After hearing Nte''s exnation,


    Isadora finally realized there hadn''t been a single mention online aboutst night —it was as if someone had deliberately buried the news.


    Not that she was afraid of the world finding out about her and Victor. Given herplicated situation, though, she just didn''t want to stir up unnecessary trouble.


    Still, Isadora didn''t dwell on it for long.


    At that moment, Nte''s phone rang.


    "How much? Five hundred dors? Are you sure?"


    Nte actuallyughed, incredulous. "You do realize that just a couple years ago, I got fifty grand for half an hour at these ribbon-cutting gigs? Are you kidding me?"


    Who would have thought—a scandal!


    And not even a proven one. Just like that, years of grinding in the industry had gone to waste.


    Now she''d have to pay back all those endorsement deals, cover all sorts of penalties.


    Even the series she''d already filmed had been put on hold!


    Overnight, she''d plummeted from A-list celebrity to tabloid fodder.


    Even Faye, her agent of several years, had abandoned her at the worst possible moment.


    All that generosity-buying Faye a car, even a ce to live-she''d nearly found her a husband! And for what?


    It was only after falling from grace that Nte realized she''d been surrounded by snakes.


    The person on the other end of the line didn''t bother to sugarcoat things either.


    "Come on, princess. You really think you''re still the star you used to be? Right now, people just want you to show up so they can gawk. Give it some time, and you''ll be lucky if anyone offers you even five hundred."


    "So, yes or no? If you won''t do it, I''ll call someone else."


    Nte thought of all thepensation payments stacking up. Swallowing her pride, she gritted her teeth. "Fine, fine, just tell me when and where."


    After hanging up, she grabbed her milk tea off the table and finished it in one long, frustrated gulp.


    But the sweet, smooth drink did nothing to ease the knot in her chest.


    Isadora watched from the side, concern etched on her face.


    "Nte, is there anything I can do to help?"


    Nte took a breath, forcing a smile. "Don''t worry about me. I''ve got a tough skin. When I first started, I had nothing. A little scandal won''t finish me off."


    But Isadora could see right through her bravado.


    "I just worry about you. Maybe I can ask around, see if anyone can help clear this


    up."


    Even as an outsider to the entertainment industry, Isadora knew that,tely, every gossip headline had Nte''s name in it.


    Every click led to the same thing: "Nte, Get Out of Showbiz!"


    "Don''t bother," Nte said with a wave. "I can handle this myself. You''re not even in the industry-what could you do, call in your prince charming?"


    She wasn''t wrong. If Isadora could have helped, she wouldn''t be standing by, watching Nte get dragged through the mud.


    Victor... he''d probably help if she asked.


    Nte caught her lost in thought, pretty brows furrowing. "Isadora, I know you mean well. I used to think you and Faye were the best people I had. Who knew Faye would run straight to my old rival the first chance she got?"


    She paused, bitterness shing in her eyes.


    "I really do value our friendship. And I know you don''t like mixing personal feelings with business. You and your prince are just getting started-don''t let my messplicate things."


    Isadora respected Nte''s pride.


    "If you ever really can''t keep going, I''ve got some savings. Worstes to worst,


    I''ll fund a show for you to star in," she said lightly.


    Nte managed a smile. "Darling, you know what that''s called in showbiz?"


    Isadora reached out, lifting Nte''s chin with a yful grin.


    "While I''ve still got some cash, let me be your sugar momma for once."


    *


    The Fitzgerald family estate.


    Penelope Dawson sat primly on a pinewood sofa, dressed in a dark Chanel suit, her makeup understated-gone was her usual sharp,manding presence.


    The Fitzgerald estate was enormous, designed in a modern-ssic style.


    The grand hall alone had nearly a dozen crimson double doors, each one guarded by uniformed staff.


    Penelope had been sitting, stiff and upright, for almost two hours now.


    She was growing impatient, but didn''t dare show it.


    After all, getting an audience with Deanna was a rare opportunity she''d fought hard for.