. He hoped that Princess Chantal and Isabella would be sober by then.
.........
......
...
Technically, Collin was still on vacation until January 4, but there were some things that needed his urgent attention, responsibilities that couldn't be postponed.
"You got a gig for me?" Jennifer was surprised that Collin had found a job for her. She thought her entire career would revolve around hosting The Singing Voice, with no room for other opportunities.
It seemed that Collin was still thinking of her as his client despite her doubts. She smiled, feeling thankful.
"That's right. I got a role for you. But it's different, you don't have to act. You'll be dubbing a character in a cartoon movie," Collin explained.
"A cartoon movie?" She was curious.
"You know Toys Stories, right?"
"Of course, I know it. It's the first 3D cartoon movie released years ago, produced by Fixar." Even though the movie was advertised for kids, Jennifer had the chance to watch it, and she was surprised by how much technology had improved.
A decade ago, 2D animation was the norm, while 3D animation was considered difficult and nearly impossible due to technical limitations.
"You'll be voicing a cowgirl toy in the sequel. The production team watched The Singing Voice and felt that your voice fit the criteria. Don't expect something huge, though. Just think of this as gaining work experience and broadening your portfolio."
"Gosh darn it, this is going to be fun." Jennifer squealed and clapped her hands together. She found the idea of voicing a cartoon character interesting and refreshingly different. At this point, trying something new sounded fun to her.
"Excuse me?" Collin frowned, clearly disturbed.
"Yes, Collin?"
"What did you say?"
"I said voicing a cartoon character is going to be fun. What about it?" She tilted her head.
"…Never mind."
'Did I hear that right? Did Jennifer just say "Gosh darn it"? What is going on?'
Out of curiosity and concern, Collin placed his palm on the woman's forehead, intending to check if her temperature was high. Perhaps she was sick or exhausted.
When his palm touched Jennifer's skin, she shivered in shock and instinctively avoided him. She noticed Collin staring at her seriously, and she felt "uncomfortable" whenever he did that. His deep gaze was just that hypnotizing.
"What the heck, dude? What are you doing?" Jennifer slapped his hand away and glared at him defensively.
"…I just wanted to know if you're sick," he replied honestly.
"I'm not sick."
"Then why are you speaking like that?"
"Like what? Goodness gracious, Collin, you should be mindful of your words."
"Like that! You're speaking like that!"
Collin was scared and deeply unsettled. As their conversation continued, he realized that Jennifer hadn't used a single swear word at all. This was terrifying!
"Are you a skin walker or a doppelganger? Did you kidnap Jennifer? Where is she? Tell me!"
"Good grief, you're acting insane." Jennifer protested and crossed her arms.
"You're the one acting insane."
After confirming that Jennifer hadn't been kidnapped or replaced by a skin walker, Collin handed the script to her.
"The best I can ask for is $100,000 as your salary," he stated professionally.
"That's already good. I'm going to treat this project as a way to have fun."
For Jennifer, $100,000 was only equivalent to two episodes of hosting The Singing Voice.
Jennifer excitedly flipped through the script to read her lines, but she frowned when she noticed something strange.
"Why do my lines have sexual innuendo?" she questioned immediately.
One of her lines read, "Nice pants, I wonder what's inside."
In that scene, Cowboy Woodie had new pants, and there were small toy guns inside, which prompted the line. It was innocent yet suggestive.
"Are you sure this movie is for kids?" Jennifer asked suspiciously.
She would probably be shocked once she realized that many cartoon movies cleverly hid sexual innuendos.
---
[Author's Note: Happy Holidays. For 2000, I have a lot of side plots to tackle, so this year might take me many chapters to write. Also, since I've tackled the music industry, I'm going to explore the sports industry next. I'm going to set a poll later about that. This novel has 72 chapters on Patreon.]
Chapter 184
New
Pujimaki
Padoru padoru
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2022
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Behind The Spotlight Chapter 184
"Also, here, I thought Woodie's line was 'there's a snake in my boot', but why is it 'there's a snake in my pants, please pull it out and calm it down'?" Her brows furrowed deeply as she reread the sentence multiple times in disbelief.
Jennifer pointed at the lines. She read them again and confirmed that there was indeed a snake toy in Woodie's pants, but the line didn't feel right at all. She felt that there was something sexual about it, something suggestive that made her uncomfortable despite understanding the context.
"Jennifer, this is nothing new."
"But it's a cartoon movie. This is meant for kids."
"This is also meant for adults. You know how this industry works."
"…" Jennifer sighed and decided to skim through the script, choosing not to argue further.
Cartoon movies were double-layered entertainment that targeted both kids and adults, a well-established formula in the industry. Many movies, especially animated ones, were marketed to both groups to maximize profit.
Kids enjoyed the surface-level jokes, while adults caught the subtle, more mature meanings. This kept parents entertained too, so they didn't get bored watching alongside their children.
On top of that, parents were the ones who bought tickets and watched the movies together with their kids. To keep them entertained, animation studios had to come up with lines that would make them laugh or giggle.
Since Jennifer was offered a gig, she wasn't going to decline it. She admitted that she had been looking for something new because hosting The Singing Voice for three seasons had become stale due to repetition. Although it was repetitive, she had no intention of resigning. That would be a stupid thing to do financially and professionally.
As for voicing a cowgirl toy in Toys Stories 2, she found it novel and refreshing, different from her usual work. Of course, she wanted to try it. Jennifer accepted the job with enthusiasm.
The next day, Collin called the producer of Toys Stories 2. The negotiation didn't take long. They talked over the phone and quickly agreed on a $120,000 contract without unnecessary back-and-forth.
For Fixar, this amount was acceptable, so they had no problem with it. Collin knew Jennifer's box office pull, or rather, the lack of it. She had no box office appeal at all, so hiring her for $120,000 was already reasonable. After all, Jennifer hadn't starred in any films over the past three years, which had lowered her market value.
With that, Jennifer signed the contract, and Collin earned a $7,200 commission. It was a small amount, but money Collin never disregarded, because every dollar mattered. He could buy a car with that amount or invest it elsewhere.
If there was anything unexpected, it was the fact that Jennifer rarely swore now. Collin felt chills whenever he talked to her lately. He wasn't sure whether Jennifer was the real Jennifer, or if she had been possessed by the devil, or eaten by a skin walker that had taken over her identity.
.........
......
...
"What do you think, Don? Is it really a poltergeist or just a ghost?"
"Shamie, you've been gone for years and left us to go to college. Perhaps your memories got rusty after retiring from being a Hunter," Don smirked at his younger sister.
Shamie rolled her eyes.
"It's a poltergeist," she answered with disdain toward her brother, who irritated her to no end.
"Why bother asking me then?" He chuckled.
Shamie had been a simple college student just a week ago. However, her older brother suddenly showed up and told her that their father had been missing for almost a year, a revelation that shattered her normal life.
Shamie came from a family of Hunters who hunted ghosts and dangerous entities that killed people. However, she chose to pursue college, leave the family business, and seek normalcy. She fell in love with her boyfriend and hoped for a peaceful future.
But a supernatural event occurred, and Shamie woke up to find her boyfriend glued to the ceiling, blood dripping from his body. He was dead, a horrifying sight that haunted her.
Since then, Shamie accepted the fact that she couldn't truly leave her past behind. Now, Shamie and her brother, Don, had to face a poltergeist and destroy it.
"You know the rules, and so do I."
"I'm never gonna let you down."
"I'm never gonna turn around and desert you."
The siblings grabbed their weapons to face the poltergeist, ready for battle.
"Okay, cut—!"
The director announced, and the production crew moved quickly. Some fixed the cast's makeup, while others offered warm chocolate to fight the cold.
Madison Morgan humbly thanked the production crew. After having no projects for years aside from small roles that were technically extras, Madison felt happy that she had landed a starring role in this new show.
"Don't be nervous. People may look down on you," her co-star, Toreto Dominos, reminded Madison.
"I know, but I'm still thankful. Thank you, Toreto."
Madison and Toreto were the actors cast as Shamie and Don. They starred in a new horror show titled Unnatural, where two siblings faced different creatures in each episode.
They were shooting the first episode of the show, in which a handsome man was possessed by a poltergeist.
"Can you try smiling the whole time? I'm thinking of shooting this scene three times. One with you smiling handsomely, the second with you staring coldly, and the last with you grinning like a madman."
"No problem, director."
While Madison and Toreto were talking, they noticed the director speaking with a famous actor. Lawrence Terrence was deep in conversation with him. The actor was sitting comfortably on a couch, with one crew member fanning him and another feeding him grapes. It had become normal for Lawrence to snack between breaks and be excessively pampered.
In fact, the situation felt unusual because the director was speaking humbly to Lawrence while the actor simply relaxed. Lawrence looked like a king, while the director seemed like a servant. The huge difference in their status was clearly displayed on set.
Lawrence was interested in trying something new. When he saw a version of the script where his character was possessed by a poltergeist, he personally called the director and requested that version.
The script had originally been rewritten because the production team feared Lawrence would be angry about portraying a poltergeist. Yet the outcome was the opposite of what they had expected.
Lawrence was tired of playing prince charming roles. He drew inspiration from Axel Gunner, who starred in different genres and broke stereotypes.
Madison forced a bitter smile, and even Toreto averted his gaze. They knew the director was merely being humble and fake.
Whenever the director barked orders at Toreto and Madison, he was completely different, like a tyrant, demanding and unforgiving.
---
[Author's Note:]
Please subscribe to my Patreon, where you can read:
73 advance chapters of Behind The Spotlight
55 advance chapters of Reincarnated as a Fisherman and Dad
Patreon link: https://www.patreon.com/Puji_maki
"Also, here, I thought Woodie's line was 'there's a snake in my boot', but why is it 'there's a snake in my pants, please pull it out and calm it down'?" Her brows furrowed deeply as she reread the sentence multiple times in disbelief.
Jennifer pointed at the lines. She read them again and confirmed that there was indeed a snake toy in Woodie's pants, but the line didn't feel right at all. She felt that there was something sexual about it, something suggestive that made her uncomfortable despite understanding the context.
"Jennifer, this is nothing new."
"But it's a cartoon movie. This is meant for kids."
"This is also meant for adults. You know how this industry works."
"…" Jennifer sighed and decided to skim through the script, choosing not to argue further.
Cartoon movies were double-layered entertainment that targeted both kids and adults, a well-established formula in the industry. Many movies, especially animated ones, were marketed to both groups to maximize profit.
Kids enjoyed the surface-level jokes, while adults caught the subtle, more mature meanings. This kept parents entertained too, so they didn't get bored watching alongside their children.
On top of that, parents were the ones who bought tickets and watched the movies together with their kids. To keep them entertained, animation studios had to come up with lines that would make them laugh or giggle.
Since Jennifer was offered a gig, she wasn't going to decline it. She admitted that she had been looking for something new because hosting The Singing Voice for three seasons had become stale due to repetition. Although it was repetitive, she had no intention of resigning. That would be a stupid thing to do financially and professionally.
As for voicing a cowgirl toy in Toys Stories 2, she found it novel and refreshing, different from her usual work. Of course, she wanted to try it. Jennifer accepted the job with enthusiasm.
The next day, Collin called the producer of Toys Stories 2. The negotiation didn't take long. They talked over the phone and quickly agreed on a $120,000 contract without unnecessary back-and-forth.
For Fixar, this amount was acceptable, so they had no problem with it. Collin knew Jennifer's box office pull, or rather, the lack of it. She had no box office appeal at all, so hiring her for $120,000 was already reasonable. After all, Jennifer hadn't starred in any films over the past three years, which had lowered her market value.
With that, Jennifer signed the contract, and Collin earned a $7,200 commission. It was a small amount, but money Collin never disregarded, because every dollar mattered. He could buy a car with that amount or invest it elsewhere.
If there was anything unexpected, it was the fact that Jennifer rarely swore now. Collin felt chills whenever he talked to her lately. He wasn't sure whether Jennifer was the real Jennifer, or if she had been possessed by the devil, or eaten by a skin walker that had taken over her identity.
.........
......
...
"What do you think, Don? Is it really a poltergeist or just a ghost?"
"Shamie, you've been gone for years and left us to go to college. Perhaps your memories got rusty after retiring from being a Hunter," Don smirked at his younger sister.
Shamie rolled her eyes.
"It's a poltergeist," she answered with disdain toward her brother, who irritated her to no end.
"Why bother asking me then?" He chuckled.
Shamie had been a simple college student just a week ago. However, her older brother suddenly showed up and told her that their father had been missing for almost a year, a revelation that shattered her normal life.
Shamie came from a family of Hunters who hunted ghosts and dangerous entities that killed people. However, she chose to pursue college, leave the family business, and seek normalcy. She fell in love with her boyfriend and hoped for a peaceful future.
But a supernatural event occurred, and Shamie woke up to find her boyfriend glued to the ceiling, blood dripping from his body. He was dead, a horrifying sight that haunted her.
Since then, Shamie accepted the fact that she couldn't truly leave her past behind. Now, Shamie and her brother, Don, had to face a poltergeist and destroy it.
"You know the rules, and so do I."
"I'm never gonna let you down."
"I'm never gonna turn around and desert you."
The siblings grabbed their weapons to face the poltergeist, ready for battle.
"Okay, cut—!"
The director announced, and the production crew moved quickly. Some fixed the cast's makeup, while others offered warm chocolate to fight the cold.
Madison Morgan humbly thanked the production crew. After having no projects for years aside from small roles that were technically extras, Madison felt happy that she had landed a starring role in this new show.
"Don't be nervous. People may look down on you," her co-star, Toreto Dominos, reminded Madison.
"I know, but I'm still thankful. Thank you, Toreto."
Madison and Toreto were the actors cast as Shamie and Don. They starred in a new horror show titled Unnatural, where two siblings faced different creatures in each episode.
They were shooting the first episode of the show, in which a handsome man was possessed by a poltergeist.
"Can you try smiling the whole time? I'm thinking of shooting this scene three times. One with you smiling handsomely, the second with you staring coldly, and the last with you grinning like a madman."
"No problem, director."
While Madison and Toreto were talking, they noticed the director speaking with a famous actor. Lawrence Terrence was deep in conversation with him. The actor was sitting comfortably on a couch, with one crew member fanning him and another feeding him grapes. It had become normal for Lawrence to snack between breaks and be excessively pampered.
In fact, the situation felt unusual because the director was speaking humbly to Lawrence while the actor simply relaxed. Lawrence looked like a king, while the director seemed like a servant. The huge difference in their status was clearly displayed on set.
Lawrence was interested in trying something new. When he saw a version of the script where his character was possessed by a poltergeist, he personally called the director and requested that version.
The script had originally been rewritten because the production team feared Lawrence would be angry about portraying a poltergeist. Yet the outcome was the opposite of what they had expected.
Lawrence was tired of playing prince charming roles. He drew inspiration from Axel Gunner, who starred in different genres and broke stereotypes.
Madison forced a bitter smile, and even Toreto averted his gaze. They knew the director was merely being humble and fake.
Whenever the director barked orders at Toreto and Madison, he was completely different, like a tyrant, demanding and unforgiving.
---
[Author's Note:]
Please subscribe to my Patreon, where you can read:
73 advance chapters of Behind The Spotlight
55 advance chapters of Reincarnated as a Fisherman and Dad
Patreon link: https://www.patreon.com/Puji_maki
Chapter 185
New
Pujimaki
Padoru padoru
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2022
- Messages
- 1,247
- Likes received
- 21,101
Behind The Spotlight Chapter 185
The two actors were trying their best to survive in Hollywood, and Unnatural might be their door to stardom. They listened to the director as much as possible, careful not to question his authority. They didn't want to lose this opportunity, not after coming this far. God knows how much sacrifice their agents had made just to secure the lead roles for their clients. It often involved humiliating compromises.
For Madison, her agent had to personally give a BJ to the casting director, a dirty but common secret in the industry… although her gay agent loved it and didn't even see it as a sacrifice.
Anyway, Madison wore a bitter smile because she couldn't help but feel jealous.
She glanced toward the corner of the filming set and saw Collin talking to another agent, his presence standing out. He was so damn attractive that some crew members even thought he was an actor.
Madison had once been Collin's client, yet she ended the contract before anything bloomed. She regretted that decision badly, almost every single day.
Now that all of Collin's clients were thriving in the industry, she felt left out, reduced to being a nobody. She sometimes thought about what might have happened if she had renewed her contract instead of leaving. Perhaps she would already be a superstar, standing on equal footing with Lawrence and Axel.
Even Jennifer Randon, the actress Collin signed in the same year as Madison, had a better career. Madison sighed, feeling a sharp sting of comparison.
Still, all she could do was face the present and work hard, since regrets couldn't change reality. Her agent wasn't bad to her and had protected her from many things, even if he lacked Collin's vision. She wanted to do her best and make sure this new show would succeed no matter the cost. She had to. Otherwise, she would disappear in Hollywood and fail to achieve her dreams, just like countless others before her.
"You didn't tell me that Madison got a role in your client's project," Collin said to Arnold.
"I didn't know either." This time, Arnold was being honest. "If I had known, I would've talked to Tom about not casting her."
"Never mind. She's not a bad person anyway, just a bit desperate," Collin waved his hand dismissively. He didn't hold a grudge against Madison, only disappointment. If she wanted to star in this show and become famous, then great. He genuinely wished her well.
"With Lawrence agreeing to make a cameo in the first episode, CBA Network approved the project and gave it the green light. Thank you, Collin," Arnold said. He knew how difficult it had been for Tom, his client, to get approval, especially for a horror series.
But because of Lawrence, everything went smoothly. No wonder Tom was grateful to the actor. Lawrence's name carried weight.
"You should thank Lawrence. When he read the first version of the script, he thought it was good. He wanted to try something different. This is his first time playing the bad guy. With that angelic face, who knows what will happen."
"Don't jinx it."
"My bad."
They both hoped that Unnatural would become successful for everyone's sake. If the show received good ratings and multiple seasons, it would elevate Arnold's status and give him more leverage in future negotiations.
They didn't want any issues to arise.
Having experience dealing with scandals, Collin knew how hard it was to find jobs for his clients. If one of them became involved in a scandal and couldn't find work, Collin could talk to Arnold and try to insert his client into Unnatural.
'If Tom had started Unnatural before Axel got into a scandal, maybe he could've helped,' the thought crossed Collin's mind briefly.
Anyway, more shows meant higher status within the company and greater bargaining power. In fact, many agents in ANT were begging Arnold to help their clients land roles in Unnatural.
Speaking of status…
"How's it going with Mikael?"
"It's going great. Mikael is interested in signing a contract with me. As for Pulse Static, they want to know Mikael better before making a decision."
"You're sure you want Mikael to work with Pulse Static?"
"I mean, I'm not like you, who can immediately discern people's character. I have to double-check and get to know them better to avoid future problems. After asking around, the band had a positive reputation. The bars they played at had no issues with them, no fights or scandals. Pulse Static has a strong chance of making it big, but their vocalist disappears before they become famous. At least, that's what I believe."
Arnold only had three clients so far, because he was different from Collin. He needed to research potential clients thoroughly before extending his hand. In fact, most agents in their company averaged three clients, because handling more was difficult. While it was possible to manage four or more, doing so without burning out was hard.
On top of that, agents didn't want to waste time on clients with no real future in Hollywood. Time was money for everyone.
But Collin was different. He could see his clients' potential and knew how to play the game better. He worked hard for all of them because they were worth it. None of them was useless.
Sometimes, other agents in the company were impressed by Collin's work ethic, and envious. He could provide opportunities for all his clients, and all of them delivered.
For most agents, even if they secured opportunities for their talents, there was a strong chance nothing would come of it. These outcomes often left them disappointed.
"If I take on a fourth client(a band), I'll have to work harder. Fortunately, Jolyne, Tom, and Brody all have steady careers now and don't need me as much anymore. They're free to hire managers if they want to."
At the end of the day, agents focused mainly on finding jobs and negotiating contracts. That was their core role. There were cases where a client would drop their agent and hire a manager instead, since managers were more hands-on and even handled daily affairs.
Sometimes, a client felt that their agent wasn't taking care of them anymore. When that happened, they would hire a manager to oversee most of their business, while still hiring agents for negotiations and project scouting. The difference was that managers were more involved and usually handled only one or two clients at a time.
So far, none of Arnold's or Collin's clients were looking for managers, especially since hiring one was expensive.
Unlike agents, who could only earn 10% of a client's income, managers could negotiate commissions as high as 20% to 30%, depending on the contract. They weren't bound by SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists).
Of course, some managers worked on a base salary instead of profit sharing. In the end, everything came down to the contract.
---
[Author's Note:]
Please subscribe to my Patreon, where you can read:
74 advance chapters of Behind The Spotlight
56 advance chapters of Reincarnated as a Fisherman and Dad
Patreon link: https://www.patreon.com/Puji_maki
The two actors were trying their best to survive in Hollywood, and Unnatural might be their door to stardom. They listened to the director as much as possible, careful not to question his authority. They didn't want to lose this opportunity, not after coming this far. God knows how much sacrifice their agents had made just to secure the lead roles for their clients. It often involved humiliating compromises.
For Madison, her agent had to personally give a BJ to the casting director, a dirty but common secret in the industry… although her gay agent loved it and didn't even see it as a sacrifice.
Anyway, Madison wore a bitter smile because she couldn't help but feel jealous.
She glanced toward the corner of the filming set and saw Collin talking to another agent, his presence standing out. He was so damn attractive that some crew members even thought he was an actor.
Madison had once been Collin's client, yet she ended the contract before anything bloomed. She regretted that decision badly, almost every single day.
Now that all of Collin's clients were thriving in the industry, she felt left out, reduced to being a nobody. She sometimes thought about what might have happened if she had renewed her contract instead of leaving. Perhaps she would already be a superstar, standing on equal footing with Lawrence and Axel.
Even Jennifer Randon, the actress Collin signed in the same year as Madison, had a better career. Madison sighed, feeling a sharp sting of comparison.
Still, all she could do was face the present and work hard, since regrets couldn't change reality. Her agent wasn't bad to her and had protected her from many things, even if he lacked Collin's vision. She wanted to do her best and make sure this new show would succeed no matter the cost. She had to. Otherwise, she would disappear in Hollywood and fail to achieve her dreams, just like countless others before her.
"You didn't tell me that Madison got a role in your client's project," Collin said to Arnold.
"I didn't know either." This time, Arnold was being honest. "If I had known, I would've talked to Tom about not casting her."
"Never mind. She's not a bad person anyway, just a bit desperate," Collin waved his hand dismissively. He didn't hold a grudge against Madison, only disappointment. If she wanted to star in this show and become famous, then great. He genuinely wished her well.
"With Lawrence agreeing to make a cameo in the first episode, CBA Network approved the project and gave it the green light. Thank you, Collin," Arnold said. He knew how difficult it had been for Tom, his client, to get approval, especially for a horror series.
But because of Lawrence, everything went smoothly. No wonder Tom was grateful to the actor. Lawrence's name carried weight.
"You should thank Lawrence. When he read the first version of the script, he thought it was good. He wanted to try something different. This is his first time playing the bad guy. With that angelic face, who knows what will happen."
"Don't jinx it."
"My bad."
They both hoped that Unnatural would become successful for everyone's sake. If the show received good ratings and multiple seasons, it would elevate Arnold's status and give him more leverage in future negotiations.
They didn't want any issues to arise.
Having experience dealing with scandals, Collin knew how hard it was to find jobs for his clients. If one of them became involved in a scandal and couldn't find work, Collin could talk to Arnold and try to insert his client into Unnatural.
'If Tom had started Unnatural before Axel got into a scandal, maybe he could've helped,' the thought crossed Collin's mind briefly.
Anyway, more shows meant higher status within the company and greater bargaining power. In fact, many agents in ANT were begging Arnold to help their clients land roles in Unnatural.
Speaking of status…
"How's it going with Mikael?"
"It's going great. Mikael is interested in signing a contract with me. As for Pulse Static, they want to know Mikael better before making a decision."
"You're sure you want Mikael to work with Pulse Static?"
"I mean, I'm not like you, who can immediately discern people's character. I have to double-check and get to know them better to avoid future problems. After asking around, the band had a positive reputation. The bars they played at had no issues with them, no fights or scandals. Pulse Static has a strong chance of making it big, but their vocalist disappears before they become famous. At least, that's what I believe."
