Chapter 85

Phoebe looked at the message Maddox sent, a warmer smile lighting her face.

Phoebe: [I thought the same. High live!]

Maddox laughed out loud. “Knew it, Pherbs likes it too.”

Remy watched his friend with a mix of pity and disbelief. “Fine, dig in then. No clue who she’s interested in, though.”

Remy had to admit that Phoebe’s personality and determination appealed to him. The Jenkins brothers tried to crush her into submission, but Phoebe hadn’t bowed down. She’d fought back instead. When they blacklisted her, she’d made her own way and basically dared them: ‘Come at me, not afraid of you.’

No wonder Maddox, who usually steered clear of women, was so taken with her.

Maddox fired off another message.

Just tell me who, as long as it’s not Jenkins Entertainment’s top stars, I’ll snag them for you.

Maddox: [Anyone you’ve got your eye on? Just… ]

As long as it wasn’t their A-list, Maddox had no problem spending cash and pulling strings to bring the talent over to Pheebs. Besides, Pheebs’s studio wasn’t set up for that level of star power yet.

Warm with his friends. Of course, there was also a hidden ruthlessness there.

Phoebe: [I’ve already picked three people, none of whom Jenkins Group prioritizes, so you won’t need to step in this time.]

She added with a playful note: [Wouldn’t want to waste your talents on this.]

Reading her response, Maddox turned to Remy with a satisfied sigh. It’s a burden, liking a girl this capable. There’s hardly any space for me to step…

Remy rolled his eyes in annoyance. “Enough already, or I might lose my appetite for dinner.”

Remy wondered. He just wants to show off how amazing Phoebe is and how wise he is for liking her.

Maddox gave him a scornful glance. “You wouldn’t understand, single as you are.”

Remy blinked, momentarily taken aback. As if you were not single, he wondered. But reasoning with someone this tangled up in infatuation and jealousy seemed hopeless.

Having finished bragging, Maddox typed out another message.

Maddox: Pheels, you’re incredible. If you ever need help, please don’t hesitate to ask me.

Remy smirked. “Imagine that, Mr. Hooper, practically begging to be of service. Do your siblings know about this? Or your precious grandparents?”

If any of them saw this, they’d be shocked. Maddox scoffed. “You think my family has as poor judgment as those upstart Hill family?” Confidently, he added, “Anything I like, my family will too.”

Remy had to admit that Maddox was right. He was practically royalty at home.

Phoebe: (If I need anything, I’ll be sure not to hold back.)

Maddox: [Great, I’ll wait. When you’re free, let’s all grab dinner together!]

Phoebe: [Sounds good!]

Maddox: [See you soon, goodnight!]

Phoebe: [See you, goodnight!]

Remy raised a brow. “That’s it? Not chatting longer?”

Reluctantly, Maddox set down his phone. “You wouldn’t understand.”

He knew Pheebs didn’t feel that way about him right now. She was entirely focused on her career. Plus, she’d just come out of a relationship. She wouldn’t jump into another so quickly. So, he’d decided to stay by her side as a friend for now.

Watching Maddox, Remy leaned in and teased, “So, are you planning to take your time?”

Maddox shoved him away. “None of your business.”

Remy froze, dumbfounded. “Get lost, you jerk,” he grumbled.

The longer they talked, the more Remy felt like throwing a punch.

Standing up, Maddox shot back, “Gladly. If it weren’t for Pheels, I wouldn’t waste my time hanging out with you.”

Remy grabbed the contract in his hand and tossed it at Maddox. “Get out!”

Maddox deflected it with a wave. “Keep it. It’s useless to me now.” Then he slipped out quickly, leaving Remy shaking his head in amusement. He really threw it away after using me up, he wondered.

Meanwhile, after chatting with Maddox, Phoebe curiously pulled up the contract he’d sent and took a look.

As she read through it, she couldn’t help but laugh to herself. “Leon had the nerve to tell me that the contract he offered was something no other company would match. All these supposed special perks…”

“I’d really love to smack him in the face with this contract and let him see for himself.”

Phoebe knew what kind of deal Jenkins Entertainment’s top stars received, and this contract Maddox sent not only matched those terms but even granted her significantly more freedom.

It was clear the Star Entertainment contract was superior to the one Leon had offered. Brenda peered over her shoulder, nodding in agreement. “If I were you, I’d be tempted to throw it right in his face too.”

Phoebe considered it. “Should I?”

Brenda grinned. “Absolutely. It’d be perfect payback.”

Phoebe liked the idea. “I’ll ask Maddox if he’s okay with me using it to make a point to Leon. If he’s good with it, I’m throwing it in his face.”

“It’ll be perfect to have Leon thinking I might actually sign with Star Entertainment. He won’t have a clue I’m starting my own studio and planning to lure away his people.”

Otherwise, Leon would surely throw obstacles in her way. Brenda gave her an approving nod. “That’s definitely the way to go.”

Phoebe sent Maddox a message, explaining the whole situation. Maddox, naturally, had zero objections. If anything, he was thrilled to have Pheebs use the contract to knock some sense into Leon.

He assured her she could absolutely use it to put Leon in his place. He’d back her up completely. Leon wouldn’t dare come after him or Remy openly, after all.

With Maddox’s blessing, Phoebe suddenly remembered a small issue. “I deleted Leon from my contacts before.”

Brenda chimed in. “I’ve got him in mine.”

Phoebe grinned mischievously. “I’ll add him back, throw the contract in his face, and then delete him again. That’ll really drive him nuts!”

Brenda’s eyes sparkled. “Yes! Love it!”

She forwarded Leon’s contact card to Phoebe, who promptly sent him a friend request.

Meanwhile, Leon was in his study discussing business with Ollie when his phone chimed.

Leon opened the notification, momentarily surprised, then smirked. “Talked such a big game before, and now she’s caving already. Knew she wouldn’t hold out for long.”

Ollie looked up from his paperwork. “Who is…”

Leon’s tone was laden with irony. “Our dear, tough-as-nails sister.”

Ollie had heard Leon’s stories about how Phoebe had outmaneuvered him and riled him up. Now, Ollie advised thoughtfully, “If she’s reaching out to make peace, maybe go easier on her. She’s our sister. Don’t push too hard.”

Since Phorlie had been away from the family, Ollie had been missing her regular check-ins and health tips, her medicinal soups, and the herbal tonics she made.