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Chapter 28: Toxic Ties
Last Updated:
2025-03-19 03:13:55
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The Fame Paradox Chapter 29: The Invitation
A vibration of an email notification beeped on Scarlet’s phone. Stretched out on the couch, she was perched against a cozy warm blanket, viewing one of her old favorites on TV. It was one of the first films she had done, a memory of having a long way to come and all she had to undergo to be back in the industry. She absentmindedly picked up her phone, in the hope that it was a call from Grayson or something on social media.Her eyes skimmed over the sender: Maison Rouge Official.Maison Rouge?Her heart missed a beat. The brand ranked among the most prominent luxury fashion houses, known for its spectacular runway presentations and celebrity clientele. Scarlet's interest was aroused when she opened the mail. “Subject: Exclusive Invitation – Maison Rouge Fashion ShowDear Scarlet Sinclair,We are excited to announce an exclusive opportunity to walk in our featured Maison Rouge Fashion Show! Your elegant grace, stature and beauty match precisely what we are designing for this upcom
Last Updated : 2025-03-31The Fame Paradox Chapter 30: Runway Rivals
In the lead-up to the Maison Rouge fashion show, there were fittings and rehearsals and styling sessions. The atmosphere in the brand’s private studio was electric. Designers dashed between racks of couture, tailors deftly pinned and adjusted fabrics with geometric precision, and stylists huddled regarding the perfect accessories.The air reeked of luxury — fine silks, wistful perfumes, wrinkle-free clothes.Scarlet entered the changing-room, welcomed by the buzz of sewing machines and muted conversations.She was taken to a private chamber, full of breathtaking clothes — silk, sequins, stiff corsets, feathered flourishes.Each piece was designed to shock on the runway.As she stroked the fabric of an intricate beaded bodice, the energy in the room changed.A different presence occupied the space.Scarlet recognized the presence without needing to turn around.Sydney Harper.A hush swept through the stylists as Scarlet caught Sydney’s reflection in the mirror. The pair stared each ot
Last Updated : 2025-03-31The Fame Paradox Chapter 31: Shades of Jealousy
Sydney Harper sat in her apartment with a delicate champagne glass between her fingers while the city lights glimmered against the gold liquid. Her phone sent nonstop vibrations on the marble table but she knew every aspect of the ongoing discussions without checking her Twitter notifications or screen. Scarlet Sinclair.And worse? They weren’t just talking about Scarlet. They were talking about them. Together.Suffice to say, it was a shocker.When she initially got the invitation to walk for Maison Rouge, and saw Scarlet’s name there, too, she laughed aloud.It had been ages since she last saw Scarlet face to face. And yet, here they were, about to share a runway as if the past two years had never happened.Sydney had to act unbothered, had to hold her own when she finally saw Scarlet at the fitting. But inside? She had raged.Because Scarlet looked good. Too good.Jealousy. Rage. Envy.It was always about Scarlet. Scarlet. Scarlet.Sydney released a steady breath, her
Last Updated : 2025-04-01The Fame Paradox Chapter 32: Under Fire
A phone call woke Scarlet with a jarring noise early in the morning. Daylight creeping through the curtains made her moan while she extended her hands to find her phone.She stumbled over the sheets before finally catching hold of it.It was like a torrent had hit her screen, missed calls, messages, notifications— they swept over her page like an avalanche.She narrowed her eyes at the caller ID.Darren.“Hello?” Her voice was groggy, thick with sleep.“Scarlet, have you seen what’s going on?” His voice was tense.Scarlet sat up, rubbing her eyes. “No. What are you talking about?”Darren hesitated. “It’s bad. It’s best if you don’t look.”Her gut clenched. "Darren, what's wrong?”A long sigh. “Just…stay off your phone for now.”That only made her more curious. As soon as their call ended, another notification popped up—a text from Alina.Alina: Stay strong. No matter what. They can’t bring you down.Scarlet’s pulse quickened. She clicked on Twitter, her name sitting at the top of
Last Updated : 2025-04-01The Fame Paradox Chapter 33: Shaping The Narrative