Arnold only had three clients so far, because he was different from Collin. He needed to research potential clients thoroughly before extending his hand. In fact, most agents in their company averaged three clients, because handling more was difficult. While it was possible to manage four or more, doing so without burning out was hard.
On top of that, agents didn't want to waste time on clients with no real future in Hollywood. Time was money for everyone.
But Collin was different. He could see his clients' potential and knew how to play the game better. He worked hard for all of them because they were worth it. None of them was useless.
Sometimes, other agents in the company were impressed by Collin's work ethic, and envious. He could provide opportunities for all his clients, and all of them delivered.
For most agents, even if they secured opportunities for their talents, there was a strong chance nothing would come of it. These outcomes often left them disappointed.
"If I take on a fourth client(a band), I'll have to work harder. Fortunately, Jolyne, Tom, and Brody all have steady careers now and don't need me as much anymore. They're free to hire managers if they want to."
At the end of the day, agents focused mainly on finding jobs and negotiating contracts. That was their core role. There were cases where a client would drop their agent and hire a manager instead, since managers were more hands-on and even handled daily affairs.
Sometimes, a client felt that their agent wasn't taking care of them anymore. When that happened, they would hire a manager to oversee most of their business, while still hiring agents for negotiations and project scouting. The difference was that managers were more involved and usually handled only one or two clients at a time.
So far, none of Arnold's or Collin's clients were looking for managers, especially since hiring one was expensive.
Unlike agents, who could only earn 10% of a client's income, managers could negotiate commissions as high as 20% to 30%, depending on the contract. They weren't bound by SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists).
Of course, some managers worked on a base salary instead of profit sharing. In the end, everything came down to the contract.
---
[Author's Note:]
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Chapter 186
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Behind The Spotlight Chapter 186
"I've been having some trouble with our coworkers lately," Arnold admitted, his tone carrying clear exhaustion.
"Let me guess, it's about Mikael?"
"That's right. Some of them are interested in him. They want to sign a contract with him, promising him a brighter future in the film industry."
'Lila already talked to me about that.' Collin nodded, having anticipated the issue.
This only further proved how different Collin was from other agents. Unlike those who couldn't discern Mikael's true talent, Collin had a better plan for the guy.
No wonder Collin had five clients who were thriving. He was doing better than most agents.
"What are you going to do? Mikael still hasn't signed a contract with you. If another executive or someone from a different agency takes an interest in him, you might lose the guy."
"That's why I'm having trouble. I want to sign the band, not just the vocalist alone. But I also admit that the vocalist is the most important aspect of this venture." Arnold sighed. He had been shameless enough to promise the band, including Mikael, that they would reach the Top 10 on the Billboard 100 with their debut album, a reckless promise. He was shameless enough to say it.
"I know a record label that can help you. You can introduce them to Moonrise Music, the label Princess Chantal works with. They can be trusted, I assure you. They'll take good care of the band."
"That's also one of my problems. I can't find a record label I trust. I'm afraid the label might sabotage my team if I choose the wrong one."
"You can trust me. I'm close to the shareholders."
'Closer than you think,' Collin thought.
"That's great to hear. That really eases my worries."
Collin didn't mention that he was actually a shareholder himself, choosing to keep it to himself. With Mikael and Pulse Static's potential, Moonrise Music would likely nurture them well and invest properly. He would explain it to Arnold later, when the timing was right.
"By the way, you're not going to attend our high school reunion? Both our batches are having one this year," Arnold recalled.
"Nah. Do I look like I'm interested in reunions?"
"You do."
"... Arnold, you understand the reason." Collin sighed, his mood turning heavy.
"Come on, that was almost a decade ago. I'm sure they already know the truth by now."
Collin kept his mouth shut, choosing silence over reopening old wounds. He had many friends in high school, but everything changed when he was painted as a bad person.
Even now, Collin was grateful that the engagement never reached marriage. Otherwise, his life might have been far more miserable.
"Well then, I'm heading out," Collin said, ending the topic. He had only stopped by to check on Lawrence. Before leaving, he bid farewell to the actor. He wasn't comfortable discussing the upcoming high school reunion at all.
Today, Collin used the sports car to visit the studio, fulfilling a promise. Princess Chantal had been upset that he never used her gift. To ease the situation, Collin promised to drive it once in a while, even if it attracted attention. He didn't want to disappoint his biggest money-maker or hurt her feelings. So far, Princess Chantal has been his most profitable client.
If he were to rank his clients strictly by profitability, it would be:
1.) Princess Chantal. Collin earned a tremendous amount from her endorsements alone. On top of that, the huge income he gained as a shareholder of Moonrise Music was because of her.
2.) Lawrence Terrence. Second on the list, and Collin's top earner back when Princess Chantal was still a nobody. As the face of romance films in Hollywood, Lawrence had numerous movies, commercial endorsements, and sponsorships that provided steady income.
3.) Wyatt Bray. Wyatt only took on a project every two years, but every negotiation Collin handled for him earned Collin at least six figures. If Wyatt were willing to film one movie a year, Collin would probably love him more, no homo, purely professional.
4.) Axel Gunner. Axel earned around $1 million per year on average, along with several commercials and sponsorships.
5.) Jennifer Randon. If she ever found out that Collin ranked her last based on profitability, she would probably swear at him. Jennifer might have changed, but she would definitely lash out if offended.
As Collin reached his sports car, he heard a soft, pitiful sound.
"Meow."
"Hm?"
His ears perked up as he looked around. The sound undeniably came from a kitten, small and fragile.
"Meow."
He spotted an orange kitten crawling out from under his car. The little cat rubbed itself against his shoes fearlessly, asking for attention.
"... Well, you're cute. But I can't take care of you. I'm busy, I live alone most of the time, and I'm barely ever home."
"Meow~"
The orange kitten replied insistently.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Meow!"
"Alright, alright. I can't take care of you, but my mom and sister can. They live in Beverly Hills. They might like you."
Collin was completely defeated.
"Meow."
As if understanding, the orange kitten turned around and meowed toward the car, more specifically, under it.
Suddenly, another kitten timidly appeared, this one with white fur.
"Oh, you have a sibling? I guess two kittens are better. At least you won't feel lonely."
Then another kitten jumped out, meowing energetically at Collin.
"Three is fine too. I don't have a problem with that. I think my family will be okay with it."
However, two more kittens emerged unexpectedly.
"..." Collin sighed in resignation.
The five kittens meowed at him together, as if saying, "Congratulations, you've been officially chosen by the cat distribution system."
"Let me find a box first."
He found a nearby box and realized it was actually the kittens' home, filled with fur. At least they'd feel comfortable.
That day, Collin visited his mother with a box full of kittens, an unexpected gift. Evelyn and Aida were delighted. The kittens were adorable, and they became attached instantly. Collin also bought cat food and other necessities. Evelyn prepared a nice dinner since her always-busy son had come to visit.
"Mom, I was here on Christmas. That was just two weeks ago. Why are you acting like I never visit?"
"Two weeks is a long time. You should visit us at least once a week."
Behind The Spotlight Chapter 186
"I've been having some trouble with our coworkers lately," Arnold admitted, his tone carrying clear exhaustion.
"Let me guess, it's about Mikael?"
"That's right. Some of them are interested in him. They want to sign a contract with him, promising him a brighter future in the film industry."
'Lila already talked to me about that.' Collin nodded, having anticipated the issue.
This only further proved how different Collin was from other agents. Unlike those who couldn't discern Mikael's true talent, Collin had a better plan for the guy.
No wonder Collin had five clients who were thriving. He was doing better than most agents.
"What are you going to do? Mikael still hasn't signed a contract with you. If another executive or someone from a different agency takes an interest in him, you might lose the guy."
"That's why I'm having trouble. I want to sign the band, not just the vocalist alone. But I also admit that the vocalist is the most important aspect of this venture." Arnold sighed. He had been shameless enough to promise the band, including Mikael, that they would reach the Top 10 on the Billboard 100 with their debut album, a reckless promise. He was shameless enough to say it.
"I know a record label that can help you. You can introduce them to Moonrise Music, the label Princess Chantal works with. They can be trusted, I assure you. They'll take good care of the band."
"That's also one of my problems. I can't find a record label I trust. I'm afraid the label might sabotage my team if I choose the wrong one."
"You can trust me. I'm close to the shareholders."
'Closer than you think,' Collin thought.
"That's great to hear. That really eases my worries."
Collin didn't mention that he was actually a shareholder himself, choosing to keep it to himself. With Mikael and Pulse Static's potential, Moonrise Music would likely nurture them well and invest properly. He would explain it to Arnold later, when the timing was right.
"By the way, you're not going to attend our high school reunion? Both our batches are having one this year," Arnold recalled.
"Nah. Do I look like I'm interested in reunions?"
"You do."
"... Arnold, you understand the reason." Collin sighed, his mood turning heavy.
"Come on, that was almost a decade ago. I'm sure they already know the truth by now."
Collin kept his mouth shut, choosing silence over reopening old wounds. He had many friends in high school, but everything changed when he was painted as a bad person.
Even now, Collin was grateful that the engagement never reached marriage. Otherwise, his life might have been far more miserable.
"Well then, I'm heading out," Collin said, ending the topic. He had only stopped by to check on Lawrence. Before leaving, he bid farewell to the actor. He wasn't comfortable discussing the upcoming high school reunion at all.
Today, Collin used the sports car to visit the studio, fulfilling a promise. Princess Chantal had been upset that he never used her gift. To ease the situation, Collin promised to drive it once in a while, even if it attracted attention. He didn't want to disappoint his biggest money-maker or hurt her feelings. So far, Princess Chantal has been his most profitable client.
If he were to rank his clients strictly by profitability, it would be:
1.) Princess Chantal. Collin earned a tremendous amount from her endorsements alone. On top of that, the huge income he gained as a shareholder of Moonrise Music was because of her.
2.) Lawrence Terrence. Second on the list, and Collin's top earner back when Princess Chantal was still a nobody. As the face of romance films in Hollywood, Lawrence had numerous movies, commercial endorsements, and sponsorships that provided steady income.
3.) Wyatt Bray. Wyatt only took on a project every two years, but every negotiation Collin handled for him earned Collin at least six figures. If Wyatt were willing to film one movie a year, Collin would probably love him more, no homo, purely professional.
4.) Axel Gunner. Axel earned around $1 million per year on average, along with several commercials and sponsorships.
5.) Jennifer Randon. If she ever found out that Collin ranked her last based on profitability, she would probably swear at him. Jennifer might have changed, but she would definitely lash out if offended.
As Collin reached his sports car, he heard a soft, pitiful sound.
"Meow."
"Hm?"
His ears perked up as he looked around. The sound undeniably came from a kitten, small and fragile.
"Meow."
He spotted an orange kitten crawling out from under his car. The little cat rubbed itself against his shoes fearlessly, asking for attention.
"... Well, you're cute. But I can't take care of you. I'm busy, I live alone most of the time, and I'm barely ever home."
"Meow~"
The orange kitten replied insistently.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Meow!"
"Alright, alright. I can't take care of you, but my mom and sister can. They live in Beverly Hills. They might like you."
Collin was completely defeated.
"Meow."
As if understanding, the orange kitten turned around and meowed toward the car, more specifically, under it.
Suddenly, another kitten timidly appeared, this one with white fur.
"Oh, you have a sibling? I guess two kittens are better. At least you won't feel lonely."
Then another kitten jumped out, meowing energetically at Collin.
"Three is fine too. I don't have a problem with that. I think my family will be okay with it."
However, two more kittens emerged unexpectedly.
"..." Collin sighed in resignation.
The five kittens meowed at him together, as if saying, "Congratulations, you've been officially chosen by the cat distribution system."
"Let me find a box first."
He found a nearby box and realized it was actually the kittens' home, filled with fur. At least they'd feel comfortable.
That day, Collin visited his mother with a box full of kittens, an unexpected gift. Evelyn and Aida were delighted. The kittens were adorable, and they became attached instantly. Collin also bought cat food and other necessities. Evelyn prepared a nice dinner since her always-busy son had come to visit.
"Mom, I was here on Christmas. That was just two weeks ago. Why are you acting like I never visit?"
"Two weeks is a long time. You should visit us at least once a week."
Chapter 187
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[Happy New Year!]
---
Behind The Spotlight Chapter 187
"These kittens are so cute!" Aida squealed with excitement as she fed the five kittens milk one by one, carefully adjusting the milk bottle so none of them choked.
The kittens who had already been fed were lying down, relaxing with their chubby tummies up. As for the two others who were still waiting for their turn, they cried pitifully, their small voices begging Aida to feed them too. Unfortunately, Aida could only feed them one by one.
"These kittens can already eat solid food. Why are you feeding them milk?" Collin raised a brow in confusion. It would be less stressful if Aida fed them solid food, perhaps chicken meat or something similar.
"But they're adorable. I want to feed them myself, one by one," she answered without hesitation.
"... That's torture. The two remaining kittens are asking for food, yet you're making them wait," Collin commented.
"I love their cute meows. It's music to my ears." Aida cooed at the small kitten in her arms. Her eyes sparkled with affection as the kitten chugged the milk, staring back at her. The kitten was so adorable that it melted her heart.
"..." Collin was speechless. He had already gone to the veterinary clinic to vaccinate the kittens before heading to Beverly Hills and bringing them home, making sure they were healthy and safe.
"Dinner's ready," Evelyn announced half an hour later. By that time, Aida was done feeding the kittens with milk formula meant specifically for kittens, which Collin had bought from the veterinary clinic along with other necessary supplies.
The family of three shared a nice meal. Now that Collin had decided to live on his own, it was rare for them to eat together like this.
"Tomorrow, you'll also have dinner with us," Evelyn said to Collin, leaving no room for negotiation.
"Mom, I might be busy tomorrow," Collin replied.
"Then the next day." Evelyn would not take no for an answer. She missed her son.
"Okay, Mom. I'll try. I'll call you if I'm going to show up so you can prepare more food," Collin conceded with a helpless smile.
"That would be great." Evelyn smiled with satisfaction.
"Honestly, I have no idea why you want to separate from us," Aida muttered.
"Because that's what it means to be an adult," Collin replied.
"But living alone in an apartment is very sad. You don't even have a girlfriend to share it with," Aida pointed out.
"Well..." Collin awkwardly focused on eating, using the food as an excuse to stay silent. He had avoided romantic relationships for years, prioritizing his career instead.
Now that he was successful, he thought about trying to find love again, but he realized it wasn't simple anymore. Trusting someone and giving half of his heart left him vulnerable to pain. He was still traumatized by his first relationship.
He had once considered trying one-night stands to release stress, but that kind of lifestyle wasn't for him, no matter how convenient it seemed. The idea of having sex and then treating it like nothing was too much for him to handle.
'Once is enough. I'm not going to try it again.' He concluded silently.
After that, the conversation shifted to Aida's future, changing the atmosphere entirely.
"Now that you've finished college, what job are you looking for? If you want, I can help you find one," Collin offered. With his influence in ANT and Moonrise Music, he could hire his sister without any problem.
Aida's college degree was in computer science. Around this era, computer science was still a profession that people took seriously and respected. However, two decades later, the degree would be mocked due to oversaturation, as competition in the industry became brutal.
Aida put down her utensils and looked at Collin.
"If I worked in Hollywood and had your protection, I'd probably get a safe career with a high salary," she stated honestly.
"Of course. I'll do my best for you," Collin answered without hesitation.
"Thank you, Collin." Aida smiled appreciatively. "But I don't need your help, at least not for now."
"I want to try my best, find a job, and challenge myself. I don't want to depend on you. I want to stand on my own," she added.
Hearing Aida's decision, both Evelyn and Collin smiled, filled with pride. Independence was an important part of adulthood. No matter how much they wanted to protect Aida, they couldn't do so for her entire life. Overprotection would only harm her growth in the long run.
"Why are you looking at me like that? I'm not a kid anymore," Aida frowned, feeling embarrassed by the endearing gazes from her mother and brother.
"A company offered me a job. They're interested in hiring me," she added.
"Oh? What company? And what position?" Evelyn asked.
"It's a game company. They want to hire me as a game developer," Aida replied.
Aida had been at the top of her department. For her final project, she created a game that earned praise from her professors. It wasn't complicated, a simple 2D arcade-style game, but it was polished and fully functional. That project gave her the chance to be discovered by a game company.
"The name of the company is Active Vision," Aida revealed.
"Oh, I feel like I've heard of that company, but I can't quite remember," Collin admitted.
.........
......
...
"Once she shows up, I want you to hug her and smile. Show her that you really miss her. Do you understand?" Stufedia Beaumont instructed, her voice sharp and commanding.
"Yes, Mom."
Stufedia Beaumont reminded her daughter, Alice, of what to do. The fourteen-year-old girl was still confused about how things had transpired and why everything felt so complicated.
Three years ago, Alice's older sister had been kicked out of the house because she was already an adult, and their parents were no longer legally obligated to take care of her.
At that time, Alice was terrified. She feared she might suffer the same fate if she failed to meet expectations. Because of that, she worked harder and studied obsessively.
When she was younger, her parents praised her intelligence, and she became afraid of disappointing them. However, she never expected things to worsen to the point where their expectations became suffocating.
Sometimes, she felt jealous of her older sister, who could do whatever she wanted. Although she admitted that Chantal had also suffered from their parents' biased decisions.
A year ago, back in January 1999, a song titled Love Everywhere became famous worldwide. It rose to the top of radio charts across many countries, including France.
The most shocking part was that the singer was French. It was a pleasant surprise, and the French people proudly embraced the song and its success.
---
Behind The Spotlight Chapter 187
"These kittens are so cute!" Aida squealed with excitement as she fed the five kittens milk one by one, carefully adjusting the milk bottle so none of them choked.
The kittens who had already been fed were lying down, relaxing with their chubby tummies up. As for the two others who were still waiting for their turn, they cried pitifully, their small voices begging Aida to feed them too. Unfortunately, Aida could only feed them one by one.
"These kittens can already eat solid food. Why are you feeding them milk?" Collin raised a brow in confusion. It would be less stressful if Aida fed them solid food, perhaps chicken meat or something similar.
"But they're adorable. I want to feed them myself, one by one," she answered without hesitation.
"... That's torture. The two remaining kittens are asking for food, yet you're making them wait," Collin commented.
"I love their cute meows. It's music to my ears." Aida cooed at the small kitten in her arms. Her eyes sparkled with affection as the kitten chugged the milk, staring back at her. The kitten was so adorable that it melted her heart.
"..." Collin was speechless. He had already gone to the veterinary clinic to vaccinate the kittens before heading to Beverly Hills and bringing them home, making sure they were healthy and safe.
"Dinner's ready," Evelyn announced half an hour later. By that time, Aida was done feeding the kittens with milk formula meant specifically for kittens, which Collin had bought from the veterinary clinic along with other necessary supplies.
The family of three shared a nice meal. Now that Collin had decided to live on his own, it was rare for them to eat together like this.
"Tomorrow, you'll also have dinner with us," Evelyn said to Collin, leaving no room for negotiation.
"Mom, I might be busy tomorrow," Collin replied.
"Then the next day." Evelyn would not take no for an answer. She missed her son.
"Okay, Mom. I'll try. I'll call you if I'm going to show up so you can prepare more food," Collin conceded with a helpless smile.
"That would be great." Evelyn smiled with satisfaction.
"Honestly, I have no idea why you want to separate from us," Aida muttered.
"Because that's what it means to be an adult," Collin replied.
"But living alone in an apartment is very sad. You don't even have a girlfriend to share it with," Aida pointed out.
"Well..." Collin awkwardly focused on eating, using the food as an excuse to stay silent. He had avoided romantic relationships for years, prioritizing his career instead.
Now that he was successful, he thought about trying to find love again, but he realized it wasn't simple anymore. Trusting someone and giving half of his heart left him vulnerable to pain. He was still traumatized by his first relationship.
He had once considered trying one-night stands to release stress, but that kind of lifestyle wasn't for him, no matter how convenient it seemed. The idea of having sex and then treating it like nothing was too much for him to handle.
'Once is enough. I'm not going to try it again.' He concluded silently.
After that, the conversation shifted to Aida's future, changing the atmosphere entirely.
"Now that you've finished college, what job are you looking for? If you want, I can help you find one," Collin offered. With his influence in ANT and Moonrise Music, he could hire his sister without any problem.
Aida's college degree was in computer science. Around this era, computer science was still a profession that people took seriously and respected. However, two decades later, the degree would be mocked due to oversaturation, as competition in the industry became brutal.
Aida put down her utensils and looked at Collin.
"If I worked in Hollywood and had your protection, I'd probably get a safe career with a high salary," she stated honestly.
"Of course. I'll do my best for you," Collin answered without hesitation.
"Thank you, Collin." Aida smiled appreciatively. "But I don't need your help, at least not for now."
"I want to try my best, find a job, and challenge myself. I don't want to depend on you. I want to stand on my own," she added.
Hearing Aida's decision, both Evelyn and Collin smiled, filled with pride. Independence was an important part of adulthood. No matter how much they wanted to protect Aida, they couldn't do so for her entire life. Overprotection would only harm her growth in the long run.
"Why are you looking at me like that? I'm not a kid anymore," Aida frowned, feeling embarrassed by the endearing gazes from her mother and brother.
"A company offered me a job. They're interested in hiring me," she added.
"Oh? What company? And what position?" Evelyn asked.
"It's a game company. They want to hire me as a game developer," Aida replied.
Aida had been at the top of her department. For her final project, she created a game that earned praise from her professors. It wasn't complicated, a simple 2D arcade-style game, but it was polished and fully functional. That project gave her the chance to be discovered by a game company.
"The name of the company is Active Vision," Aida revealed.
"Oh, I feel like I've heard of that company, but I can't quite remember," Collin admitted.
.........
......
...
"Once she shows up, I want you to hug her and smile. Show her that you really miss her. Do you understand?" Stufedia Beaumont instructed, her voice sharp and commanding.
"Yes, Mom."
Stufedia Beaumont reminded her daughter, Alice, of what to do. The fourteen-year-old girl was still confused about how things had transpired and why everything felt so complicated.
Three years ago, Alice's older sister had been kicked out of the house because she was already an adult, and their parents were no longer legally obligated to take care of her.
At that time, Alice was terrified. She feared she might suffer the same fate if she failed to meet expectations. Because of that, she worked harder and studied obsessively.
When she was younger, her parents praised her intelligence, and she became afraid of disappointing them. However, she never expected things to worsen to the point where their expectations became suffocating.
Sometimes, she felt jealous of her older sister, who could do whatever she wanted. Although she admitted that Chantal had also suffered from their parents' biased decisions.
A year ago, back in January 1999, a song titled Love Everywhere became famous worldwide. It rose to the top of radio charts across many countries, including France.
The most shocking part was that the singer was French. It was a pleasant surprise, and the French people proudly embraced the song and its success.
Chapter 188
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Behind The Spotlight Chapter 188
The French people were proud that one of their own had achieved success in the United States, especially in such a competitive and unforgiving industry. On top of that, her music was undeniably good. It appealed to a lot of people. They couldn't forget her songs, as if they were hypnotized by the catchy melodies and emotional lyrics. Her music kept playing in their heads even when the radio was turned off. That was how good Chantal Beaumont was, a phenomenal artist.
Naturally, some TV networks and reporters tracked down Chantal Beaumont's family and interviewed them, eager to dig into her background. They were curious about their opinions regarding their daughter's musical success and hoped for dramatic reactions.
Alice had no idea at the time that things would change so drastically. At first, her parents were shocked when they discovered that Chantal had become famous beyond anything they had ever imagined. The daughter they had kicked out of the house was now a pop star diva, admired by millions.
Of course, it was difficult to accept at first. Alice could see that her parents clearly regretted their decision, their faces often twisted with mixed emotions. But she could also see greed in their eyes.
As a child with no say in adult matters and no power to interfere, all Alice could do was stay quiet and listen from the sidelines.
One time, she overheard her parents arguing.
"Why didn't you stop me back then!?" Stufedia shouted, her voice sharp with anger.
"Why are you blaming me? I was the one who suggested we put Chantal in a music school for at least a year, and you said it was a lost cause, that spending money on music school wasn't worth it!" Alice heard her father say, his tone filled with resentment.
"That's exactly why I'm asking why you didn't stop me!" Stufedia retorted, pacing back and forth. She was furious that she hadn't been able to ride her daughter's fame.
