Behind The Spotlight

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 241


The next day, huge news broke in the media. Jackson Mike became white!!! It was so shocking that headlines used (!) three times, trying to emphasize the absurdity of the situation.

Jackson Mike was the King of Pop, famous all over the world. That might even be an understatement. He was so famous that his songs and face were recognized globally.

A few years ago, he got involved in a scandal about child sexual abuse, a controversy that shook his career. He was accused, and he denied all the allegations.

Many people didn't believe that Jackson Mike diddled kids, and Collin was one of them.

He had been a fan of Jackson Mike since the 80s, and he believed that the man was innocent. Perhaps he had just been caught in a power struggle between record labels and the music industry.

But today's issue was different, something more bizarre and visible. Headlines about Jackson Mike's new appearance spread all over the world. The black man became a white man! Articles reported that Jackson Mike had been suffering from vitiligo, a condition that caused white patches all over his body. The only way to make his appearance look uniform was by bleaching his skin.

Now people were asking, what the heck is vitiligo? Before Jackson Mike's transformation, this disease was unfamiliar to many.

Some rumors claimed that the real Jackson Mike was dead and that this white version had stolen his identity.

Others said that Jackson Mike simply didn't like his original skin color and chose to bleach it.

There were so many rumors that no one could tell what was real anymore.

It became a huge event in the entertainment industry, and many news stations covered the topic. Jackson Mike was just that influential, any news about him would dominate headlines and news programs.

While this issue was unfolding, Collin received a call from Vivian.

"The album almost got what?"

"Pulse Static's album almost got erased," Vivian answered.

"... Is it really that bad? How could that happen?"

"Let me clarify, it wasn't an accident. Someone intentionally tried to destroy the album."

"..."

'I mean, even if the album got destroyed, as long as the band knows how to play the songs, they could just re-record it. It would only take time and effort.' Collin thought, but he didn't say it.

"It means someone is trying to sabotage our company."

'Now that's fucked up.'

"Do you know who did it? Who would do something like this?"

"We caught the culprit. He admitted that his job was to delay the album's release so we would face penalties from the distributor. As for the reason, he doesn't know, he was just hired. I want you to talk to Arnold. He might know why."

Vivian had met the members of Pulse Static and saw how dedicated they were. She didn't want another failure.

Collin was confused, but he decided to check on Arnold. Instead of calling, he went directly to his office since they were on the same floor, the 9th floor, just a short walk away.

"Hey, Tony, is Arnold inside?" Collin asked Arnold's secretary.

"Yes, he is. You can just knock, he's not busy right now."

"Thanks."

Collin knocked twice.

"Come in," Arnold said.

Collin entered and saw Arnold reading documents.

"Hey, have you heard what happened today?"

"Yeah, dude. I can't believe it either! Jackson Mike got kidnapped by aliens! And the white Jackson Mike is fake! He's clearly a robot the aliens left behind to confuse us."

"..." Collin was speechless. He didn't know how to respond. Was Jackson Mike's change of skin color really that big of a deal?

"No, I'm not talking about Jackson Mike."

"Oh, are you here because of what happened to Moonrise Music? Don't worry, even if the original album got erased, my band can re-record it." Arnold shrugged, not taking it seriously. He had already heard from Mikael and the others that someone had corrupted the file meant to be sent to the factory producing the music tapes.

"That's what I thought too. But Vivian thinks it's more serious. They found the culprit, and he was paid to delay the album's release as much as possible."

"Now that's something I didn't know..." Arnold frowned and set his documents aside.

"Wait a minute." His eyes widened slightly, as if recalling something.

"What? Did you remember something?"

"I think so. Someone from Velvet Harmony approached me before about transferring Pulse Static to their label. He said they would cover any damages and even offered $3 million upfront, plus all the conditions that Moonrise Music is giving us."

"What did you say?"

"Of course I declined."

It was an obvious decision. Just like Collin, Arnold wanted a label that would truly support his band, not just throw money at them. So far, Moonrise Music was the best option since they only had one major artist to manage, meaning they could dedicate more resources to Pulse Static.

"Although I remember he gave me an envelope. It's probably a contract with more details. I didn't even bother opening it."

"Where is it?"

"It's here."

Arnold pulled out the unopened envelope from his drawer.

He opened it with Collin watching. Instead of documents, the envelope contained photographs, pictures of Arnold and Jolyne together.

The two stared at them for a moment before bursting into laughter.

"Hahaha, now I get it! So this is their plan!" Arnold laughed loudly, unable to believe someone tried to blackmail him.

The blackmail material was outdated and useless. There was nothing scandalous about the photos, Arnold and Jolyne had no reason to hide their relationship anymore.

After being blackmailed before by Chairman Noah Nash, Arnold had already come to terms with it. He realized he had nothing to be afraid of. He and Jolyne weren't doing anything wrong, they loved each other.

So Velvet Harmony's attempt at blackmail was completely ineffective.

However, both Collin and Arnold now held a grudge against the record label.

[Thank you guys for reading this novel.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 242


Arnold and Collin already had a plan in place in case issues like these arose.

First, they had to determine the extent of the issue and its potential impact on their clients.

Second, they needed to find a way to cover up or fix the problem, minimizing the damage as much as possible.

Arnold and Jolyne's relationship was not really a bad thing, it was normal and acceptable. Even if it were exposed, it wouldn't affect them that much. Some fans might get angry, and there could be some stalking, but it wasn't anything serious since celebrities always had stalkers.

"If they are going to use blackmail, they should have used something heavier, something truly damaging. But then again, Jolyne and I don't have any scandals. There's nothing to expose."

"What about your other clients, such as Brody Paige and Director Tom of Unnatural?"

"That's a different matter." Arnold replied.

Collin shrugged. People had secrets they didn't want others to know. It wasn't surprising, it was part of human nature.

"This means there's no issue."

"Yeah, we're safe."

Velvet Harmony thought they were cooking something, but they didn't realize that their ingredients were spoiled. The blackmail material in their hands was useless.

.........
......
...

June, 2000.

A new band released their debut single, and it was broadcast on MTB, the biggest music television channel in the country, a major platform for rising artists.

"I told you, this music video shouldn't be aired! Why didn't you listen to my instructions?"

Someone from management berated a staff member.

"But the director said that I should air it at least three times. He insisted."

"So you listened to him, but not me? Are you ignoring authority?"

"... He is my boss. You're from a different department. I have to follow his orders."

"So you don't want to keep your job, is that it?"

"..."

MTB (Music Television Broadcast) was a TV network that aired music videos. Many musicians found stardom because MTB broadcast their songs. It was one of the fastest ways to become famous since many households had televisions.

Many record labels paid MTB to secure a spot for their artists in its time slots.

Of course, MTB was not the only music television channel in America. Competition existed. There were dozens of similar channels, but MTB was the most dominant in the market.

The shareholders and executives of the company were all competing for profit and influence. Each had their own motives.

"Hello, this is me, Jeffrey. Yes, please tell Mr. Stain that what happened yesterday was not my fault. I did talk to the director, but he didn't listen to me."

Jeffrey had been paid to ensure that Pulse Static's music video would not be released. He was even promised an invitation to a famous island where politicians and businessmen often gathered. He didn't know what the island was, but he assumed it must be something prestigious.

However, the director ignored him, ruining his task.

Not everyone in MTB got along. Internal conflicts were common. While Jeffrey tried to curry favor with Jeff Stain, the director in charge of that time slot was friends with Vivian. After all, Vivian had once been an executive at MTB and still held influence.

The director promised to air Pulse Static's music video three times for free, and he kept his word. After that, it would be up to Vivian whether she wanted to spend money on further promotion.

If Moonrise Music was determined, they could pay multiple music channels to air Pulse Static's music video.

Vivian only wanted one chance. She wanted to see if a single opportunity could attract fans.

She did the same with several radio stations. Some stations she had connections with gave her new artist a chance and played Pulse Static's debut song.

Moonrise Music sent copies of the debut track to many radio stations. Some accommodated her request out of respect, while others demanded payment, which was understandable. Business was business. Some stations ignored her completely, especially those aligned with Jeff Stain.

It was all about business, nothing personal.

You want your song played on my program? Pay first.

You want me to avoid promoting a certain artist? Pay for that too.

Unless your song is requested by listeners, you won't get a chance.

And that was exactly what Vivian was waiting for. She hoped that Pulse Static could replicate what Princess Chantal had achieved before.

Back then, many radio stations had rejected Princess Chantal's song. But everything changed when listeners themselves started requesting it.

Vivian knew she might be overestimating her artist, but she believed in Pulse Static. After working with them for months, she saw their potential, it was comparable to Princess Chantal's. They had something special. Mikael Wagner was the glue that held the band together, the core of their sound.

And sure enough, the moment Vivian had been waiting for finally came.

On MTB, there was a program where a DJ would take live calls and play requested songs. It aired on weekdays from 5 pm to 7 pm.

The DJ received a call requesting Pulse Static's debut song, "Selena." He forced a smile. Two days earlier, he had been paid to ensure that this new band would not gain traction.

"Um, I'm sorry, but we don't have a music video for 'Selena,'" the DJ lied.

"Huh? But I first saw the music video on your channel—"

The DJ abruptly ended the call.

"Oops, looks like the call got disconnected. Let's take another caller."

Another call came in.

"Hello, this is 'Music You Want,' the program where I play the songs you request. What song do you have in mind?" the DJ asked cheerfully.

"I saw this music video on your channel and I want to watch it again. It caught my attention. I feel sad and want something sentimental."

"I see. So what song is it?"

"I think it's called 'Selena' by Pulse Static."

"..."

The DJ's expression stiffened.

"I'm sorry, but that song doesn't exist."

He had accepted the bribe, so he had to follow through.

However, three more callers requested the same song. Each time, the DJ insisted that it didn't exist.

The next day, he was fired. Too many listeners had complained that he was lying and failing to do his job.

They didn't want a DJ who refused to play the songs people asked for.

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 243


"Let me get this straight, you didn't play the music they requested three times? And what music is it, 'Selena'?" The producer of 'Music You Want' glared at the DJ, his expression cold and disappointed.

