Chapter 82

At that moment, Phoebe and Brenda were cooking seafood in their apartment. When she saw a call from an unfamiliar number, she knew it was Brian. She answered, “Hello.”

Brian began. “Ms. Jenkins, it’s me.”

Phoebe asked, “Brian, have you gotten your answer?”

Hearing Phoebe’s unperturbed tone, Brian felt even more certain of her insight. “Ms. Phoebe, did you predict everything that happened tonight?” he asked.

Phoebe replied truthfully, “Not quite. I simply observed that you’d attracted trouble in love. And you’ve also been surrounded by backstabbers. Those backstabbers have even teamed up with your troublesome love interests to harm you.”

“Then I calculated that tonight would be your best chance to uncover the truth and get your answers. That’s why I suggested it,” she added. She didn’t possess any clairvoyant abilities. It was impossible for her to know every detail of what happened to Brian tonight. But she could predict certain things, like Brian’s wife’s infidelity, her betrayal with others, and those people’s continued schemes against him. Since men valued their pride and Brian would become a future colleague, she saw no need to specify the details.

Brian sighed in relief. Being played so easily, even having his own wife sent to him by his enemies, made him feel humiliated. He wasn’t eager for his future boss to know. He wanted to confirm one last time to cement his own resolve.

Brian asked, “Ms. Jenkins, are you really planning to retaliate against the Jenkins brothers, undermining the Jenkins Group’s resources?”

Phoebe replied, “Of course. Otherwise, why would I be poaching your team? The Jenkins brothers are arrogant and intolerant. Your team is far more capable than the new operations team, yet they sidelined you.”

“By bringing you all on board, we can grow and strengthen my studio. People will say those two brothers are blind, mistaking glass for diamonds, while I recognize true gems.”

“Not only will this make my studio stronger, but it also embarrasses the Jenkins brothers, doesn’t it? When competing for resources, the Jenkins Group will frequently fall behind us. Wouldn’t it feel good to watch them fail repeatedly!” she added.

She continued, “Moreover, this will sow dissatisfaction among Jenkins Group shareholders toward Ollie, making them doubt his capabilities. If he can’t even manage an entertainment company, how will he handle the massive Jenkins Group in the future? So, Brian, do you want to join my studio and help bring down the Jenkins brothers?”

After hearing Phoebe’s words, Brian understood she was serious. She had thought far ahead. This wasn’t only about shaming the Jenkins brothers but also building a narrative to knock Ollie out of his position as Jenkins Group heir.

Brian had to admit that her words resonated deeply. That was exactly what he wanted—to put the Jenkins brothers and their new director in their place, to make them realize the trash they clung to while losing a true asset.

At that moment, Brian felt a surge of shared determination with Phoebe. “Alright, as long as you’re committed to carrying out what you just said, I’ll bring my team on board, Ms. Jenkins.”

Phoebe smiled. “Welcome, Brian, and your team.”

Brian replied, “Thanks, Ms. Jenkins.”

The two of them exchanged some pleasantries, and Brian continued, “But there’s a problem. They’ve always wanted the information and resources I have. If I leave with my team without handing these over, the company likely won’t let us go.” Otherwise, they wouldn’t have used such underhanded tactics against Brian.

“If we quit outright, the Jenkins Entertainment higher-ups will almost certainly spread rumors, smearing us as incompetent or worse,” he added. “They’ll try to blacklist us, making it impossible for us to survive in the industry.”

“And if they find out we’re joining your studio, they might even come after you.”

Phoebe responded boldly, “Do you think I’d be scared? They’ve tried to blacklist me before, and I only got more popular. So, as long as you’ve got the skill, just ignore their nonsense; it’s nothing worth worrying about.”

Brian paused, then felt some of the resentment in his chest lighten. “You’re right. So we should just go with a straightforward resignation.”

Phoebe countered, “Since you got your answer tonight, you must have leverage now, right?” Brian wasn’t the impulsive type, so he almost certainly had something to hold over them. Her words made Brian regard her even more highly. She had foreseen everything. Impressive. “Yes, I do have leverage.”

Phoebe suggested, “Then go straight to Ollie tomorrow and throw that leverage in his face. Threaten that if they don’t let you leave on good terms, you’ll make it public. You’re experienced in operations and PR, so they wouldn’t dare let you follow through on that threat. Ollie’s obsessed with saving reputation, and that’s the only way you’ll be able to walk out with dignity, taking your resources and intel with you.”

“Once you’re out and they try to blacklist you, they’ll find you’ve joined my studio. They’ll be powerless against you then because I’ll ignore whatever they throw at us. And we’ll even get to rub it in a bit,” she added.

Brian thought it over and agreed. He’d been considering releasing the recording but had hesitated, fearing the Jenkins brothers would block every path for him and his team. Now that Phoebe wasn’t afraid, he figured he had nothing to fear either. “Alright, tomorrow I’ll go see Ollie.” Worst case, he’d fail and start fresh in another field. To finally get his revenge, he was all in.

They discussed a few more details about their departure plans. Phoebe said, “You’re familiar with the Jenkins Group’s star roster, and you’ve got files on them, right?”

Brian replied, “I know them fairly well. Why?? Are we planning to poach?” He was already thinking entirely from the studio’s perspective.

Phoebe answered, “Yes, but we don’t need to go after their high-profile talent. Those types wouldn’t want to jump ship. Our studio should develop quietly at first. Let’s target those who’ve been overlooked, shelved, or suppressed but show real potential.”

She added, “Just like your team, talented but sidelined. Given a new chance, I’m sure you’ll all rise to the top.”

Brian liked the sound of that. “Perfect, poaching that type won’t set off alarms for the Jenkins brothers. I’ve already backed up the resources from my laptop. I’ll sort out a list tonight and send it over. You can pick a few suitable ones, and I’ll reach out to bring them over before I leave.”

This marked Brian’s full commitment to the studio. As long as Phoebe could protect them, he was ready to go all out against the Jenkins brothers.

Phoebe smiled. “Alright, thanks, Brian.”

After they hung up, they added each other as contacts. Brian then smoked a few more cigarettes in his car before heading home.

When he got home, his mother, Abigail, brought up his wife, worried about her safety coming home so late and suggesting he go pick her up. Seeing that his son was already asleep, Brian steeled himself and played the recording for his mother. He couldn’t let her be deceived by that woman’s lies any longer. Better to rip off the bandage now than let the pain drag on.

Abigail’s face turned gloomy with anger as she listened, practically ready to explode. “Divorce her. You need to divorce her immediately.”

Brian’s eyes narrowed. “Not only will I divorce her, but I’ll make sure she pays for it.”