2026-06-07 01:15:57
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Chapter 194
Kate stared at him, unmoved."And I still don't believe you," she said flatly. "Saying it a second time doesn't make it more true. If anything, it just makes the whole thing more obvious." She glanced at her manager with a pointed, knowing look. "People who are actually telling the truth don't have to keep repeating the same explanation over and over hoping it eventually sticks."In her eyes, Joshua was simply inventing another lie — a more polished version of the first one, recycled now that the lobby story hadn't worked.Her manager stepped forward, positioning herself beside Kate with crossed arms and a sharp, scrutinizing once-over directed at Joshua's appearance."Let's be honest," the manager said, her tone carrying a clipped, condescending edge. "Look at him. Plain shirt, no watch worth mentioning, a folder that looks like something from an office supply store." She gestured vaguely at Joshua's general presentation. "This is a high-level entertainment negotiation. The kind of m
Chapter 193
The statement landed in the corridor and was immediately, comprehensively dismissed.Kate let out a sharp, humorless laugh. "Of course it is," she said, looking around at her team with exaggerated disbelief, inviting them to share in her amusement. "Of course you're also here for this meeting. What a coincidence. What an absolutely incredible coincidence that wherever I go, you happen to also have very important business."Her assistant with the tablet snickered again. "Maybe he's secretly running the whole island," he said, not bothering to lower his voice.A ripple of laughter moved through the small group — not loud, but pointed, the specific kind of laughter designed to be heard by its target."You know what's actually pathetic?" Kate said, stepping closer, her voice carrying the sharp, condescending edge she'd used since the lobby. "It's not even the lying that bothers me at this point. It's the persistence. Most people who try this stunt give up after the first rejection. You ju
Chapter 191
As Joshua approached the conference room, he immediately noticed several familiar faces outside.The corridor leading to Conference Room B had filled with the same organized cluster he'd encountered in the lobby less than an hour earlier — the brisk-moving assistants, the two bodyguards positioned with their practiced, watchful stillness, the manager checking something on her phone with the specific urgency of someone managing a tight schedule.To his surprise, Kate Horton was there as well.She stood near the conference room entrance, dressed differently now than she had been at check-in — the casual travel attire replaced with something more polished, the kind of effortless-looking outfit that had clearly required considerable effort. She was speaking with her manager in low tones when she caught sight of Joshua walking down the corridor toward them.Her face darkened immediately.It happened fast — the shift from neutral conversation to sharp, narrowed focus, her entire posture sti
Chapter 191
Several people pulled out their phones, capturing discreet photos and videos. A few approached cautiously, hoping for an autograph or a brief acknowledgment. Kate handled it all with the practiced, polished warmth that came so naturally to her in front of an audience that wasn't questioning her authority — a complete contrast to the sharp, dismissive coldness she'd directed at Joshua only minutes earlier.Joshua paid none of it any attention.He found a seat in a quieter section of the lobby, away from the commotion still unfolding near the check-in counter, and resumed reading through the documents Lorenzo had sent him earlier that day.The documents were detailed — projected revenue models for the proposed production entity, talent valuation breakdowns comparing Kate Horton's current market trajectory against several other rising actresses being considered for similar projects, and a preliminary outline of how Sherry Quinn's brand recognition might be leveraged to anchor the project
Chapter 190
Kate convinced herself that Joshua must have spent a huge amount of money simply to stay at the same hotel as famous celebrities.The thought solidified as she walked toward the check-in counter, her manager beside her, her entourage trailing in their organized formation. It was the only explanation that allowed her original assessment to remain intact — the only framework that let her preserve the certainty she'd built her entire reaction around without requiring any uncomfortable revision.He was one of those wealthy fans.She'd encountered the type before, more often than people would assume. Men with disposable income and an unhealthy fixation on proximity to fame — men who would book the most expensive room available, sometimes for months at a time, simply for the chance of crossing paths with someone they admired from a screen. It happened more than the public realized. Some of them got bold enough to manufacture elaborate stories, claiming business connections, professional rea
Chapter 189
The manager turned fully toward Joshua now, his entire demeanor transformed. Gone was the brisk, slightly dismissive efficiency he'd carried moments earlier. In its place was the careful, almost deferential attentiveness reserved for guests whose satisfaction mattered considerably to the property's bottom line."Mr. Hart," he said, "I sincerely apologize for this misunderstanding. Please allow me to personally ensure the rest of your stay proceeds without any further issues.""It's fine," Joshua said, his tone unchanged.The manager turned back toward Kate, his voice now carrying a more measured, careful quality — the specific tone of someone delivering information he knew would not be well received but had no choice but to deliver accurately."Ms. Horton," he said, "I can confirm that Mr. Hart is a legitimate guest of this hotel, currently registered in our premium accommodations. There appears to have been a misunderstanding regarding his identity."For a brief moment, Kate said not
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