"Sir, I can explain."

"You're fired. I don't need an explanation. It's obvious why you did that. We have a copy of the music video of 'Selena,' yet you acted like it didn't exist." The producer waved his hand, cutting him off.

He could understand if the issue had simply passed unnoticed, but they had received multiple complaints that the DJ was not playing the songs the audience requested.

Thus, the producer had no choice but to do what needed to be done. He had to protect the program.

The DJ was speechless. He thought that this simple act of sabotage would be overlooked, as he had done similar things many times before. Yet this time was different. The situation escalated quickly. He realized that the money he received was nothing compared to his livelihood. His career was ruined.

"T- The reason why I did it is because of Velvet Harmony's—"

"As I said, you don't have to explain yourself. You're fired."

"..."

The DJ left MTB, and his career took a downward spiral. He never found success in any career he pursued afterward. On top of that, he exposed the truth out of bitterness, revealing that Velvet Harmony had been intentionally sabotaging other musicians. A few years later, he became a burger steak in a prestigious party...

The producer sighed as the DJ left. He actually knew what was going on, he wasn't naive. He had been in MTB for decades and had produced many kinds of shows. He was Vivian's coworker, but their relationship wasn't strong, they were merely acquaintances.

Vivian had asked him for a favor to play Pulse Static's song on his program, but he made no promises. He remained neutral, just like he did back when Princess Chantal debuted.

However, this situation was almost identical to what happened back then.

'It's as if people are being hypnotized into playing a single song over and over again.'

Back then, when Princess Chantal released her debut album, MTB only aired it once before it exploded in popularity.

'I only experienced this kind of fame during the debuts of Jackson Mike and Madunna.'

He had also heard about the massive sensations of Elves Prisley and The Beatle, but he had been too young at the time.

The producer defined it as star factor, an intangible quality. These artists possessed strong charisma and talent that fans instantly fell in love with.

It seemed that he was witnessing it again. As a veteran in the industry, he could distinguish between those with genuine star factor and those with mediocre talent boosted by their record labels.

'My question is: how can Moonrise Music discover artists with such impactful talent twice?'

Niko was a co-owner of Moonrise Music, so it wasn't surprising that their songs were good. But having charismatic performers was a different matter.

Pulse Static was very fortunate because their songs were composed by someone with golden talent.

Mikael Wagner plus Niko Walkman, their combined golden talents intensified the star factor. Because of this, the song became an instant success.

.........
......
...

July, 2000.

A month after Pulse Static's debut single.

"... How much money did we spend on this entire operation?" Jeff Stain asked his secretary, his tone heavy.

"Sir, it's 50 million." The female secretary swallowed hard.

"So you're telling me that we spent $50 million trying to prevent Pulse Static from becoming successful, yet we still failed!?" His voice rose hoarsely.

What happened with Princess Chantal had been a mistake, a failure they deeply regretted. Back then, Velvet Harmony hadn't taken her seriously. They had done the bare minimum to sabotage her. By the time they realized how quickly she was gaining fans, it was already too late. She had already risen to the top.

They even tried to dig up anything that could destroy her, crimes, scandals, anything humiliating, but found nothing. She was clean. Even her parents refused their offers despite the money. Princess Chantal's parents weren't foolish. They understood that if she lost her fame, they would lose their luxurious lifestyle as well. They were also wary of Collin.

Velvet Harmony even attempted to fabricate a scandal, but Isabella always made sure Princess Chantal stayed out of trouble. On top of that, for some reason, they had also offended someone from the Wallmart family.

"... Fuck!" Jeff Stain threw his wineglass to the ground, causing it to shatter loudly. The secretary flinched in fear.

"Then what about Arnold and Jolyne? I offered that agent a better deal, but he didn't take it seriously. We even threatened him. What happened? Why didn't it work?"

"Sir, the news about Arnold and Jolyne Robs being married spread all over the media."

"Good. Are they suffering because of it?"

"No, sir... The fans congratulated them."

"So all of our efforts were useless, is that it?" He was livid. His face darkened as he contacted his friend, Papa Daddy.

"This is Jeff. Yeah, don't worry, you're always invited, you know that. Anyway, I have a favor to ask. Why don't you invite these people to your party? Maybe they'll be interested in something fun. Tempt them. Are you good with that? Nice, I'll send you the list."

Jeff Stain and Papa Daddy operated in the same line of business, blackmailing high-profile individuals. They would invite them to parties and secretly record them committing "crimes." Because of this, they had become nearly untouchable in the industry. Although many people despised them, and their reputations were rotten.

This time, they planned to create a scandal involving Arnold's and Collin's clients. Yes, Collin was included, since Princess Chantal was his client.

..........
.......
...

"William, I didn't expect to see you here. It's been a while."

Collin greeted the young man with a polite smile. William had matured. He was no longer the naive person who easily believed everything.

William grinned and shook Collin's hand.

"Collin, I've been waiting to meet you. How are you?"

"I'm doing fine."

"Haha, I shouldn't have asked. Of course you're doing fine, your clients are all successful." William let out a businesslike laugh.

After graduating, William decided to explore the world to gain life experience. He wanted to understand different perspectives and ways of living.

What he learned was simple:

Money makes life easier.

[Sorry for not updating these past few days, I'm very depressed and lack the motivation to do anything productive. I'll try to be better.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 244


"I started my own production company. If you have a project you can recommend to me, I'll owe you a favor. Of course, you'll get a commission." William leaned forward, his tone slightly eager.

"That's what I like to hear. If I come across something, I'll contact you immediately." Collin nodded with a calm smile.

"Also, before I forget, I want to start the sequel to The Accidental Wedding Crashers. I'll be the producer and handle the funding." William sounded confident.

As a co-owner of the copyrights of The Accidental Wedding Crashers, Collin took his words seriously. He also had no problem with the movie becoming a franchise. In fact, he had expected it sooner or later. As for profit sharing, Collin understood the rules, business was business. The investor gets the bigger share. William was different now. He couldn't be scammed anymore.

Back then, William was young and didn't understand how business worked so Collin convinced him.

As for the distribution channel, Uni-versus Pictures had secured that contract a few years ago. In fact, Uni-versus Pictures had been interested in buying the copyrights, but William didn't want to. He believed in the profitability of The Accidental Wedding Crashers and its potential for expansion.

As for Collin and Wyatt, as long as William held onto the copyrights, they wouldn't sell their shares either.

The Accidental Wedding Crashers had grossed over $500 million at the worldwide box office, and that was back in 1995, an era when movies rarely surpassed half a billion.

Based on that achievement alone, they could sell the rights for $90 million, and that would be an understatement.

The Accidental Wedding Crashers had strong franchise potential, so the copyrights could probably be sold for more than $150 million, especially with a sequel being planned.

"I'll contact Wyatt about it. We can talk later."

Wyatt was still busy with Week On An Island, his schedule packed with filming and post-production responsibilities.

"Indeed, let's enjoy this concert first," William agreed.

The two were backstage, watching Pulse Static's concert. The area was bustling with staff members, all ensuring that the concert ran smoothly.

Collin was present because he was a co-owner of Moonrise Music. As for William, he had received a backstage pass from Mikael.

"I heard that you're friends with Mikael," Collin said, raising his voice slightly over the sound of the drums.

"Yeah, he's a good guy," William replied.

William and Mikael were friends. William had once offered to help Mikael get into ANT through his connections. He had even thought about introducing Mikael to Collin, believing that Collin would be the perfect agent for someone like him.

However, he hadn't expected that Mikael would join ANT without his help, and that Collin himself had played a role in it.

"Honestly, I still can't believe that Mikael became famous in just a few month months."

Selena topped the music charts.

"That's Pulse Static," Collin corrected, his eyes fixed on the stage as he watched the band perform.

"My bad, it's Pulse Static that's famous, not just Mikael."

Tonight was Pulse Static's first major concert, and the fans were going wild. They were jumping, headbanging, and screaming along to the music. The energy was so intense it felt like it could shake the air itself. It was insane.

Mikael's golden talent shone brilliantly, though only Collin could perceive it, a testament to how powerful such talent could be.

Sometimes, Collin felt that golden talent was like a superpower, consistent and true to its nature.

.........
......
...

There was a growing rumor that ANT had become the biggest agency in Hollywood due to its continuous success. The industry was starting to acknowledge its rise. ANT had been steadily acquiring talented new clients, one after another, until it was recognized as the best agency for newcomers who aspired to achieve fame.

In fact, most new actors in the industry applied to ANT because it had a better track record of turning unknown talents into stars compared to other agencies.

AAC, also known as the Atlas Artist Collective, was long considered the best agency in Hollywood. It had been around for decades and had a stronger foundation, with veteran clients and experienced agents.

However, AAC was slowly crumbling because its newer clients couldn't compete with ANT's rising stars. On top of that, some of its profitable clients were considering leaving and switching agencies.

Some were even poached by a new agency called One Entertainment Agency, which had been aggressively recruiting both agents and clients.

Naturally, many people began to view ANT more favorably, especially after another rock band from its roster rose to fame.

Pulse Static made a huge impact on the Billboard Hot 100, with their entire album staying on the chart for three consecutive months. Their songs dominated radio stations and music channels. Constant exposure helped them grow rapidly.

Their album, Welcome to the Black and White Parade, had a unique title that people had never heard before, full of originality...

On top of that, Morning with Jennifer was performing well. Jennifer Randon, another client of ANT, saw her fame skyrocket after her morning show aired on Nation TV. She brought a fresh style to the morning timeslot, practically dominating the 9 to 10 AM slot.

The recent success of ANT's clients increased the company's valuation from $1.2 billion to $1.8 billion in just a year.

This also meant that the executives' shares increased in value. Naturally, they were pleased, though some felt bitter about the recent success of Pulse Static, particularly those in the Music Department.

Griffith Goodhope was glaring at Arnold and Collin, especially at Arnold.

A year ago, Griffith had tried to acquire Pulse Static and Princess Chantal from the two "amateur" agents in the Film Department, but he failed.

