Unexpectedly, Shawn did not answer his call."Darn, do I have to spend my first night back in the country all alone?" Joe muttered.The car sped along the airport expressway. Summer kept looking back."What are you doing? Can't bear to part with Joe?" Gale asked."Definitely not!""Then why do you keep looking back?"Summer replied, "I'm afraid Joe will take a taxi, follow us, tail us all the way to the steak restaurant, then sit down and start eating like nothing happened!""Isn't that a bit much?"Gale thought Joe would not do something like that, right?"He's capable of anything. Gale, you still don't know him well enough. He's quite audacious, capable of anything!" Summer said.She needed to be cautious because Joe might actually do this.Unable to resist, Gale looked back. "So, did he take a taxi?""No, he's still standing in the same place." Summer sighed in relief. "After spending everyday together, seeing each other all the time, I need to be apart from him for a wh
Summer felt like she was in prison, spending every night alone with Joe. She was in agony, like constantly being on pins and needles.Although Joe did not make any physical advances, he behaved too casually around her. She would be in the room, and he would just go take a shower, wrap a towel around himself, and stroll around, not bothering to wear pajamas.Thinking back now, Summer felt her scalp tingling.Those days are finally over. She was now liberated.Just as she was thinking this, Gale suddenly asked, "So, you two spent so many nights together, and nothing happened?""What?""It's normal to have a little fling.""Gale!" Summer reached out to hit her. "Whose side are you on anyway?"Gale laughed and dodged. "I'm just using common logic to make speculations."It was quite obvious that Joe liked Summer.It was man's nature to be addicted to the chase.Gale had been through it, so she knew what could happen when a man and a woman were alone in a hotel room.She has had
All these changes were because of Shawn.One person could have such a significant influence—every gesture and every move exuded charisma and authority. Everyone sitting there looked serious. They saw Shawn and Ivy whispering to each other, exchanging a knowing look. They seemed to look at each other in mutual understanding.Having a roving eye was quite normal for men, especially one as powerful and handsome as Shawn. How could someone like him possibly be exclusively devoted to Mrs. Wood? Previously, everyone speculated about the type of woman Mr. Wood liked, who could capture his attention. Now, the answer was clear. It was Ivy!Upon closer examination, Ivy and Mrs. Wood had quite a few similarities, whether in temperament or appearance. They were not helpless and delicate but opinionated and strong. It seemed Mr. Wood had a preference.In the future, anyone wanting to please or win over Mr. Wood should seek out elegant and charismatic beauties and send them his way. Catering to
With so many people watching, Mr. Wood would surely drink if she toasts.However, Mr. Wood was here to help her; he would not refuse.Ivy knew what was on everyone's minds. They were offering her up to Mr. Wood tonight.There were some unspoken rules in the entertainment industry. Although she had not personally experienced them, Ivy had heard about them to some extent. Rich and powerful individuals may fancy a female celebrity. If they want her company, the agency would arrange a dinner. After eating and drinking, when it was time to leave, they took the female celebrity with them.It was consensual, they say.Men indulge in beauty, and female celebrities seek power.Each gets what they need.However, she was not that kind of person, and Mr. Wood certainly was not.Cough, cough, cough! Ivy felt extremely uncomfortable in her throat and started coughing forcefully. "Sorry."She could drink at most two bottles of beer and a glass of red wine. This was her first taste of white w
Shawn raised an eyebrow. "Ivy is an artist under your company, right? How long is her contract period?"An agent replied, "Twenty years."Simon nodded repeatedly, boasting, "Yes. Mr. Wood, you can rest assured. Ivy has always followed the company's rules and regulations, and her contract period is long enough. We will keep a close eye on her, ensuring no negative news comes out!"Essentially, an actor's prime years were spent with a talent agency. With a contract in place, many things were not within Ivy's control.Shawn said nonchalantly, "Your company is the largest talent agency in the entertainment industry. You boast numerous A-list artists.""Yeah we're doing fine, but it's not worth comparing to your company," replied Simon."In your company, what tier of an actress is Ivy?" The entire private room fell silent. The entertainment industry was particular about rankings. The order of names in a TV series or the prominence of names on a poster were important details.Stars we
Other female celebrities would go to great lengths to get the backing they had just effortlessly obtained.Shawn casually tugged at his tie. "For the sake of Lovito, I think we can transfer the contract between the agency and Ivy to Wood Group."As soon as it was said, the room became even quieter. Transfer the agency contract?That would mean the agency would be handing over both Ivy and the contract to Mr. Wood on a silver platter.After all, the relationship between a celebrity and an agency all came down to the contract. If violated before its expiration, the company could take legal action and impose hefty penalties for breach of contract on the celebrity.Was Mr. Wood wanting to take over Ivy's brokerage contract meant he was trying to buy her out?Ivy seemed to be having an incredible stroke of luck. Not only did she get the endorsement opportunity, but now Mr. Wood was helping her redeem herself!People in the agency were accustomed to dealing with various benefactors. R
It sounded like a threat and then promised a reward. Shawn used the stick and the carrot. It all depended on how Simon would react. Beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.He had two choices. He could transfer Ivy's management contract to the Wood Group as a favor to Shawn. In the future, Mr. Wood might remember this favor and grant them business.However, this would mean the agency would lose an artist. The industry was highly competitive, and it was challenging for newcomers to make a breakthrough. Growing a celebrity requires the right time, place, people, and a lot of luck. Some management companies struggled for years without producing a single celebrity, while others relied entirely on the profits brought by a single well-known celebrity, enough to sustain the entire company.Simon could also choose to reject Shawn's request, keeping Ivy's contract. The endorsement could be discussed later, and if Mr. Wood liked Ivy so much, he would still choose her. However, it would undo
Her life was entangled by that single contract. She did not like that atmosphere and wanted some quiet time alone."Do you still want to walk away? The women's restroom might not be convenient for me to enter," Shawn's voice echoed.Ivy paused, suddenly turning back. "Mr. Wood? Why are you here?"She was quite surprised. Did Shawn come personally to find her?"I don't like such occasions either." Shawn walked up to her, hands casually in his pocket. "But it's because Gale begged me for a long time. I decided to come."He rarely attended these dinners, usually delegating them to the vice president or department heads. Only if his presence was absolutely necessary would he show up."Sorry, Mr. Wood. It's my fault, causing trouble for you," Ivy said."No need to apologize. You did nothing wrong.""Mr. Wood, this favor is too much; I can't repay you."Shawn's expression remained indifferent. In front of other women, he always presented this cold and unapproachable demeanor."You