Chapter 40

Wilson finally looked at Daphne and asked, “So what if I did?”

Daphne pressed, “What’s your purpose?”

Wilson stopped fidgeting with his worry stones. “Isn’t it obvious?” he replied. “From now on, you can’t compete with Yvonne for any roles she wants.”

So, it was all for Yvonne. Daphne asked, “Do you love her that much?” She knew it was a pointless question, but she desperately wanted to hear his answer. “What is it about her that makes you willing to pressure me like this?”

“Some people are just right by simply existing,” Wilson replied. His deep voice resonated, hitting Daphne like a heavy blow.

If Yvonne was the one who was “right,” then did that make Daphne “wrong”?

Even Ava couldn’t contain her anger. She wasn’t brave enough to confront Wilson directly, so she turned her fury toward Hugo.

“Mr. Sanders,” she said, “Daphne has worked for Starstruck Entertainment for years and has done nothing to harm the company. Parting ways amicably would leave room for future cooperation, but if you keep pushing her like this… Don’t forget, even a rabbit will bite when it’s cornered.”

Emboldened by Wilson’s presence, Hugo dismissed Ava’s warning. “What are you going to do? You’re just a small-time manager.”

“She’s not the only one,” Daphne cut in, her earlier hesitation replaced by icy determination as she stepped forward. “Do you seriously think no one knows how many shady contracts you signed behind the scenes during the industry boom a few years ago? If I send one report to the tax authority, you’ll be crying and begging me for forgiveness by tomorrow.”

An established agency like Starstruck Entertainment couldn’t withstand that kind of scrutiny. Daphne had consulted her lawyers and understood the implications.

“Drop the lawsuit now, and I’ll pretend this never happened,” Daphne stated firmly. “As for the contract termination, we’ll handle that separately in court. Don’t mix the two issues.”

Hugo’s face turned pale at the mention of a tax investigation. He looked desperately at Wilson for guidance, but Wilson remained impassive, as if the matter didn’t concern him.

Cornered, Hugo forced himself to say, “I’ll drop the lawsuit, but only if you cancel your endorsement contract with Turner Group.”

“Are you kidding?” Ava protested. “Every actress in the industry would kill for that Turner Group deal, and you want us to give it up? Why don’t you just blacklist Daphne entirely?”

Daphne laughed bitterly. “Don’t you think he would if he could? He just can’t.”

If it had been a less famous artist, Hugo would have crushed them. However, Daphne was different—she was an A-lister with a massive fanbase that could bury Starstruck Entertainment in bad publicity.

Wilson crushed his worry stones with an audible crack. He finally said, “Daphne, Yvonne is different from you. You’re already established in the industry—she has to fight hard for what comes easily to you. If you stay out of her way, I won’t have to pressure you. Yesterday’s role… I want that to be the first and last time you compete with her.” He stood up and buttoned his suit jacket. “As long as I’m around, you can’t take down Hugo. Terminate your contract with Turner Group and consider it punishment for your behavior last night. And from now on, stay away from Yvonne.”