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The Fame Paradox
The Fame Paradox
Penulis: Anneth Annie

Fallen Star

Penulis: Anneth Annie
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-01-15 20:14:30

Scarlet Elle Sinclair did not move from the plush, white sofa in her penthouse, the glow of the television illuminating a sickly sheen across her features. The room had an eerie stillness, broken only by the constant humming of the screen. She looked like a ghost of herself — pale, thinner than her normal weight, her once luminous skin looking faded and dead.

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 she was merely a cautionary tale.

"Scarlet Sinclair: Fallen Star or Fraud?"

That headline drummed in her mind like some unrelenting drumbeat. She shut her eyes as if willing it away, but the damage was already done. 

Everyone believed the lies. 

Everyone had turned their backs on her.

How could this happen so quickly? 

She had been the face of the industry—youth, beauty, and an undeniable talent. Yet now, the world saw only a tarnished reputation, a career destroyed by false accusations and betrayal. 

The betrayal stung the most. 

Sydney, her so-called best friend, had been the first to throw her under the bus. 

Max, her boyfriend, now ex-boyfriend, had turned on her for a taste of his own fame. 

Even Matthew, her manager, had framed her—betrayed her—leaving her to fend for herself in a world that only cared about success and image. 

The world didn’t care about the truth, not when the lies were more scandalous.

Her fingers trembled as she picked up her phone. 

She couldn’t help it. 

Every message felt like a slap in the face. Comments, accusations, and hate, flooding in faster than she could process. 

It was as though the whole world had turned against her. 

She couldn’t escape it. 

The notifications were relentless. 

The comments, cruel.

She stared at the screen, reading the latest post. 

A dark pit formed in her stomach.

  

"She always played the 'sweet girl' card so well. Who knew she was such a fraudster behind the scenes?"

"Sleeping with directors for roles? That’s beyond disgusting. I can’t believe I ever supported her."

"Honestly, I’m not surprised. Never liked her."

"Even her own parents are calling her out. That’s when you know it's not just rumors. Too many people have been affected by her lies."

"Scarlet needs to disappear from the spotlight. The world would be a better place without her toxic energy."

"I feel so betrayed. I used to love her. Guess it was all just a show."

"She’s ruined so many lives with her manipulation. How did we not see this coming?"

"Her image was all an act. I'm honestly disgusted that I ever looked up to her."

"To think I defended her for so long... I feel like such a fool now."

Each comment was like a dagger, twisting in her chest. She could almost hear the voices behind the words, mocking her. 

It felt suffocating—like the air around her had become thick, and every breath was a struggle. 

The tears came again, more freely now, hot and bitter. 

She wiped them away, but they were quickly replaced by new ones.

She couldn’t keep up anymore. 

There was no one to turn to for help now. The burden of the public degradation, the loneliness, the deep hurt of being betrayed—it was all too much. 

No one believed her. 

She had tried—God, she had tried. 

Lawyers, advisors, anyone who might listen. 

But the world had already made up its mind.

She had reached out for help, only to be met with silence. 

No one came. 

No one stood by her side. 

Everyone she had trusted had turned away, abandoning her when she needed them most.

Sydney and Max were the two people she had considered her closest friends, yet they were the ones who had sold her out to advance their own interests.

They stood in front of the cameras, painting themselves as the victims, while Scarlet was left to drown in a sea of lies.

Her parents, too, had cast her aside, choosing to side with her enemies. 

They had never truly cared about her, not like they claimed. 

They had always used her, and now they were using her downfall to further their own interests. They had abandoned her. 

Left her to rot.

A heaviness pressed upon her chest, as if the weight would crush her.

Was it her fault? 

Had she really done something so terrible? Maybe they were right. 

Maybe she was a fraud. 

Maybe she had been the manipulative one all along. 

Maybe this was her punishment, the price of her ambition. 

Maybe the world was better off without her.

No.

Her heart didn’t answer; her mind shouted loud and clear and full of defiance, but her heart couldn’t shake the words like it was a dance, hands in the air, close to someone, and just let them fade.

It didn’t matter.

Nothing mattered anymore.

She still heard the laughter — the mocking, cruel laughter — ringing in her head. It was louder than the TV sound, louder than the whispers in the streets.

It haunted her, too, in the silence of her own penthouse.

It played on a loop every day, a reminder of the fall from grace that she could never get away from.

As tears broke free once more, her vision blurred, her body shaking with emotions she could no longer contain.

