Chapter 52"Why are you here?" Jessica said in a harsh voice, glancing toward the door before meeting Isabel's eyes again."I came for my own business," Isabel said with a confident smile at the corner of her lips, as if this office were hers."Your own business?" Jessica leaned forward in her chair. "Just walking into Starlight doesn't get you a job.""I didn't just walk in," Isabel said with a shrug. "I came. You're here.""You didn't make an appointment," Jessica said coldly."I don't recognize the authority of the people who require an appointment," Isabel said."Then you've come to the wrong place," Jessica said with suppressed anger, "because there are rules here.""You made the rules," Isabel said slowly, "and you can break them if you want.""I don't make special exceptions for anyone," Jessica said, narrowing her eyes."You do," Isabel shot back, "if you're the right person.""What do you mean, the right person?" Jessica's voice grew sharper."Don't you get it?" Isabel said,

Chapter 54"Sir Marco," a guard from the Messina family said in a low voice, "Madam Jessica has given orders that you are not to enter the building.""She said that herself?" Marco asked calmly."Yes, sir," the guard nodded, "it's a direct order.""Alright," Marco said."Sir, if you'd like, I can ask again—""No," Marco cut him off. "Leave it as she said.""Yes, sir," the guard stepped aside."Did you see that?" a passing employee whispered."Yeah," another said, "they're making Marco stand outside.""I heard he's not that important to the Messina family," a third one commented."Then what about all this time together?""It's all for show," someone said."Rumors spread fast in an office this big," another said."He's still standing there," a guard said in surprise."Why doesn't he leave?""Maybe he's waiting," the other guard said."Waiting for whom?""For the one he tolerates everything for," someone said in a low voice."Sir Marco," a junior staff member stepped forward, "you can go

Chapter 56Jessica sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the screen, but there was no curiosity in her eyes, only disbelief and deep pain. She knew it was all a lie. She knew how the truth was being torn apart, how a man was being destroyed in public. Yet, knowing this couldn't calm her.The news scrolled, the reporters' excited voices rising, and every word pierced Jessica's chest like a blade. A single question echoed in her mind—how did it all get this far?She slowly turned off the TV, but the images didn't leave her mind, even though the sound was gone. The room suddenly felt too small. The walls seemed to be closing in, making it hard to breathe. Jessica stood up and went to the window, looking out, but even the light outside couldn't bring her any comfort today.Her eyes welled up. At first, she tried to hold it together, but after a moment, that effort crumbled. The tears came silently, as if she was afraid to make a sound. Her shoulders shook, and she clenched her hands tigh

Chapter 58The crew looked at each other; some with hesitation, some with anger, and others with fear. Though everyone had been quiet until now, the questions building up inside could no longer be suppressed.Finally, a few crew members stepped forward."Director James," one of them began cautiously, "are you sure... this is the right thing to do?"The question was met with a momentary silence. It was as if everyone was holding their breath, staring at Director James. James slowly turned around. His expression changed instantly."Do you know what you're saying?" he said in a harsh voice.Another employee mustered the courage to add,"Sir, we were just trying to be clear."At this, James curled his lip into a smile, but there was no warmth in it."Clear?" he said sarcastically. "Since when is it your job to judge decisions?"His voice grew even firmer."Marco now associates with prominent families. He is a respected man. You have no right to question him."Those words fell on the worke

Chapter 60Rosa's phone rang in Jessica's hand at the very moment she was forcing herself to stay calm. Camera lights were being set up around the unit, technicians busy with their work, but Jessica's mind had already been restless. The moment she saw the name on the screen, she knew there was no way to avoid this call.Roza.That name was no longer just a connection to the past; it was now tied to accusations, threats, and an indomitable ego.Jessica hesitated for a few seconds before answering."You went and did this to my daughter, after all."As soon as she answered, Rosa's voice shot through, without any preamble.Jessica took a slow breath."Please be clear about what you're talking about.""Isabel's lead role was taken away," Rosa said sharply, "and now she's been given a small, demeaning part. Don't you know that?"Jessica's eyes hardened slightly."I know.""Then why didn't you say anything?"It was a direct accusation in Rosa's voice.Jessica composed herself and said,"Beca