Chapter 2: The Dinner Showdown

As soon as I walked into the dinner, Tanya cornered me.

"How’d you even get in here? Didn’t I tell you to stay away from Natalie? Say one word and she’ll ruin you in seconds."

Tanya shot me a glare sharp enough to cut glass. Her sequined blazer shimmered under the lights—classic Hollywood agent who thinks she runs the show. Now that Natalie was a star, Tanya strutted like she owned the room.

"Ruin me? This is America, Tanya. You really think I’m scared?" I kept my eyes down, grabbed a glass of champagne, and took a swig. The bubbles fizzed on my tongue, but tasted like nothing.

"So what? Our Natalie is the youngest Best Actress in Golden Star history. She can have whatever she wants. Don’t mess up her future."

"You’re her agent. Don’t you know who really got her those roles?"

"I negotiated every deal myself." Tanya looked smug.

I almost laughed. I’d always kept my involvement hidden—set up every deal behind the scenes, let her think she did all the heavy lifting. Watching her gloat was almost funny if it wasn’t so sad.

Suddenly, another voice cut in: "Caleb, who let you in? Did you borrow that suit, or just steal it off a coat rack? Go home before you embarrass Natalie."

Melissa—Natalie’s friend from the business. She never liked me. Women like her always think their best friend deserves better. I got it.

Melissa looked me up and down like I was gum stuck to her shoe. I smiled back. "I came in with an invitation, of course."

Melissa snorted. Tanya burst out laughing, loud enough to turn heads. Their laughter echoed off the polished floors, bouncing around the room.

I pulled out my invitation. That just made them laugh harder.

"Why is yours black? Ours are orange. Couldn’t even fake it right, huh? What’d you do, sneak in through the kitchen?" Tanya was nearly crying from laughter.

My invite was a one-off from the organizers. No point arguing. I just wanted to find Natalie—to ask how she could throw away three years like they were nothing.

"Didn’t Natalie dump you? What, you here to wish us well?"

That’s when I saw Derek Hall.

I recognized him instantly.