Everything she’d worked for, everything she’d built, had disappeared.

Then she would lose the penthouse — her final refuge.

There was nothing left.

She had nothing left.

Ready to break, she placed her phone on silence, she couldn't put up with the racket anymore.

She couldn’t stand to look at it anymore.

She couldn’t deal with the constant reminders of her failure.

She got up, her legs wobbling, like she had forgotten how to walk.

She walked with an agitated mind swirling with dark thoughts. 

The walls of the penthouse were closing in on her.

There was no escape. 

No one left to turn to. 

Not even herself.

What was left were the words that had found their way to her mind the last few days, more than usual.

Perhaps it would be best if she simply disappeared.

She had no sense of how long she had been walking, only that her bare feet connected to the cold pavement beneath, each step of the way a numb blur of despair.

The city was silent, deserted and dark.

Nobody would recognize the person she had become now.

She wasn’t the Scarlet Elle Sinclair they knew and loved.

Just another broken soul roaming the streets, unseen by the world.

She kept walking.

Her mind was fog, her heart a stone.

She wasn’t able to stop herself, wasn’t able to summon the will to turn around.

She was feeling the same thing that was on her mind all day.

‘End it all.’

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Bab terkait

  • The Fame Paradox   Fractured Soul

    The city lights stretched out before Scarlet, a sparkling sea of gold and white, endless and indifferent. The wind whipped through her hair, tugging at the edges of her dark thoughts. It was late—hours past midnight—but the glow of Bayhaven Heights never dimmed, always alive, a city that never slept. But tonight, as Scarlet stood at the edge of the cliff, looking down at the chasm below, she felt more isolated than ever.Her feet were barely a footstep away from the edge, where the earth 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.

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-15
  • The Fame Paradox   The Offer

    The icy breeze from the height whipped against Scarlet's face, carrying with it the faint, hollow hum of the city below. Her breath itched, and she squinted against the sudden intrusion of the low, gravely voice that pierced the solitude.“Is this your final decision? Your last option?”Scarlet jerked, her heart racing, her head snapping toward the sound.A dark figure stood just beyond the faint light of a streetlamp nearby, shrouded in shadows. Her pulse quickened as she stammered.“W-what?”The figure titled his head slightly, stepping closer, though the shadows still clung to him like a second skin.“I asked, is this it for you? What's taking you so long to jump? You've been standing there for a while now. Cowardice, perhaps?”Scarlet stiffened, his words cutting like glass. “Who are you?” She demanded, her voice trembling but firm. The man ignored her question, his movement deliberate as he stepped forward with an unnerving calm. The light caught his features, revealing a ta

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-15
  • The Fame Paradox   A Partnership of Revenge

    Scarlet stood in front of the immense glass building of Titan Holdings, its modern façade sparkling in the midday sun. The name alone held significance: a representation of force and influence, an empire constructed of steel and ambition.Titan Holdings was known for reshaping cities, and its enigmatic owner, Grayson, was rumored to wield the kind of power that could topple or resurrect nations. Scarlet's fingers tightened around the black card Grayson gave her as she looked up at the massive skyscraper.She had done her research. Grayson of Titan Holdings. That’s what he was known as. No last name, no personal details. Just Grayson. A billionaire so private and elusive that even the most prying tabloids could only speculate about his life. Yet, last night, that same man had found her, offered her a lifeline cloaked in mystery. Now, standing at the edge of this monumental decision, Scarlet wondered if she had lost her mind.But she couldn’t walk away. Not after what they did t

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-15
  • The Fame Paradox   The Return

    Two years.That’s how long Scarlet had been gone, vanishing from the world as though she had never existed. The public's curiosity had waned, replaced by cruel mockery, their interest flickering to newer scandals and fresher faces.The time had been a crucible, burning away her old self and forging someone entirely new.Sitting cross-legged in the plush leather seat of a private jet, she rested a manicured hand against her chin, gazing out at the vast stretch of clouds. Though the jet technically belonged to her fake husband, it was hers now, part of the life she had been building since disappearing from the public eye.The marriage had been finalized three months ago, but the foundation of their arrangement had been laid two years earlier, when Grayson pulled her back from the brink of ruin.The time away had not been idle. Grayson had ensured that.She closed the tabloid on her lap, her jaw tightening as her hair glinted under the soft overhead light. The headline mocked her:"Sy

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-10
  • The Fame Paradox   Crown Jewels