To be precise, his real target had always been Princess Chantal. Pulse Static had merely been an excuse. Griffith had little faith in newly formed bands, knowing how difficult it was to succeed in the music industry. Artists needed that elusive star factor.

Yet now, the very band he had dismissed had achieved massive success.

If he had known, he would have focused on Arnold instead of Collin. He should have prioritized Pulse Static.

Now, he regretted his decision.

At present, he had nothing promising. His country star was losing popularity, and decline seemed inevitable. Griffith needed to find another client to profit from.

Arnold and Collin acted as usual while waiting for the meeting to begin. Today marked the second quarterly conference.

[Thank you for reading this novel.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 245


Of course, Arnold and Collin didn't care about Griffith's glare. They were too happy to pay attention to him.

Fuck Griffith. That name alone deserved a place in hell.

Anyway, now that Pulse Static was successful, Arnold's status in the company also rose. Even the veterans treated him with respect.

"Congratulations, Arnold. I knew your client would make it!" Salvador Manuel greeted him with a smile.

"Thank you," Arnold grinned.

After the last meeting, the three had officially formed an alliance, a partnership that benefited all of them. From now on, Collin and Arnold would support Salvador in becoming the President of Talent Management and Representation. They hated Claude after what he did last time, and they couldn't let him stay in control.

Now that Arnold thought about it, if Claude's plan had succeeded, Pulse Static's contract would have been transferred to another agent, and all the respect and profit would have slipped out of his hands. Claude, Griffith, and Sanford, fuck all of them.

"Keep it up."

Salvador was satisfied that the alliance was growing stronger. He could already see the potential benefits. Their influence in the company was steadily increasing.

Collin had a solid lineup, and so did Arnold. Their clients were famous and had stable careers.

Of course, Salvador's clients were also thriving. His action star had secured another project.

As for more good news, Morning with Jennifer was doing exceptionally well.

The talk show had been gaining more viewers over time. After three months of live broadcasting, it maintained a steady viewership of 9 million.

Because of this, many people started asking Salvador for favors. They wanted their clients to appear on Morning with Jennifer to boost their exposure.

In the entertainment industry, celebrities must stay relevant, or people will forget them. Some washed-up actors even wanted to guest on the show in hopes of reviving their careers.

Now, Salvador had become one of the most sought-after talent agents in the company. Even agents from other agencies offered him benefits in exchange for featuring their clients on the talk show. Salvador helped those who provided worthwhile offers while ignoring the useless ones.

He was pleased that many agents were gradually aligning themselves with him because of the influence he held. He was confident that Claude would lose his position next year.

That old fart should retire.

Of course, since Morning with Jennifer was successful, Jennifer was also enjoying the fruits of her hard work... although she was clearly exhausted from juggling two projects at the same time. Once Season 5 of The Singing Voice was finished, Jennifer would drop her hosting duties there and focus entirely on Morning with Jennifer.

Collin, Arnold, and Salvador laughed together, their conversation lively and full of energy. Life had been good for them these past few months.

A few minutes later, Lila and Claude arrived, and the meeting began. The executives and shareholders were pleased, as ANT's valuation had increased to $1.8 billion this quarter.

Unlike last time, Claude and the others had no tricks to play. It was useless now that Lila had made her stance clear. Her influence was difficult to ignore. The CEO clearly preferred to side with Salvador and the others.

Claude could feel that his position was in danger, as some executives had begun showing signs of switching sides.

While the meeting was ongoing, Collin occasionally glanced at his phone and grinned.

Just like him, Lila also checked her phone, though she maintained a composed expression. However, it was obvious from her demeanor that she was in a good mood.

"Hey, who are you texting at a time like this? We're in a meeting," Arnold whispered.

"Nah, it's nothing," Collin replied casually.

"Why the hell are you smiling like an idiot? It's disgusting," Arnold muttered, frowning.

Eventually, the meeting ended. Some executives were in high spirits, while others were not. It was clear that the balance of power within the company was shifting.

Collin and Lila glanced at each other briefly before looking away. They had gone on a few dates, and things were going well, their relationship was gradually deepening.

.........
......
...

October 2000.

Whiplash had just ended its theatrical run, earning $124 million at the box office. For a psychological drama, the movie performed surprisingly well, especially since it was only released in North America.

Aside from that, Morning with Jennifer continued to gain a positive reputation. More people were tuning in, making it one of the best talk shows of the year. Jennifer Randon experienced another surge in popularity.

As for Axel Gunner, he had finished his role in Week On An Island two months ago and decided to take things slow. He wanted to enjoy some personal time, so he went on a trip with his son and hiked a mountain. Recently, his movie Whiplash, in which he played the strict mentor, received positive reviews and might earn a nomination at the Academy Awards. Axel himself could also receive a Best Supporting Actor nomination for his performance.

Meanwhile, Wyatt Bray was busy with post-production for Week On An Island, spending most of his time in the editing room. However, he looked healthier, as his girlfriend took great care of him. He was lucky.

As for Princess Chantal, she was busy with her world tour, traveling across different countries. She was currently in Cambodia, holding a concert. Her second album had sold 12 million copies. With an average price of $15 per album, her total sales had reached $180 million. With a 20% royalty rate, she was doing extremely well financially.

Out of all of Collin's clients, Lawrence Terrence faced the biggest challenge this month, his divorce from his wife, Emma Blackstone. Their marriage had been fake from the beginning. So far, the situation had been handled well, and Emma had become a better person. However, she was still in love with Lawrence. Terrier had already promised to pay the 2% company share, as he was satisfied with the one-year results.

Over the past few months, Emma and Terrier's relationship had improved significantly, and Emma had become a good daughter.

[Thank you guys for your support. Also, I have no idea what the hell I'm doing with this chapter. This is basically a recap or something. Sorry about that. You will probably see some chapters like this later on.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 246


Lawrence and Emma's relationship was quite complicated. Lawrence suffered from a stalker and discovered that Emma was an obsessed fan who almost pulled out a pistol during the premiere of his romance movie titled The Boss Proposal.

At that time, Lawrence only wanted to stay away from her. But Emma's father was actually the owner of Blackstone Corporation, the biggest private equity firm in the country. Terrier Blackstone offered Lawrence money and company shares in exchange for marrying his daughter for a year.

With that, Lawrence didn't have a choice but to accept the deal.

Over time, Lawrence and Emma's relationship evolved... and even Collin couldn't fully understand it. He was always updated on what happened to the fake couple, but he felt like Lawrence was hiding something.

As much as possible, Collin wanted his clients to be honest with him, but he couldn't force them to share everything. And now, Lawrence was not saying anything about the divorce.

Yes, Lawrence and Emma had divorced, and the papers were already signed. However, when Collin asked him about what happened, Lawrence only smiled, as if hiding the truth.

Collin had no choice but to trust and respect Lawrence's decision.

"Just sign here and the shares will be transferred to your name," Terrier's secretary instructed Lawrence.

"Alright," the actor said as he signed after his lawyer confirmed everything.

With that, Lawrence earned 1.8% shares of Blackstone Corporation. As for the remaining 0.2%, it went to ANT as commission, with Collin receiving 0.1% shares due to his commission.

Mind you, Blackstone Corporation's valuation had risen to $85 billion this year.

This meant that 2% of the company was worth $1.7 billion. If Lawrence, ANT, and Collin did not sell their shares, they would continue receiving yearly dividends.

Lawrence had no plans to sell his shares, and neither did ANT or Collin. These shares were too valuable at the moment and could even be treated as inheritance.

Collin remained quiet throughout the transaction. He knew Lawrence well, and he felt that something had happened when the divorce came up. Unfortunately, Lawrence did not want to talk about it.

"Lawrence... are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Lawrence said with an assuring smile.

"Now I don't have to worry about flirting with girls. I've been trying to fuck some young chicks!" he grinned and laughed as they left the building.

"No underage," Collin reminded him.

"Of course. Collin, I'm not that crazy."

"But someone did invite you to attend Papa Daddy's party." Lately, Collin felt that some people were inviting his clients to questionable gatherings. He had been calling them one by one, reminding them to avoid anything that could ruin their careers.

Hollywood elite gatherings often concealed reputational risks that agents had to constantly monitor.

'Axel and Princess Chantal are safe. Axel is not the type to attend parties, while Princess Chantal has Isabella protecting her. As for Wyatt and Jennifer, they might be deceived into going. Wyatt had a history of attending Hollywood orgies, but that stopped when he got engaged. Jennifer is not easy to deceive... but she does have a preference for younger men. As for Lawrence,' Collin glanced at his actor.

"Hey, I didn't accept the invitation," Lawrence waved his hand.

"I know."

Collin nodded. He knew his clients well, but not completely. He just hoped none of them would fall into temptation. One wrong decision could permanently destroy a celebrity's reputation.

"Congratulations on becoming a billionaire," Collin said with a grin, which made Lawrence burst out laughing.

"Collin, haha, I'm a billionaire now! On paper, of course!" Lawrence said. He had enough money to retire, but he loved acting, so he planned to stay in Hollywood for a while.

In a way, being married for a year in exchange for more than $1 billion was something Lawrence did not regret.

"By the way, is it really true that Papa Daddy—"

"His parties have questionable aspects. Again, don't attend them, or you might get implicated," Collin reminded him.

"No, I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about Papa Daddy being gay and fucking men. So he prefers booty?"

"With baby oil."

"What about the rumors of TwoPack and Biggie Small's deaths? Is he really related to their deaths?"

"I don't know," Collin replied. He was not sure. There were many rumors in the industry, some might be true, while others were clearly false.

As Lawrence stepped into his car, he looked at Collin and smiled. His talent agent had just helped him secure a deal worth a billion dollars.

"Collin, thank you for being my talent agent. I appreciate it."

"Take care of yourself. If you need help, don't hesitate to contact me."

"Alright."

Lawrence said goodbye and drove away. He wanted to spend some time alone.

"..." Collin watched the car leave. For a moment, he felt that Lawrence was sad about the divorce, but he might have been wrong. Who would want to marry a yandere? Not Collin, of course.

Besides, now that Lawrence was free from Emma's shackles, he could choose his scripts without any issues.