The vibrant lights of Let's Talk With Laura Show illuminated the sleek, contemporary set while the crowd burst into applause. The camera moved over enthusiastic faces, capturing the thrill in the room as the show resumed after a commercial break. The excitement was palpable — everyone realized this was the interview they had long anticipated. The cherished hostess Laura Hollis rested in her signature velvet chair, her inviting yet keen expression just as it ought to be. She bent forward, smiling at the camera. "Welcome once again to the Let's Talk With Laura Show! Now, tonight’s guests need no introduction—fashion’s reigning queen and one of Stardom Heights' most sought-after actors. Please give a big welcome to Sydney Harper and Max Davis!”The crowd stood up and clapped when they saw Sydney and Max come on stage. Sydney was in a white silk dress that clung to her perfectly, her long blonde hair hung down her back.She greeted, very confident, in her signature smile and painted
Last Updated : 2025-04-03The Fame Paradox Chapter 34: The Backlash
The internet was a battlefield.Sydney Harper and Max Davis’s interview on Let’s Talk With Laura Show had done exactly what it was meant to—ignite a firestorm of controversy. Social media was ablaze, with people dissecting every single word they had said.Hashtags #TeamSydney and #TeamScarlet dominated Twitter trends, fueling endless debates. Every clip, every smirk, and every carefully rehearsed response was analyzed frame by frame.On one side, Sydney’s supporters praised her for her “grace” and “honesty.”“Sydney is so strong. You can tell she wanted to say more but held back. That’s real class.”“Sydney is so classy. You can tell she really cared about Scarlet once. She’s just worried about her.”“Scarlet has always been a mean girl. This just proves it.”“She didn’t drag Scarlet, but let’s be real—she COULD have. Sydney took the high road, and I respect her for that.”“Not Sydney being the bigger person while Scarlet hides? LMAO.”But Scarlet’s defenders weren’t backing down.“Y
Last Updated : 2025-04-04The Fame Paradox Chapter 1: Fallen Star
Scarlet Elle Sinclair sat still on the soft, white sofa in her Penthouse. The TV light gave her face a sick glow. The room was very still, only the TV's hum broke the silence. She looked like a ghost — pale, much thinner than usual, her bright skin now dull and lifeless.The bags under her eyes had deepened in the meantime, a physical representation of the emotional cost of what her world had gone through in the last three weeks of isolation.It was as if she had been here for an eternity — melting into the upholstery, numb, while the outside world hummed along without her. Three weeks. Three weeks since everything crumbled.How had it happened so fast? How could she have gone from being one of Stardom’s Heights’ brightest stars to its biggest scandal?Scarlet’s eyes stayed glued to the screen, but she barely saw it at all. The ever flashing headlines were a reminder of the life she lost.In just a matter of days, her name was dragged through the mud.Once beloved by millions, now s
Last Updated : 2025-01-15The Fame Paradox Chapter 2: Fractured Soul
The city lights lay before Scarlet, a bright sea of gold and white, wide and cold. The wind pulled at her hair, pulling at the sides of her dark thoughts. It was late—way past midnight—yet Bayhaven Heights still glowed, never dark, a city awake.But tonight, as Scarlet was on the cliff's edge, looking at the big space below, she felt more by herself than ever.Her feet were close to the edge, where the ground met the abyss.She could see it all—the jagged rocks below, the infinite drop that seemed to echo her very existence. She was a woman suspended between two worlds, neither of which wanted her.A past of flashing lights and adoration, it felt almost like another life.And the future?It had no room for someone like her; it had no room for a forsaken and betrayed soul.She breathed in deeply, the cold, crisp night air filled with saltwater from afar, the murmur of the city muted by so much open area.She could barely hear the hum of the highway below. Everything seemed so far away
Last Updated : 2025-01-15
Latest chapter
The Fame Paradox Chapter 34: The Backlash
