Isabel left the building, letting out a shaky breath as she turned to Carole. "Well, at least this time, nothing happened."


    Carole hesitated, clearly wanting to say something but holding back.


    Isabel caught the look, her brows knitting together. "Carole, what''s that supposed to mean?"


    Carole exhaled, frustration slipping into her voice. "Do you really think nothing happened?"


    "What do you mean?"


    "They didn''t find any proof, sure, but that''s only because I found an excuse to get the diamond out of there. Still, the suspicion is there now, in their minds. Next time, you need to think before you act, or you''ll have even bigger problems."


    Isabel''s mood soured. Problems? Wasn''t that exactly what a manager was supposed to handle for her? Was Carole reallyining now?


    Just then, Carole''s phone started ringing. She nced at the screen-Annabel.


    Carole''s gut twisted with dread as she answered. Her face grew more and more serious as she listened. "Okay. I understand."


    Once she hung up, Carole turned to Isabel. "I''m taking you back to your apartment. All your scheduled appearances are on hold for now. Take some time off andy low."


    The smile drained from Isabel''s face, her frown deepening. "Did Annabel tell you to do this? Is she putting me on ice?"


    Carole sighed, weary and resigned. "That''s exactly it."


    Rage red in Isabel''s eyes. "Annabel begged me to sign with her when herpany was brand new and couldn''tnd any decent talent! If it weren''t for me, she''d never have been able to sign those other top prospects, and now herpany''s doing even better than I am! How can she be so ungrateful?"


    She spun around, ready to march off. "No way. I''m going to talk to Annabel right now and find out what the hell she''s thinking!"


    Carole quickly caught her arm, letting out another sigh. "Listen, the boss would''ve covered for you if he could, but... you crossed Mr. Etheridge."


    That was all Isabel needed to hear. The realization hit her, sharp and cold.


    Her nose stung with the threat of tears, her eyes hot and swollen. In the next second, tears spilled over and she choked out, "All this...just for that bitch Effie? Lyman would really go this far?"


    Carole shook her head and patted Isabel''s shoulder. "It''s not worth it. Just stay away from Effie for now Keep a low profile and get some rest. The boss isn''t dropping you, and Mr. Etheridge hasn''t made anything official. This is just a soft cklist. Once he cools off, you''ll be fine."


    "A soft cklist? How long am I supposed to wait?" Isabel snapped.


    “Unless you have another n?" Carole raised an eyebrow.


    Isabel fell silent. If she had another option, she wouldn''t be trapped like this, dancing to Annabel''s tune.


    This business was half luck, half


    mystery. Good looks and talent didn''t always mean sess. Some average faces shot to stardom.


    overnight, while others


    r caught


    a break, no matter how hard they tried.


    Carole knew Isabel had been handed every opportunity, but if she couldn''t make herself a star, there was nothing anyone could do.


    "Hungry? Let''s grab something to eat," Annabel suggested.


    Effie nced at her. "Where do you want to go?"


    Annabel thought for a moment. "There''s a new ce that just opened, everyone''s raving about their spicy rabbit. I hear it''s amazing-want to check it out?"


    Effie hesitated, then relented. "Sure, why not."