Just yesterday, a reporter had asked them about Chantal's success, and the situation had been suffocating. She was forced to improvise lies on the spot, saying, "I'm happy that my daughter reached her dream. I've always believed in her."
Stufedia smiled the entire time, maintaining a perfect façade, though her emotions were clearly complicated. She even added, "Chantal, honey, if you see this, Mama wants you to know that she misses you." She wiped fake tears in front of the camera. The whole interview was unbearable for both parents.
"You're blaming me? You're the one who said we should put all our effort into Alice because she's academically better than Chantal! Look at what happened!" Alice's father, Simone Beaumont, finally exploded in frustration.
"So what? You agreed too!" Stufedia roared, refusing to take responsibility.
"You..." Simone clenched his fists.
Both parents were determined to support whichever child showed the most potential, treating their children like investments. Three years ago, it was undoubtedly Alice, the obedient and intelligent child. Her grades were high, and she consistently ranked in the top five of her grade. Naturally, Stufedia and Simone chose her without hesitation.
However, Chantal's rise from obscurity completely changed their perspective. They didn't even know how Chantal had made it to the United States or who had helped her. All contact had been severed.
They realized they had thrown away the most valuable asset, and the irony was painful. It hurt even more when they saw Chantal endorsing numerous products, earning more money than they ever had. They weren't insane, they didn't expect to take all of her money… but they did expect a substantial amount under the guise of family.
"Fuck you and your decision!" Stufedia snorted.
"So it's my fault now? If you hadn't convinced me that Chantal couldn't provide for us, none of this would've happened!" Simone argued.
Alice couldn't take it anymore and retreated to her room. She felt like the unwanted child this time. She studied relentlessly so her parents wouldn't abandon her too, living in constant fear.
In her eyes, both of her parents were wrong. They were looking for someone to take care of them in old age, investing in their children for selfish reasons. Both Alice and Chantal suffered because of it, just in different ways.
To their parents, children were nothing more than investments, not people to love. Alice wasn't even sure if her parents truly loved her, or if love had ever existed in their household.
Of course, Alice also harbored a grudge toward her older sister, a complicated and bitter feeling. She once cherished the stability of their lives, but everything changed when Chantal became famous. The emotional burden weighed heavily on her. She even started saving her school allowance, just in case her parents decided to kick her out as well.
"Are you guys ready?"
Alice snapped back to reality and quickly nodded at her father, who had just arrived.
"Good." Simone glanced at Alice, his eyes devoid of expectations, then looked at Stufedia, who was smiling as if everything were fine.
The family was at the airport, waiting for Chantal, no, Princess Chantal, to arrive.
The airport was packed with reporters and fans, forming a chaotic sea of people. The noise was overwhelming as everyone talked excitedly about Princess Chantal's arrival. Some fans held cardboard signs reading, "Princess Chantal, We Love You!", "I'm Your No. 1 Fan!", and "Slay, Girl, Diva~"
The family was stunned by the human tsunami. It became painfully clear that Princess Chantal had made it big, far beyond their expectations. The sheer number of people at the airport convinced them.
Suddenly, the fans erupted into screams as a group of bodyguards appeared, followed by Princess Chantal and her assistants. She walked with elegance, her wavy hair bouncing as she strutted forward, every step filled with confidence. She wore sunglasses to shield her eyes from the flashing cameras.
The fans screamed at the top of their lungs, going wild over her appearance. Reporters snapped photos relentlessly. She looked like a goddess, exuding the aura of a true diva, untouchable and radiant. What they didn't know was that Princess Chantal had practiced walking like a model for months. Her confidence was the result of hard work and discipline.
The bodyguards shielded Princess Chantal from the surging crowd, forming an impenetrable wall. Though she was nervous inside, the bodyguards, personally selected by Collin, didn't flinch despite the relentless pressure from fans and reporters.
"Excuse me! Excuse me! Can I get through? I want to see my sister!"
Alice couldn't push past the crowd. The rabid fans blocked her path completely. She realized her mother's plan had failed before it even began. Approaching Princess Chantal was impossible with dozens of bodyguards guarding her like a fortress.
She looked at her mother, who shook her head in disappointment. Alice bit her lip, holding back her tears.
Under the protection of her bodyguards, Princess Chantal safely entered her car. She signed a few autographs but didn't linger. Before the window closed, she waved at her fans and blew them a perfectly timed flying kiss.
"Muah~"
She struck the most sensual expression she could, captivating everyone.
"Oh my God!!!"
"I'm going crazy! She sent a kiss to me!"
"Bitch, you're crazy."
The fans were completely insane over Princess Chantal.
"I can't believe this is real… maybe I'm hallucinating. She just blow a kiss at me!? Oh I'm gonna goon to her tonight!"
---
[This novel has 74 chapters on Patreon.]
The French people were proud that one of their own had achieved success in the United States, especially in such a competitive and unforgiving industry. On top of that, her music was undeniably good. It appealed to a lot of people. They couldn't forget her songs, as if they were hypnotized by the catchy melodies and emotional lyrics. Her music kept playing in their heads even when the radio was turned off. That was how good Chantal Beaumont was, a phenomenal artist.
Naturally, some TV networks and reporters tracked down Chantal Beaumont's family and interviewed them, eager to dig into her background. They were curious about their opinions regarding their daughter's musical success and hoped for dramatic reactions.
Alice had no idea at the time that things would change so drastically. At first, her parents were shocked when they discovered that Chantal had become famous beyond anything they had ever imagined. The daughter they had kicked out of the house was now a pop star diva, admired by millions.
Of course, it was difficult to accept at first. Alice could see that her parents clearly regretted their decision, their faces often twisted with mixed emotions. But she could also see greed in their eyes.
As a child with no say in adult matters and no power to interfere, all Alice could do was stay quiet and listen from the sidelines.
One time, she overheard her parents arguing.
"Why didn't you stop me back then!?" Stufedia shouted, her voice sharp with anger.
"Why are you blaming me? I was the one who suggested we put Chantal in a music school for at least a year, and you said it was a lost cause, that spending money on music school wasn't worth it!" Alice heard her father say, his tone filled with resentment.
"That's exactly why I'm asking why you didn't stop me!" Stufedia retorted, pacing back and forth. She was furious that she hadn't been able to ride her daughter's fame.
Just yesterday, a reporter had asked them about Chantal's success, and the situation had been suffocating. She was forced to improvise lies on the spot, saying, "I'm happy that my daughter reached her dream. I've always believed in her."
Stufedia smiled the entire time, maintaining a perfect façade, though her emotions were clearly complicated. She even added, "Chantal, honey, if you see this, Mama wants you to know that she misses you." She wiped fake tears in front of the camera. The whole interview was unbearable for both parents.
"You're blaming me? You're the one who said we should put all our effort into Alice because she's academically better than Chantal! Look at what happened!" Alice's father, Simone Beaumont, finally exploded in frustration.
"So what? You agreed too!" Stufedia roared, refusing to take responsibility.
"You..." Simone clenched his fists.
Both parents were determined to support whichever child showed the most potential, treating their children like investments. Three years ago, it was undoubtedly Alice, the obedient and intelligent child. Her grades were high, and she consistently ranked in the top five of her grade. Naturally, Stufedia and Simone chose her without hesitation.
However, Chantal's rise from obscurity completely changed their perspective. They didn't even know how Chantal had made it to the United States or who had helped her. All contact had been severed.
They realized they had thrown away the most valuable asset, and the irony was painful. It hurt even more when they saw Chantal endorsing numerous products, earning more money than they ever had. They weren't insane, they didn't expect to take all of her money… but they did expect a substantial amount under the guise of family.
"Fuck you and your decision!" Stufedia snorted.
"So it's my fault now? If you hadn't convinced me that Chantal couldn't provide for us, none of this would've happened!" Simone argued.
Alice couldn't take it anymore and retreated to her room. She felt like the unwanted child this time. She studied relentlessly so her parents wouldn't abandon her too, living in constant fear.
In her eyes, both of her parents were wrong. They were looking for someone to take care of them in old age, investing in their children for selfish reasons. Both Alice and Chantal suffered because of it, just in different ways.
To their parents, children were nothing more than investments, not people to love. Alice wasn't even sure if her parents truly loved her, or if love had ever existed in their household.
Of course, Alice also harbored a grudge toward her older sister, a complicated and bitter feeling. She once cherished the stability of their lives, but everything changed when Chantal became famous. The emotional burden weighed heavily on her. She even started saving her school allowance, just in case her parents decided to kick her out as well.
"Are you guys ready?"
Alice snapped back to reality and quickly nodded at her father, who had just arrived.
"Good." Simone glanced at Alice, his eyes devoid of expectations, then looked at Stufedia, who was smiling as if everything were fine.
The family was at the airport, waiting for Chantal, no, Princess Chantal, to arrive.
The airport was packed with reporters and fans, forming a chaotic sea of people. The noise was overwhelming as everyone talked excitedly about Princess Chantal's arrival. Some fans held cardboard signs reading, "Princess Chantal, We Love You!", "I'm Your No. 1 Fan!", and "Slay, Girl, Diva~"
The family was stunned by the human tsunami. It became painfully clear that Princess Chantal had made it big, far beyond their expectations. The sheer number of people at the airport convinced them.
Suddenly, the fans erupted into screams as a group of bodyguards appeared, followed by Princess Chantal and her assistants. She walked with elegance, her wavy hair bouncing as she strutted forward, every step filled with confidence. She wore sunglasses to shield her eyes from the flashing cameras.
The fans screamed at the top of their lungs, going wild over her appearance. Reporters snapped photos relentlessly. She looked like a goddess, exuding the aura of a true diva, untouchable and radiant. What they didn't know was that Princess Chantal had practiced walking like a model for months. Her confidence was the result of hard work and discipline.
The bodyguards shielded Princess Chantal from the surging crowd, forming an impenetrable wall. Though she was nervous inside, the bodyguards, personally selected by Collin, didn't flinch despite the relentless pressure from fans and reporters.
"Excuse me! Excuse me! Can I get through? I want to see my sister!"
Alice couldn't push past the crowd. The rabid fans blocked her path completely. She realized her mother's plan had failed before it even began. Approaching Princess Chantal was impossible with dozens of bodyguards guarding her like a fortress.
She looked at her mother, who shook her head in disappointment. Alice bit her lip, holding back her tears.
Under the protection of her bodyguards, Princess Chantal safely entered her car. She signed a few autographs but didn't linger. Before the window closed, she waved at her fans and blew them a perfectly timed flying kiss.
"Muah~"
She struck the most sensual expression she could, captivating everyone.
"Oh my God!!!"
"I'm going crazy! She sent a kiss to me!"
"Bitch, you're crazy."
The fans were completely insane over Princess Chantal.
"I can't believe this is real… maybe I'm hallucinating. She just blow a kiss at me!? Oh I'm gonna goon to her tonight!"
---
[This novel has 74 chapters on Patreon.]
Chapter 189
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Behind The Spotlight Chapter 189
The fans cheered as the car gradually disappeared, leaving behind echoes of screams and applause. Alice was stupefied as she watched hundreds of people go crazy just because Princess Chantal sent them a flying kiss, an action that lasted only a second.
She cringed because she knew Chantal better than they did, or at least, she thought she did. Back when they still lived together, Princess Chantal was not the type of person who would do something like that.
'Although I haven't seen her for three years, perhaps she has changed.'
Alice admitted that her older sister was incredibly charismatic when she stepped into the airport. Just her presence alone drove the entire crowd wild, as if they were enchanted.
Alice returned to her parents, who were also stunned after witnessing the scene, their expressions stiff. Their expectations had been shattered. Princess Chantal was no longer the person they remembered, nor someone they could control.
"I'm sorry, Mom. There were too many people. I was scared I might get hurt if I tried to get through them."
"Tch, never mind."
Stufedia clicked her tongue, clearly irritated. She couldn't admit that she had been overwhelmed as well. Stufedia and Simone exchanged looks. They hated to admit it, but they had lost a good egg.
They also hated to admit that they didn't know how to face their eldest daughter after everything they had done. That was why they wanted Alice to meet her sister first, to test the waters and gauge Princess Chantal's reaction without risking humiliation.
"It's your fault. You said being a singer was a low profession, that only a few lucky ones could succeed, and that she wasn't one of them." Simone gritted his teeth.
"Hmph! You're also at fault. You never trusted your daughter even once."
Before things could escalate further, a tall and handsome man approached them, interrupting the tension. He had a sharp jawline, striking features, and green-brown eyes that immediately drew attention.
"Hello, are you perhaps Mr. and Mrs. Beaumont?"
"You are…?" Simone narrowed his gaze at Collin suspiciously.
"I'm Collin East. I'm Princess Chantal's talent agent and legal representative. This is my business card." With a calm smile, Collin handed his card to Simone smoothly.
"You're from Apex Network Talent?"
"That's correct, one of the top agencies in Hollywood."
"Very well." Simone nodded. He had done some research about Princess Chantal and knew her agency was ANT, one of the most powerful talent agencies in Hollywood. She truly had it better than they had ever imagined.
While Simone scrutinized Collin, Stufedia was distracted by his appearance, her eyes lingering on him. He was undeniably attractive, refined and polished. Even Alice blushed. She had only seen handsome men on television or in magazines, not up close in real life. To her, Collin's looks were almost unreal.
"Princess Chantal doesn't want to see you."
"What are you talking about?" Simone frowned, caught off guard.
"I'll represent her and speak to you instead, as instructed. How about we leave this place and find somewhere private to talk?"
Collin was an agent. His job was to resolve issues before they turned into bigger problems.
"Mr. East, I think there's a misunderstanding. We want to see Chantal because we miss her very much." Stufedia tried using her tears. Unfortunately, Collin merely smiled, unmoved.
"Princess Chantal and Isabella have told me a lot about you. I'll repeat myself, I am Princess Chantal's representative. If you have something to say to her, you must speak to me first. Sorry, but that's how business works. Rules are rules. I was hired for this kind of job."
The family fell silent for a few seconds, digesting his words, before Simone finally made a decision.
"Let's talk."
"That would be great. I'm glad we're on the same page. I know a nice restaurant nearby. How about we have lunch there?"
Collin led them to a prepared car, and the family followed with mixed emotions. Stufedia glanced at Simone, curious and uneasy about his decision, but Simone didn't look back at her.
The driver started the car, and it didn't take long for them to arrive at an expensive restaurant in Paris. The family had never set foot in a place like this before, it was far beyond their usual social class.
A reservation had already been made in a private room, ensuring privacy for their discussion.
"Let's eat first before we talk. It's better to have a proper conversation without distractions. We can't think straight when we're hungry, right?"
Collin was attractive in more ways than one. His composed smile, a skill he honed during his modeling days and refined over the years, rarely failed him.
Even Simone nodded in agreement. Though nervous, once the food arrived, they began eating in silence.
While eating, Stufedia couldn't hold back her curiosity.
"Mr. East, may I ask how you know my daughter? Did she hire you, or were you the one who discovered her and brought her to the United States to mold her career?"
"Mrs. Beaumont, I'm not inclined to answer that question."
"…" She blinked, offended.
"Then how did she become famous? She didn't sell herself, right? I've thought about it many times. I don't understand how she suddenly became famous. I admit she has a nice voice, but many artists do. That alone isn't enough to stand out."
"Stufedia! What are you talking about!?" Simone raised his voice, glaring at his wife in embarrassment.
"I'm just saying."
"Mrs. Beaumont, you look like a bloated frog, croaking nonsense." Collin jabbed coldly, gritting his teeth behind his smile. No wonder Princess Chantal didn't want to see her parents, they were heartless and ignorant.
"Excuse me!?" Stufedia flushed with anger.
"Anyway, how about we finish eating first?" Collin said calmly, as if nothing had happened.
'The fact that you never believed in your daughter disgusts me to the core.' Collin couldn't taste the food at all.
After a few minutes, lunch ended in awkward silence.
Collin wiped his mouth with a napkin before finally speaking.
"I'll make this clear. Princess Chantal never did anything disgusting. She became famous because she's talented and hardworking."
"Of course, of course." Simone agreed quickly. The idea of his daughter engaging in sexual transactions with rich old men conflicted with his principles, however flawed he might be. He might not have loved his children properly, but he still had boundaries.
"I'm Collin East. You may have heard of Lawrence Terrence, Axel Gunner, and Jennifer Randon, I'm their talent agent. I also represent Wyatt Bray, the director of The Accidental Wedding Crashers, Week on a Cruise Ship, and Frightening Movie, all box office hits. I'm not a simple person. I have strong influence in Hollywood. With my help, Princess Chantal rose to stardom. She never did anything disgusting. She simply followed my plan."
Collin decided to make things clear.
---
[Author's Note:]
Please subscribe to my Patreon, where you can read:
74 advance chapters of Behind The Spotlight
56 advance chapters of Reincarnated as a Fisherman and Dad
Patreon link: https://www.patreon.com/Puji_maki
The fans cheered as the car gradually disappeared, leaving behind echoes of screams and applause. Alice was stupefied as she watched hundreds of people go crazy just because Princess Chantal sent them a flying kiss, an action that lasted only a second.
She cringed because she knew Chantal better than they did, or at least, she thought she did. Back when they still lived together, Princess Chantal was not the type of person who would do something like that.
'Although I haven't seen her for three years, perhaps she has changed.'
Alice admitted that her older sister was incredibly charismatic when she stepped into the airport. Just her presence alone drove the entire crowd wild, as if they were enchanted.
Alice returned to her parents, who were also stunned after witnessing the scene, their expressions stiff. Their expectations had been shattered. Princess Chantal was no longer the person they remembered, nor someone they could control.
"I'm sorry, Mom. There were too many people. I was scared I might get hurt if I tried to get through them."
"Tch, never mind."
Stufedia clicked her tongue, clearly irritated. She couldn't admit that she had been overwhelmed as well. Stufedia and Simone exchanged looks. They hated to admit it, but they had lost a good egg.
They also hated to admit that they didn't know how to face their eldest daughter after everything they had done. That was why they wanted Alice to meet her sister first, to test the waters and gauge Princess Chantal's reaction without risking humiliation.
"It's your fault. You said being a singer was a low profession, that only a few lucky ones could succeed, and that she wasn't one of them." Simone gritted his teeth.
"Hmph! You're also at fault. You never trusted your daughter even once."
Before things could escalate further, a tall and handsome man approached them, interrupting the tension. He had a sharp jawline, striking features, and green-brown eyes that immediately drew attention.
"Hello, are you perhaps Mr. and Mrs. Beaumont?"
"You are…?" Simone narrowed his gaze at Collin suspiciously.
"I'm Collin East. I'm Princess Chantal's talent agent and legal representative. This is my business card." With a calm smile, Collin handed his card to Simone smoothly.
"You're from Apex Network Talent?"
"That's correct, one of the top agencies in Hollywood."
"Very well." Simone nodded. He had done some research about Princess Chantal and knew her agency was ANT, one of the most powerful talent agencies in Hollywood. She truly had it better than they had ever imagined.
While Simone scrutinized Collin, Stufedia was distracted by his appearance, her eyes lingering on him. He was undeniably attractive, refined and polished. Even Alice blushed. She had only seen handsome men on television or in magazines, not up close in real life. To her, Collin's looks were almost unreal.
"Princess Chantal doesn't want to see you."
"What are you talking about?" Simone frowned, caught off guard.
"I'll represent her and speak to you instead, as instructed. How about we leave this place and find somewhere private to talk?"
Collin was an agent. His job was to resolve issues before they turned into bigger problems.
"Mr. East, I think there's a misunderstanding. We want to see Chantal because we miss her very much." Stufedia tried using her tears. Unfortunately, Collin merely smiled, unmoved.
"Princess Chantal and Isabella have told me a lot about you. I'll repeat myself, I am Princess Chantal's representative. If you have something to say to her, you must speak to me first. Sorry, but that's how business works. Rules are rules. I was hired for this kind of job."
The family fell silent for a few seconds, digesting his words, before Simone finally made a decision.
"Let's talk."
"That would be great. I'm glad we're on the same page. I know a nice restaurant nearby. How about we have lunch there?"
Collin led them to a prepared car, and the family followed with mixed emotions. Stufedia glanced at Simone, curious and uneasy about his decision, but Simone didn't look back at her.
The driver started the car, and it didn't take long for them to arrive at an expensive restaurant in Paris. The family had never set foot in a place like this before, it was far beyond their usual social class.
A reservation had already been made in a private room, ensuring privacy for their discussion.
"Let's eat first before we talk. It's better to have a proper conversation without distractions. We can't think straight when we're hungry, right?"
Collin was attractive in more ways than one. His composed smile, a skill he honed during his modeling days and refined over the years, rarely failed him.
Even Simone nodded in agreement. Though nervous, once the food arrived, they began eating in silence.
While eating, Stufedia couldn't hold back her curiosity.
"Mr. East, may I ask how you know my daughter? Did she hire you, or were you the one who discovered her and brought her to the United States to mold her career?"
"Mrs. Beaumont, I'm not inclined to answer that question."
"…" She blinked, offended.
"Then how did she become famous? She didn't sell herself, right? I've thought about it many times. I don't understand how she suddenly became famous. I admit she has a nice voice, but many artists do. That alone isn't enough to stand out."
"Stufedia! What are you talking about!?" Simone raised his voice, glaring at his wife in embarrassment.
"I'm just saying."
"Mrs. Beaumont, you look like a bloated frog, croaking nonsense." Collin jabbed coldly, gritting his teeth behind his smile. No wonder Princess Chantal didn't want to see her parents, they were heartless and ignorant.
"Excuse me!?" Stufedia flushed with anger.
"Anyway, how about we finish eating first?" Collin said calmly, as if nothing had happened.
'The fact that you never believed in your daughter disgusts me to the core.' Collin couldn't taste the food at all.
After a few minutes, lunch ended in awkward silence.
Collin wiped his mouth with a napkin before finally speaking.
"I'll make this clear. Princess Chantal never did anything disgusting. She became famous because she's talented and hardworking."
"Of course, of course." Simone agreed quickly. The idea of his daughter engaging in sexual transactions with rich old men conflicted with his principles, however flawed he might be. He might not have loved his children properly, but he still had boundaries.
"I'm Collin East. You may have heard of Lawrence Terrence, Axel Gunner, and Jennifer Randon, I'm their talent agent. I also represent Wyatt Bray, the director of The Accidental Wedding Crashers, Week on a Cruise Ship, and Frightening Movie, all box office hits. I'm not a simple person. I have strong influence in Hollywood. With my help, Princess Chantal rose to stardom. She never did anything disgusting. She simply followed my plan."
Collin decided to make things clear.
---
[Author's Note:]
Please subscribe to my Patreon, where you can read:
74 advance chapters of Behind The Spotlight
56 advance chapters of Reincarnated as a Fisherman and Dad
Patreon link: https://www.patreon.com/Puji_maki
Chapter 190
New
Pujimaki
Padoru padoru
- Joined
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Behind The Spotlight Chapter 190
The Beaumont family had heard about Wyatt Bray's movies. They also knew about Lawrence Terrence and the others.
They were shocked to learn that Collin was actually their talent agent, the man managing those high-profile names. No wonder Princess Chantal became famous. Her success suddenly felt inevitable rather than accidental.
"I assume you're the biggest factor why she became a star," Simone asked curiously. Just like Stufedia, he also didn't believe that Princess Chantal became famous purely because of talent or luck.
"Indeed."
Collin admitted it, but didn't elaborate.
'Instead of thinking that their daughter sold herself to old people, it's better if they believe she became famous because of me. This way, their pride is preserved and their hostility is reduced. They can believe they didn't make a mistake in abandoning Princess Chantal, that the problem never lay with them.'
Just as Collin expected, Simone and Stufedia felt relieved and pleased after hearing his confirmation.
'So it didn't matter if we abandoned Chantal or not, she didn't became famous because of her talent anyway.' Stufedia thought.
"That's wonderful to hear. Is it possible to make my second daughter famous too? If not, how about me? I believe I have what it takes to be an actress. I am charming."
Stufedia excitedly stood up, showing her non-existent curves and striking a pose she believed was alluring.
"Just like what I said earlier, you look like a bloated bullfrog, and no amount of confidence will change that."
"What!?"
Collin didn't bother listening to Stufedia anymore. He had already dismissed her existence. Instead, he looked at Alice. The girl instinctively sat up straight when Collin's gaze fell on her.