'Romance movies will always have kissing scenes, so a jealous type like Emma would be detrimental to Lawrence's career.'

Lawrence's talent could only flourish when the movie involved romance.

"So, are you going to attend the party?"

Now that Lawrence was gone, Quincy approached Collin. Their team had earned a huge amount of money today, and ANT had given them big bonuses.

Collin and Quincy earned the most since they participated in the transaction, but the rest of the team also received their shares. It was a performance-based bonus.

"Let's go. We rarely get the chance to celebrate on our own," Collin agreed.

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 247


"Just like I said, please give me some space to breathe," Quincy Jennings said to Paul Kim, who was sticking close to him. The two were drinking alcohol. Paul just shrugged and ignored him, sipping his cocktail.

Like them, Collin was also taking his time drinking. He sat back and leaned against the soft chair leisurely, allowing himself a rare moment of relaxation after closing a great deal.

They were in a private karaoke room, celebrating the huge deal they had closed today. Beatrice Yarrow was singing a song, while Ian Rivers was simply there for the free drinks and food, courtesy of ANT's company card.

Collin created this team a few years ago when Wyatt Bray successfully released a box office hit titled The Accidental Wedding Crashers. The team was formed to help his clients in various ways.

Collin East was responsible for representing his clients in negotiations, earning the largest share of the commission.

Quincy Jennings was the lawyer who handled contracts and ensured they were safe for the clients to sign.

Paul Kim was from ANT's PR team. He helped maintain the clients' public image and had numerous connections with news stations and newspaper publishers.

Beatrice Yarrow was the accountant. She handled the finances.

Then there was Ian Rivers... the literary agent, responsible for assisting clients with scriptwriting.

"I feel like I'm the only useless one here. Even the new members are more valuable than me," Ian sighed as he drank his beer. He was invited because he was part of the team, even though he wasn't directly involved in Lawrence's negotiation.

Ian had only worked with two clients so far, Wyatt and Jennifer. He helped Wyatt with scriptwriting and assisted Jennifer with reviewing scripts for her TV show.

"Don't be dramatic. We all know your two clients are doing great this year," Beatrice teased.

Ian was part of the team, but he also had his own clients. Two of them were novel authors who earned solid royalties from publishers. One of his authors' novel series even received a movie adaptation, and Ian represented the author, earning a commission.

To clarify, some agents on the team had their own clients. Only people like Quincy, Beatrice, and Paul didn't, as they specialized in specific fields.

These five were the original members of the team, and later, two more people were added to support the clients' needs.

Andy and Sally.

Sally was a talent agent and also a nutritionist. Since Axel had finished Week On An Island, 123 Production and Metro Gold Mayer started the second film of the Jason Born franchise. Naturally, Axel needed a nutritionist to maintain his diet and physique.

Andy was also a talent agent, but within the team, he worked as a physical trainer. He helped both Axel and Wyatt with their training.

There were also others involved, such as makeup artists and fashion designers for their respective clients.

The reason for the celebration was simple, ANT was feeling generous today. The profit from the Blackstone Corporation negotiation made the company happy, and CEO Lila Seraphina allowed them to use the company card to celebrate.

She also personally called Collin and told him to relax and have fun. That was likely one of the main reasons for the gathering, Lila was worried that Collin was overworking.

Those directly involved in the negotiation, like Collin, Quincy, and Beatrice, earned substantial bonuses, while the others received a few thousand dollars.

Andy grabbed the microphone and started singing while the others cheered.

"Paul, I need some space," Quincy said seriously.

Paul smirked and stared at him.

"Oh, so now you want space? That's not what you said last night when you fucked me in the ass."

Collin almost spat out his drink when he heard that. Despite that, the party atmosphere remained lively, especially with everyone receiving bonuses.

.........
......
...

"Here's what the last negotiation reached: $15 million salary plus 10% of the North American box office," Collin said over the phone, updating Axel.

"If you're satisfied, we can sign the contract. If not, I can go back and negotiate further."

"Collin, that's already huge. Metro Gold Mayer might go crazy if we ask for more. That's already good for me," Axel replied.

"It seems I have to remind you, you're the star of this franchise. The face of the movie. You are Jason Born. Metro Gold Mayer doesn't have a choice but to agree to our terms as long as you're willing," Collin emphasized.

Indeed, the franchise would struggle without its main character.

"...Then if you think we can ask for more, I'd be happy with that."

Axel was already preparing for the film, and the only thing left unresolved was his salary.

Collin's job as a talent agent was to deal with the production studio while the client focused on their work. In a way, he absorbed all the tension from negotiations, allowing actors to maintain good relationships with producers.

As for talent agents like him, they were often the most disliked people in the eyes of production studios. People like Collin were seen as parasites or mosquitoes that drained their targets dry.

To succeed in this job, Collin had to be shameless. He knew his next demand would be outrageous, but it had to be done.

"Okay, I'll contact you later."

Collin ended the call and returned to the office, where the producer from Metro Gold Mayer was visibly furious.

"$30 million salary plus 20% of the worldwide box office," Collin stated calmly.

"Why don't you just throw yourself off the balcony?"

"Axel Gunner deserves that amount. Haven't you seen his latest movie? His performance is compelling."

[Thank you guys for reading this novel. I appreciate it a lot.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 248


"The movie barely grossed $100 million," the producer said with dismissal. He crossed his arms to assert dominance in the negotiation.

"At the North American box office. Don't act like it's a small feat. How many movies can gross over $100 million in just one continent? If Whiplash was released internationally, the movie might have surpassed $250 million," Collin replied.

The producer snorted... But Collin was actually right. Axel's performance in his last movie was amazing and even praised by the critics. On top of that, despite being a psychological drama, the movie grossed over $100 million at the North American box office. It was no simple feat, especially for a genre known to struggle commercially.

Still, the producer would never admit that he was wrong. If he admitted it, he would lose his position and authority in the room. Hierarchy mattered in many negotiations, especially when large sums of money were at stake.

"..." He gritted his teeth. It seemed that Collin wouldn't leave without getting what he wanted. The tension in the room thickened as both sides understood that neither would back down easily.

'Damn talent agents. These people shouldn't exist in Hollywood. If I met Axel personally and negotiated with him, he would probably agree to lower his salary to $3 million.' The producer internally complained.

Agents like Collin existed precisely to prevent such undercutting of their clients' worth.

.........
......
...

Later that day, Axel was playing Tekken with his son when his phone rang. The atmosphere at home was relaxed, a contrast to the heated negotiations happening between Collin and the producer.

"$20 million salary and 10% worldwide box office share." That was Collin's welcome sentence, straight to the point. He didn't bother with small talk, knowing that the number itself would capture Axel's attention instantly.

"..." Axel was speechless. His other hand froze mid-game, which led to his son landing a full wrestling combo using King.

"Deal." His answer came instantly. There was no hesitation, as he understood how valuable such an offer was for his career.

No reason to say no. That was his biggest salary so far. He was eager to sign the deal and get his money as soon as possible. At the same time, he felt grateful for having an agent who could push negotiations to such favorable terms on his behalf.

.........
......
...

"Collin! Welcome!" Lawrence laughed and greeted Collin with a wide smile, pulling him into a hug. The music was quite loud, so Lawrence slightly raised his voice. The lively energy of the party was contagious, with laughter and chatter echoing through the large house.

Today was the actor's birthday, and he was throwing a party at his house in Beverly Hills. He had invited many people, including his family, whom he had rarely interacted with this past year because he was keeping his marriage a secret.

Now that Lawrence was free from those shackles and divorced, he went all out with his birthday party and enjoyed himself to the fullest. It was his way of celebrating freedom and starting a new chapter in his life without restrictions.

"Lawrence, happy birthday. Here's my gift." Collin gave his present to Lawrence, it was a watch... quite expensive for Collin's taste. Lawrence grinned and passed the gift to his assistant. He had received many gifts from people today. The stack of presents kept growing, showing how wide Lawrence's social circle had become over the years.

"Take this to my room," he said to his assistant with a casual wave.

Lawrence put his arm over Collin's shoulder and invited him in, guiding him deeper into the house. Collin caught sight of the pool and saw women swimming in bathing suits, their giggles blending with the music.

"What? You like one of them? How about it? I can introduce you to these pretty girls," Lawrence teased his agent. Most of the women who got into the party were in the entertainment industry. Some were models, some were small-time actresses, while some were avid fans of Lawrence who had snuck in...

It wasn't unusual for such gatherings to attract people hoping to network or simply enjoy the glamorous environment.

"How did they get into your party?" Collin asked dryly.

"A friend of mine helped me manage the party and he invited these women," Lawrence shrugged.

"..." Collin was not even surprised. He glanced once more at the pool and saw some women smoking... It might not have been a simple cigarette. He silently noted the potential risks.

"You invited your relatives too?" Collin asked, changing the subject.

"Yeah, I miss them. They want to celebrate my birthday." His parents had actually interrogated him about his ex-wife, but Lawrence didn't say much. He avoided deep conversations, preferring to keep things light during the celebration.

"..." Collin didn't know what to say.

"Anyway, the others have already arrived." Lawrence clapped his hands.

Lawrence led him to another part of the house, which was less crowded. When they entered, they found Axel, Wyatt and his girlfriend Elise, Jennifer, Princess Chantal, and even Isabella drinking happily. The group seemed relaxed, enjoying each other's company without the usual pressure of work.

"Collin, you're here!" Wyatt raised his wine glass and laughed, looking slightly flushed.

"You guys are already drunk," Collin sighed with a light smile, which made his clients laugh. He felt a sense of comfort seeing everyone enjoying themselves freely.

"Collin, I miss you!" Princess Chantal went in for a hug, and Collin hugged her back, patting her head.

"Don't drink too much. You have a rehearsal tomorrow," he reminded her.

"You're always so serious," Princess Chantal pouted, though her eyes sparkled with affection.

Collin found his seat and Lawrence gave him a beer, he preferred beer as it didn't make him drunk as quickly.

The whole lineup had met again after so long. Each of them was busy with their own lives and projects. It was very rare for everyone to attend a party together. Fortunately, they had a free schedule today, and since Lawrence had invited them, it would have been awkward not to attend. Moments like this strengthened their bond.