    The boardroom at Crown Entertainment was a temple of power and ambition. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered an uninterrupted view of the glittering Bayhaven Heights skyline, a reminder of the industry’s reach and influence. The massive glass table, surrounded by sleek leather chairs, was where decisions were made that shaped global entertainment.At the head of the table sat a man, Beckett Flynn, the CEO. His sandy blond hair was neatly combed, and his sharp onyx eyes revealed a man who saw everything but revealed nothing. Dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, his commanding presence radiated authority. Every word he spoke carried weight, and every gesture was measured, lending him an air that made it easy to believe he ran the entertainment empire.Yet, beneath the surface of Flynn’s power lay a mystery. No one truly knew who ran Crown Entertainment Group. The head of the empire itself, the true owner, remained hidden. After the previous owner had passed away, rumors had circula

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-11
  • The Fame Paradox   A New Chapter

    The Crown Entertainment Group press conference was all anyone in the industry could talk about. News outlets buzzed with speculative headlines:“Scarlet Sinclair Makes a Comeback After Two-Year Disappearance Due to Scandal”“Scarlet Elle Sinclair Signs with Crown Entertainment Group: Is This Her Redemption Arc?”For two long years, Scarlet Sinclair had existed as a specter—her name only surfaced in passing speculation and whispered rumors. Today, for the first time in forever, she was reclaiming the light.The room was abuzz with the excitement of a melting pot of journalists, reporters, photographers, and insiders. Flash of cameras erupted like fireworks, momentarily lighting up the room, and the low hum created by voices ranging from whispers to cheers filled the atmosphere.Crown Entertainment's sleek, contemporary design—a marriage of glass walls and polished chrome, insured by the iconic Crown insignia—formed the elegant backdrop of an event deeply anticipated.Scarlet perched n

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-11
  • The Fame Paradox   Battle Lines

    Scarlet Sinclair's press conference sent shockwaves through the industry, impacting boardrooms, social media, and gossip columns across Stardom Heights. Her name, once just a whisper linked to scandal for the past two years, is now front and center. It's the main topic of conversation, grabbing attention and stirring up controversy everywhere.Within hours, the entertainment world’s biggest players dissected every word and gesture from her return. In high-rise offices and dimly lit backrooms, producers, agents, and executives weighed her potential against the risk.“She’s bold, I’ll give her that,” said an agent at a rival agency, his voice dripping with skepticism. “But can she still deliver? That’s the real question.”“Crown Entertainment is playing a dangerous game,” another executive muttered during a private meeting. “If she fails, they’ll lose credibility. But if she succeeds? She could redefine what it means to make a comeback in this industry.”Scarlet’s return sparked he

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-11
  • The Fame Paradox   Burning Bridges

    At the sleek, glass-fronted headquarters of Skye Management, chaos reigned. The morning buzz of phones and hurried conversations had been replaced with the sharp edge of unease that followed any seismic shift in the industry. Scarlet Sinclair’s return was more than a ripple; it was a tidal wave. And Sydney Harper, the agency’s brightest star, was not handling it well.Sydney stormed through the executive offices, her stilettos clicking like gunfire against the polished marble floor. Her perfectly styled blonde hair bounced with each determined step, though her features betrayed nothing of her usual composure. Her blue eyes, narrowed with a venomous rage, cut through anyone who dared cross her path. Junior agents and assistants pressed themselves against walls or found sudden excuses to disappear, unwilling to become collateral damage.Skye Management wasn't just any agency; it was where Scarlet Sinclair's career took off before they abandoned her during her scandal. They had sho

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-11

Bab terbaru

  • 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

  • The Fame Paradox   Chapter 25: Rumors and Reputations

    Scarlet awakened to the low droning of the television and the soft, muted light of morning flooding her curtained room. Stretching, she cleared the sleep from her eyes, and picked up the remote. One click raised the volume, and the soft room was flooded by the familiar sounds coming from a music channel.She listened to it in the background while she entered the bathroom, her body ached somewhat from the exhaustion of running all these weeks.Warm water rushed over her body and she sighed, aware of the text messages she hadn’t been answering. Her mother. Again.‘Should I meet them?’Scarlet had spent the last two years pretending her family didn’t exist, convincing herself she had no reason to look back. But the weight of those unread messages lingered like an invisible chain around her neck.Life was exhausting enough without adding family drama into the mix.Shaking the thought away, she finished up and stepped out, wrapping a towel around her damp body. She picked up another to