Collin had a simple yet demanding criterion when signing clients: the person had to possess a golden talent, something that could survive in the entertainment industry.
"Do you have a talent?"
"I-I'm good at studying and remembering things," Alice answered nervously.
Words appeared above her head.
-- Alice Beaumont
-- High Memorization (Yellow Talent)
Collin slightly raised his brow. He admitted that he was surprised Alice had a clear talent. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough for him, and it lacked direct commercial appeal.
"I recommend that you focus on your education instead. That path suits you better," Collin said.
"T-Thank you." Alice felt disappointed. Many people dreamed of becoming famous, so it wasn't strange that she wanted the same.
"Collin, I can assure you Alice has what it takes to be famous. In my opinion, she's better than Chantal, she's more obedient and easier to shape."
"Mrs. Bullfrog, I'm not talking to you."
He turned to Simone. "Mr. Beaumont, I have something to tell you and your family. This concerns all of you."
Simone sensed the shift in Collin's demeanor.
"Go on. We're listening. Say what you need to say."
"Princess Chantal wanted to convey this through a formal message." It was fortunate that everyone was present. Collin didn't want to repeat himself or waste time.
He pulled out a small note, clearly prepared in advance.
"For Mr. Simone and his wife, Princess Chantal stated that you were never her parents in an emotional sense. You only fulfilled the bare minimum, feeding her and providing shelter until she became an adult. Basic obligations. However, she also acknowledges that she owes you for those years."
Stufedia and Simone nodded with pride. In terms of material provision, they believed they had done their duty.
"For that reason, she intends to pay you $30,000 monthly for eighteen years. As for Alice Beaumont, Princess Chantal is willing to shoulder her education expenses from now on. If Alice chooses to attend college, her tuition will be fully covered. In exchange, none of you may disturb my client again, no visits, no messages. You are forbidden from defaming her or contacting the media in any form."
"What?" Stufedia was stunned. Her expectations were completely shattered.
"That's it? Mr. East, it seems you don't understand. What we want is to meet Chantal and talk to her personally. I miss my daughter. Do you know how painful it is for a mother not to see her child for years?"
Stufedia put on a performance, but Collin wasn't impressed. He had seen far worse.
'If these people met Princess Chantal, they would emotionally trap her and squeeze her for more money.'
"It seems I can't reason with Mrs. Bullfrog. Princess Chantal has already made it clear, she does not want to meet any of you. This is final. What about you, Mr. Beaumont?"
Stufedia's fake tears failed completely. Even Simone looked at her with disdain, embarrassed by her obvious intentions.
Simone lowered his head, calculating gains and losses. Unlike Stufedia, who acted irrationally, Simone understood his own heart. He felt no attachment to his daughters. What mattered most to him was financial security in old age.
'It seems I need to divorce Stufedia as soon as possible.'
"$200,000 monthly. I also want Alice to receive $100,000 monthly, but she can only access it once she becomes an adult, so it accumulates. She needs money to live properly. Princess Chantal doesn't hate her younger sister enough to deny that, right?"
Collin controlled his expression, hiding his satisfaction. This was exactly what he wanted. Once money entered the negotiation, emotions no longer mattered.
"Mr. Simone, you seem to misunderstand. Your conditions mean my client would be paying $500,000 every month, an unreasonable burden."
"She has plenty of money. She can afford it."
Collin scoffed.
"$500,000 monthly is excessive. You can't possibly expect my client to provide that. Instead, $50,000 per month for you and your wife, while Alice receives $5,000 monthly alongside her education fund. That's already generous. Converted to francs, $50,000 is around 600,000 francs."
"The official currency was changed to the euro this year. You're outdated."
"Even so, it's still a huge amount of money," Collin replied calmly.
"$150,000 for my wife and me, and $15,000 for Alice," Simone pushed, testing limits.
"Not happening. $60,000 and $6,000."
The two continued exchanging numbers. Stufedia listened quietly. While the sums were massive, she still wanted to meet Princess Chantal.
'My daughter once begged for my love. Even now, she's still weak inside. If I get close enough, I can manipulate her.'
In the end, they compromised on $100,000 monthly for Simone and Stufedia, and $10,000 monthly for Alice, along with full educational funding.
"Let's contact our lawyers today and finalize the contract. Otherwise, I might lower the amount tomorrow."
Collin was bluffing, but the threat sounded convincing.
"Of course, of course." Simone was both nervous and exhilarated.
They shook hands, sealing the agreement. Shortly after, their lawyers arrived. Quincy Jennings had been waiting in the restaurant the entire time for Collin's signal.
The contract was drafted immediately.
In exchange for never contacting Princess Chantal again, the Beaumont family would receive steady monthly payments. Each member signed their respective contracts, binding them legally.
"If you attempt to contact my client, this agreement becomes null, and you won't receive a single dollar," Collin said as he stood up and adjusted his suit.
"And if you attempt to defame her in any way, prepare for retaliation. We will make sure you regret it."
Stufedia swallowed hard as fear finally set in. She stared at the numbers on the contract. It represented a lifetime of comfort.
'… I should be satisfied with this, right?'
She chose safety over greed. Despite her delusions, she was a coward at heart.
---
[This novel has 74 chapters on Patreon.]
The Beaumont family had heard about Wyatt Bray's movies. They also knew about Lawrence Terrence and the others.
They were shocked to learn that Collin was actually their talent agent, the man managing those high-profile names. No wonder Princess Chantal became famous. Her success suddenly felt inevitable rather than accidental.
"I assume you're the biggest factor why she became a star," Simone asked curiously. Just like Stufedia, he also didn't believe that Princess Chantal became famous purely because of talent or luck.
"Indeed."
Collin admitted it, but didn't elaborate.
'Instead of thinking that their daughter sold herself to old people, it's better if they believe she became famous because of me. This way, their pride is preserved and their hostility is reduced. They can believe they didn't make a mistake in abandoning Princess Chantal, that the problem never lay with them.'
Just as Collin expected, Simone and Stufedia felt relieved and pleased after hearing his confirmation.
'So it didn't matter if we abandoned Chantal or not, she didn't became famous because of her talent anyway.' Stufedia thought.
"That's wonderful to hear. Is it possible to make my second daughter famous too? If not, how about me? I believe I have what it takes to be an actress. I am charming."
Stufedia excitedly stood up, showing her non-existent curves and striking a pose she believed was alluring.
"Just like what I said earlier, you look like a bloated bullfrog, and no amount of confidence will change that."
"What!?"
Collin didn't bother listening to Stufedia anymore. He had already dismissed her existence. Instead, he looked at Alice. The girl instinctively sat up straight when Collin's gaze fell on her.
Collin had a simple yet demanding criterion when signing clients: the person had to possess a golden talent, something that could survive in the entertainment industry.
"Do you have a talent?"
"I-I'm good at studying and remembering things," Alice answered nervously.
Words appeared above her head.
-- Alice Beaumont
-- High Memorization (Yellow Talent)
Collin slightly raised his brow. He admitted that he was surprised Alice had a clear talent. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough for him, and it lacked direct commercial appeal.
"I recommend that you focus on your education instead. That path suits you better," Collin said.
"T-Thank you." Alice felt disappointed. Many people dreamed of becoming famous, so it wasn't strange that she wanted the same.
"Collin, I can assure you Alice has what it takes to be famous. In my opinion, she's better than Chantal, she's more obedient and easier to shape."
"Mrs. Bullfrog, I'm not talking to you."
He turned to Simone. "Mr. Beaumont, I have something to tell you and your family. This concerns all of you."
Simone sensed the shift in Collin's demeanor.
"Go on. We're listening. Say what you need to say."
"Princess Chantal wanted to convey this through a formal message." It was fortunate that everyone was present. Collin didn't want to repeat himself or waste time.
He pulled out a small note, clearly prepared in advance.
"For Mr. Simone and his wife, Princess Chantal stated that you were never her parents in an emotional sense. You only fulfilled the bare minimum, feeding her and providing shelter until she became an adult. Basic obligations. However, she also acknowledges that she owes you for those years."
Stufedia and Simone nodded with pride. In terms of material provision, they believed they had done their duty.
"For that reason, she intends to pay you $30,000 monthly for eighteen years. As for Alice Beaumont, Princess Chantal is willing to shoulder her education expenses from now on. If Alice chooses to attend college, her tuition will be fully covered. In exchange, none of you may disturb my client again, no visits, no messages. You are forbidden from defaming her or contacting the media in any form."
"What?" Stufedia was stunned. Her expectations were completely shattered.
"That's it? Mr. East, it seems you don't understand. What we want is to meet Chantal and talk to her personally. I miss my daughter. Do you know how painful it is for a mother not to see her child for years?"
Stufedia put on a performance, but Collin wasn't impressed. He had seen far worse.
'If these people met Princess Chantal, they would emotionally trap her and squeeze her for more money.'
"It seems I can't reason with Mrs. Bullfrog. Princess Chantal has already made it clear, she does not want to meet any of you. This is final. What about you, Mr. Beaumont?"
Stufedia's fake tears failed completely. Even Simone looked at her with disdain, embarrassed by her obvious intentions.
Simone lowered his head, calculating gains and losses. Unlike Stufedia, who acted irrationally, Simone understood his own heart. He felt no attachment to his daughters. What mattered most to him was financial security in old age.
'It seems I need to divorce Stufedia as soon as possible.'
"$200,000 monthly. I also want Alice to receive $100,000 monthly, but she can only access it once she becomes an adult, so it accumulates. She needs money to live properly. Princess Chantal doesn't hate her younger sister enough to deny that, right?"
Collin controlled his expression, hiding his satisfaction. This was exactly what he wanted. Once money entered the negotiation, emotions no longer mattered.
"Mr. Simone, you seem to misunderstand. Your conditions mean my client would be paying $500,000 every month, an unreasonable burden."
"She has plenty of money. She can afford it."
Collin scoffed.
"$500,000 monthly is excessive. You can't possibly expect my client to provide that. Instead, $50,000 per month for you and your wife, while Alice receives $5,000 monthly alongside her education fund. That's already generous. Converted to francs, $50,000 is around 600,000 francs."
"The official currency was changed to the euro this year. You're outdated."
"Even so, it's still a huge amount of money," Collin replied calmly.
"$150,000 for my wife and me, and $15,000 for Alice," Simone pushed, testing limits.
"Not happening. $60,000 and $6,000."
The two continued exchanging numbers. Stufedia listened quietly. While the sums were massive, she still wanted to meet Princess Chantal.
'My daughter once begged for my love. Even now, she's still weak inside. If I get close enough, I can manipulate her.'
In the end, they compromised on $100,000 monthly for Simone and Stufedia, and $10,000 monthly for Alice, along with full educational funding.
"Let's contact our lawyers today and finalize the contract. Otherwise, I might lower the amount tomorrow."
Collin was bluffing, but the threat sounded convincing.
"Of course, of course." Simone was both nervous and exhilarated.
They shook hands, sealing the agreement. Shortly after, their lawyers arrived. Quincy Jennings had been waiting in the restaurant the entire time for Collin's signal.
The contract was drafted immediately.
In exchange for never contacting Princess Chantal again, the Beaumont family would receive steady monthly payments. Each member signed their respective contracts, binding them legally.
"If you attempt to contact my client, this agreement becomes null, and you won't receive a single dollar," Collin said as he stood up and adjusted his suit.
"And if you attempt to defame her in any way, prepare for retaliation. We will make sure you regret it."
Stufedia swallowed hard as fear finally set in. She stared at the numbers on the contract. It represented a lifetime of comfort.
'… I should be satisfied with this, right?'
She chose safety over greed. Despite her delusions, she was a coward at heart.
---
[This novel has 74 chapters on Patreon.]
Chapter 191
New
Pujimaki
Padoru padoru
- Joined
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Behind The Spotlight Chapter 191
Stufedia thought about it seriously.
'If I meet Chantal and apologize, maybe I'll get more money from her if I cry hard enough and play the role of a regretful mother.'
Stufedia glanced at Collin and shuddered when she met his dark gaze directed straight at her. She was startled and quickly lowered her head, staring at the contract in her hands. That was scary. The paper suddenly felt heavier. Both sides held their own copies of the agreement.
'... $100,000 per month. That's $1.2 million per year.' She thought.
No matter how one looked at it, the amount was insanely huge. People would kill just to earn that much monthly, some would even sacrifice their morals. It would be stupid for Stufedia to destroy the contract out of pure greed. In the end, logic finally won over her desire.
For 18 years, exactly the same number of years the parents had provided for Princess Chantal, Stufedia and Simone would earn $1.2 million annually. Multiplied by 18, that amounted to $21.6 million in fortune. The couple could retire without a problem. In fact, they could retire this very year and simply live off the money in comfort, unless they chose to recklessly squander it without regard for the future.
Collin watched their greedy expressions.
'In my opinion, they don't deserve even a single coin from Princess Chantal. But her career needs careful planning and strict damage control. We can't let these people do whatever they want, they are too dangerous. We must chain them with legal contracts. Eighteen years of peace is worth it. As for the money... I honestly thought each of them would ask for at least $1 million per month. I can't believe I managed to lower it to $100,000. This is a win.'
Collin maintained his composure, but inwardly, he was satisfied.
This decision effectively saved Princess Chantal's career. Her parents had devious plans if they failed to get what they wanted. They could have involved the media and played the victims to gain public sympathy.
As for Alice, she was surprised that her sister had thought about her. They were not close, so the fact that Princess Chantal arranged a contract for her was both unexpected and touching.
"Let's end our negotiation."
"Of course," Simone replied with a grin, eagerly shaking hands with Collin. Unlike Stufedia, Simone understood reality better. He was an asshole, but he knew his position. He was already satisfied that his daughter was willing to pay them for 18 years.
With that, Collin and Quincy left the restaurant. Collin was pleased that Simone understood how the world worked. They couldn't expect anything grand when they had never shown Princess Chantal even an ounce of love.
Once the Beaumont family was alone in the private room, Simone turned to Stufedia, his tone serious.
"Don't do anything stupid. We should accept what we deserve. Think about it, we never really took care of Chantal. We barely spent money on her, only the bare minimum. Our expenses didn't even reach $1 million, yet the return on investment is more than twenty times that amount. We can live happily for the rest of our lives without ever working again."
The fact that Simone treated Princess Chantal like an investment was truly appalling.
"I know, I know. Don't worry, I'll keep my mouth shut. Besides, there's nothing bad about Chantal anyway, nothing scandalous. She's just a simple girl. She doesn't do drugs or indulge in vices. She's pure," Stufedia replied.
"Indeed," Simone agreed.
The couple then looked at Alice, silently evaluating her. For a brief moment, greed crossed their minds regarding her share. However, since she could only access it after turning 18, they abandoned the thought.
Alice bitterly smiled. It seemed that her remaining four years in that household would be torture. Now that the charade was over, her parents had no reason to pretend to care about her.
'... I have to learn how to live and stand on my own. If, if I have to contact Chantal and ask for help, then I'll do it as a last resort.'
Alice regretted not having Princess Chantal's contact information. To her, her sister was almost a stranger. As for Collin's business card, it was tucked inside Simone's pocket. She would search for it later when the opportunity arose.
Spoiler alert: Alice endured four difficult years, but once she turned 18 and was free from her parents, her life became much easier. Despite everything she went through, she never once asked Princess Chantal for help. She was already grateful for what her sister had done and never asked for more.
As for Stufedia and Simone, once the 18 years passed, they found themselves penniless. They became homeless and died miserably. Despite years of steady income, they never achieved a happy ending, proving that Collin's decision was correct, even though he would never know it.
Was giving them money worth it? Yes, because it ultimately led to their downfall.
.........
......
...
"We really have to do this, huh?" a man asked nervously.
"Let's wait until the lights go off. It'll be harder to recognize us then."
The two men whispered to each other as they waited for the concert to begin, blending into the crowd. Princess Chantal had announced her first worldwide tour, and her first concert in Europe was held in her home country, France.
The two men, Bobo and Tanga, were wearing Princess Chantal's merchandise t-shirts, making for the perfect disguise. They appeared to be fans, but their intentions were far from innocent.
For this concert, they were hired by a record label to sabotage Princess Chantal's debut European performance. The record label, Velvet Harmony, didn't want her to succeed.
Velvet Harmony was actually the first label Collin had contacted to sign Princess Chantal. However, despite the attractive conditions offered by their music producer, Collin remained unmoved and declined.
It was a slap to their faces, a humiliation. The fact that Velvet Harmony failed to acquire Princess Chantal, only for her to become wildly successful, was deeply shameful.
In Velvet Harmony's eyes, Princess Chantal only had two possible futures: either she became their asset, or they would destroy her and ensure she never rose to fame.
This was a common tactic. Velvet Harmony had done it before, including sabotaging the boy band cultivated by Moonrise Music.
It was just business. Velvet Harmony was willing to sabotage competitors. Especially now, Princess Chantal's rise was too rapid, and they feared her influence would soon surpass theirs.
Not only Velvet Harmony, but other record labels were also wary. The music industry was vast, but profit was never guaranteed. Princess Chantal had to fail, and she had to fail spectacularly, before her rise became unstoppable.
Tonight, Bobo and Tanga were paid to throw rocks at Princess Chantal.
Yes, people threw dangerous objects at music artists during concerts. It was disturbingly common.
Fans once threw panties at Elvis Presley during his concerts. Aside from that, he was nearly struck by a stiletto. Some attackers were obsessive fans, while others simply wanted to hurt the performer.
It was a crime, but who gave a fuck? These artists were rich, and in the twisted minds of others, they deserved to be stoned.
It was a fucked-up ideology rooted in envy.
Corrupt politicians and rapists were the ones who truly deserved to be stoned to death.
Anyway, the concert venue gradually filled with excited fans. Most were Europeans, attending Princess Chantal's concert for the first time. Some paid $300 just to sit in the VIP and front-row sections. Others paid extra for backstage access and a chance to meet Princess Chantal herself. Of course, she also held a signature event for a select number of fortunate fans.
As the venue, capable of holding 50,000 people, filled to capacity, the lights finally went out.
The show had begun.
---
[You can read more on my Patreon.]
Stufedia thought about it seriously.
'If I meet Chantal and apologize, maybe I'll get more money from her if I cry hard enough and play the role of a regretful mother.'
Stufedia glanced at Collin and shuddered when she met his dark gaze directed straight at her. She was startled and quickly lowered her head, staring at the contract in her hands. That was scary. The paper suddenly felt heavier. Both sides held their own copies of the agreement.
'... $100,000 per month. That's $1.2 million per year.' She thought.
No matter how one looked at it, the amount was insanely huge. People would kill just to earn that much monthly, some would even sacrifice their morals. It would be stupid for Stufedia to destroy the contract out of pure greed. In the end, logic finally won over her desire.
For 18 years, exactly the same number of years the parents had provided for Princess Chantal, Stufedia and Simone would earn $1.2 million annually. Multiplied by 18, that amounted to $21.6 million in fortune. The couple could retire without a problem. In fact, they could retire this very year and simply live off the money in comfort, unless they chose to recklessly squander it without regard for the future.
Collin watched their greedy expressions.
'In my opinion, they don't deserve even a single coin from Princess Chantal. But her career needs careful planning and strict damage control. We can't let these people do whatever they want, they are too dangerous. We must chain them with legal contracts. Eighteen years of peace is worth it. As for the money... I honestly thought each of them would ask for at least $1 million per month. I can't believe I managed to lower it to $100,000. This is a win.'
Collin maintained his composure, but inwardly, he was satisfied.
This decision effectively saved Princess Chantal's career. Her parents had devious plans if they failed to get what they wanted. They could have involved the media and played the victims to gain public sympathy.
As for Alice, she was surprised that her sister had thought about her. They were not close, so the fact that Princess Chantal arranged a contract for her was both unexpected and touching.
"Let's end our negotiation."
"Of course," Simone replied with a grin, eagerly shaking hands with Collin. Unlike Stufedia, Simone understood reality better. He was an asshole, but he knew his position. He was already satisfied that his daughter was willing to pay them for 18 years.
With that, Collin and Quincy left the restaurant. Collin was pleased that Simone understood how the world worked. They couldn't expect anything grand when they had never shown Princess Chantal even an ounce of love.
Once the Beaumont family was alone in the private room, Simone turned to Stufedia, his tone serious.
"Don't do anything stupid. We should accept what we deserve. Think about it, we never really took care of Chantal. We barely spent money on her, only the bare minimum. Our expenses didn't even reach $1 million, yet the return on investment is more than twenty times that amount. We can live happily for the rest of our lives without ever working again."
The fact that Simone treated Princess Chantal like an investment was truly appalling.
"I know, I know. Don't worry, I'll keep my mouth shut. Besides, there's nothing bad about Chantal anyway, nothing scandalous. She's just a simple girl. She doesn't do drugs or indulge in vices. She's pure," Stufedia replied.
"Indeed," Simone agreed.
The couple then looked at Alice, silently evaluating her. For a brief moment, greed crossed their minds regarding her share. However, since she could only access it after turning 18, they abandoned the thought.
Alice bitterly smiled. It seemed that her remaining four years in that household would be torture. Now that the charade was over, her parents had no reason to pretend to care about her.
'... I have to learn how to live and stand on my own. If, if I have to contact Chantal and ask for help, then I'll do it as a last resort.'
Alice regretted not having Princess Chantal's contact information. To her, her sister was almost a stranger. As for Collin's business card, it was tucked inside Simone's pocket. She would search for it later when the opportunity arose.
Spoiler alert: Alice endured four difficult years, but once she turned 18 and was free from her parents, her life became much easier. Despite everything she went through, she never once asked Princess Chantal for help. She was already grateful for what her sister had done and never asked for more.
As for Stufedia and Simone, once the 18 years passed, they found themselves penniless. They became homeless and died miserably. Despite years of steady income, they never achieved a happy ending, proving that Collin's decision was correct, even though he would never know it.
Was giving them money worth it? Yes, because it ultimately led to their downfall.
.........
......
...
"We really have to do this, huh?" a man asked nervously.
"Let's wait until the lights go off. It'll be harder to recognize us then."
The two men whispered to each other as they waited for the concert to begin, blending into the crowd. Princess Chantal had announced her first worldwide tour, and her first concert in Europe was held in her home country, France.
The two men, Bobo and Tanga, were wearing Princess Chantal's merchandise t-shirts, making for the perfect disguise. They appeared to be fans, but their intentions were far from innocent.
For this concert, they were hired by a record label to sabotage Princess Chantal's debut European performance. The record label, Velvet Harmony, didn't want her to succeed.
Velvet Harmony was actually the first label Collin had contacted to sign Princess Chantal. However, despite the attractive conditions offered by their music producer, Collin remained unmoved and declined.
It was a slap to their faces, a humiliation. The fact that Velvet Harmony failed to acquire Princess Chantal, only for her to become wildly successful, was deeply shameful.
In Velvet Harmony's eyes, Princess Chantal only had two possible futures: either she became their asset, or they would destroy her and ensure she never rose to fame.
This was a common tactic. Velvet Harmony had done it before, including sabotaging the boy band cultivated by Moonrise Music.
It was just business. Velvet Harmony was willing to sabotage competitors. Especially now, Princess Chantal's rise was too rapid, and they feared her influence would soon surpass theirs.
Not only Velvet Harmony, but other record labels were also wary. The music industry was vast, but profit was never guaranteed. Princess Chantal had to fail, and she had to fail spectacularly, before her rise became unstoppable.
Tonight, Bobo and Tanga were paid to throw rocks at Princess Chantal.
Yes, people threw dangerous objects at music artists during concerts. It was disturbingly common.
Fans once threw panties at Elvis Presley during his concerts. Aside from that, he was nearly struck by a stiletto. Some attackers were obsessive fans, while others simply wanted to hurt the performer.
It was a crime, but who gave a fuck? These artists were rich, and in the twisted minds of others, they deserved to be stoned.
It was a fucked-up ideology rooted in envy.
Corrupt politicians and rapists were the ones who truly deserved to be stoned to death.
Anyway, the concert venue gradually filled with excited fans. Most were Europeans, attending Princess Chantal's concert for the first time. Some paid $300 just to sit in the VIP and front-row sections. Others paid extra for backstage access and a chance to meet Princess Chantal herself. Of course, she also held a signature event for a select number of fortunate fans.
As the venue, capable of holding 50,000 people, filled to capacity, the lights finally went out.