The internet was a battlefield.Sydney Harper and Max Davis’s interview on Let’s Talk With Laura Show had done exactly what it was meant to—ignite a firestorm of controversy. Social media was ablaze, with people dissecting every single word they had said.Hashtags #TeamSydney and #TeamScarlet dominated Twitter trends, fueling endless debates. Every clip, every smirk, and every carefully rehearsed response was analyzed frame by frame.On one side, Sydney’s supporters praised her for her “grace” and “honesty.”“Sydney is so strong. You can tell she wanted to say more but held back. That’s real class.”“Sydney is so classy. You can tell she really cared about Scarlet once. She’s just worried about her.”“Scarlet has always been a mean girl. This just proves it.”“She didn’t drag Scarlet, but let’s be real—she COULD have. Sydney took the high road, and I respect her for that.”“Not Sydney being the bigger person while Scarlet hides? LMAO.”But Scarlet’s defenders weren’t backing down.“Y
The Fame Paradox Chapter 33: Shaping The Narrative
The vibrant lights of Let's Talk With Laura Show illuminated the sleek, contemporary set while the crowd burst into applause. The camera moved over enthusiastic faces, capturing the thrill in the room as the show resumed after a commercial break. The excitement was palpable — everyone realized this was the interview they had long anticipated. The cherished hostess Laura Hollis rested in her signature velvet chair, her inviting yet keen expression just as it ought to be. She bent forward, smiling at the camera. "Welcome once again to the Let's Talk With Laura Show! Now, tonight’s guests need no introduction—fashion’s reigning queen and one of Stardom Heights' most sought-after actors. Please give a big welcome to Sydney Harper and Max Davis!”The crowd stood up and clapped when they saw Sydney and Max come on stage. Sydney was in a white silk dress that clung to her perfectly, her long blonde hair hung down her back.She greeted, very confident, in her signature smile and painted
The Fame Paradox Chapter 32: Under Fire
A phone call woke Scarlet with a jarring noise early in the morning. Daylight creeping through the curtains made her moan while she extended her hands to find her phone.She stumbled over the sheets before finally catching hold of it.It was like a torrent had hit her screen, missed calls, messages, notifications— they swept over her page like an avalanche.She narrowed her eyes at the caller ID.Darren.“Hello?” Her voice was groggy, thick with sleep.“Scarlet, have you seen what’s going on?” His voice was tense.Scarlet sat up, rubbing her eyes. “No. What are you talking about?”Darren hesitated. “It’s bad. It’s best if you don’t look.”Her gut clenched. "Darren, what's wrong?”A long sigh. “Just…stay off your phone for now.”That only made her more curious. As soon as their call ended, another notification popped up—a text from Alina.Alina: Stay strong. No matter what. They can’t bring you down.Scarlet’s pulse quickened. She clicked on Twitter, her name sitting at the top of
The Fame Paradox Chapter 31: Shades of Jealousy
Sydney Harper sat in her apartment with a delicate champagne glass between her fingers while the city lights glimmered against the gold liquid. Her phone sent nonstop vibrations on the marble table but she knew every aspect of the ongoing discussions without checking her Twitter notifications or screen. Scarlet Sinclair.And worse? They weren’t just talking about Scarlet. They were talking about them. Together.Suffice to say, it was a shocker.When she initially got the invitation to walk for Maison Rouge, and saw Scarlet’s name there, too, she laughed aloud.It had been ages since she last saw Scarlet face to face. And yet, here they were, about to share a runway as if the past two years had never happened.Sydney had to act unbothered, had to hold her own when she finally saw Scarlet at the fitting. But inside? She had raged.Because Scarlet looked good. Too good.Jealousy. Rage. Envy.It was always about Scarlet. Scarlet. Scarlet.Sydney released a steady breath, her
The Fame Paradox Chapter 30: Runway Rivals
In the lead-up to the Maison Rouge fashion show, there were fittings and rehearsals and styling sessions. The atmosphere in the brand’s private studio was electric. Designers dashed between racks of couture, tailors deftly pinned and adjusted fabrics with geometric precision, and stylists huddled regarding the perfect accessories.The air reeked of luxury — fine silks, wistful perfumes, wrinkle-free clothes.Scarlet entered the changing-room, welcomed by the buzz of sewing machines and muted conversations.She was taken to a private chamber, full of breathtaking clothes — silk, sequins, stiff corsets, feathered flourishes.Each piece was designed to shock on the runway.As she stroked the fabric of an intricate beaded bodice, the energy in the room changed.A different presence occupied the space.Scarlet recognized the presence without needing to turn around.Sydney Harper.A hush swept through the stylists as Scarlet caught Sydney’s reflection in the mirror. The pair stared each ot
