Chapter 1: Betrayed by the Golden Boy

I worked my tail off—years of late nights and impossible deadlines—just to help Carter Lin become an Oscar-winning actor.

Looking back, I can practically taste the cheap coffee and cold takeout that kept me going through those endless nights. My phone? Glued to my hand. I was fielding last-minute calls from directors, cleaning up Carter’s messes, and wondering, Would this be the one that finally made him a household name? I poured everything into that dream—his dream, really. Sometimes, it felt like my own.

And then, just like that. He went public—with some B-list Instagram model. Unreal.

The news dropped on a Tuesday, right when my inbox was overflowing with congratulatory emails about his Oscar win...and side-eyes from colleagues that practically burned holes in my back. The betrayal stung. Sharp. Cold.

*System: "Host, the mission has failed."*

I stared at the ceiling in disbelief. "So… am I about to be deleted?"

*System: "Nope. You just need to switch targets and start again."*

That’s it?

—Had me all worked up for nothing!

For a second, I felt like I was in one of those old sci-fi flicks, waiting for the trapdoor to open beneath my feet. Figures. Just my luck.

When Carter posted his relationship with Brooke Ellis, I’ll be honest—I was floored. He and I had mutual affection, and he chooses now—right at the peak—to go public with her? And he actually expects everyone to cheer them on? I let out a cold laugh, snatched up my phone, and fired off a text.

My hands shook as I typed, but the words came out hard and fast:

"I spent ten years at your side so you could win that Oscar."

"I drank with sleazy producers until my stomach gave out, and now you tell me she’s your true love?"

"Carter, do you really think I’m a joke?"

Those blue iMessage bubbles stared back at me, accusing. The second I hit send, regret punched me in the gut. I should have been more tactful. But before I could even decide whether to unsend it, Carter replied.

"I’m really sorry, but Maddie, you’re so independent—so independent you don’t need anyone."

"Brooke can’t. She needs me."

"Maddie, if there’s a next life, I’ll make it up to you then."

I stared at the message, numb. A next life? Seriously? As if I’d want to see you again in this one! Besides, it’s not true that she can’t live without you—it’s me who couldn’t let go!

My jaw clenched. I was fuming, but my hands kept moving, sending desperate pleas. Carter only replied a few times before ghosting me for good. All those green bubbles, and not a single reply. Typical.

I closed the chat and opened Twitter’s trending topics. The top headline:

"Oscar Winner Carter Lin Goes Live With Starlet Girlfriend."

I clicked in just in time to see Carter and Brooke holding hands, gazing into each other’s eyes. Comments flooded in: "Kiss!" And right on cue, Brooke blushed.

Carter’s eyes softened.

"Brooke..."

He said softly, lifted her chin, and kissed her right on camera.

I watched, feeling like I’d swallowed a stone. The comments exploded—heart emojis, confetti GIFs, endless retweets. I wanted to throw my phone across the room.

As their lips met, that familiar robotic voice echoed in my head. Mission failed. Again.

I rubbed my forehead, tossed my phone aside, and sprawled on my bed in defeat. Was this it for me? Am I about to get wiped?

*"Host, why would you think that?"*

The system actually sounded surprised.

*"Host, you need to stop reading those sci-fi transmigration novels. Hey, we systems can't just delete people! Besides, getting a host to succeed is my year-end performance review! It’s hard enough to get a host—if you died, how would I hit my numbers?"*

Me: "...?" Performance review? Numbers? Great. Just my luck—I get the underpaid, overworked system.

Suddenly, I wasn’t even mad anymore. "So since I failed, what now?"

*"You just switch targets!"* The system sounded snarky. "Not to be rude, but your taste in men is really off. Anyone could see Carter’s a jerk. Why’d you pick him?"

Me: "..." Honestly, who told you to only give me two options back then?

This system, I swear.

One choice was the reigning Oscar winner, Julian West, the ice-cold Hollywood legend. Untouchable. Mysterious. Way out of my league. He never did talk shows, never did commercials, and as a rookie agent, I didn’t dare even approach him.