The show had begun.
---
[You can read more on my Patreon.]
Chapter 192
New
Pujimaki
Padoru padoru
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2022
- Messages
- 1,247
- Likes received
- 21,101
Behind The Spotlight Chapter 192
The stage turned dark as the fog machine released thick clouds that completely covered it, dense enough to hide every silhouette. This was the signal marking the start of the concert. The fans cheered wildly and screamed Princess Chantal's name in a deafening roar.
The stadium shook as if an earthquake had struck. Even Bobo and Tanga were affected by the overwhelming atmosphere, their hearts pounding uncontrollably.
Bobo looked at Tanga and whispered into his ear.
"Let's wait. We'll attack her in the middle of the concert when her guard is down. That way, if she gets injured, she'll be forced to end the concert early, and the fans will be disappointed and furious."
"Aren't the fans going to sympathize with her instead? Their idol gets injured, they might turn overprotective."
"That can happen, but it's not our problem. We don't get paid for consequences. Remember, we're only hired. We just have to do our job, nothing else," Bobo reminded him.
"Okay, I'll keep that in mind."
"Even if we don't hit her, the fact that someone throws a rock at her will affect her mentality. Her manager will likely convince her to end the concert early if it gets dangerous. Safety comes first. Don't worry, we're not the only ones hired. There are probably others stationed in different locations, paid just like us."
They were positioned at the perfect distance, close enough for a thrown rock to reach the stage.
Suddenly, the music started. The fog gradually cleared, revealing the stage as tall, sparkling lights burst forth from the flame projectors.
Princess Chantal appeared and immediately sang a powerful high note. The fans screamed at the top of their lungs, and even Bobo and Tanga were momentarily stunned.
She sang her opening song and effortlessly captured everyone's attention. Her voice was magnificent. She performed her well-known hits such as Love Everywhere, songs the crowd adored. In the second half of the concert, Princess Chantal introduced new tracks from her second album, which had been released just a week earlier and had already topped the music charts.
Throughout the concert, Bobo and Tanga were completely mesmerized. They sang along, jumped, screamed, and had fun. They were hypnotized by her incredible voice, acting like genuine fans. It was probably the best night of their lives.
"Thank you, Paris! Muah~!" Princess Chantal sent a flying kiss to her fans with dazzling confidence.
And just like that, the concert ended.
It was an unforgettable performance, yet many fans felt it was too short, even though it wasn't.
"... We didn't throw rocks at her. Not even once."
Only then did Bobo and Tanga realize their failure.
They had been completely caught up in the moment. Princess Chantal's star power was so overwhelming that they forgot about their mission entirely.
Bobo and Tanga looked at each other.
"Let's just say we threw rocks, but they didn't reach the stage."
"Right, right. We'll stick to that story."
The two reluctantly convinced themselves. They couldn't believe it, they entered the concert as haters but left as fans. They had been completely converted.
Just like Bobo and Tanga, others who were hired to cause trouble also failed in their tasks. They all shared similar excuses, their rocks didn't reach her.
Princess Chantal's talent was simply too overwhelming. She truly possessed golden talents. A single note from her song was enough to captivate the masses.
No wonder Velvet Harmony and other record labels saw her as a threat. Her charisma was terrifying from a business standpoint.
With that, Princess Chantal's first concert in Europe became a massive success.
.........
......
...
"Thank you, everyone!" Princess Chantal said, her voice slightly hoarse but sincere.
Backstage, she thanked the musicians, DJ, backup dancers, and staff one by one. She promised them bonuses, which instantly lifted everyone's spirits.
Once the concert concluded, Princess Chantal returned to her dressing room to remove her makeup. She had been sweating nonstop throughout the performance and desperately needed a shower.
Inside the dressing room, Isabella congratulated her, overjoyed that her friend had achieved her dream. Isabella's parents were also present.
"Auntie!" Princess Chantal greeted cheerfully.
"Chantal, we missed you so much!"
Princess Chantal hugged Isabella's mother tightly. Unlike her own mother, who never showed her affection, Isabella's mother had always been warm and caring. Princess Chantal sometimes wished that Isabella's mother had been her own.
"Uncle!"
"I'm proud of you, Chantal."
Princess Chantal sobbed when she heard that. She had worked so hard, and receiving recognition for her efforts meant everything to her.
After chatting for a while, Princess Chantal excused herself politely. She needed to shower.
As she showered, she hummed softly, smiling in satisfaction. She knew her dream wasn't complete yet. Once her world tour concluded successfully, she could truly say she had made it.
After showering and changed clothes, she opened the dressing room door and found Collin and Gabriella standing outside, each holding a bouquet of flowers.
"Collin, Gabriella! You're here!" she exclaimed happily.
"I watched your concert. It was amazing," Gabriella said with a smile, handing over the flowers.
"Aww, thank you. Where's Isabella?"
Princess Chantal had promised Isabella's parents a celebratory dinner and planned to buy them gifts.
"She's waiting in the car with her parents," Collin replied.
"I see."
"Give me Gabriella's bouquet. I'll ask the assistants to take care of them, mine included," Collin offered.
"You can go have fun with Isabella and her parents. Leave the rest to me," he added.
"Thank you, Collin!"
Princess Chantal hurried off.
"Gabriella, let's talk tomorrow. I promised we'd visit the Eiffel Tower."
"See you tomorrow," Gabriella replied with a gentle smile.
Once Princess Chantal left, silence returned. Collin glanced at Gabriella.
Earlier, the two had already spoken before Princess Chantal opened the door. It had been slightly awkward. Collin was cautious, he knew Gabriella's intentions. She wanted to sign Princess Chantal to her record label.
"How about we continue our conversation outside?" Gabriella suggested. "There's a vending machine near the venue where we can talk and grab a drink."
"That would be great," Collin replied politely.
He followed her, occasionally glancing at the golden words floating above her head.
---
[Author's Note:]
Please subscribe to my Patreon, where you can read:
75 advance chapters of Behind The Spotlight
57 advance chapters of Reincarnated as a Fisherman and Dad
Patreon link: https://www.patreon.com/Puji_maki
The stage turned dark as the fog machine released thick clouds that completely covered it, dense enough to hide every silhouette. This was the signal marking the start of the concert. The fans cheered wildly and screamed Princess Chantal's name in a deafening roar.
The stadium shook as if an earthquake had struck. Even Bobo and Tanga were affected by the overwhelming atmosphere, their hearts pounding uncontrollably.
Bobo looked at Tanga and whispered into his ear.
"Let's wait. We'll attack her in the middle of the concert when her guard is down. That way, if she gets injured, she'll be forced to end the concert early, and the fans will be disappointed and furious."
"Aren't the fans going to sympathize with her instead? Their idol gets injured, they might turn overprotective."
"That can happen, but it's not our problem. We don't get paid for consequences. Remember, we're only hired. We just have to do our job, nothing else," Bobo reminded him.
"Okay, I'll keep that in mind."
"Even if we don't hit her, the fact that someone throws a rock at her will affect her mentality. Her manager will likely convince her to end the concert early if it gets dangerous. Safety comes first. Don't worry, we're not the only ones hired. There are probably others stationed in different locations, paid just like us."
They were positioned at the perfect distance, close enough for a thrown rock to reach the stage.
Suddenly, the music started. The fog gradually cleared, revealing the stage as tall, sparkling lights burst forth from the flame projectors.
Princess Chantal appeared and immediately sang a powerful high note. The fans screamed at the top of their lungs, and even Bobo and Tanga were momentarily stunned.
She sang her opening song and effortlessly captured everyone's attention. Her voice was magnificent. She performed her well-known hits such as Love Everywhere, songs the crowd adored. In the second half of the concert, Princess Chantal introduced new tracks from her second album, which had been released just a week earlier and had already topped the music charts.
Throughout the concert, Bobo and Tanga were completely mesmerized. They sang along, jumped, screamed, and had fun. They were hypnotized by her incredible voice, acting like genuine fans. It was probably the best night of their lives.
"Thank you, Paris! Muah~!" Princess Chantal sent a flying kiss to her fans with dazzling confidence.
And just like that, the concert ended.
It was an unforgettable performance, yet many fans felt it was too short, even though it wasn't.
"... We didn't throw rocks at her. Not even once."
Only then did Bobo and Tanga realize their failure.
They had been completely caught up in the moment. Princess Chantal's star power was so overwhelming that they forgot about their mission entirely.
Bobo and Tanga looked at each other.
"Let's just say we threw rocks, but they didn't reach the stage."
"Right, right. We'll stick to that story."
The two reluctantly convinced themselves. They couldn't believe it, they entered the concert as haters but left as fans. They had been completely converted.
Just like Bobo and Tanga, others who were hired to cause trouble also failed in their tasks. They all shared similar excuses, their rocks didn't reach her.
Princess Chantal's talent was simply too overwhelming. She truly possessed golden talents. A single note from her song was enough to captivate the masses.
No wonder Velvet Harmony and other record labels saw her as a threat. Her charisma was terrifying from a business standpoint.
With that, Princess Chantal's first concert in Europe became a massive success.
.........
......
...
"Thank you, everyone!" Princess Chantal said, her voice slightly hoarse but sincere.
Backstage, she thanked the musicians, DJ, backup dancers, and staff one by one. She promised them bonuses, which instantly lifted everyone's spirits.
Once the concert concluded, Princess Chantal returned to her dressing room to remove her makeup. She had been sweating nonstop throughout the performance and desperately needed a shower.
Inside the dressing room, Isabella congratulated her, overjoyed that her friend had achieved her dream. Isabella's parents were also present.
"Auntie!" Princess Chantal greeted cheerfully.
"Chantal, we missed you so much!"
Princess Chantal hugged Isabella's mother tightly. Unlike her own mother, who never showed her affection, Isabella's mother had always been warm and caring. Princess Chantal sometimes wished that Isabella's mother had been her own.
"Uncle!"
"I'm proud of you, Chantal."
Princess Chantal sobbed when she heard that. She had worked so hard, and receiving recognition for her efforts meant everything to her.
After chatting for a while, Princess Chantal excused herself politely. She needed to shower.
As she showered, she hummed softly, smiling in satisfaction. She knew her dream wasn't complete yet. Once her world tour concluded successfully, she could truly say she had made it.
After showering and changed clothes, she opened the dressing room door and found Collin and Gabriella standing outside, each holding a bouquet of flowers.
"Collin, Gabriella! You're here!" she exclaimed happily.
"I watched your concert. It was amazing," Gabriella said with a smile, handing over the flowers.
"Aww, thank you. Where's Isabella?"
Princess Chantal had promised Isabella's parents a celebratory dinner and planned to buy them gifts.
"She's waiting in the car with her parents," Collin replied.
"I see."
"Give me Gabriella's bouquet. I'll ask the assistants to take care of them, mine included," Collin offered.
"You can go have fun with Isabella and her parents. Leave the rest to me," he added.
"Thank you, Collin!"
Princess Chantal hurried off.
"Gabriella, let's talk tomorrow. I promised we'd visit the Eiffel Tower."
"See you tomorrow," Gabriella replied with a gentle smile.
Once Princess Chantal left, silence returned. Collin glanced at Gabriella.
Earlier, the two had already spoken before Princess Chantal opened the door. It had been slightly awkward. Collin was cautious, he knew Gabriella's intentions. She wanted to sign Princess Chantal to her record label.
"How about we continue our conversation outside?" Gabriella suggested. "There's a vending machine near the venue where we can talk and grab a drink."
"That would be great," Collin replied politely.
He followed her, occasionally glancing at the golden words floating above her head.
---
[Author's Note:]
Please subscribe to my Patreon, where you can read:
75 advance chapters of Behind The Spotlight
57 advance chapters of Reincarnated as a Fisherman and Dad
Patreon link: https://www.patreon.com/Puji_maki
Chapter 193
New
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[This novel has 75 chapters on Patreon.]
---
Behind The Spotlight Chapter 193
The two reached the vending machine. Some staff members who recognized Collin greeted him, and he returned their greetings with a polite nod and a brief smile. Some of the backup dancers were especially interested in him. Collin's reputation in the industry was strong because of his clients' consistent successes. He was now recognized as an influential figure, so these backup dancers hoped that Collin would offer them a contract, or at least remember their faces for the future.
Unfortunately for them, Collin's attention was focused on the woman standing in front of him.
Gabriella was wearing a black, midi-length wrap dress and holding a purse, her posture elegant and composed. Collin admitted that Gabriella was attractive, but because of the industry he worked in, he had grown numb to beautiful yet shallow women.
'The question is, is Gabriella Wallmart a shallow person or not?' He silently evaluated her.
"What do you prefer? There's no alcohol here, it seems," Gabriella said with a slight smile, as if testing how casual he would be.
"Cola." His reply was short and neutral.
"Here you go." She handed him the can.
They opened their drinks, and the sharp hiss of the cans echoed between them.
"You're probably thinking that I'm interested in signing Princess Chantal," Gabriella said, cutting straight to the point.
"Given your actions, yes. I believe you want Princess Chantal to sign a contract with your record label," Collin replied calmly.
"If I say yes, are you going to prevent me from talking to Princess Chantal?"
"I can't force my client to stop talking to anyone. At the end of the day, it's Princess Chantal's decision whether she wants to speak to you. However, I will warn her of your intentions." Collin took a sip of his drink.
He knew how reality worked. He had tried to stop Lawrence from attending parties and had talked to Jennifer about her foul mouth. The decision to change always rested with them, no matter how much advice he gave.
"Then I'll say I'm not interested in signing her. I just want to be her friend. That way, you won't stop me," Gabriella giggled, clearly enjoying the exchange.
Collin looked at her and noticed the playful expression on her face, one that was difficult to read.
"Are you playing with me?" He raised an eyebrow.
"What do you think?"
"It doesn't matter. I'll still warn Princess Chantal."
"Just like you said, that's your decision," Gabriella replied.
"..."
The pause lingered between them.
"You're really an amazing guy. I heard you also handle actors and even a director. Tell me about it. I bet it took a long time and extreme hard work to reach your status. I'm interested in hearing your story." Her voice softened slightly.
"Well," Collin admitted that he felt a hint of pride at her praise, though he tried to suppress it. "It wasn't simple. For Wyatt, the director I signed, I had to find an investor to fund The Accidental Wedding Crashers. At the time, I was nervous and under immense pressure."
He recalled that period. It had been difficult but unforgettable, an experience that shaped him. A faint smile crossed his face. Back then, he had rented a church without air conditioning, and it was torture. He had to manage every expense carefully, calculating every cent.
"Wow, you really worked hard. No wonder you reached your status. No wonder your clients became successful, it's because of you. You should be proud of yourself," Gabriella said, listening intently. Her gaze sparkled, as if she were genuinely interested rather than merely flattering him.
"Proud, huh? I did help manage their careers, but the biggest factor behind my clients' success is their talent. They're talented, I just helped them realize it." His humility was genuine.
"And that's exactly why you're an amazing agent. There are countless talented people in Hollywood, but only a few make it. I blame their agents, the agents failed their clients. But you're different. You trusted your clients. You know how to make them famous. When Axel Gunner was buried in scandal, everyone thought his career was over, but you didn't listen to them. You bet on Axel and rebuilt his career successfully. That takes guts. If you're not talented, then how do you explain that?" Her words flowed smoothly.
Gabriella had researched Collin thoroughly. The more she learned about him, the more convinced she became that he was worth stealing from any competing agency. Her instincts told her that if Collin worked with her, the talent agency she founded with her brother would dominate the entertainment industry without question.
She licked her lips and continued praising him, unwilling to give up.
"You're amazing. Such a great agent." Her enthusiasm seemed sincere.
"Nah, I'm just a normal person. You don't have to flatter me," Collin waved it off.
As the conversation continued, Gabriella gradually realized that her charm wasn't working, which irritated her internally.
'Something's wrong... No matter how much I praise him or talk to him, it feels like he's guarding himself even more. That's strange. Usually, people open up to me and start telling their stories. But Collin is different. His answers are superficial. I feel like he doesn't trust me at all. This has only happened once before, with my father.' She hid her frown and maintained her smile.
What Gabriella didn't know was that her talent, Master Manipulator, had been active the entire conversation. Collin saw it and remained on guard.
'This woman is dangerous. There were moments when I almost revealed my true emotions. It feels like I'm talking to an old friend I can trust. That's terrifying. If not for my golden vision, I might have fallen for her tricks.' Collin stayed alert.
Fortunately, Collin didn't sense any outright malicious intent from Gabriella, though he wasn't sure whether her talent was influencing his instincts as well.
The conversation continued until Collin excused himself. An assistant needed to discuss Princess Chantal's schedule and upcoming appearances.
"What the heck?" Gabriella tilted her head after he left. Frustrated, she stomped her foot against the floor. She couldn't believe Collin had stayed guarded. Based on her past successes, she had thought this would be easy. She had even timed her visit to coincide with his just to strike up a conversation, yet she failed.
"Should I follow the plan and continue pursuing him?" She gritted her teeth. Her pride couldn't accept failing to recruit what she considered a mere talent agent. With a pout, she glared at Collin's retreating figure, her determination burning even stronger.
---
Behind The Spotlight Chapter 193
The two reached the vending machine. Some staff members who recognized Collin greeted him, and he returned their greetings with a polite nod and a brief smile. Some of the backup dancers were especially interested in him. Collin's reputation in the industry was strong because of his clients' consistent successes. He was now recognized as an influential figure, so these backup dancers hoped that Collin would offer them a contract, or at least remember their faces for the future.
Unfortunately for them, Collin's attention was focused on the woman standing in front of him.
Gabriella was wearing a black, midi-length wrap dress and holding a purse, her posture elegant and composed. Collin admitted that Gabriella was attractive, but because of the industry he worked in, he had grown numb to beautiful yet shallow women.
'The question is, is Gabriella Wallmart a shallow person or not?' He silently evaluated her.
"What do you prefer? There's no alcohol here, it seems," Gabriella said with a slight smile, as if testing how casual he would be.
"Cola." His reply was short and neutral.
"Here you go." She handed him the can.
They opened their drinks, and the sharp hiss of the cans echoed between them.
"You're probably thinking that I'm interested in signing Princess Chantal," Gabriella said, cutting straight to the point.
"Given your actions, yes. I believe you want Princess Chantal to sign a contract with your record label," Collin replied calmly.
"If I say yes, are you going to prevent me from talking to Princess Chantal?"
"I can't force my client to stop talking to anyone. At the end of the day, it's Princess Chantal's decision whether she wants to speak to you. However, I will warn her of your intentions." Collin took a sip of his drink.
He knew how reality worked. He had tried to stop Lawrence from attending parties and had talked to Jennifer about her foul mouth. The decision to change always rested with them, no matter how much advice he gave.
"Then I'll say I'm not interested in signing her. I just want to be her friend. That way, you won't stop me," Gabriella giggled, clearly enjoying the exchange.
Collin looked at her and noticed the playful expression on her face, one that was difficult to read.
"Are you playing with me?" He raised an eyebrow.
"What do you think?"
"It doesn't matter. I'll still warn Princess Chantal."
"Just like you said, that's your decision," Gabriella replied.
"..."
The pause lingered between them.
"You're really an amazing guy. I heard you also handle actors and even a director. Tell me about it. I bet it took a long time and extreme hard work to reach your status. I'm interested in hearing your story." Her voice softened slightly.
"Well," Collin admitted that he felt a hint of pride at her praise, though he tried to suppress it. "It wasn't simple. For Wyatt, the director I signed, I had to find an investor to fund The Accidental Wedding Crashers. At the time, I was nervous and under immense pressure."
He recalled that period. It had been difficult but unforgettable, an experience that shaped him. A faint smile crossed his face. Back then, he had rented a church without air conditioning, and it was torture. He had to manage every expense carefully, calculating every cent.
"Wow, you really worked hard. No wonder you reached your status. No wonder your clients became successful, it's because of you. You should be proud of yourself," Gabriella said, listening intently. Her gaze sparkled, as if she were genuinely interested rather than merely flattering him.
"Proud, huh? I did help manage their careers, but the biggest factor behind my clients' success is their talent. They're talented, I just helped them realize it." His humility was genuine.
"And that's exactly why you're an amazing agent. There are countless talented people in Hollywood, but only a few make it. I blame their agents, the agents failed their clients. But you're different. You trusted your clients. You know how to make them famous. When Axel Gunner was buried in scandal, everyone thought his career was over, but you didn't listen to them. You bet on Axel and rebuilt his career successfully. That takes guts. If you're not talented, then how do you explain that?" Her words flowed smoothly.
Gabriella had researched Collin thoroughly. The more she learned about him, the more convinced she became that he was worth stealing from any competing agency. Her instincts told her that if Collin worked with her, the talent agency she founded with her brother would dominate the entertainment industry without question.
She licked her lips and continued praising him, unwilling to give up.
"You're amazing. Such a great agent." Her enthusiasm seemed sincere.
"Nah, I'm just a normal person. You don't have to flatter me," Collin waved it off.
As the conversation continued, Gabriella gradually realized that her charm wasn't working, which irritated her internally.
'Something's wrong... No matter how much I praise him or talk to him, it feels like he's guarding himself even more. That's strange. Usually, people open up to me and start telling their stories. But Collin is different. His answers are superficial. I feel like he doesn't trust me at all. This has only happened once before, with my father.' She hid her frown and maintained her smile.
What Gabriella didn't know was that her talent, Master Manipulator, had been active the entire conversation. Collin saw it and remained on guard.
'This woman is dangerous. There were moments when I almost revealed my true emotions. It feels like I'm talking to an old friend I can trust. That's terrifying. If not for my golden vision, I might have fallen for her tricks.' Collin stayed alert.
Fortunately, Collin didn't sense any outright malicious intent from Gabriella, though he wasn't sure whether her talent was influencing his instincts as well.
The conversation continued until Collin excused himself. An assistant needed to discuss Princess Chantal's schedule and upcoming appearances.
"What the heck?" Gabriella tilted her head after he left. Frustrated, she stomped her foot against the floor. She couldn't believe Collin had stayed guarded. Based on her past successes, she had thought this would be easy. She had even timed her visit to coincide with his just to strike up a conversation, yet she failed.
"Should I follow the plan and continue pursuing him?" She gritted her teeth. Her pride couldn't accept failing to recruit what she considered a mere talent agent. With a pout, she glared at Collin's retreating figure, her determination burning even stronger.
Chapter 194
New
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Behind The Spotlight Chapter 194
"Thank you, Collin. They didn't trouble you too much, right?" Princess Chantal thanked Collin over the phone. She had been trying to avoid the topic because it made her uncomfortable, but she decided to hear about it to confront reality.
"Everything's alright. You don't have to worry. If they try to trouble you or cause problems, I'll make sure they suffer the consequences. They already signed the contract; they are legally bound," Collin assured her confidently.
The two were talking on the phone. Princess Chantal was currently in Italy, preparing for her next concert, surrounded by staff.
"Thank you," Princess Chantal sighed in relief. She had trauma related to her family and was afraid to meet them. The scars had never truly healed. However, she couldn't deny that her parents had made sure she survived until she reached legal age. She admitted that she had to return the favor, at least materially.
She thought her parents would ask for something extravagant, and she didn't know how to deny them. Her parents would 100% guilt-trip her and convince her that she should give them money.
In fact, she was already prepared to spend $1 million monthly just to shut them up, considering it a necessary loss. She had even talked to Collin about it. As long as her parents wouldn't trouble her or affect her career, she was prepared to spend millions for peace of mind. Even for someone who earned over $100 million last year, Princess Chantal found it hard to part with $1 million per month. After all, she worked hard to earn that money. It was hard-earned. She didn't steal it, every cent was earned through work... Unlike politicians who embezzled government funds.
It didn't help that she felt no love toward the family who had kicked her out, so spending money on them was extremely difficult to accept.
However, she had a talented agent who handled the negotiation perfectly and exceeded her expectations. Instead of spending $1 million, he lowered it to $220,000 per month, a drastic reduction. That was an acceptable amount and made Princess Chantal deeply grateful. As much as she wanted to repay them, she didn't want to be sucked dry.
"You don't have to thank me. I'm just doing my job," Collin replied modestly.
"That's always your answer," Princess Chantal giggled, already used to his humility.
Collin earned a commission, of course. It was 10% of the money he saved. Collin and Princess Chantal had agreed that she accepted spending $1 million monthly, and his job was to make sure her parents wouldn't exceed that amount.