Anyway, they talked about many topics.

Jennifer and the others were curious about Lawrence's wife, only to be shocked by the news that the couple had already divorced.

"That fast!?"

"Well, it is what it is." Lawrence didn't elaborate and just laughed. He was not comfortable telling anyone about his relationship with Emma, his emotions were quite complicated to define. Even he struggled to fully understand what he truly felt about everything that had happened.

Then, the topic turned to Collin.

"Why do I feel like something is different about you?" Isabella frowned while staring at Collin.

"That's also what I'm thinking," Lawrence agreed. For some reason, Collin had changed, but they couldn't explain it.

"It's his smile," Wyatt chuckled. Being a movie director, he was sensitive to people's facial expressions.

"Now that you mention it, Collin's smile is indeed quite carefree," Isabella agreed.

"Has something good happened to you lately?" Axel asked, but Collin just chuckled and sipped his drink.

Collin had completely moved on from his past relationship. On top of that, Collin and Lila had been seeing each other. It wasn't official yet and they hadn't reached third base, but they had been dating for a while. They wanted to take it slow and were enjoying the process of getting to know each other.

Suddenly, someone entered the room with food. It was a woman wearing a microkini, to the point that almost everything on her body was visible.

Everyone was stunned. Even Princess Chantal and Isabella blushed slightly because the woman was so daring. The unexpected entrance shifted the mood momentarily, making them uncomfortable.

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 249


As for Wyatt, he turned to face his girlfriend, Elise, and avoided looking at the woman in the microkini... He didn't want any problems. He even subtly shifted his body to block his girlfriend's view, making sure she wouldn't misunderstand the situation or feel uncomfortable in any way.

Axel was surprised, while Lawrence had a dark expression, gritting his teeth. The veins on Lawrence's temple bulged.

"Hey, guys, what are you doing here? Let's have some fun! You, you're quite attractive, why don't we skinny dip in the pool?" The woman pointed at Collin, specifically. Her tone was playful yet provocative.

"Sharon! Get the fuck out of my room! Now!"

Lawrence was livid as he roared, he almost wanted to kick the woman out himself. She had just disturbed their get-together with her obvious intentions. She had no shame at all.

"Come on, Lawrence, I just want to know your friends better." The woman smiled and feigned innocence, but Lawrence didn't budge, glaring at her.

"I know what you're doing. You're looking for a husband who will take care of your eight children from different fathers! You fucking bitch! Get out of my room, or else I'll call Uncle and let him beat you up." His words were harsh, but they carried the weight of his frustration.

Apparently, Sharon was Lawrence's cousin, which made the scene even more awkward.

"Tch, okay, fine." The woman clicked her tongue and rolled her eyes, but she blew a kiss toward Collin before leaving, swaying her hips as she walked away. She had immediately taken a liking to Collin because he was handsome and looked rich, exactly the kind of man she wanted.

"I'm sorry about that. That woman is my cousin, and she's the worst." Lawrence sighed. He ran his hand through his hair, trying to calm himself down.

'... I recall a few years ago when Lawrence was drunk, he talked about a cousin who had a lot of children from different men. I guess Sharon was the cousin Lawrence was talking about.' Collin connected the dots quietly.

"It's nothing big, everyone has bad cousins in the family." Jennifer shrugged, clearly unfazed. She also had a few cousins whom she preferred not to interact with.

"Today is my birthday, just enjoy the party. Don't mind Sharon," Lawrence said, forcing a smile. He wanted everyone to have a good time.

"Speaking of parties, I was invited to a special party where we could eat long pork. I don't know what that means, but it sounds exotic. They said all of us were invited," Princess Chantal casually said, trying to lighten the atmosphere. She was wrong.

Her innocent attempt at changing the topic unexpectedly led to an awkward silence.

"..."

Suddenly, everyone in the room went quiet. Isabella and Elise didn't understand what was going on, but it seemed that Princess Chantal had said something shocking.

"Did I say something wrong?" Princess Chantal started to get nervous. She glanced around the room.

"Chantal, do you know what 'long pork' means?" Jennifer carefully asked.

"It's exotic meat, right?" Princess Chantal said.

"No, it's human flesh."

"What!?"

Princess Chantal, Isabella, and Elise were all shocked. Their expressions changed drastically.

"T-That should be illegal! How can they do that!?" Princess Chantal had a look of pure disgust on her face. She instinctively covered her mouth, unable to accept what she had just heard.

"Cannibalism is technically legal in the US, although every realistic way to obtain human flesh is illegal," Wyatt spoke up... He had read that information in several articles.

How do you get human flesh, anyway? You either have to commit murder, manslaughter, abuse a corpse, or rob a grave. All of these were crimes that made human flesh nearly impossible to acquire. Was there even a way to do it legally?

"That's... That's fucked up!" someone muttered.

"First, let me ask you a question. You haven't attended their party, right?" Collin asked.

"No, they said they wanted to invite you guys so they could prepare for the party! I didn't know what they were thinking!" Princess Chantal was appalled, and her voice trembled. She couldn't believe someone would invite her to a party to enjoy human flesh... Is Hollywood truly this depraved?

Was there really a secret society where all forms of crime were allowed? Probably. Normal people just didn't know about it. The thought sent chills down her spine.

"I feel like someone is setting a trap for us," Collin muttered, and his green-brown eyes darkened. He didn't know their intentions, but they likely wanted their downfall. His instincts as an agent warned him that this was not a coincidence, but a calculated move.

"Who's the person who invited you to the party?" Collin asked Princess Chantal.

"He's a concert promoter. His name is Juan Conyo. He just casually mentioned it to me. But he didn't give a date or a place." Her tone was uneasy as she recalled the interaction.

"I see... Does Vivian know about him?"

"Yes, but they are not really close, just acquaintances. I didn't expect him to be that kind of person." Princess Chantal was disgusted.

After that, the clients continued their conversation, although they were less enthusiastic and the mood had soured. They realized that someone wanted to destroy them, and it wasn't random.

That night, Collin immediately began his research and even contacted a private detective. After years of networking, Collin had finally found a private detective with a Golden Talent.

Holmes Moriarty

-- Strong Surveillance (Gold)

-- Undercover Spy (Yellow)

-- Infiltrator (Yellow)

Collin paid the detective to gather information on the concert promoter Juan Conyo, no questions asked.

A week later, the detective sent the information to Collin, efficient and precise. The report was detailed, showing the detective's competence and dedication.

"Just as I expected, Juan is related to Velvet Harmony, Papa Daddy, and R-Helly..." Collin narrowed his eyes. The connections confirmed his suspicions.

The concert promoter had worked with Papa Daddy on his concert tour, and they were close, too close to be a coincidence.

'... Do they really eat long pork, or is it just a lie?' Collin asked himself.

When a person becomes too rich, they often want to try something different and might resort to crimes just for the sake of enjoyment, boundaries lost meaning for the untouchables.

Collin requested another job from the private detective, paying him triple to ensure he would work hard and take it seriously. He was willing to spend more to ensure a thorough investigation.

"I want you to look for every crime that Jeff Stain and Papa Daddy committed."

These two people had a vendetta against them, and Collin wanted to find dirt on them. Information was the strongest weapon he could use.

"No problem."

Holmes Moriarty was a relatively new private detective and didn't yet realize he was actually one of the best. So when Collin paid him $80,000, he was elated... He would later realize that surveilling Jeff Stain and Papa Daddy was not easy. Especially Jeff Stain, as his parties happened on a private island where no outsiders were allowed.

"All expenses will be reimbursed, just show me the receipts."

"Now that's even better." Holmes smiled, excited for the job.

[Thank you for reading this novel.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 250


After talking to Holmes Moriarty, Collin decided to recall the information he had gathered from his clients. He carefully pieced together every small detail, making sure that nothing slipped through.

Apparently, not only did Princess Chantal receive invitations to parties, but the others had also received invitations from various people. Some of these invitations might have been innocent and held no deep meaning, but Collin checked them just to be safe.

As expected, some of the people who had invited them were friends with Papa Daddy and his circle. Collin called his clients and told them not to attend informal parties. Although formal parties might also hold hidden dangers, he knew he couldn't stop his clients from doing what they wanted. However, it was better to remind them nonetheless. At the very least, he wanted them to stay cautious and aware of their surroundings no matter where they went.

'I even heard from Lawrence that Emma also received an invitation back when they were still married. And her invitation was for Jeff Stain's island. I don't know what to say about that,' Collin thought. The more he learned, the more he realized how deep the connections ran between these people.

Anyway, this matter was not simple, and Collin had to be careful with his next step.

.........

......

...

In November, Collin and Arnold decided to celebrate Thanksgiving in their hometown. Since they had attended the same high school, they naturally shared the same hometown. Arnold even knew Collin's cousins.

After his confrontation with Belle, Collin didn't feel any awkwardness visiting his town anymore. He had no reason to avoid his high school friends, as he knew he was the innocent one. He felt lighter returning to a place that once carried heavy memories.

As for the rumors and defamation that Belle had spread, Collin didn't care. If people believed rumors, so be it. Collin had no reason to prove his innocence. He had already moved on and didn't feel the need to justify himself to anyone.

"...Thanksgiving just passed yesterday, and now you've invited me to play golf?" He glanced at Arnold.

"I remember back when we were in high school, you said that you wanted to play golf here," Arnold chuckled.

Collin recalled that time. The golf course they were at was the largest and most elite place in their town. Rich people loved playing there. Back then, Collin felt like having a membership at this golf course meant that he was rich... He was still young and innocent at that time. Wealth felt like a distant dream.

Now that he was actually at the golf course, he realized that it wasn't that great at all. It was just a golf course, nothing else.

Collin smiled to himself.

"Alright, I know you. You wouldn't invite me without a reason. Where's Jolyne?"

"She's with my mom. They're shopping at the mall with my daughter," Arnold spoke casually, clearly comfortable with his current life.

"Is it about the fact that I'm a shareholder of Moonrise Music? Is that why you want to bother me today?"

