Chapter 81

Phoebe opened the message and checked it.

Maddox: [Phrebs, you got a minute? Wanted to chat for a bit.]

Phoebe: [I’m free.]

Maddox: I heard the Jenkins brothers are blacklisting you in the industry, trying to get other entertainment companies and agents to steer clear of signing you. But even they can’t control everything.

Maddox: [Today, I went to our company’s president, who’s my brother’s close friend. He thinks highly of you too and wants to sign you. The contract’s pretty good. I’m sending it over. See if you’re interested.]

Maddox sent her a file. Phoebe felt a warmth spreading inside her. She hadn’t expected Maddox would go to their company’s president about signing her.

Phoebe: [Thank you, but I’m not planning to sign with another entertainment company. I’ve actually started my own studio.]

Maddox: [Oh, I see. Starting your own studio is great too. With your skills, for sure you’ll make it big. How about I just quit and join your studio? I could work under you.]

At that moment, Maddox was sitting in the office of Remy Vaughan, the president of Star Entertainment. Remy was right beside him, his gaze drifting over Maddox’s phone.

Seeing Maddox openly suggest switching to Phoebe’s studio, Remy’s eyes widened. “You’ve gotta be kidding me. You’re practically the face of our company, and you’d switch jobs just for a girl?”

Maddox had purposely let Remy see the messages. He rolled his eyes at Remy’s reaction. “You’ve got plenty of other faces to keep the company going. You don’t need me.”

Star Entertainment was one of the country’s top three entertainment companies, on par with Jenkins Entertainment, with several A-listers and award-winning actors and actresses under its wing.

Remy was momentarily speechless. “You’re seriously going to toss friendship aside just like that?”

While Star Entertainment had quite a few A-listers, Maddox had one of the largest fan bases. Losing him would sting; Remy doubted Phoebe could turn down this kind of offer.

Maddox chuckled. “Absolutely. There’s only one girl I have a crush on. Good friends are a dime a dozen. Plus, you’re still tight with my brother.”

Remy was momentarily dumbfounded. “Get lost, will you?”

Maddox was just asking for a punch; no wonder Jamar and Reece always felt like knocking some sense into him. Just then, Phoebe’s reply came through.

Phoebe: If you were to switch over, I’m afraid Mr. Vaughan would come after me with a machete. I appreciate the thought, but there’ll be plenty of chances for us to work together in the future.

Phoebe: [When that time comes, I’ll be counting on you, Mr. A-lister, to watch over me.]

Phoebe hadn’t expected Maddox to be this loyal. For an A-lister to offer to switch companies at a moment’s notice, it was a big deal.

But as much as she appreciated Maddox’s loyalty, she couldn’t accept such a big favor. Right now, Maddox was on the rise, and Star Entertainment surely had plans to propel him even further. She believed her studio would become successful one day, but for now, it still lacked the connections, resources, and reputation of Star Entertainment. Without sufficient exposure, even top-tier celebrities could be forgotten or fall from public favor over time. And her studio wasn’t yet capable of consistently securing high-profile projects for someone at his level. Maddox joining her studio would only hold him back, making him reliant on her network, resources, and the few connections she had. She considered Maddox a friend, so she had no intention of dragging him down.

Percival had once told her, “Real connections come from genuine heart-to-heart exchanges, not putting profit first.” Phoebe had fully agreed with that sentiment.

2:46 PM

Chapter 54

She knew that giving didn’t always guarantee a return, but without giving, there’d certainly be none. Love worked the same way.

Of course, if a sincere heart couldn’t win another’s, then it was better to abandon it completely, just as she had with anyone from the Jenkins family.

Seeing Phoebe’s response, Maddox wasn’t too surprised. He felt a mix of mild disappointment and happiness; disappointed she hadn’t accepted his offer but pleased that she valued him enough to refuse.

He glanced over at Remy with a sigh, sounding slightly regretful. “Well, looks like I’m not going anywhere.”

Remy looked astonished. “She actually turned you down? Guess I need to give her more credit.”

Lately, Phoebe had managed to make a stunning comeback against the recent online controversies, and Remy had known then that she wasn’t simple. She’d also stood her ground against the Jenkins family, boldly deciding to start her own studio, which he found admirable. But he hadn’t expected her to reject such a tempting offer from Maddox.

Maddox could easily be the face of any company or studio he joined. And coming from a top-tier family, he was immensely spoiled and backed by solid capital. Since entering the industry, he’d also built plenty of useful connections.

For Phoebe’s studio, signing him wouldn’t just mean landing a top-tier star; it would also mean gaining access to Maddox’s family capital and extensive network. But she’d turned him down.

That told Remy she understood the risks his career might face by making the switch. It genuinely surprised him, and he felt a hint of admiration. Remy wasn’t sure he could have refused if he’d been in her shoes.

Maddox smirked, looking both proud and smug. “She’s got solid character. You’ll be giving her more credit soon enough. Trust me.”

Does Phoebe know about this, he thought.

Remy was momentarily speechless. ‘She’s not even your girlfriend, and you’re this proud? Do…

He muttered teasingly, “Actor, some A-listers are down bad. Even when they’re basically offering themselves, nobody wants them.”

Maddox shot him a look. “She’s looking out for me. You wouldn’t get it.”

Pheebs’s so nice, he wondered. He genuinely wanted to join her studio; just the thought of working with her every day made him grin. Too bad! he thought.

He replied to her message.

Maddox: [No worries. Wherever I go, I’ll be looking out for you. You’re the one who said we’ll have plenty of chances to work together, so don’t you go backing out on me.]

Phoebe saw his message and couldn’t help but smile.

Phoebe: [When have you ever seen me back out of a promise?]

Maddox: [You’re right. Pheebs, you are always true to your word. Pinky promise.]

Phoebe replied with another emoji: [Pinky promise.]

It was the first time Remy had seen such a goofy, overjoyed look on Maddox’s face, and with an almost playful emoji to match. It made Remy’s teeth ache with jealousy.

“You should ask if there’s anything her studio could use help with,” Remy suggested slyly. “Maybe some… recruitment. But steer clear of our own stars. Try Jenkins Group Entertainment.”

Remy and Ollie had clashed for years. They couldn’t stand each other and would love to see the other fail.

Maddox chuckled. “Wow, you’re ruthless.” Then he grinned, switching gears. “But I like it, and Pheebs would too.”

He quickly sent her another message.

Maddox: Phrebs, anything you need help with, feel free to say it. Don’t you dare get all polite on me, or I’ll be annoyed. How about we poach some Jenkins Group stars?

Remy blinked. He wondered who was just calling me ruthless? Now here Maddox was, nudging Phoebe into his very idea. “This guy’s sinking lower by the day.”

“We are friends, aren’t we?” Remy groaned.

Maddox, still typing, didn’t even look up. “Maybe. Anyway, it depends on my mood. Only got eyes for my Pheebs.”

Remy stared at him in disbelief. “Just get out of here already.”

This guy was too much, Remy wondered.