At the same time, if he saved money and lowered the payout, he would earn a 10% commission on the saved amount.
In this transaction, Collin saved $780,000. His commission was $78,000, although he could only keep 60% of that amount since the agency and the entertainment lawyer had their shares.
Even so, $46,800 was still a payday worth celebrating. This amount was already a yearly salary for an employee, yet Collin earned it from a single transaction.
Even though a talent agent could only earn through commissions, the profession still had massive potential for those skilled enough. Only agents in the top 5% of the industry could enjoy the status Collin had, where connections mattered most. No wonder many agents went crazy trying to acquire a famous and profitable client. As long as an agent had a money-maker, he wouldn't go hungry.
After confirming that everything was settled, Princess Chantal ended the call. She sighed in relief. She hoped this would be the last time, she wanted closure. She had actually seen them at the airport but did nothing because she didn't want to face them. She walked quickly and was fortunate that Collin intercepted them that day, saving her from emotional distress.
.........
......
...
Axel Gunner stepped out of his trailer and greeted the staff with a smile. The staff greeted him back. Despite being a famous actor, especially after the huge success of The Born Identity, Axel maintained a humble attitude.
After experiencing a scandal that almost destroyed his career, Axel understood that being a good person was better than being hated by the production team.
The director spotted him and approached with intent.
"Axel, our scene today is heavy. I want you to give your full 100%. Give me a convincing performance," the director said clearly.
"I will, Director," Axel replied. Internally, he studied his role, trying to understand the character more deeply.
The director nodded. He had been working with Axel for two months, and Axel always delivered. He never disappointed. His performance was outstanding, and the director was glad to have someone like him in the cast. Despite being a supporting character, Axel's role was important, the catalyst for the lead role. The director needed Axel to deliver an amazing performance and he never failed.
For that, the director was satisfied.
Axel's appearance was completely different from his usual self. He took the role so seriously that he followed it to the T. He shaved his head, grew a beard, and made himself look older, almost unrecognizable. He became a completely different person. Even his son was shocked by the transformation.
"Whipflash, scene 12, take 1!"
The assistant director held the clapperboard and announced the sequence loudly. He snapped the clapperboard in front of the camera.
The film rolled.
A group of musicians played their instruments with utmost seriousness. They were truly playing, and real music filled the studio.
The director was searching for perfection and had ensured the cast learned how to play their instruments through months of preparation.
Inside the filming studio, the harmony was smooth and captivating. Even the crew members found the musical performance impressive for beginners.
The camera was rolling, and the crew maintained their silence.
In front of the musicians stood a mentor with his hands on his waist, listening intently. He was bald, with a thick beard. His eyes were closed as he analyzed every note, listening to the harmony.
He frowned when he caught a subtle flaw. He opened his eyes and stared at the drummer, who was rolling the drums.
The mentor slowly approached him. The musicians gradually stopped playing as the mentor raised his hand, signaling for a pause. The drummer also stopped, his body stiffening as he realized the terrifying mentor was standing right in front of him. Sweat formed on his forehead as he looked at the bald man, his eyes filled with fear and respect.
---
[You can read more on my Patreon. This novel has 75 chapters there.]
"Thank you, Collin. They didn't trouble you too much, right?" Princess Chantal thanked Collin over the phone. She had been trying to avoid the topic because it made her uncomfortable, but she decided to hear about it to confront reality.
"Everything's alright. You don't have to worry. If they try to trouble you or cause problems, I'll make sure they suffer the consequences. They already signed the contract; they are legally bound," Collin assured her confidently.
The two were talking on the phone. Princess Chantal was currently in Italy, preparing for her next concert, surrounded by staff.
"Thank you," Princess Chantal sighed in relief. She had trauma related to her family and was afraid to meet them. The scars had never truly healed. However, she couldn't deny that her parents had made sure she survived until she reached legal age. She admitted that she had to return the favor, at least materially.
She thought her parents would ask for something extravagant, and she didn't know how to deny them. Her parents would 100% guilt-trip her and convince her that she should give them money.
In fact, she was already prepared to spend $1 million monthly just to shut them up, considering it a necessary loss. She had even talked to Collin about it. As long as her parents wouldn't trouble her or affect her career, she was prepared to spend millions for peace of mind. Even for someone who earned over $100 million last year, Princess Chantal found it hard to part with $1 million per month. After all, she worked hard to earn that money. It was hard-earned. She didn't steal it, every cent was earned through work... Unlike politicians who embezzled government funds.
It didn't help that she felt no love toward the family who had kicked her out, so spending money on them was extremely difficult to accept.
However, she had a talented agent who handled the negotiation perfectly and exceeded her expectations. Instead of spending $1 million, he lowered it to $220,000 per month, a drastic reduction. That was an acceptable amount and made Princess Chantal deeply grateful. As much as she wanted to repay them, she didn't want to be sucked dry.
"You don't have to thank me. I'm just doing my job," Collin replied modestly.
"That's always your answer," Princess Chantal giggled, already used to his humility.
Collin earned a commission, of course. It was 10% of the money he saved. Collin and Princess Chantal had agreed that she accepted spending $1 million monthly, and his job was to make sure her parents wouldn't exceed that amount.
At the same time, if he saved money and lowered the payout, he would earn a 10% commission on the saved amount.
In this transaction, Collin saved $780,000. His commission was $78,000, although he could only keep 60% of that amount since the agency and the entertainment lawyer had their shares.
Even so, $46,800 was still a payday worth celebrating. This amount was already a yearly salary for an employee, yet Collin earned it from a single transaction.
Even though a talent agent could only earn through commissions, the profession still had massive potential for those skilled enough. Only agents in the top 5% of the industry could enjoy the status Collin had, where connections mattered most. No wonder many agents went crazy trying to acquire a famous and profitable client. As long as an agent had a money-maker, he wouldn't go hungry.
After confirming that everything was settled, Princess Chantal ended the call. She sighed in relief. She hoped this would be the last time, she wanted closure. She had actually seen them at the airport but did nothing because she didn't want to face them. She walked quickly and was fortunate that Collin intercepted them that day, saving her from emotional distress.
.........
......
...
Axel Gunner stepped out of his trailer and greeted the staff with a smile. The staff greeted him back. Despite being a famous actor, especially after the huge success of The Born Identity, Axel maintained a humble attitude.
After experiencing a scandal that almost destroyed his career, Axel understood that being a good person was better than being hated by the production team.
The director spotted him and approached with intent.
"Axel, our scene today is heavy. I want you to give your full 100%. Give me a convincing performance," the director said clearly.
"I will, Director," Axel replied. Internally, he studied his role, trying to understand the character more deeply.
The director nodded. He had been working with Axel for two months, and Axel always delivered. He never disappointed. His performance was outstanding, and the director was glad to have someone like him in the cast. Despite being a supporting character, Axel's role was important, the catalyst for the lead role. The director needed Axel to deliver an amazing performance and he never failed.
For that, the director was satisfied.
Axel's appearance was completely different from his usual self. He took the role so seriously that he followed it to the T. He shaved his head, grew a beard, and made himself look older, almost unrecognizable. He became a completely different person. Even his son was shocked by the transformation.
"Whipflash, scene 12, take 1!"
The assistant director held the clapperboard and announced the sequence loudly. He snapped the clapperboard in front of the camera.
The film rolled.
A group of musicians played their instruments with utmost seriousness. They were truly playing, and real music filled the studio.
The director was searching for perfection and had ensured the cast learned how to play their instruments through months of preparation.
Inside the filming studio, the harmony was smooth and captivating. Even the crew members found the musical performance impressive for beginners.
The camera was rolling, and the crew maintained their silence.
In front of the musicians stood a mentor with his hands on his waist, listening intently. He was bald, with a thick beard. His eyes were closed as he analyzed every note, listening to the harmony.
He frowned when he caught a subtle flaw. He opened his eyes and stared at the drummer, who was rolling the drums.
The mentor slowly approached him. The musicians gradually stopped playing as the mentor raised his hand, signaling for a pause. The drummer also stopped, his body stiffening as he realized the terrifying mentor was standing right in front of him. Sweat formed on his forehead as he looked at the bald man, his eyes filled with fear and respect.
---
[You can read more on my Patreon. This novel has 75 chapters there.]
Chapter 195
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Behind The Spotlight Chapter 195
"Not quite my tempo." The mentor met his eyes, his gaze sharp and unforgiving, and the drummer decided to increase the tempo as his heartbeat raced.
"Y- Yes, sir." His voice trembled slightly.
The drummer, Elton, played the drums faster, yet the mentor raised his hand to slap his face… It was an awkward slap.
The slap seemed fake and forced, as if the mentor was hesitant. The palm didn't even touch his face and stopped short.
"Cut--!" the director announced.
"I'm sorry, let's do that again."
Axel knew that he had made a mistake and immediately asked for another shot, owning up to it.
"Whipflash, Scene 12, Take 2!"
They repeated the scene, but Axel was hesitant to slap Elton for the second time, his hand slowing mid-air. Even if pushed forward, his slap lacked force entirely, barely grazing the skin. In that moment, the terrifying mentor was gone, something else overtook the character.
"Cut--!"
Axel apologized again and asked for another take.
"Take 3!" The tension thickened.
"Take 4!" Murmurs spread.
"Take 8!"
By Take 9, Axel still failed to deliver the scene. This was the part where the mentor had to slap the drummer five times, yet Axel was already struggling with the first slap alone.
The director decided to speak with Axel.
"Your role is a mentor who sees potential in Elton, the drummer. You believe that Elton will reach greater heights with his talent, but you're afraid that his talent will make him arrogant, so you want him to take every practice and performance seriously. That's why you slap him multiple times. What I'm looking for is a tyrant who will slap Elton without hesitation." His explanation was firm and clear.
The director, seeking perfection, had no intention of dodging the scene by editing in slap sounds. He wanted authenticity.
"I understand," Axel nodded, absorbing every word.
Axel was far from a softie. He was a soldier who had gone to war and killed people… However, his mentality was affected by the role, and he couldn't perform it properly.
After understanding his character, he realized and believed that the mentor saw Elton as a son who needed guidance to reach success. At least, that was how Axel believed it.
With that understanding as his foundation, the mentor couldn't seem to hurt Elton whom he treated like his own son. However, he had to do it.
Even though the camera had stopped rolling, Axel was still immersed in the role. His hesitation wasn't because Axel Gunner was afraid of hurting Elton. He hesitated because the mentor didn't want to hurt Elton.
"So, uh, Axel, don't be afraid to slap me. I can take it." The lead actor, Nolan, who played the drummer, approached Axel, believing that Axel was uncomfortable hurting his co-star.
Having worked with Axel, Nolan found him incredibly talented. For this explosive scene, he wanted to match Axel's intensity. He refused to be overshadowed. If he had to be slapped five times, he would accept it. He was a professional actor, after all.
This scene would determine whether he could reach greater heights as an actor, a defining moment. He might be the protagonist, but throughout the filming, Axel had overwhelmed him whenever they shared a scene.
"Thank you. If we're really going to do this, then let's do it in a single take." Axel took a deep breath and fully entered the mentor's mentality.
After the break, the director observed Axel closely, gauging his emotions. Axel nodded at him, reassuring him.
"Lights?" the director asked.
"Check!" came the reply.
"Camera?" He turned to the cinematographer.
"Working!"
"Action!"
Elton drum-rolled, and the mentor approached him with heavy footsteps. This time, Axel was gone. He understood that the mentor was hurting Elton to make him better… at least, he believed so.
"Not quite my tempo."
"Yes, sir."
Sweat formed on Elton's forehead as he increased the pace of his drumming.
Suddenly, a smack landed on his face. The sound was sharp and real.
"I said not quite my tempo."
Elton stumbled but didn't stop playing. He felt the pain, but determination hardened his expression as he gritted his teeth.
Elton, or more precisely, the lead actor, had complicated feelings toward Axel. He admitted that Axel's performance was powerful. Whenever Axel stood in front of the camera, he completely embodied the role.
This time, using this scene as a catalyst, the lead actor wanted to prove that he could act just as powerfully. The slap hurt, but he was a professional and endured it.
"Yes, sir!"
He further increased the tempo. The entire studio fell silent as everyone held their breath. Even the other musicians were appalled, yet they couldn't look away from the intense exchange between the two.
"Not fast enough,(slap) not expressive enough,(slap) not good enough(slap)." The words cut deeper than the blows.
"Yes, sir..." He swallowed hard as blood appeared at the corner of his mouth. This was real blood, but the actor was determined to finish the scene.
The crew members behind the camera grew alarmed, but the director slightly raised his hand, calming them. He could see it, this was the scene he had been waiting for.
The mentor slapped the drummer again, mercilessly.
"Was that a 'yes, sir'?"
The drummer hesitated. "Yes, sir."
"Say it louder! Say it louder! I can't fucking hear you!"
The last line was improvised. It wasn't in the script, Axel had blurted it out instinctively.
With a roar, the drummer shouted, "Yes, sir!"
"Cut!!"
The director stood up and clapped. The performance from both actors was outstanding, especially the lead actor, who had truly gone all out.
The moment the director called "cut," Axel lost all his ferocity and pulled the lead actor into a hug, apologizing.
"I'm sorry."
"It's alright. It wasn't bad." The actor smiled faintly and wiped the blood from his mouth.
"Send in the medics," the director ordered. Medics and first-aid responders were always on standby for moments like this.
Fortunately, the actor's face wasn't seriously injured, though his mouth was bleeding from the blow.
Axel apologized repeatedly, but the lead actor, Nolan, simply shrugged it off. This wasn't his first time getting hurt while acting. In one of his past projects, he had taken a punch from a vicious, cocaine-addicted actor, which was far worse. Compared to that, Nolan had it easy today.
"Not quite my tempo." The mentor met his eyes, his gaze sharp and unforgiving, and the drummer decided to increase the tempo as his heartbeat raced.
"Y- Yes, sir." His voice trembled slightly.
The drummer, Elton, played the drums faster, yet the mentor raised his hand to slap his face… It was an awkward slap.
The slap seemed fake and forced, as if the mentor was hesitant. The palm didn't even touch his face and stopped short.
"Cut--!" the director announced.
"I'm sorry, let's do that again."
Axel knew that he had made a mistake and immediately asked for another shot, owning up to it.
"Whipflash, Scene 12, Take 2!"
They repeated the scene, but Axel was hesitant to slap Elton for the second time, his hand slowing mid-air. Even if pushed forward, his slap lacked force entirely, barely grazing the skin. In that moment, the terrifying mentor was gone, something else overtook the character.
"Cut--!"
Axel apologized again and asked for another take.
"Take 3!" The tension thickened.
"Take 4!" Murmurs spread.
"Take 8!"
By Take 9, Axel still failed to deliver the scene. This was the part where the mentor had to slap the drummer five times, yet Axel was already struggling with the first slap alone.
The director decided to speak with Axel.
"Your role is a mentor who sees potential in Elton, the drummer. You believe that Elton will reach greater heights with his talent, but you're afraid that his talent will make him arrogant, so you want him to take every practice and performance seriously. That's why you slap him multiple times. What I'm looking for is a tyrant who will slap Elton without hesitation." His explanation was firm and clear.
The director, seeking perfection, had no intention of dodging the scene by editing in slap sounds. He wanted authenticity.
"I understand," Axel nodded, absorbing every word.
Axel was far from a softie. He was a soldier who had gone to war and killed people… However, his mentality was affected by the role, and he couldn't perform it properly.
After understanding his character, he realized and believed that the mentor saw Elton as a son who needed guidance to reach success. At least, that was how Axel believed it.
With that understanding as his foundation, the mentor couldn't seem to hurt Elton whom he treated like his own son. However, he had to do it.
Even though the camera had stopped rolling, Axel was still immersed in the role. His hesitation wasn't because Axel Gunner was afraid of hurting Elton. He hesitated because the mentor didn't want to hurt Elton.
"So, uh, Axel, don't be afraid to slap me. I can take it." The lead actor, Nolan, who played the drummer, approached Axel, believing that Axel was uncomfortable hurting his co-star.
Having worked with Axel, Nolan found him incredibly talented. For this explosive scene, he wanted to match Axel's intensity. He refused to be overshadowed. If he had to be slapped five times, he would accept it. He was a professional actor, after all.
This scene would determine whether he could reach greater heights as an actor, a defining moment. He might be the protagonist, but throughout the filming, Axel had overwhelmed him whenever they shared a scene.
"Thank you. If we're really going to do this, then let's do it in a single take." Axel took a deep breath and fully entered the mentor's mentality.
After the break, the director observed Axel closely, gauging his emotions. Axel nodded at him, reassuring him.
"Lights?" the director asked.
"Check!" came the reply.
"Camera?" He turned to the cinematographer.
"Working!"
"Action!"
Elton drum-rolled, and the mentor approached him with heavy footsteps. This time, Axel was gone. He understood that the mentor was hurting Elton to make him better… at least, he believed so.
"Not quite my tempo."
"Yes, sir."
Sweat formed on Elton's forehead as he increased the pace of his drumming.
Suddenly, a smack landed on his face. The sound was sharp and real.
"I said not quite my tempo."
Elton stumbled but didn't stop playing. He felt the pain, but determination hardened his expression as he gritted his teeth.
Elton, or more precisely, the lead actor, had complicated feelings toward Axel. He admitted that Axel's performance was powerful. Whenever Axel stood in front of the camera, he completely embodied the role.
This time, using this scene as a catalyst, the lead actor wanted to prove that he could act just as powerfully. The slap hurt, but he was a professional and endured it.
"Yes, sir!"
He further increased the tempo. The entire studio fell silent as everyone held their breath. Even the other musicians were appalled, yet they couldn't look away from the intense exchange between the two.
"Not fast enough,(slap) not expressive enough,(slap) not good enough(slap)." The words cut deeper than the blows.
"Yes, sir..." He swallowed hard as blood appeared at the corner of his mouth. This was real blood, but the actor was determined to finish the scene.
The crew members behind the camera grew alarmed, but the director slightly raised his hand, calming them. He could see it, this was the scene he had been waiting for.
The mentor slapped the drummer again, mercilessly.
"Was that a 'yes, sir'?"
The drummer hesitated. "Yes, sir."
"Say it louder! Say it louder! I can't fucking hear you!"
The last line was improvised. It wasn't in the script, Axel had blurted it out instinctively.
With a roar, the drummer shouted, "Yes, sir!"
"Cut!!"
The director stood up and clapped. The performance from both actors was outstanding, especially the lead actor, who had truly gone all out.
The moment the director called "cut," Axel lost all his ferocity and pulled the lead actor into a hug, apologizing.
"I'm sorry."
"It's alright. It wasn't bad." The actor smiled faintly and wiped the blood from his mouth.
"Send in the medics," the director ordered. Medics and first-aid responders were always on standby for moments like this.
Fortunately, the actor's face wasn't seriously injured, though his mouth was bleeding from the blow.
Axel apologized repeatedly, but the lead actor, Nolan, simply shrugged it off. This wasn't his first time getting hurt while acting. In one of his past projects, he had taken a punch from a vicious, cocaine-addicted actor, which was far worse. Compared to that, Nolan had it easy today.
Chapter 196
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Behind The Spotlight Chapter 196
Second week of January.
Year 2000.
While Collin was in Paris, negotiating with the Beaumont family, watching Princess Chantal's concert, and looking for gigs and projects that his clients could earn money from, Wyatt Bray and Henry Greyson were having a smooth conversation with Uni-versus Pictures. The negotiation progressed faster than expected.
Week On A Cruise Ship was a successful comedy film that grossed over $400 million worldwide and was also loved by critics. It was an R-rated movie that tackled adult humor. For an R-rated film that grossed over $400 million in the mid-90s, Week On A Cruise Ship was undoubtedly a blockbuster and cemented its place in pop culture.
R-rated movies had weaker selling strength compared to PG-13 movies, simply because PG-13 had a higher market share and appealed to a broader demographic. Almost everyone could watch a PG-13 movie, while R-rated films restricted younger audiences aged 17 and under unless accompanied by parents, which limited ticket sales. Hence, a $400 million R-rated movie was considered a success by industry standards.
Naturally, Uni-versus Pictures was thrilled when they heard that Wyatt was interested in starting a sequel to this successful movie. Their excitement was barely hidden. They had long been eager to milk a franchise. At last, Week On A Cruise Ship would be classified as one, with a long-awaited continuation.
A sequel to a successful movie usually made huge profits because it was already a recognized title and had gathered fans through theaters or videotape sales and rentals, a built-in audience. Lately, sales of discs such as DVDs, CDs, and Blu-rays had been increasing as the years went by. Videotapes might become obsolete in a few years.
"If we're talking about the budget, $75 million is passable," an executive said cautiously.
It was true that Uni-versus Pictures was happy about the upcoming project. They had already approved production, and now they just needed further information regarding the budget, the most sensitive part.
If there was one unfortunate thing about the sequel, it was the fact that two of the lead actors had achieved tremendous career growth over the past few years, driving up production costs.
Brody Paige, in particular, had become extremely famous, starring in many successful movies such as Seven Deadly Sins and F*ght Cl*b. These were two of his biggest films, both critically and commercially praised.
Because of that, Uni-versus Pictures was expected to pay him at least $7 million just to star in the sequel, a conservative estimate. That responsibility fell to Henry Greyson, who had been having trouble sleeping because he knew the negotiations would be headache-inducing.
Henry Greyson and Wyatt Bray had collaborated on three projects by now, and their cooperation had always been perfect. Henry had effectively become Wyatt's partner, earning millions per project. On top of that, due to the success of his past works, Henry had become a top producer respected across studios. Some major studios even wanted to hire him to produce high-budget films, but Henry turned them down because he knew his limits. Most of the success came from Wyatt's talent in filmmaking.
Aside from Brody Paige, Axel Gunner was also a superstar now. His latest movie, The Born Identity, grossed over $785 million worldwide. It was a massive success, becoming the highest-grossing movie of 1999 and dominating theaters.
Because of this, Axel's fame skyrocketed and his value multiplied. Despite the heavy criticism he received years ago, his career rebounded to its peak. Like Brody Paige, the least the studio could offer Axel was $7 million.
As for the third lead actor, Cross Pinger, he would already be happy with $1 million. His career was stable but unremarkable.
Of course, everyone knew that this so-called '$7 million' was only a starting point. No one expected these actors to agree without asking for a box office share.
Henry Greyson and Uni-versus Pictures found themselves in a dilemma. Money, it was always about money, the heart of every negotiation.
It was well known that producers and studios sometimes had to beg superstars to star in their films. This time, Uni-versus Pictures was in for a tough ride.
"$75 million is just the initial amount. It's not finalized. It will increase," Henry warned the executives. They frowned but agreed that the budget would likely rise.
After further discussion, they reached the conclusion that the sequel had to be produced no matter what cost.
"Let's end the meeting here. Henry, if Brody and Axel's teams become difficult, talk to me. I'll meet them personally," Noah Nash assured him, prompting a sigh of relief from Henry.
Noah Nash, the Chairman of Uni-versus Pictures, understood this business through decades of experience. He had personally dealt with agents who managed Hollywood's biggest stars and mastered negotiation.
For a studio to make money, it needed a good script. But for a film to truly succeed, it also needed famous actors. A creative and interesting script alone wasn't enough, the movie required stars with strong box office appeal.
Because of this, famous actors often became arrogant. There were times when studios had no choice but to beg actors to participate.
There were precedents.
Tommy Yatch was known for his role in Impossible Mission. For that franchise, Fair Amount Pictures desperately begged him with an enormous salary, but he refused. What he wanted was 30% ownership of the Impossible Mission copyright, an outrageous demand.
Yes, he was being a dick. No other word fit. Thirty percent ownership meant thirty percent of the profit unless contract stated otherwise. His demand nearly made Fair Amount Pictures' executives vomit blood.
But in the end, they agreed. They chose profit over pride so that Tommy Yatch would return for another sequel. The CEO of Fair Amount Pictures was present during the contract signing, gritting his teeth behind a forced smile. Giving such a massive slice of the pie to an actor was a painful compromise.
Being famous, Brody and Axel had the privilege to negotiate box office shares or even copyrights, depending on their leverage. Everything depended on how their agents handled negotiations, unless Uni-versus Pictures had something up its sleeve.