"Fuck, why do you keep reminding me of that?" Arnold frowned.

"Just to tease you."

"Fuck you! I was so happy that Pulse Static had a successful debut, I thought I would make a lot of money. But I was so fucking wrong, you earned more from Pulse Static while doing nothing." He glared at Collin, who simply shrugged.

As a talent agent, Arnold was responsible for representing Pulse Static in negotiations. He earned a commission through that.

But Moonrise Music was different. The record label funded almost every endeavor for Pulse Static, and they owned the music catalog. Pulse Static earned a good amount of royalties instead, which were on the higher side of the industry.

Anyway, Arnold had earned $4 million from representing Pulse Static. Using that as a basis, Pulse Static had probably earned $80 million from business deals that required representation.

But their album sales were different, Arnold only got a very tiny share of that cake. Pulse Static's album sales were their biggest source of income, as they received royalties from them. That was where the real money flowed in.

As of November, the album sales for Pulse Static had reached $146 million. The royalties that Pulse Static earned were $29 million.

For the record, this was from album sales alone. Moonrise Music's profit came from other sources too, such as merchandise and music licensing. Their revenue streams were diversified and continuously growing.

"You're earning more than me just by being a shareholder."

Collin didn't say anything and just smiled. The total profit of Moonrise Music was $287 million, including merchandise, album sales, and concert tours from both Princess Chantal and Pulse Static.

With a 22% share, Collin's expected profit would be at least $63 million. They still had another month before the money would be divided, and the profit would obviously increase. The final number would likely be even higher by the end of the year.

"I hate that smile of yours," Arnold gritted his teeth.

"Hehe." Collin didn't even try to hide it.

"Why don't you sell your shares to me? I'll buy them at market price. How much do you own, anyway?"

"See? You're mad."

"Fuck!" Arnold spat.

Collin had no intention of selling a profitable share that gave him a huge amount of dividends every year. To him, it was a long-term asset worth keeping.

While they were playing, Collin's phone rang, and he subconsciously smiled. The expression came naturally.

"Let me answer this call. You play by yourself."

"Alright, alright." Arnold saw Collin's smile and chuckled. Actually, he wasn't truly that jealous. He had already achieved a lot in his career, and being a shareholder of a record label wouldn't change much. He was just annoyed that Collin had kept it a secret, though he also understood that Collin had no obligation to tell him.

Just like right now.

'That guy, he's obviously seeing a woman, but he never talks to me about it... Am I a person who can't keep a secret? Surely not, I'm a talent agent, after all,' Arnold internally complained.

They were both talent agents, and keeping secrets was part of the job.

'He will tell me about it when he's ready. I wish him the best,' Arnold ultimately chose to respect his friend's privacy.

Arnold hoped that Collin would find a partner. He didn't want him to stay in a depressing state of being alone, still dwelling on Belle's betrayal.

When Collin returned, he had a toothy grin that irritated Arnold so much.

"By the way, Belle went to my apartment."

"What the fuck!? When did that happen?" Arnold's reaction was immediate and intense.

"About five months ago, I think." Collin wasn't entirely sure.

"And you're just telling me about it now? Collin, this is huge!" Arnold couldn't believe he was hearing this so late.

"More shocking than being a shareholder of Moonrise Music?"

"Fuck that shareholder topic, I don't care about it at all. Collin, please, I'm begging you, tell me you're not seeing Belle again." Arnold thought that Belle and Collin had gotten back together.

"That's disgusting. Where did you get that idea?"

"Because it's obvious that you're seeing someone, and now you're telling me that you met Belle." Arnold tried to connect the dots.

[Thank you for reading this novel.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 251


"Let me make it clear, Belle and I are done. She begged me to rekindle our relationship, but I said no," Collin spoke calmly. There was no hesitation in his voice.

"Phew, I almost had a heart attack. I'll stop talking to you if you get back with her, our friendship is over if that happens," Arnold sighed in relief. He was being serious.

"You really hate Belle that much?" Collin glanced at him.

"Of course, that bitch is the worst," Arnold snorted.

Back then, Arnold had been surprised when he found out that Belle had cheated. She might not have been the best woman, but she had clearly loved Collin.

Perhaps college changed her for the worse, or perhaps it simply revealed who she truly was. No matter the reason, the damage she caused could never truly be erased.

The two stopped talking about Belle and changed the topic as they played golf. The atmosphere gradually became lighter as they focused on the game.

"I've heard rumors that our CEO was seeing a man," Arnold spoke casually.

"Hm," Collin nodded. His expression remained calm.

"Apparently, someone saw Lila with a man, and the two went to a theater to watch a movie."

The rumor had already spread through several departments inside ANT.

"I know," Collin replied.

"Really? I thought you didn't know. I guess the rumors are already everywhere." Arnold didn't find it a surprise, rumors always traveled fast.

"Arnold, we are friends, right?" Collin stopped walking and looked straight at him.

"Unless you don't see me as one. Of course, we are friends," Arnold answered immediately.

"You're mad that I'm keeping secrets from you."

"Nah, I can understand why. I just can't help but get mad, you know me, I'm that kind of guy. You don't have to tell me your secrets, I will not listen." Arnold waved his hand dismissively. He tried to sound indifferent despite his obvious curiosity.

"I'm dating Lila Seraphina, the CEO of ANT," Collin said it outright, leaving no room for misunderstanding.

"..."

Arnold hit the ball, and it flew much farther than his usual shots. He walked ahead and didn't even glance at Collin.

Watching his reaction, Collin laughed and followed him. He found Arnold's reaction amusing.

"You truly didn't listen at all," Collin teased.

"Did you say something?" Arnold replied without turning back.

"Nah." Collin smiled.

The two reached the hole where the ball was resting perfectly close. Arnold tapped the ball until it dropped into the cup.

"As long as you're happy. No matter what, I'll support you," Arnold muttered sincerely, and Collin nodded.

.........

......

...

In December, a huge incident arose in Hollywood. The entertainment industry was thrown into chaos.

Shawn Jacob, an action superstar, had caused a massive incident that shook the whole country.

Shawn Jacob had just left a Christmas party drunk. He drove his car onto the highway and killed a family of four who were on their way to a family vacation. The heartbreaking accident instantly became national news because of the actor's fame.

It was shocking news that made headlines on many news stations and publishers. Shawn Jacob was a famous action star in the '80s and starred in many films such as Fight Till Death, Final Trigger, and Hard Target.

His biggest role was in Final Trigger, where he was the face of the franchise. Final Trigger had so many sequels that hit the box office. For many people, Shawn Jacob represented the golden era of classic action films.

Shawn Jacob was known worldwide because his action movies were famous. No one expected that the superstar actor would kill a family in a car accident.

When the police saw the scene, it was chaotic. Shawn suffered a broken shoulder, but the family's car was crushed, and the people inside were killed instantly. It was devastating, and the public mourned.

In just a day, Shawn's reputation took a nosedive. He might even go to jail.

"WHY ARE YOU ACTING LIKE THAT!?" Salvador roared at the shareholders who attended the last quarterly meeting of 2000. His voice echoed throughout the conference room in frustration.

The executives averted their gaze and didn't even look at Salvador. Most of them already knew the situation was impossible to salvage.

"Salvador, you have to understand. Your client did something wrong," President Claude answered, staring at Salvador.

"Shawn is one of the pillars of this entire agency. He's the reason ANT found its footing in Hollywood. In the '80s, he paved the way for ANT. And now you're saying we are going to abandon him?" Salvador's eyes were red. Shawn was one of his clients and his most profitable one. Shawn had starred in many action films, and it was hard for Salvador to accept that his client would be useless just like that.

"Our PR team is doing its best."

"It's not enough. We can turn this around." He was being frantic. He had spent more than a decade working with Shawn and cultivating him... He couldn't accept that all his hard work would be for naught. To him, losing Shawn also meant losing a huge part of his career.

"And what? Influence the media and tell them that Shawn is innocent?"

"ANT can do it," he said with conviction. Salvador was being outrageous, and even Claude scoffed.

Even Collin and Arnold couldn't side with Salvador this time. The evidence was clear. Even if ANT used its resources and influence, the best they could do was lighten the sentence.

"The best we can do is lighten the sentence for his crime," Salvador muttered.

Salvador was not done. No, he believed that Shawn's career was not over. He could make a comeback.

"Are you hearing yourself right now!? Shawn is already washed up. He's not profitable anymore. He can't even act! Even if he completed his jail time and returned to Hollywood, no one would accept him! He is blacklisted. Have you ever seen an actor who went to jail and then made a comeback!? No one!" Claude was losing his patience.

In the first place, Shawn might stay in prison forever.

"Shawn can do it. All we can do is paint it so that the family of four is at fault while Shawn is innocent," Salvador said with conviction.

Talent agents were shameless people. They would speak lies and make it look like they were speaking the truth. The entertainment industry was never as glamorous as ordinary people imagined.

"Enough."

Lila raised her voice, which silenced both sides. Her authority immediately suppressed the heated argument.

"This meeting is over." She felt like continuing the meeting was useless, as Salvador couldn't understand the situation. Perhaps he didn't want to understand it.

[Author's Note]

Since I already posted for 4 days straight, I guess I don't feel ashamed anymore.

First, I apologize for not being active last month. A missile hit the job site where my father works. He is safe and so are most people there. Thankfully, the situation there became better and my father's job started again. My family and I are worried about him. My mental state lately is not that great and my father's situation also affected how I see my day-to-day life. In all honesty, I couldn't find the motivation to keep writing last month.

But this week, I decided to force myself to be productive and so far I'm steadying my progress. I'm sorry for being absent, I'll try to keep writing until we reach the end of this novel.

And also, thank you for reading this novel. Not going to lie, I can already see the ending of this novel, I might be close. I can end this novel in 400ish chapters, with the latest chapter on my Patreon being 348.

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 252


One by one, the executives stood up and left, avoiding eye contact, unwilling to be the last one near Salvador.

Collin glanced at Salvador, who had messy hair, far from his usual polished image. Collin noticed that Salvador's hands were trembling slightly, whether from rage, exhaustion, or helplessness, he could not tell.