  • The Fame Paradox   Chapter 24: A Life Unraveled

    The penthouse was poorly lit, no surprise considering the bright, chaotic day Scarlet had just had. The distant roar of the bustling city outside felt muted, leaving behind only the soft creaking of the penthouse settling in the night.With a sigh of relief, she kicked off her heels and exhaustion took over her like a heavy blanket.She tossed her bag onto the nearest chair, then ran a hand through her hair and rolled the stiffness out of her shoulders.The campaign shoot was hard—it ran on for hours under bright lights, and there was a lot of stress on her. Now, she just wished for some time alone to relax.She thought she'd be on her own.But as she looked over at Grayson's office, she saw a soft light coming out into the hall.That was unusual.Intrigued, she stepped closer, and looked through the open door.Grayson was surrounded by papers on his desk while his laptop screen showed through his glasses.Grayson wore a black T-shirt tapered around his defined muscles which combined

  • The Fame Paradox   Chapter 23: The Face of Ambition

    The announcement took the world by storm. Scarlet Sinclair, the new face of Améline Couture. Even Scarlet was shocked when she first heard it. She had known about the discussions, the initial talks of a possible partnership, but she hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly—or so publicly.Améline Couture, the epitome of high-end fashion, blending vintage sophistication with modern glamour, had officially chosen her to be the face of their newest campaign.Their press release swept across the industry within minutes:“Over the years Améline Couture has maintained its ongoing legacy of delivering elegance through powerful transformation. Scarlet Sinclair perfectly represents all the qualities which Améline Couture stands for. She represents power through acting skills while embodying strength and elegance and transforming self. We are honored to welcome her as the newest face of Améline Couture, alongside Darren Flores, as we redefine fashion for the modern generation."Social media expl

  • The Fame Paradox   Chapter 22: A New Connection

    The party had already begun. A triumphant buzz permeated the private lounge of a city's most exclusive venue, accompanied by music and laughter. As her crew, co-stars, and Crown Entertainment executives gathered around her, Scarlet found herself in the middle of it all. After Glass Roses shattered expectations, they deserved to treat themselves tonight. Once again, she raised her glass to celebrate their triumph. Glancing around, she could feel the crisp champagne on her lips as she thanked the people who had labored so hard with her. There was nothing but pure delight—no invasive photographers, no annoying questions—for a change. Next to her, on the table, her phone shook. Scarlet stole a quick look at the screen.A message from Grayson."Remember, you earned this.”Scarlet let out a sigh, tilting her head slightly with a faint grin. His absence wasn't surprising to her, but his recognition was. Grayson wasn't one to send lengthy, emotional texts, yet he consistently ensure

  • The Fame Paradox   Bitter Rivals

    The air conditioning hummed softly in the dim light of the room. Papers, magazines and photographs from Scarlet’s triumphant premiere were spread on the long mahogany table.Headlines declaring Glass Roses a resounding success stared back at them, the bold print practically taunting their failure to bury her. The TV in the small room showed Scarlet on the red carpet, glowing as lots of cameras flashed.While looking at Sydney Harper, Matthew Fletcher was at the end of the table with his hands clasped together, and his blue eyes were dark and difficult to read. A clock-like sound echoed as her heels hit the ground."We thought we had stopped her," Sydney said, her tone full of hate."We thought we had ended her career, her good name—all of it! But look at her now! She's coming back, and it's bigger than any time before!"Matthew looked still, but his voice was sharp with a hint of threat.“Sydney, be patient. We’ll get our chance to strike back.”Sydney whirled to face him, her eyes

  • The Fame Paradox   Beyond The Headlines

    Glass Roses had finally hit theaters worldwide, and the response was nothing short of electric. Scarlet Sinclair was in her living room, her phone kept buzzing with loads of alerts. Her team sent her 'well done' texts, her colleagues sent kind words, and her fans kept sending lots of love to her screen. She scrolled through social media, watching as #GlassRoses and #ScarletSinclair dominated the trending charts globally.Her heart raced as she scanned the reviews. The box office numbers had been released earlier that day, and the movie was already shattering records, surpassing all expectations. Glass Roses had not only cemented her comeback but had also placed her squarely at the forefront of Stardom Heights' elite once more.Scarlet opened Twitter, her eyes widening as she read the glowing reactions from fans and critics alike:“Scarlet ate that role so well! A villain?! This is her stepping out of her comfort zone to slay something entirely different!”“Oh my god, screaming! Mel

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