The meeting ended. As the executives left, many of them stole glances at Wyatt Bray, particularly the women. They had to admit that Wyatt was attractive now that he had lost weight, a noticeable change. Unfortunately, the director already had a fiancée, and their relationship appeared strong. He was off-limits.
---
[Thank you for reading this novel.]
Second week of January.
Year 2000.
While Collin was in Paris, negotiating with the Beaumont family, watching Princess Chantal's concert, and looking for gigs and projects that his clients could earn money from, Wyatt Bray and Henry Greyson were having a smooth conversation with Uni-versus Pictures. The negotiation progressed faster than expected.
Week On A Cruise Ship was a successful comedy film that grossed over $400 million worldwide and was also loved by critics. It was an R-rated movie that tackled adult humor. For an R-rated film that grossed over $400 million in the mid-90s, Week On A Cruise Ship was undoubtedly a blockbuster and cemented its place in pop culture.
R-rated movies had weaker selling strength compared to PG-13 movies, simply because PG-13 had a higher market share and appealed to a broader demographic. Almost everyone could watch a PG-13 movie, while R-rated films restricted younger audiences aged 17 and under unless accompanied by parents, which limited ticket sales. Hence, a $400 million R-rated movie was considered a success by industry standards.
Naturally, Uni-versus Pictures was thrilled when they heard that Wyatt was interested in starting a sequel to this successful movie. Their excitement was barely hidden. They had long been eager to milk a franchise. At last, Week On A Cruise Ship would be classified as one, with a long-awaited continuation.
A sequel to a successful movie usually made huge profits because it was already a recognized title and had gathered fans through theaters or videotape sales and rentals, a built-in audience. Lately, sales of discs such as DVDs, CDs, and Blu-rays had been increasing as the years went by. Videotapes might become obsolete in a few years.
"If we're talking about the budget, $75 million is passable," an executive said cautiously.
It was true that Uni-versus Pictures was happy about the upcoming project. They had already approved production, and now they just needed further information regarding the budget, the most sensitive part.
If there was one unfortunate thing about the sequel, it was the fact that two of the lead actors had achieved tremendous career growth over the past few years, driving up production costs.
Brody Paige, in particular, had become extremely famous, starring in many successful movies such as Seven Deadly Sins and F*ght Cl*b. These were two of his biggest films, both critically and commercially praised.
Because of that, Uni-versus Pictures was expected to pay him at least $7 million just to star in the sequel, a conservative estimate. That responsibility fell to Henry Greyson, who had been having trouble sleeping because he knew the negotiations would be headache-inducing.
Henry Greyson and Wyatt Bray had collaborated on three projects by now, and their cooperation had always been perfect. Henry had effectively become Wyatt's partner, earning millions per project. On top of that, due to the success of his past works, Henry had become a top producer respected across studios. Some major studios even wanted to hire him to produce high-budget films, but Henry turned them down because he knew his limits. Most of the success came from Wyatt's talent in filmmaking.
Aside from Brody Paige, Axel Gunner was also a superstar now. His latest movie, The Born Identity, grossed over $785 million worldwide. It was a massive success, becoming the highest-grossing movie of 1999 and dominating theaters.
Because of this, Axel's fame skyrocketed and his value multiplied. Despite the heavy criticism he received years ago, his career rebounded to its peak. Like Brody Paige, the least the studio could offer Axel was $7 million.
As for the third lead actor, Cross Pinger, he would already be happy with $1 million. His career was stable but unremarkable.
Of course, everyone knew that this so-called '$7 million' was only a starting point. No one expected these actors to agree without asking for a box office share.
Henry Greyson and Uni-versus Pictures found themselves in a dilemma. Money, it was always about money, the heart of every negotiation.
It was well known that producers and studios sometimes had to beg superstars to star in their films. This time, Uni-versus Pictures was in for a tough ride.
"$75 million is just the initial amount. It's not finalized. It will increase," Henry warned the executives. They frowned but agreed that the budget would likely rise.
After further discussion, they reached the conclusion that the sequel had to be produced no matter what cost.
"Let's end the meeting here. Henry, if Brody and Axel's teams become difficult, talk to me. I'll meet them personally," Noah Nash assured him, prompting a sigh of relief from Henry.
Noah Nash, the Chairman of Uni-versus Pictures, understood this business through decades of experience. He had personally dealt with agents who managed Hollywood's biggest stars and mastered negotiation.
For a studio to make money, it needed a good script. But for a film to truly succeed, it also needed famous actors. A creative and interesting script alone wasn't enough, the movie required stars with strong box office appeal.
Because of this, famous actors often became arrogant. There were times when studios had no choice but to beg actors to participate.
There were precedents.
Tommy Yatch was known for his role in Impossible Mission. For that franchise, Fair Amount Pictures desperately begged him with an enormous salary, but he refused. What he wanted was 30% ownership of the Impossible Mission copyright, an outrageous demand.
Yes, he was being a dick. No other word fit. Thirty percent ownership meant thirty percent of the profit unless contract stated otherwise. His demand nearly made Fair Amount Pictures' executives vomit blood.
But in the end, they agreed. They chose profit over pride so that Tommy Yatch would return for another sequel. The CEO of Fair Amount Pictures was present during the contract signing, gritting his teeth behind a forced smile. Giving such a massive slice of the pie to an actor was a painful compromise.
Being famous, Brody and Axel had the privilege to negotiate box office shares or even copyrights, depending on their leverage. Everything depended on how their agents handled negotiations, unless Uni-versus Pictures had something up its sleeve.
The meeting ended. As the executives left, many of them stole glances at Wyatt Bray, particularly the women. They had to admit that Wyatt was attractive now that he had lost weight, a noticeable change. Unfortunately, the director already had a fiancée, and their relationship appeared strong. He was off-limits.
---
[Thank you for reading this novel.]
Chapter 197
New
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Behind The Spotlight Chapter 197
"Yow, how long have you been waiting for us?"
"I just arrived."
Mikael greeted the band members of Pulse Static, which were Jericho (guitarist), Rosales (bassist), and Tonio (drummer). They were the band Mikael worked with when performing in front of a live audience.
Mikael Wagner greeted the three warmly. After having conversations, food trips, and performing together, they became friends. In fact, the four of them had been performing at the rock bar for about a month now, long enough to understand each other.
At first, the three members of Pulse Static was hesitant about the offer Arnold gave them. They knew their own capabilities, and they had also heard about predatory contracts that had happened to many artists.
Some agents would even convince their clients to sleep with people. Yes, this was a real thing.
Pulse Static also had a bad impression of record deals because their last vocalist abandoned them because of one. However, lately, they had been discussing the "what if."
"How about we practice again? The bar is closed around this time, and I can convince the owner to let us use it for free." Tonio grinned.
"Alright," Mikael Wagner agreed excitedly.
When Mikael learned that Arnold was interested in a band instead of just him, he was a bit disappointed, but he decided to take the opportunity. He even contacted his former bandmates from college and invited them to reform the band. Unfortunately, the outcome wasn't good, his old band had already found a vocalist and signed a record deal without him.
Knowing this was a rare chance at stardom, Mikael sincerely befriended Pulse Static. So far, their relationship had been going well, and trust slowly formed. The band members were also recent college graduates who didn't know what to do with their lives, caught between adulthood and dreams. All they truly had was their passion for music.
The four went into the bar where they had been playing every weekend. When Mikael joined as the vocalist, the audience started to love them and cheer enthusiastically.
The three members of Pulse Static checked their instruments while Mikael grabbed the microphone. They had prepared four songs to practice that day. Tonio handed the bassist and guitarist their music sheets. Yes, even playing an instrument required sheet music, especially when performing a piece for the first time.
With that, the band played in an empty bar. The more Pulse Static performed with Mikael, the stronger their synergy became. They also realized that Mikael Wagner had incredible charisma whenever he held the mic and sang. It was insane.
After an hour of practice, the four men ended the session drenched in sweat but filled with satisfaction.
"Mikael, we're interested in forming a band with you."
"We're also interested in signing a contract with Arnold."
"You said he could introduce us to a record label, right? Then let's do it."
All of them dreamed of having successful music careers. Since they had received an offer, they decided to take the risk and embrace the opportunity. For some reason, they felt they would regret it if they declined.
Was it called fear of missing out?
The agent who invited them wasn't just anyone, he was an executive at ANT and definitely had strong influence within the company. Furthermore, Arnold seemed like a nice guy, even if he showed shameless behavior from time to time. He was also notoriously cheap and had trouble spending money. The last time Arnold treated them to a meal, he brought them to McDonaldo, and his face fell when he spent thirty dollars. Aside from that, they trusted him.
Besides, who didn't want to be rich and famous? Arnold also promised equal profit sharing among the four band members.
"I'll contact him." Since Mikael was closest to Arnold, it was decided that he would make the call.
The four men found a phone booth, and Mikael pulled out Arnold's business card.
"Hello, yes, this is Mikael Wagner. I'm looking for Arnold Johnson. I see, I see. We'll prepare tomorrow morning. Alright, at the Apex Network Talent headquarter building? Yes, we'll be there."
Mikael hung up and exhaled slowly.
"It was Arnold's secretary. She said Arnold will meet us tomorrow to formalize the contract," he explained.
.........
......
...
"So you're here because...?" Collin asked the agent sitting in front of him, Arnold Johnson.
"It's about Mikael and the band, or should I say Pulse Static." Arnold felt it was more appropriate to refer to them as a group.
"Did they sign the contract?"
"Yes. They'll be paid equally."
"I guess you're here because you want me to introduce you to Moonrise Music."
"That's why I'm here. But I have a favor. This is my first time handling music artists, and I want some advice from you. If possible, I'd like you to introduce me to the owner of Moonrise Music. If that's not possible, one of the shareholders would do."
'Bro, you're already talking to one. I'm a shareholder of Moonrise Music,' Collin thought dryly.
"Let's set the schedule. When are you free?"
"I'm free tomorrow. The faster this record label hunt ends, the better."
"You trust me that much? What if Moonrise Music has bad intentions toward Pulse Static?"
"Of course I trust you. You know how to read people's character. Besides, the worst a record label can do is refuse to promote an album. Unless..."
Arnold didn't finish his sentence, but both men understood the implication. There were rumors that the first winner of Singing Voice had a fallout with his label after being invited to a certain freaky party. His singing career never took off afterward.
"I have no problem then. I'll introduce you to Vivian tomorrow," Collin said, changing the topic. It was pointless to dwell on speculation without evidence, at least, for now.
"By the way, you went to the high school reunion two days ago, right? What happened?" Collin asked.
Arnold had invited Collin to attend, but Collin declined. He had no interest in seeing his old classmates. Coincidentally, that was also the day Mikael called Arnold's secretary. Since Arnold was absent, the contract signing was postponed the next day.
"The reunion?"
Arnold's expression darkened, and he slammed his fist onto the table as memories resurfaced.
"Those fucking bastards!"
---
[Author's Note:]
Please subscribe to my Patreon, where you can read:
76 advance chapters of Behind The Spotlight
58 advance chapters of Reincarnated as a Fisherman and Dad
Patreon link: https://www.patreon.com/Puji_maki
"Yow, how long have you been waiting for us?"
"I just arrived."
Mikael greeted the band members of Pulse Static, which were Jericho (guitarist), Rosales (bassist), and Tonio (drummer). They were the band Mikael worked with when performing in front of a live audience.
Mikael Wagner greeted the three warmly. After having conversations, food trips, and performing together, they became friends. In fact, the four of them had been performing at the rock bar for about a month now, long enough to understand each other.
At first, the three members of Pulse Static was hesitant about the offer Arnold gave them. They knew their own capabilities, and they had also heard about predatory contracts that had happened to many artists.
Some agents would even convince their clients to sleep with people. Yes, this was a real thing.
Pulse Static also had a bad impression of record deals because their last vocalist abandoned them because of one. However, lately, they had been discussing the "what if."
"How about we practice again? The bar is closed around this time, and I can convince the owner to let us use it for free." Tonio grinned.
"Alright," Mikael Wagner agreed excitedly.
When Mikael learned that Arnold was interested in a band instead of just him, he was a bit disappointed, but he decided to take the opportunity. He even contacted his former bandmates from college and invited them to reform the band. Unfortunately, the outcome wasn't good, his old band had already found a vocalist and signed a record deal without him.
Knowing this was a rare chance at stardom, Mikael sincerely befriended Pulse Static. So far, their relationship had been going well, and trust slowly formed. The band members were also recent college graduates who didn't know what to do with their lives, caught between adulthood and dreams. All they truly had was their passion for music.
The four went into the bar where they had been playing every weekend. When Mikael joined as the vocalist, the audience started to love them and cheer enthusiastically.
The three members of Pulse Static checked their instruments while Mikael grabbed the microphone. They had prepared four songs to practice that day. Tonio handed the bassist and guitarist their music sheets. Yes, even playing an instrument required sheet music, especially when performing a piece for the first time.
With that, the band played in an empty bar. The more Pulse Static performed with Mikael, the stronger their synergy became. They also realized that Mikael Wagner had incredible charisma whenever he held the mic and sang. It was insane.
After an hour of practice, the four men ended the session drenched in sweat but filled with satisfaction.
"Mikael, we're interested in forming a band with you."
"We're also interested in signing a contract with Arnold."
"You said he could introduce us to a record label, right? Then let's do it."
All of them dreamed of having successful music careers. Since they had received an offer, they decided to take the risk and embrace the opportunity. For some reason, they felt they would regret it if they declined.
Was it called fear of missing out?
The agent who invited them wasn't just anyone, he was an executive at ANT and definitely had strong influence within the company. Furthermore, Arnold seemed like a nice guy, even if he showed shameless behavior from time to time. He was also notoriously cheap and had trouble spending money. The last time Arnold treated them to a meal, he brought them to McDonaldo, and his face fell when he spent thirty dollars. Aside from that, they trusted him.
Besides, who didn't want to be rich and famous? Arnold also promised equal profit sharing among the four band members.
"I'll contact him." Since Mikael was closest to Arnold, it was decided that he would make the call.
The four men found a phone booth, and Mikael pulled out Arnold's business card.
"Hello, yes, this is Mikael Wagner. I'm looking for Arnold Johnson. I see, I see. We'll prepare tomorrow morning. Alright, at the Apex Network Talent headquarter building? Yes, we'll be there."
Mikael hung up and exhaled slowly.
"It was Arnold's secretary. She said Arnold will meet us tomorrow to formalize the contract," he explained.
.........
......
...
"So you're here because...?" Collin asked the agent sitting in front of him, Arnold Johnson.
"It's about Mikael and the band, or should I say Pulse Static." Arnold felt it was more appropriate to refer to them as a group.
"Did they sign the contract?"
"Yes. They'll be paid equally."
"I guess you're here because you want me to introduce you to Moonrise Music."
"That's why I'm here. But I have a favor. This is my first time handling music artists, and I want some advice from you. If possible, I'd like you to introduce me to the owner of Moonrise Music. If that's not possible, one of the shareholders would do."
'Bro, you're already talking to one. I'm a shareholder of Moonrise Music,' Collin thought dryly.
"Let's set the schedule. When are you free?"
"I'm free tomorrow. The faster this record label hunt ends, the better."
"You trust me that much? What if Moonrise Music has bad intentions toward Pulse Static?"
"Of course I trust you. You know how to read people's character. Besides, the worst a record label can do is refuse to promote an album. Unless..."
Arnold didn't finish his sentence, but both men understood the implication. There were rumors that the first winner of Singing Voice had a fallout with his label after being invited to a certain freaky party. His singing career never took off afterward.
"I have no problem then. I'll introduce you to Vivian tomorrow," Collin said, changing the topic. It was pointless to dwell on speculation without evidence, at least, for now.
"By the way, you went to the high school reunion two days ago, right? What happened?" Collin asked.
Arnold had invited Collin to attend, but Collin declined. He had no interest in seeing his old classmates. Coincidentally, that was also the day Mikael called Arnold's secretary. Since Arnold was absent, the contract signing was postponed the next day.
"The reunion?"
Arnold's expression darkened, and he slammed his fist onto the table as memories resurfaced.
"Those fucking bastards!"
---
[Author's Note:]
Please subscribe to my Patreon, where you can read:
76 advance chapters of Behind The Spotlight
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Patreon link: https://www.patreon.com/Puji_maki
Chapter 198
New
Pujimaki
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Behind The Spotlight Chapter 198
"They piss me off!" Arnold slammed his fists against the table.
"Who? Your classmates in high school?"
"Not just them, your classmates too!" Arnold's voice rose.
"Why? We're in different school years."
The three batches had a high school reunion two days ago. Students who were part of those batches were invited, an event meant to reconnect old friendships. Collin decided not to attend because he had an idea who he was going to meet.
"I can't believe they easily fell for the lies of that bitch!" Arnold was seething as he recalled what happened.
At first, everything was going well. He was talking and having fun with his high school friends, laughing like they were young again. However, he soon noticed that some of them had hidden intentions.
Arnold was one of the students who had achieved a successful career in terms of wealth and influence, and he didn't shy away from bragging about it. He held a respectable status in Hollywood, and his words could affect the industry, at least to some extent.
Because of that, many of his classmates were eager to talk to him, circling him like moths to a flame. They were hoping they could become famous through him.
Again, who didn't want to be famous? It was human nature.
Everyone wanted to be rich and famous, and Arnold had the capability to make that happen, at least in their eyes. Naturally, many of his classmates asked him to introduce them to movies and TV shows, which Arnold politely declined.
Acting was not that simple. Some people believed being an actor wasn't that hard, but they were wrong. There were thousands of people in Hollywood alone who dreamed of becoming successful actors, only to fail and be crushed by reality.
To begin with, most of his classmates were ugly or washed up. To be precise, they didn't glow up well, they had a glow-down. The reality of adulthood had left them depressed and haggard.
Despite their requests, Arnold successfully evaded their intentions while maintaining a pleasant demeanor. He was shameless anyway, so people's opinions of him didn't matter. He attended the reunion simply because he wanted to see his friends and reconnect for nostalgia. Despite being an adult, he missed the life of a carefree student who didn't give a fuck about the world, a simpler time.
Unfortunately, everyone had grown older and become adults. They had to work hard to earn money.
"I know that's sad, but why are you so mad?" Collin finally asked.
"Let me finish my story first. Belle was there."
"..."
Collin's expression turned cold when he heard that name, as old wounds resurfaced.
"She's the reason I'm so mad! I'm also mad at the people who believe her lies!"
Arnold had no intention of talking to Belle, even though they had been friends back when she was still dating Collin. He knew her true colors, and it disgusted him.
He avoided even looking at the bitch. He deliberately distanced himself from her. Unfortunately, Arnold started hearing some stories.
"They were badmouthing you! That bitch was spouting lies!" Arnold snapped.
"Please don't tell me you defended my name."
"Of course I did!"
Collin sighed when he heard that answer. He was already done with Belle and didn't care about anything she said.
However, he also understood Arnold's personality, and he was grateful to have such a loyal friend.
"I confronted Belle and asked her why she was spreading lies. You know what she said? She said, 'I don't know what you're talking about,' then proceeded to cry. But she never convinced me. Her fake tears were so obvious. I've been in the acting industry long enough to know she was acting." Arnold scoffed.
Unfortunately, her tears convinced most people, especially the women who sympathized with her. Belle's situation wasn't good. She was poor and living a hard life with two children, the perfect setup for pity.
"They talked badly about you. Belle said you're a narcissist and an abuser!"
Collin simply listened with a bitter smile.
For the record, Collin never abused Belle physically or verbally. He never hurt her. He never even raised his voice at her, not once.
He loved her throughout their entire relationship until he discovered that the baby in her womb wasn't his. A devastating truth. At that time, they were already engaged, and the wedding was approaching.
It took Collin a long time to move on from that painful saga.
"How can she say that? Can she even explain how you're a narcissist and an abuser? I bet she can't. She's just making excuses to turn you into the bad guy while she plays the victim." Arnold sneered.
"Victim my ass."
She probably lied because she didn't want people to know that she cheated on Collin and got pregnant by another man. Her excuse was that "Collin is the bad guy, so I found love with a different man."
A twisted narrative.
Arnold was so furious that he left the reunion early. As much as he wanted to protect Collin, he knew Belle had already clouded people's minds. The damage was already done. In the first place, Collin and Arnold rarely visited their hometown, while Belle had all the time in the world to spread lies.
"Alright, alright, let's not talk about it anymore. I'm already done with Belle. I expected this, and I don't care. I'm going to live my life." Collin said firmly.
He knew Belle well enough. She had a sharp mouth and had destroyed the reputations of many women back when they were together. She knew how to lie and convince people. Collin's instincts had been screaming at him back then, but he ignored the red flags. He was simply in love and failed to see the red flag waving right in front of him.
"That's great to hear." Arnold nodded.
"Let's talk about your director. Congratulations. It seems season one of Unnatural is doing well." Collin changed the topic to lighten the mood.
"Well, thanks." Arnold smiled slightly, deciding to forget about the unpleasant reunion.
"The first episode was a hit because of Lawrence's cameo, but the next episode also received a good response. After that, Unnatural maintained a steady viewership of sixteen million per broadcast."
Arnold was pleased. His three clients were thriving. Jolyne and Brody had become famous, while Tom was directing Unnatural. Overall, he had a solid lineup that matched his status as an executive of ANT.
In fact, he had received several offers from rival agencies trying to poach him. However, Arnold had no intention of jumping ship. Money alone wasn't enough to convince him, unless they offered a significant amount of company shares, though that would be excessive even for him.
Since Unnatural was well-received by audiences, the network would likely not axe the show for another season. That meant the cast and crew were safe for at least two more years. Madison Morgan, in particular, was happy about that. Her career had been rocky in recent years after getting fired from My Innocent High School Love.
---
[Thank you for reading this novel.]
"They piss me off!" Arnold slammed his fists against the table.
"Who? Your classmates in high school?"
"Not just them, your classmates too!" Arnold's voice rose.
"Why? We're in different school years."
The three batches had a high school reunion two days ago. Students who were part of those batches were invited, an event meant to reconnect old friendships. Collin decided not to attend because he had an idea who he was going to meet.
"I can't believe they easily fell for the lies of that bitch!" Arnold was seething as he recalled what happened.
At first, everything was going well. He was talking and having fun with his high school friends, laughing like they were young again. However, he soon noticed that some of them had hidden intentions.
Arnold was one of the students who had achieved a successful career in terms of wealth and influence, and he didn't shy away from bragging about it. He held a respectable status in Hollywood, and his words could affect the industry, at least to some extent.
Because of that, many of his classmates were eager to talk to him, circling him like moths to a flame. They were hoping they could become famous through him.
Again, who didn't want to be famous? It was human nature.
Everyone wanted to be rich and famous, and Arnold had the capability to make that happen, at least in their eyes. Naturally, many of his classmates asked him to introduce them to movies and TV shows, which Arnold politely declined.
Acting was not that simple. Some people believed being an actor wasn't that hard, but they were wrong. There were thousands of people in Hollywood alone who dreamed of becoming successful actors, only to fail and be crushed by reality.
To begin with, most of his classmates were ugly or washed up. To be precise, they didn't glow up well, they had a glow-down. The reality of adulthood had left them depressed and haggard.
Despite their requests, Arnold successfully evaded their intentions while maintaining a pleasant demeanor. He was shameless anyway, so people's opinions of him didn't matter. He attended the reunion simply because he wanted to see his friends and reconnect for nostalgia. Despite being an adult, he missed the life of a carefree student who didn't give a fuck about the world, a simpler time.
Unfortunately, everyone had grown older and become adults. They had to work hard to earn money.
"I know that's sad, but why are you so mad?" Collin finally asked.
"Let me finish my story first. Belle was there."
"..."
Collin's expression turned cold when he heard that name, as old wounds resurfaced.
"She's the reason I'm so mad! I'm also mad at the people who believe her lies!"
Arnold had no intention of talking to Belle, even though they had been friends back when she was still dating Collin. He knew her true colors, and it disgusted him.
He avoided even looking at the bitch. He deliberately distanced himself from her. Unfortunately, Arnold started hearing some stories.
"They were badmouthing you! That bitch was spouting lies!" Arnold snapped.
"Please don't tell me you defended my name."
"Of course I did!"
Collin sighed when he heard that answer. He was already done with Belle and didn't care about anything she said.
However, he also understood Arnold's personality, and he was grateful to have such a loyal friend.