Salvador was the only one left in the conference room. He slammed his fists against the table in anger, the sharp sound echoing in the empty space.

'... Why can't he let go of Shawn? With his status, he can find another actor to invest in and make into a superstar.'

Collin asked himself that question.

If one of his clients faced the same situation as Shawn Jacob, what would his response be? The thought unsettled him more than he expected.

Would Collin condone his client's actions and leave the client to destruction? Or would he do his best to protect them, even if it meant crossing his own principles?

At the end of the day, Collin didn't know the answer. He treated his clients as moneymakers, but he also treated them as friends, and that blurred everything.

Would he betray his client or not?

Or perhaps his client would be the one to betray him in the first place.

He wished he wouldn't reach that point in his life. He didn't want his principles and his work ethics to collide. He was flexible, but he had limits.

When Collin and Arnold left the room, Collin asked Arnold a question.

"If you were in Salvador's shoes, what would you do?"

"Me? Sometimes I feel like talent agents and lawyers are the same. No matter how despicable our clients are, we must protect them, because that's our job." Arnold exhaled slowly. "We have to be professional... But I also believe that Shawn is wrong and he deserves to go to jail," Arnold said, stating his opinion.

.........

......

...

Aside from the Shawn Jacob's issue, December didn't have much else going on.

The PR team for Whiplash was working hard to ensure that the movie would be nominated for many awards. Naturally, Axel's PR team also cooperated, as their interests aligned.

Based on Axel's performance in the movie and the lineup of potential films that would be nominated for the Academy Awards, there was a strong chance that Axel Gunner would be nominated for the Best Supporting Actor Award, the odds were in his favor.

As long as Axel got nominated, it was already considered a win, a validation. It meant that the organization had recognized Axel's talent in acting.

"Let me ask you some questions: are you Jewish?" Paul Kim faced Axel with a clipboard in hand.

"No."

"Are you Asian?"

"No."

"Are you Black?"

"No." Axel tilted his head. He was confused as to why Paul Kim was asking him these questions.

"Are you depressed? Did something bad happen to you that can make people sympathize? Are you dead?" Paul asked flatly, as if reading a checklist.

"... Uh, I'm not depressed anymore. The biggest obstacle in my life is my divorce and being separated from my son. And no, I'm not dead," Axel answered, even though he didn't understand the situation.

"It seems like you won't get a nomination at all. Heck, even winning the award is basically impossible."

"May I ask why?" Axel frowned.

"You're a mediocre white American who doesn't have anything unique about you." Paul didn't sugarcoat it.

"If you're Jewish, you will automatically win the award. If you're Asian, they will take pity on you and get you nominated. If you're Black, you have a chance of getting nominated and even winning the award. The organization of the Academy Awards wants to show that they are not racist, even though they are."

"As for your life story, our PR team can cook up a plan to make the members of the Academy sympathize with you."

"What about my death?" Axel asked half-jokingly.

"Oh, if you're dead, you automatically win the award. They love voting for actors who have depressing stories so that people can support them." Paul shrugged.

"... That's fucked up," Axel muttered. It seemed this PR campaign was going to be difficult.

"Talk to the Academy Awards, not me." Paul Kim was unbothered, Axel was not his type.

"Anyway, the best plan our PR team can do is make divorced members sympathize with you." He flipped a page. Paul Kim had already memorized the preferences and backgrounds of several Academy members.

"We have a list of divorced men in the Academy Awards who can vote for you."

"Thank you." Even though Axel was slightly confused, he was thankful that Paul Kim was serious about this endeavor.

"You don't have to thank us, you're paying us, after all."

"..." Axel had no rebuttal.

Yes, Axel had paid the PR team $1 million to help him get a nomination at the Academy Awards, a steep price. On top of that, Axel had to spend more money to bribe people...

The expenses were stacking up.

The Academy Awards were never fair. They were always political and had agendas they wanted to maintain. It was an open secret.

Last year, they received criticism that they never let any Black actors win major awards. So, just to show that they were not racist, the Best Actor and Best Actress awards were won by Black people that same year. See how racist that was?

Still, the prestige of the Academy Awards was real. The Academy Awards were the biggest honor an actor or director could receive. It was the pinnacle of validation a film artist could get in their entire life.

No wonder actors, actresses, and directors dreamed of winning the golden statue. It meant they had reached the pinnacle of their careers and the organization acknowledged them as the best in their respective fields, immortalized by the industry.

Even with all the controversies surrounding the Academy Awards, film artists still dreamed about holding and raising that small golden statue.

Axel was also like that. The prestige of the Academy Awards was too strong to disregard. Who wouldn't want to win the highest award? Axel was just human.

Even Lawrence had the intention of trying his luck to win the award in the next few years. That just showed how influential the Academy Awards were despite their issues.

[Thank you for reading this novel.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 253


"You look absolutely stunning." Collin smiled at Lila, who was wearing a lovely dress. The black evening dress perfectly suited her mature aura, and the silver accessories around her neck reflected the lights elegantly.

"Your compliments are improving," she smiled and approached him.

"It's not a compliment, I'm just telling the truth." Collin hugged her and planted a kiss on her forehead.

"Today, you can order me around without any negotiation in between."

"Oh, is this how you want it today?" She had an amused look as she covered her mouth.

"Today is Christmas Eve, this is my gift to you."

"Interesting." She smiled and looked Collin over from head to toe... Undoubtedly, he was one of the most handsome people she had ever met. Collin was different from the male celebrities who tried to hit on Lila, he was better.

Collin didn't have to do anything to prove that he was better, his presence alone showed it. Even the way he carried himself exuded confidence.

'This guy is perfect.'

Lila was confused as to why Belle had cheated on a man like Collin when he was the perfect man she herself had dreamed of.

In these past few months, the couple had made it official and their relationship had grown closer. However, there were still times when they interacted strictly as professionals.

But today was Christmas Eve, and Collin was the type who gave everything to his loved one. They had only just started dating, but Collin was serious about her. Now that they were a couple, he would do his best to ensure Lila was happy.

"...Are you sure you're okay with spending your Christmas Eve with me?" As Collin led her to his car, Lila asked him.

"You're my girlfriend, of course I want to spend my time with you."

"..."

'That was smooth...' Lila almost cracked a smile and blushed. She bit her lip to control her grin, but her ears were red. She subtly turned her head away so Collin would not notice how flustered she had become. He was too straightforward.

"But what about your family? Isn't it better to spend Christmas Eve with them?"

"It's alright, I already talked to my mom and sister."

Last week, Collin had invited Lila to spend Christmas Eve with his family, but Lila was nervous, so she didn't agree. She didn't know how to face Collin's family yet.

"I apologize for the invitation. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable," Collin said, recalling what had happened last week.

"It's really not your fault. I'm just not ready. At least give me some time to prepare. I'm actually happy that you thought of inviting me to meet your family. I thought you were only playing with me and had no intention of being serious."

"Do I look like that? A woman like you doesn't deserve to be played around with. You deserve the best."

"..." Lila was speechless again.

'Is he always like this? How can he say those embarrassing words without blushing?'

Lila felt shy because Collin was sincere about everything he said. He really meant it. Lila did her best to keep her composure as they entered the car.

"Lila, Merry Christmas. I prepared a gift for you."

Collin grabbed a box from the backseat and gave it to Lila.

"You really didn't have to..." Lila felt her heart skip a beat. This was her first Christmas gift in many years. The last time she had received a Christmas gift was from Vivian, and that was when she invested in her record label.

Receiving such thoughtful treatment from Collin made her chest feel warm.

"I insist. I want to make you happy." Collin smiled, and Lila averted her eyes because the man was just too attractive.

'...I will fold at any moment. I've honed my poker face for years, but Collin is slowly breaking me down. I can't see any deception in his eyes.'

"Thank you."

Lila nodded and placed the box on her lap. She didn't want to open it yet because she might lose her composure.

Collin started driving, he had reserved dinner for them.

'...She's not reacting that much at all. She's just maintaining her business smile.'

Collin thought while driving. They had been dating for months now, and Lila maintained a poker face most of the time. The only time she showed emotion was when she teased him.

Actually, Collin wasn't entirely sure if Lila was truly interested in him. But Collin was different, he genuinely liked the woman. He had started liking her when she showed up after his closure with Belle. Since then, he had begun looking at her differently. Every small interaction they shared over the months had become meaningful to him.

The car stopped in front of a nice restaurant, and the waiter confirmed their reservation. The couple went to a private room to eat.

They talked about many topics, although most were company-related. Especially the Shawn Jacob issue, the actor was the hottest personality at the moment, but not in a good way.

While they were eating, fireworks burst into the sky, giving the two a moment of pause. The dark sky became colorful, it was gorgeous.

"Did you like it?" Collin asked.

"Did you prepare it for me?"

"Ah? No, I just heard that the city would be setting off fireworks, so I chose a restaurant where we could see them." Collin scratched his head... Getting a permit to set off fireworks in Los Angeles was not that simple.

"Pfft—" Lila covered her mouth and giggled. That was funny and also expected. Both of them were practical people.

"I actually thought of lighting fireworks, but the municipality didn't give me a permit."

"Hahaha." She laughed even more.

Collin watched her laugh and smiled. Seeing her laugh made it all worth it. Next time, he planned an even better date for her.

"Have I ever told you that you're so beautiful?" he genuinely asked.

"Oh, Collin." Lila couldn't control it anymore. She grabbed Collin's necktie and pulled him closer, kissing his lips with passion. Her heartbeat accelerated rapidly after months of restrained feelings.

Collin was surprised. He blushed hard, as it was unexpected.

"So you can actually blush? That's cute." Lila giggled.

"You said I can do whatever I want today?" she asked.

"Yes."

"Then I want you to spend the night with me."

Collin stared at Lila and realized that she was also blushing... He had thought he was the only one who was falling, but he was wrong.

"As you wish."

"Just..." Lila bit her lip shyly. "Just be gentle with me, it's my first time."

"I'll take care of you forever." This time, Collin hoped that his promise wouldn't be broken. He held her hand tightly afterward.