So I went with the fresh-faced Carter Lin, just starting out. Who knew Carter would turn out to be such a jerk? Ugh. I rolled my eyes.

Fine. Whatever. Switch me. "I’ll listen this time. Who’s the new target?"

*"Julian West."*

The system’s voice chimed in, and I froze. I forced a laugh. "Don’t joke."

Carter wasted ten years of my life. If I go after Julian, I’ll be lucky to last ten minutes.

*"Sorry, no take-backs."* The system sounded a little regretful. But I got it. I could only choose between Carter and Julian.

Fine. Julian it is. Game on.

Ten years in this business, I wasn’t a rookie anymore. I could handle Julian now.

With my new target set, I sent Carter the termination paperwork. I was done with him. I emailed the contract to Carter, still in LA, and started researching Julian, determined to know my enemy. Strike fast, strike hard.

But compared to social butterfly Carter, Julian West was so low-key he was practically a ghost. Almost no Instagram posts—his fans begged for crumbs in the comments. Just a few movie stills, nothing personal. When he did post, fans threw a party. This guy was like Fort Knox. No easy way in.

"System, help me out." Just scouring social media wasn’t getting me anywhere with Julian. The system delivered, no hesitation. From favorite zodiac signs and color palettes to his ideal type and daily routines, it gave me everything—even his current filming location.

I couldn’t help but smirk at the system’s efficiency. Honestly, the system should charge rent—it was like having the world’s nosiest best friend living in my phone.

"Why just look at daily routines?" My system was a little confused. I explained, from experience: "Public info is mostly fake. Who actually tells the world their real type?" Nobody, that’s who. Just like Carter’s profile said he liked sweet, gentle girls, but in reality he was all about manipulative types. Especially the ones who acted innocent.

"Humans are complicated," the system sighed, and I had to agree. If people weren’t so complicated, maybe I wouldn’t have wasted ten years on Carter.

With the info in hand, I headed to the set. The movie Julian was filming—I’d tried to get Carter an audition, but his acting wasn’t even close. Julian was odd, too. Only had an assistant, never a manager. Wasn’t this my chance?

I knew the director. When he saw me, he grinned, "Maddie, what brings you here?"

"Just in the neighborhood, heard you were filming, thought I’d stop by."

I buttered him up, never mentioning Julian. He seemed to enjoy it. As I watched Julian shoot an action scene, the director beamed with pride:

"So, what do you think of Julian’s skills?"

"He’s the real deal."

I gave a thumbs up. Carter may have won an Oscar, but compared to Julian, it was night and day.

The director shot me a meaningful look. "You’ve got your work cut out for you."

Tell me about it.

"I’ve already resigned."

He was hinting at Carter, but I just smiled. "Looking back, you were right to choose Julian. Anyone can win an Oscar, but not everyone can be Julian West."

Julian’s action scenes? Smooth. Effortless. Carter? He could barely pose, always needed a stand-in.

"Resigned?" The director was surprised. "Not managing Carter anymore?"

"Nope. He’s made it. Time for me to move on."

I’d already sent Carter the termination, so there was no hiding it.

"Why not manage Julian?" He teased, and I laughed: "When I started, Julian was already a star. He doesn’t need me."

Truth was, that’s exactly what I wanted. But people are complicated—I wasn’t about to spill everything. Playing hard to get never goes out of style.

"Having a top agent’s approval? That’s an honor."

A cool, smooth male voice spoke behind me before I could turn, and the director laughed, "Julian’s here, you two talk."

Julian had finished his scene. The director hurried off, and I turned, trying to get closer to Julian—then promptly stepped on a cable.

"Careful!" He caught me before I could fall.

I steadied myself, mentally cursing—first impression, and I’m already tripping over myself. Typical.

But I smiled. "Thanks. All your action scenes are one-take? That’s seriously impressive."

"You’re too kind. Just doing my job."

Julian just shrugged, humble as ever.

He took a water bottle from his assistant. Sipped. Then said, "Heard you left Carter?"

"Yeah. Currently unemployed."

I joked, then smiled, "Need a manager? The director just suggested I apply."