"I confronted Belle and asked her why she was spreading lies. You know what she said? She said, 'I don't know what you're talking about,' then proceeded to cry. But she never convinced me. Her fake tears were so obvious. I've been in the acting industry long enough to know she was acting." Arnold scoffed.
Unfortunately, her tears convinced most people, especially the women who sympathized with her. Belle's situation wasn't good. She was poor and living a hard life with two children, the perfect setup for pity.
"They talked badly about you. Belle said you're a narcissist and an abuser!"
Collin simply listened with a bitter smile.
For the record, Collin never abused Belle physically or verbally. He never hurt her. He never even raised his voice at her, not once.
He loved her throughout their entire relationship until he discovered that the baby in her womb wasn't his. A devastating truth. At that time, they were already engaged, and the wedding was approaching.
It took Collin a long time to move on from that painful saga.
"How can she say that? Can she even explain how you're a narcissist and an abuser? I bet she can't. She's just making excuses to turn you into the bad guy while she plays the victim." Arnold sneered.
"Victim my ass."
She probably lied because she didn't want people to know that she cheated on Collin and got pregnant by another man. Her excuse was that "Collin is the bad guy, so I found love with a different man."
A twisted narrative.
Arnold was so furious that he left the reunion early. As much as he wanted to protect Collin, he knew Belle had already clouded people's minds. The damage was already done. In the first place, Collin and Arnold rarely visited their hometown, while Belle had all the time in the world to spread lies.
"Alright, alright, let's not talk about it anymore. I'm already done with Belle. I expected this, and I don't care. I'm going to live my life." Collin said firmly.
He knew Belle well enough. She had a sharp mouth and had destroyed the reputations of many women back when they were together. She knew how to lie and convince people. Collin's instincts had been screaming at him back then, but he ignored the red flags. He was simply in love and failed to see the red flag waving right in front of him.
"That's great to hear." Arnold nodded.
"Let's talk about your director. Congratulations. It seems season one of Unnatural is doing well." Collin changed the topic to lighten the mood.
"Well, thanks." Arnold smiled slightly, deciding to forget about the unpleasant reunion.
"The first episode was a hit because of Lawrence's cameo, but the next episode also received a good response. After that, Unnatural maintained a steady viewership of sixteen million per broadcast."
Arnold was pleased. His three clients were thriving. Jolyne and Brody had become famous, while Tom was directing Unnatural. Overall, he had a solid lineup that matched his status as an executive of ANT.
In fact, he had received several offers from rival agencies trying to poach him. However, Arnold had no intention of jumping ship. Money alone wasn't enough to convince him, unless they offered a significant amount of company shares, though that would be excessive even for him.
Since Unnatural was well-received by audiences, the network would likely not axe the show for another season. That meant the cast and crew were safe for at least two more years. Madison Morgan, in particular, was happy about that. Her career had been rocky in recent years after getting fired from My Innocent High School Love.
---
[Thank you for reading this novel.]
Chapter 199
New
Pujimaki
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Behind The Spotlight Chapter 199
"How about treating me then? Your director has a successful TV show. I'm craving caviar." Collin teased Arnold.
"Caviar? Fuck off! That's expensive as hell. Besides, you should be the one to treat me. All of your clients are doing great. I bet the money you earned from Princess Chantal alone is over $5 million." Arnold scoffed exaggeratedly.
'More than $25 million, actually. I have shares of Moonrise Music,' Collin thought.
He wondered how he would explain to Arnold that he was a major shareholder of Moonrise Music, a revelation that would definitely shock him. If Pulse Static signed a record deal with Moonrise Music, that meant Collin would earn even more money.
"I'll make sure that Pulse Static will never be bullied by Moonrise Music," Collin promised.
"You better be!" Arnold pointed accusingly.
"Now, let's talk about the most important thing," Arnold said seriously. "Let's talk about how much money we will rob from Uni-versus Pictures."
Collin chuckled at the statement.
Their clients were the lead actors in Week On A Cruise Ship, and Uni-versus Pictures would do everything to cast them.
The two agents laughed. They were going to make a lot of money. With that, they decided to work together and set up a solid plan.
Their clients were not simple actors anymore. They were famous actors with box office appeal. If Uni-versus Pictures was serious about making the sequel a box office hit, they had no choice but to cast Brody and Axel. Any alternative would be destructive.
Collin and Arnold's job was to earn as much money as possible.
.........
......
...
A man in his fifties grumpily exited the elevator. He walked down the hallway of the eighth floor, the floor where executives of ANT resided.
Before heading to his destination, he first spoke to the secretary stationed next to the executive offices. He was clearly irritated.
"I'm here to see Collin East."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Goodhope, but Mr. East is currently busy," Lucia answered professionally.
"Busy?"
Mr. Goodhope frowned and looked toward Collin's office. Most of the offices on the eighth floor had a glass window so people could see whether the executives were working or just fucking around, a deliberate design.
Mr. Goodhope saw Collin talking on the phone, seemingly relaxed.
"He's just talking on the phone," he complained.
"It's a serious conversation, sir," Secretary Lucia Sarah replied with composure.
"... Tch."
Being an industry insider, Mr. Goodhope knew that Uni-versus Pictures was interested in starting the sequel to Week On A Cruise Ship, and Collin was likely negotiating with the producer. He was probably speaking to the producer himself.
However, even knowing this, Mr. Goodhope couldn't help feeling mad. He felt like Collin was avoiding him intentionally.
"I've been trying to talk to your boss, but he's always on his damned telephone!"
"I apologize, sir. Would you like to set up a meeting?" Lucia asked politely.
"I already did that twice, but Collin didn't even try to meet me. Be honest here, is he avoiding me?"
"Absolutely not. It's just bad timing."
"Bad timing my ass," he muttered.
One instance might be believable, but if Collin kept avoiding him multiple times, it was a different matter.
"Is he really against my idea?"
Mr. Goodhope was an executive from the Music department.
"Sir, I have no idea what you're talking about."
"You are his secretary. You should have an idea what I mean."
"..."
Lucia kept her smile. When Collin hired her, one of her jobs was to make sure Collin wouldn't talk to irritating people, especially persistent ones.
And the man in front of her was the perfect example of an irritating person. So, even as she was berated, Lucia kept her composure. This was her job, and she was good at it. Her salary was also high, especially after Collin was promoted to executive. Lucia's pay went up to $75,000 annually, and her friends were jealous when they heard it.
Yes, $75,000 a year was a huge amount back in 2000. Even in 2025, that salary would still be considered substantial.
Obviously, Lucia wanted to keep her job and endure the man's berating. She had the patience for it.
Collin occasionally stole glances at them. He wasn't talking to anyone, the phone was nothing but a prop, a deliberate act. Collin just didn't want to speak to the man outside.
If possible, he wanted to avoid him entirely. He felt bad for Lucia but had to remain professional and let her handle irritating people.
Mr. Goodhope glanced at Collin, who was still talking on the phone. He checked his watch and gritted his teeth.
"Just tell your boss that Mr. Griffith Goodhope wants to meet him."
Griffith... Definitely a good person who wouldn't betray his friends. An innocent name. Someone who had done nothing wrong.
"Would you like to set up a schedule, Mr. Goodhope?" Lucia repeated.
"I've already done that twice… Never mind. I'll talk to him when the time is right." Griffith snorted and walked away.
A few minutes later, once Lucia confirmed that Griffith had left, she knocked on Collin's office door.
"Come in," Collin confirmed and dropped the act.
"Sir, should I tell you what Mr. Goodhope said to me?"
"No, you don't have to. I have an idea why he wants to talk to me." Collin massaged his forehead. This wasn't the first time this had happened. Griffith wasn't the only agent who wanted to speak with him.
A week ago, Arnold had successfully signed Pulse Static to ANT, and the news had spread throughout the company. Everyone thought Mikael Wagner was meant to be an actor, agents from the film department had offered him many opportunities, but he hadn't budged.
Yet, Mikael and Pulse Static were actually going to be a music band! It was surprising.
Naturally, agents from the music department were not happy about the news. They felt Arnold was encroaching on their territory. Especially since Arnold and Collin were friends. Some even speculated that Pulse Static was a plan Collin had devised, and they weren't entirely wrong.
---
Author's Note: Since tomorrow is the 200th chapter of Behind The Spotlight, you probably know that I'll offer a 50% discount. So I'm going to pitch to you the benefits of subscribing to my Patreon before the discount sale… I apologize if this advertising pisses you off.
1.) My Patreon has 76 chapters of Behind The Spotlight. That's a lot of chapters for a discounted price of $5, not going to lie.
2.) I post daily, with a bonus chapter every week.
3.) Supporting me financially motivates me to keep writing. It helps me and my family.
Once again, thank you for reading this novel.
"How about treating me then? Your director has a successful TV show. I'm craving caviar." Collin teased Arnold.
"Caviar? Fuck off! That's expensive as hell. Besides, you should be the one to treat me. All of your clients are doing great. I bet the money you earned from Princess Chantal alone is over $5 million." Arnold scoffed exaggeratedly.
'More than $25 million, actually. I have shares of Moonrise Music,' Collin thought.
He wondered how he would explain to Arnold that he was a major shareholder of Moonrise Music, a revelation that would definitely shock him. If Pulse Static signed a record deal with Moonrise Music, that meant Collin would earn even more money.
"I'll make sure that Pulse Static will never be bullied by Moonrise Music," Collin promised.
"You better be!" Arnold pointed accusingly.
"Now, let's talk about the most important thing," Arnold said seriously. "Let's talk about how much money we will rob from Uni-versus Pictures."
Collin chuckled at the statement.
Their clients were the lead actors in Week On A Cruise Ship, and Uni-versus Pictures would do everything to cast them.
The two agents laughed. They were going to make a lot of money. With that, they decided to work together and set up a solid plan.
Their clients were not simple actors anymore. They were famous actors with box office appeal. If Uni-versus Pictures was serious about making the sequel a box office hit, they had no choice but to cast Brody and Axel. Any alternative would be destructive.
Collin and Arnold's job was to earn as much money as possible.
.........
......
...
A man in his fifties grumpily exited the elevator. He walked down the hallway of the eighth floor, the floor where executives of ANT resided.
Before heading to his destination, he first spoke to the secretary stationed next to the executive offices. He was clearly irritated.
"I'm here to see Collin East."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Goodhope, but Mr. East is currently busy," Lucia answered professionally.
"Busy?"
Mr. Goodhope frowned and looked toward Collin's office. Most of the offices on the eighth floor had a glass window so people could see whether the executives were working or just fucking around, a deliberate design.
Mr. Goodhope saw Collin talking on the phone, seemingly relaxed.
"He's just talking on the phone," he complained.
"It's a serious conversation, sir," Secretary Lucia Sarah replied with composure.
"... Tch."
Being an industry insider, Mr. Goodhope knew that Uni-versus Pictures was interested in starting the sequel to Week On A Cruise Ship, and Collin was likely negotiating with the producer. He was probably speaking to the producer himself.
However, even knowing this, Mr. Goodhope couldn't help feeling mad. He felt like Collin was avoiding him intentionally.
"I've been trying to talk to your boss, but he's always on his damned telephone!"
"I apologize, sir. Would you like to set up a meeting?" Lucia asked politely.
"I already did that twice, but Collin didn't even try to meet me. Be honest here, is he avoiding me?"
"Absolutely not. It's just bad timing."
"Bad timing my ass," he muttered.
One instance might be believable, but if Collin kept avoiding him multiple times, it was a different matter.
"Is he really against my idea?"
Mr. Goodhope was an executive from the Music department.
"Sir, I have no idea what you're talking about."
"You are his secretary. You should have an idea what I mean."
"..."
Lucia kept her smile. When Collin hired her, one of her jobs was to make sure Collin wouldn't talk to irritating people, especially persistent ones.
And the man in front of her was the perfect example of an irritating person. So, even as she was berated, Lucia kept her composure. This was her job, and she was good at it. Her salary was also high, especially after Collin was promoted to executive. Lucia's pay went up to $75,000 annually, and her friends were jealous when they heard it.
Yes, $75,000 a year was a huge amount back in 2000. Even in 2025, that salary would still be considered substantial.
Obviously, Lucia wanted to keep her job and endure the man's berating. She had the patience for it.
Collin occasionally stole glances at them. He wasn't talking to anyone, the phone was nothing but a prop, a deliberate act. Collin just didn't want to speak to the man outside.
If possible, he wanted to avoid him entirely. He felt bad for Lucia but had to remain professional and let her handle irritating people.
Mr. Goodhope glanced at Collin, who was still talking on the phone. He checked his watch and gritted his teeth.
"Just tell your boss that Mr. Griffith Goodhope wants to meet him."
Griffith... Definitely a good person who wouldn't betray his friends. An innocent name. Someone who had done nothing wrong.
"Would you like to set up a schedule, Mr. Goodhope?" Lucia repeated.
"I've already done that twice… Never mind. I'll talk to him when the time is right." Griffith snorted and walked away.
A few minutes later, once Lucia confirmed that Griffith had left, she knocked on Collin's office door.
"Come in," Collin confirmed and dropped the act.
"Sir, should I tell you what Mr. Goodhope said to me?"
"No, you don't have to. I have an idea why he wants to talk to me." Collin massaged his forehead. This wasn't the first time this had happened. Griffith wasn't the only agent who wanted to speak with him.
A week ago, Arnold had successfully signed Pulse Static to ANT, and the news had spread throughout the company. Everyone thought Mikael Wagner was meant to be an actor, agents from the film department had offered him many opportunities, but he hadn't budged.
Yet, Mikael and Pulse Static were actually going to be a music band! It was surprising.
Naturally, agents from the music department were not happy about the news. They felt Arnold was encroaching on their territory. Especially since Arnold and Collin were friends. Some even speculated that Pulse Static was a plan Collin had devised, and they weren't entirely wrong.
---
Author's Note: Since tomorrow is the 200th chapter of Behind The Spotlight, you probably know that I'll offer a 50% discount. So I'm going to pitch to you the benefits of subscribing to my Patreon before the discount sale… I apologize if this advertising pisses you off.
1.) My Patreon has 76 chapters of Behind The Spotlight. That's a lot of chapters for a discounted price of $5, not going to lie.
2.) I post daily, with a bonus chapter every week.
3.) Supporting me financially motivates me to keep writing. It helps me and my family.
Once again, thank you for reading this novel.
Chapter 200
New
Pujimaki
Padoru padoru
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2022
- Messages
- 1,247
- Likes received
- 21,101
Behind The Spotlight Chapter 200
Collin had gained a reputation for discovering talent, and many believed that he was responsible for Mikael Wagner and Pulse Static, especially since Collin had been present when Mikael auditioned at the agency.
After connecting the dots, the agents from the music department decided it would be a huge waste to let amateurs handle a rock band, especially one that showed promise. They were still bitter about the fact that they had failed to acquire Princess Chantal. Such a profitable singer being handled by someone from the film department was painful to accept and humiliating.
Because of the situation, many agents from the music department approached Arnold, hoping persuasion would work. However, Arnold was known for being shameless and didn't care about their words or their status.
They then tried to talk to Collin, which was why Griffith Goodhope visited him, acting as their representative. In fact, many agents wanted to steal Princess Chantal from him, and Collin was protecting his livelihood as much as possible.
As long as the command didn't come from the CEO or the owner of ANT, Collin and Arnold had no intention of letting go of their clients. They were talking about money here!
Massive money!
On top of that, music artists earned more money than actors and directors. Album sales alone could change someone's destiny.
'Chantal is my biggest moneymaker. It would be stupid to let another agent profit from her.'
The logic was simple.
Collin was the one who took the risk when he signed Princess Chantal back when she was a nobody. Those greedy agents only wanted to acquire her now that she was profitable.
In fact, they were more interested in Princess Chantal than the untested Pulse Static. Pulse Static hadn't proven themselves yet, no sales, no results.
'They're probably using Pulse Static as an excuse to acquire Princess Chantal's contract.'
Collin wasn't afraid of them. He also wasn't scared to talk to them. However, he found it tiring and pointless to entertain them, but he couldn't just kick them out of his office. At least on the surface, they were still civilized people.
'It would be easier if we could solve this through a fight, but that's not how business works. I bet they're trying to convince Lila… I hope she won't agree.'
Since Collin was a shareholder of Moonrise Music, he would still make money even if Princess Chantal changed agents. Lila probably understood that.
.........
......
...
When February arrived, Axel Gunner and Brody Paige were invited to star in Week On A Cruise Ship 2 (Temporary Title), just as expected.
Collin and Arnold decided to negotiate with Henry together, a calculated move. They represented Axel and Brody, and their coordination was sophisticated. Henry was completely ambushed.
They wanted $15 million plus a 10% worldwide box office share for each client!
That was too much. Fucking too much!
If Henry agreed to that amount, he would automatically spend $30 million, plus an undisclosed box office profit, a dangerous gamble. It was basically robbery.
Naturally, Henry refused.
"Collin, you fucking bastard! Wyatt's salary is already $20 million plus a 10% worldwide box office share!" Henry's face turned red as he pointed at Collin. He looked like he was on the verge of a heart attack.
"You have to understand, Wyatt and Axel are two different people. Of course, I have to do my best for each of them. In fact, I was thinking of $20 million plus a 10% worldwide box office share for Axel as well."
"Hah! You think Axel and Wyatt are the same!?" Henry scoffed. Spending huge money on a talented director was easier to justify.
"Of course. Axel is the face of this franchise."
"He is ONE of the faces of this franchise!"
"Don't raise your voice. Your throat will get hoarse. Also, I didn't forget that my initial quotation for Wyatt was $30 million plus a 20% worldwide box office share. I was being generous by not pursuing that amount."
"Fuck you."
Everyone in the room understood that $30 million plus 20% worldwide box office share was complete overkill. Even Collin knew it, but he pretended otherwise.
Listening to their banter, Arnold was impressed. He thought he was shameless, but it seemed Collin could match his level.
"So, how about it? Do you agree to our conditions? I have to remind you that Axel and Brody are top stars with strong box office appeal. Especially Brody Paige, he can carry the entire movie with ease," Arnold added.
"Hey, why do I feel like you're belittling my client?" Collin frowned.
"I didn't belittle Axel. I'm just praising Brody."
"That's basically the same thing."
"Whatever you say."
Henry watched their interaction, his expression darkening. Talking to one of them was already torture. Talking to both at the same time was mental assault. He felt like he was losing years of his life.
"Come on, Henry. Agree to our conditions. It's not that bad. We're friends, after all." Collin extended his hand, trying to grab Henry's, but Henry slapped it away in disgust.
"You'd have to kill me first," Henry gritted his teeth.
"If we killed you, we'd go to jail."
"Hey, why did you include me in that? I'm a good citizen," Collin berated Arnold.
"Both of you are devils! How can you act like you're offering goodwill when all you want is to destroy my life!?"
"Henry, I care about you," Arnold said with a concerned expression and tried to grab Henry's hand.
"Shut the fuck up." Henry slapped it away again.
Henry breathed heavily as he glared at them. In his mind, he had already murdered Collin and Arnold countless times. The project needed to start as soon as possible because they were following a strict schedule. Week On A Cruise Ship was meant for release in the summer of the following year. The earlier production began, the better.
Unfortunately, Collin and Arnold were tough to crack, especially when working together. They wanted to squeeze him dry.
'… I have no choice. I must contact Noah Nash. I'll let the Chairman handle these two.'
No wonder production studios hated agents. These parasites were unbearable to deal with.
---
Collin had gained a reputation for discovering talent, and many believed that he was responsible for Mikael Wagner and Pulse Static, especially since Collin had been present when Mikael auditioned at the agency.
After connecting the dots, the agents from the music department decided it would be a huge waste to let amateurs handle a rock band, especially one that showed promise. They were still bitter about the fact that they had failed to acquire Princess Chantal. Such a profitable singer being handled by someone from the film department was painful to accept and humiliating.
Because of the situation, many agents from the music department approached Arnold, hoping persuasion would work. However, Arnold was known for being shameless and didn't care about their words or their status.
They then tried to talk to Collin, which was why Griffith Goodhope visited him, acting as their representative. In fact, many agents wanted to steal Princess Chantal from him, and Collin was protecting his livelihood as much as possible.
As long as the command didn't come from the CEO or the owner of ANT, Collin and Arnold had no intention of letting go of their clients. They were talking about money here!
Massive money!
On top of that, music artists earned more money than actors and directors. Album sales alone could change someone's destiny.
'Chantal is my biggest moneymaker. It would be stupid to let another agent profit from her.'
The logic was simple.
Collin was the one who took the risk when he signed Princess Chantal back when she was a nobody. Those greedy agents only wanted to acquire her now that she was profitable.
In fact, they were more interested in Princess Chantal than the untested Pulse Static. Pulse Static hadn't proven themselves yet, no sales, no results.
'They're probably using Pulse Static as an excuse to acquire Princess Chantal's contract.'
Collin wasn't afraid of them. He also wasn't scared to talk to them. However, he found it tiring and pointless to entertain them, but he couldn't just kick them out of his office. At least on the surface, they were still civilized people.
'It would be easier if we could solve this through a fight, but that's not how business works. I bet they're trying to convince Lila… I hope she won't agree.'
Since Collin was a shareholder of Moonrise Music, he would still make money even if Princess Chantal changed agents. Lila probably understood that.
.........
......
...
When February arrived, Axel Gunner and Brody Paige were invited to star in Week On A Cruise Ship 2 (Temporary Title), just as expected.
Collin and Arnold decided to negotiate with Henry together, a calculated move. They represented Axel and Brody, and their coordination was sophisticated. Henry was completely ambushed.
They wanted $15 million plus a 10% worldwide box office share for each client!
That was too much. Fucking too much!
If Henry agreed to that amount, he would automatically spend $30 million, plus an undisclosed box office profit, a dangerous gamble. It was basically robbery.
Naturally, Henry refused.
"Collin, you fucking bastard! Wyatt's salary is already $20 million plus a 10% worldwide box office share!" Henry's face turned red as he pointed at Collin. He looked like he was on the verge of a heart attack.
"You have to understand, Wyatt and Axel are two different people. Of course, I have to do my best for each of them. In fact, I was thinking of $20 million plus a 10% worldwide box office share for Axel as well."
"Hah! You think Axel and Wyatt are the same!?" Henry scoffed. Spending huge money on a talented director was easier to justify.
"Of course. Axel is the face of this franchise."
"He is ONE of the faces of this franchise!"
"Don't raise your voice. Your throat will get hoarse. Also, I didn't forget that my initial quotation for Wyatt was $30 million plus a 20% worldwide box office share. I was being generous by not pursuing that amount."
"Fuck you."
Everyone in the room understood that $30 million plus 20% worldwide box office share was complete overkill. Even Collin knew it, but he pretended otherwise.
Listening to their banter, Arnold was impressed. He thought he was shameless, but it seemed Collin could match his level.
"So, how about it? Do you agree to our conditions? I have to remind you that Axel and Brody are top stars with strong box office appeal. Especially Brody Paige, he can carry the entire movie with ease," Arnold added.
"Hey, why do I feel like you're belittling my client?" Collin frowned.
"I didn't belittle Axel. I'm just praising Brody."
"That's basically the same thing."
"Whatever you say."
Henry watched their interaction, his expression darkening. Talking to one of them was already torture. Talking to both at the same time was mental assault. He felt like he was losing years of his life.
"Come on, Henry. Agree to our conditions. It's not that bad. We're friends, after all." Collin extended his hand, trying to grab Henry's, but Henry slapped it away in disgust.
"You'd have to kill me first," Henry gritted his teeth.
"If we killed you, we'd go to jail."
"Hey, why did you include me in that? I'm a good citizen," Collin berated Arnold.
"Both of you are devils! How can you act like you're offering goodwill when all you want is to destroy my life!?"
"Henry, I care about you," Arnold said with a concerned expression and tried to grab Henry's hand.
"Shut the fuck up." Henry slapped it away again.
Henry breathed heavily as he glared at them. In his mind, he had already murdered Collin and Arnold countless times. The project needed to start as soon as possible because they were following a strict schedule. Week On A Cruise Ship was meant for release in the summer of the following year. The earlier production began, the better.
Unfortunately, Collin and Arnold were tough to crack, especially when working together. They wanted to squeeze him dry.
'… I have no choice. I must contact Noah Nash. I'll let the Chairman handle these two.'
No wonder production studios hated agents. These parasites were unbearable to deal with.
---