[Thank you for reading this novel.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 254


2001. The first year of the new century.

Collin's first job of the year was to help Axel attend parties and make sure he wouldn't get into questionable stuff. He trusted Axel, but he didn't trust other people, especially after hearing countless stories about celebrities destroying their careers because of one reckless night. Shawn Jacob was the best example.

Axel was a good guy and probably the most disciplined man Collin had ever met. He always focused on his priorities and wouldn't falter over other things. Collin had huge respect for Axel. The actor rarely drank alcohol excessively and never touched illegal substances, despite how common they were in Hollywood circles.

After becoming a superstar, a lot of people took an interest in Axel, as expected. Since then, some people had approached Axel for their own benefit. Heck, a talent agent from AAC even invited Axel to change agencies by offering him a better deal. Axel knew that his situation at ANT was great, and he had no intention of leaving. Collin was the only agent he wanted to work with.

December and January were the months when most parties happened, and it was also the best time to meet with members of the Academy. It was the time when many studios celebrated the success of their movies. Networking during these months was important because one conversation could influence future casting opportunities.

Last month, in December 2000, Axel had attended the celebration party for Whiplash. Many people from the industry showed up, and Axel made a great impression on the Academy members.

He also attended the celebration party for Funny Ones, the movie in which Lawrence Terrence starred. The two actors enjoyed the party and talked about many topics, small-time celebrities also gathered around them, as both Axel and Lawrence were superstars.

Of course, Collin was present at these parties, as he wanted to make sure that things would go well. There were times he couldn't attend to his other clients, so he entrusted them to their assistants and managers, making sure none of them would fall for deceit.

Lately, someone had been pestering Princess Chantal to attend frat parties full of Black people. No offense, but Collin advised her to stay away from those kinds of parties, especially if the guests were dancing the Crip Walk.

For those who didn't know, in this era of the early 2000s, if a Black person did the Crip Walk, it meant they were a gang affiliate. Gang members were dangerous people, and Collin didn't want Princess Chantal to mingle with them. He treated her like a younger sister and didn't want her in danger. One wrong association could permanently damage her reputation and public image.

The Crip Walk had a dangerous meaning back then, unlike in the next two decades when most people could dance it freely.

But because Princess Chantal didn't attend these kinds of parties, she was deemed a "fake" Black person who didn't understand the culture. Well, Princess Chantal had grown up in France, and she truly didn't understand Black culture in America.

If it were a formal party, Collin might let Princess Chantal attend. But frat parties had a bad reputation. Furthermore, it was obvious that someone wanted Princess Chantal and Isabella to separate so that no one could protect Princess Chantal.

With that, Collin advised his clients to stay away from questionable parties.

"H- Hey, I saw you standing in the corner. You have no one to talk to. You look lonely, I can fix that."

Suddenly, while Collin was contemplating his clients' situation, a woman in a red dress approached him with a shy face.

Collin stared at the woman. She was probably in her early 20s. She was blushing, staring at Collin with shyness.

'She doesn't have bad intentions. I can sense that she's only interested in me because she took a liking to me.'

The girl simply had a crush on him. Collin was just so handsome that she found him attractive.

Collin smiled.

"I'm alright. I like to spend my time being alone, I prefer it this way."

"I see... Can I at least know your name?"

"I'm Collin East." Collin gave her a business card.

The woman glanced at it and saw that he was from ANT.

"You're an agent from ANT? Isn't ANT one of the best agencies in Hollywood? They have the best celebrities in their lineup. Don't tell me your clients are famous?"

"If you think Axel Gunner is famous, then yes."

"..." The woman was speechless. She didn't expect to meet the agent of a famous actor at the party. Furthermore, the agent was actually more attractive than the actor! That was not how it usually went.

"I'm Alison. I'm an actress and I've starred in a TV show."

"That's good to hear." Collin nodded.

Alison slightly bit her lip...

'Is he gay? A woman is basically throwing herself at him, but he's not reacting at all.'

Hollywood had a lot of gays and lesbians, so it might not have been surprising.

"Um... are you gay, perhaps?"

"I have a girlfriend."

"Oh, haha, my bad." Alison awkwardly smiled and walked away. She realized that she was throwing herself at a man who was already taken.

'I can't help it, he's just that attractive.' Alison had met many handsome actors in the industry, but Collin was one of a kind. It didn't help that Collin was smiling a lot now that he had Lila. He was like sunshine, and it increased his charisma tenfold.

Collin chuckled and shook his head as the woman excused herself. After that short interaction, Collin glanced at Axel, who was talking to Academy members. Collin watched the surroundings and saw some people looking at Axel with clear intentions.

'It seems like there are women who are interested in Axel.'

Collin had heard of many instances where women flirted with Axel, but the actor never entertained them...

Both Collin and Axel had their similarities.

But their reasons were different.

Collin didn't want to interact with women because he wanted to prioritize his career and family over romance. Still, Collin was not against romance, he just let fate make the decision, which led him to be with Lila.

But Axel was different. Collin could see that Axel was tired of romance. He was also afraid of women and falling in love. Axel was done with love and wanted to focus only on his career and his son.

Collin wanted the best for Axel. If his decision was to stay single forever, Collin would respect it. After everything Axel had experienced in his failed marriage, perhaps staying alone truly gave him peace of mind.

[Thank you for reading this novel.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 255


Just as Collin expected, even though the women were throwing themselves at Axel, the actor remained composed and never agreed to their offers.

Collin respected Axel. He simply understood his situation.

'I won't stop him dating a woman, but the women in the industry usually have hidden intentions. Either they want a favor or they want to blackmail you. Of course, I can't say that all women are calculative and scheming. Some women are just looking for fun, while others are looking for something serious... I'm glad that I found someone as lovely as Lila. I hit the jackpot.'

Yup, Collin was in love... and when he was in love, he was ready to sacrifice everything just to make his girlfriend happy.

He had done that for Belle, and he had almost done it for Dee. He would do it for Lila.

Collin was just that kind of guy.

Anyway, Axel followed the plan and interacted with the Academy members. Some of the members were women, and they wanted to invite Axel to have some fun, but Axel smoothly declined their offers without offending them. He had been well-trained by the PR team.

'Hm? His talent is glowing differently.' Collin stared at the yellow words floating above Axel's head. This whole time, Axel had been using his talent to keep up with the interactions.

Collin took a serious look and confirmed that the yellow had a slight golden hue to it.

'Is it what I think it is?'

Collin had seen a white talent evolve to yellow, and he had confirmed that talents could improve. This was his first time seeing a yellow talent with the potential to evolve to gold.

-- Axel Gunner

-- Adapting like a Chameleon Actor (Yellow turning to Gold)

'But based on my understanding, Axel needs a catalyst to improve his talent. Last time, it was his court case against his ex-wife.'

That night, Collin and Axel left the party without running into any trouble. They had received many invitations from gorgeous women, but they never entertained them. Axel was professional, while Collin already had a girlfriend.

.........

......

...

By the last week of January, the nominations for the Academy Awards were set to be announced.

"You're also here, Collin."

"You too, Vanessa."

Collin nodded at Vanessa Yajiro.

She was an agent from ANT and also an executive... She actually sided with the Claude, so her interaction with Collin had lessened due to company politics.

Vanessa Yajiro was the agent whom Collin had contacted to insert Jennifer into the talent show The Singing Voice.

Back then, the two had negotiated so that Vanessa's actor would get a role in Frightening Movie while Jennifer would get a chance to audition for the position of TV show host.

Both agents had achieved what they wanted, and their cooperation had ended after that.

Tonight, the two agents attended the simple banquet for the announcement of nominations for the Academy Awards. Many directors and celebrities were present, hoping to secure a spot.

"My client might receive a nomination, so I'm here," Vanessa said. Her actor was a contender for a Best Actor nomination.

"So am I."

"I watched Whiplash, Axel's performance is amazing."

"Thank you."

The two had a brief conversation.

"Oh, by the way, congratulations on your pregnancy. I can't interact with you much at the company, so I couldn't greet you properly." Collin glanced at Vanessa's large belly.

"Thank you. I'm seven months pregnant." Vanessa smiled and rubbed her belly.

"I guess Mr. Yajiro will be excited."

"Nah, we are divorced. I'm not Mrs. Yajiro anymore. I'm back to using my maiden name, Vanessa Wang."

"Eh? But what about the child?"

"The child is not his. I got knocked up by Jamal."

"...But I thought you guys were cool with open relationships."

"Yeah, we are. But my husband drew the line at me getting pregnant. He didn't like the idea of taking care of another man's child, so we divorced."

"..." Collin didn't know what to say.

"You are going to divorce peacefully, though?"

"Nope, I'm planning to squeeze him dry. Come on, Collin, we are talent agents. We belong to one of the greediest professions in Hollywood." Vanessa smiled. She didn't like that her husband had left her after she got pregnant by her lover, which she found disrespectful.

"Fair enough."

Collin decided to interact less with Vanessa after this... He just couldn't understand her decisions in life.

He sat down at the table for Whiplash. Their production team had its own section at the banquet. The director was present, as was the rest of the cast, including Axel.

Even though it was just a nomination announcement, it was obvious that Axel was nervous. He had spent considerable time and money just to get a nomination, he didn't want everything to go to waste.

A few minutes later, once the banquet hall calmed down, the President of the Academy showed up with the list of nominations. He announced the movie titles, the directors, and the actors and actresses who had secured nominations.

Axel sighed in relief when he heard his name. He had received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Collin glanced at Vanessa and found that she had a bitter smile. Her actor had not received a nomination. The woman left early.

Now that Axel had a nomination, it seemed he would have to spend even more... Since he had made the cut, he might as well do his best to win the award. The PR team was also more than happy to keep working for him.

.........

......

...

By February, a certain guest was set to show up on Morning with Jennifer.

Shawn Jacob had been the topic of many conversations. What happened last month was devastating for Shawn, as he had devastated a family of four...




[Author's Note:]

You can read more on my Patreon with:

97 advance chapters of Behind The Spotlight

81 advance chapters of Reincarnated as a Fisherman and Dad

Patreon link: https://www.patreon.com/Puji_makii