The Fame Paradox Chapter 29: The Invitation
A vibration of an email notification beeped on Scarlet’s phone. Stretched out on the couch, she was perched against a cozy warm blanket, viewing one of her old favorites on TV. It was one of the first films she had done, a memory of having a long way to come and all she had to undergo to be back in the industry. She absentmindedly picked up her phone, in the hope that it was a call from Grayson or something on social media.Her eyes skimmed over the sender: Maison Rouge Official.Maison Rouge?Her heart missed a beat. The brand ranked among the most prominent luxury fashion houses, known for its spectacular runway presentations and celebrity clientele. Scarlet's interest was aroused when she opened the mail. “Subject: Exclusive Invitation – Maison Rouge Fashion ShowDear Scarlet Sinclair,We are excited to announce an exclusive opportunity to walk in our featured Maison Rouge Fashion Show! Your elegant grace, stature and beauty match precisely what we are designing for this upcom
The Fame Paradox Chapter 28: Toxic Ties
Standing outside the expensive restaurant with her hands in her coat pockets, Scarlet stood. She focused solely on her racing heartbeat as the wind blew and cars made muffled sounds in the background.Two years.She hadn't seen her mother for two whole years. Two years had passed since she escaped from the restrictive life that had governed her existence through most of her years. Septic texts had been neglected for weeks until she eventually consented to meet. The large hat and big sun shades occupied her hands while she took deep breaths to steady herself. The stakes were too high to permit any mistakes from her side.She was already dealing with enough without the media adding another problem to the mix. Before Scarlet came to the restaurant she remembered what Grayson had said. ‘She didn’t owe them anything.’She kept repeating those words in her head as she stepped into the restaurant. The warm and tranquil parts of the building stood opposite its frosty exterior. F
The Fame Paradox Chapter 27: A World of Speculation
The internet was on fire. Scarlet’s appearance at Alina’s event had set off another round of speculation, and this time, it wasn’t just about her. Now, people were analyzing every detail—every glance, every interaction, every second she’d spent with Darren and his sister.‘Is she trying to get close to Darren’s family?’‘Is this her way of making their relationship public?’‘Scarlet Sinclair is playing the long game, and we’re here for it.’‘Why else would she attend such a personal event for Alina Flores?’Entertainment news sites dissected every detail, fueling speculation with side-by-side photos of Scarlet and Darren from the event."First, they star in Glass Roses together, then they land the Améline Couture campaign, and now she’s showing up for his sister’s big night? Connect the dots, people.""There’s no way Scarlet would have attended if she wasn’t close to Darren. She’s never been one to do things without a reason.""This is classic Stardom Heights. Keep it low-key, let the
The Fame Paradox Chapter 26: Facing The Music
The internet frenzy did not appear to be letting up. The Scarlet and Darren rumor had grown overnight, taking over all gossip sites, news outlets, and fan boards. Photos from their Améline Couture campaign shoot were analyzed like evidence in a courtroom. Clips from Glass Roses resurfaced, fans dissecting every glance, every touch, every unscripted moment between them.It was absurd. No matter how many times she had made it clear that her marriage was private, people refused to accept it. She could handle the rumors, but what about Darren? It wasn’t fair for his name to be dragged into this mess.Her phone buzzed. A message from Alina."Scarlet! I hope you can still make it tonight. I'm super happy! Don't mind the loud noise. Can't wait to see you there.❤️”Scarlet looked at the text for a bit, then put her phone aside.She was going. A rumor wasn’t about to dictate her choices.She found Grayson in his office, lost in work.He had on a close-fitting black dress shirt with rolle
