Chapter 1: Trending Scandal, Hidden Truths

I’m Hollywood’s latest rising star.

From the moment I debuted, my career just… took off. No hiccups. Magazine features, trending on Instagram, red-carpet invites—the works. Online fans started calling me their good luck charm, the girl who always lands on her feet.

Seriously, it was nonstop. My phone would light up with notifications every morning—fan edits, gossip blogs, even my mom texting me screenshots from People. It felt like the whole city was rooting for me, or at least watching. Sometimes, I’d walk past a coffee shop and spot my face on a magazine cover. Wild, right? I’d have to pinch myself to make sure it was real.

But then, the internet blew up: rumors flying that the only reason I was doing so well was because I had some rich sugar daddy. TMZ posted a photo as supposed proof—me getting into a black Mercedes with an older man. The lighting was awful, so you couldn’t see his face. All you could make out was a guy in a dark overcoat, looking like some business guy, with his arm around my shoulders as we got into the car together.

The comments were brutal—people dissected every pixel of that photo like they were on CSI. I couldn’t believe how quickly everyone jumped to conclusions.

Nope, it gets worse. Someone from the crew leaked an audio recording of me on the phone in the green room. I cringed hearing how syrupy my voice sounded:

“Come on, please? Aren’t I still your little girl? Don’t you love me anymore? Fine, don’t pick me up tonight then. If the tabloids catch us, it’ll be a total mess…”

Ouch. The internet went wild.

"No wonder Savannah Monroe blew up as soon as she started. So that’s why."

"Girls these days, thinking they can do anything just because they’re pretty. No shame at all."

Sugar daddy? That’s just my dad! Seriously. My dad.

Honestly, I was so floored, I had to sit down. I mean, come on—since when is it weird to call your dad after a long shoot? Honestly, people are wild. What’s so weird about being close with my own father? Isn’t it normal to be a daddy’s girl?

I told my agent to handle PR—then hesitated. My dad works for a major tech firm—if this blew back on his job, that’d be a disaster.

I pictured the headlines: “Silicon Valley Exec’s Secret Hollywood Scandal.” My stomach did a full-on flip. Turns out, my agent wasn’t eager to jump in either. “Savannah, right now, people are just running with that one paparazzi shot. Let’s wait for the storm to blow over before we step in.”

Like, how was I supposed to stay calm?

I kept refreshing Twitter, my heart pounding. While I was still stressing, there was a commotion outside the lounge. Great. Just what I needed. The Oscar winner himself had arrived.

What was Julian Graves doing on set? I barely had time to wonder before I saw him striding straight toward me.

“I need a word.”

I nodded, face blank, noticing all the gossiping eyes around us. Everyone was watching. “Let’s talk here.”

The last thing I needed was another rumor about me and the Oscar winner. Even though… well, there is something between us. But that’s a whole other story.

My palms started to sweat. The air felt thick. Like everyone was holding their breath, waiting for a scene. But before Julian could say anything, Dad’s assistant, Mrs. Clark, showed up.

“Savannah, Mr. Monroe is waiting at the door.”

Mr. Monroe. My dad. Yeah. My dad.

I nodded at Mrs. Clark. “I’ll be right there.” I glanced at Julian—he looked annoyed.

I frowned. “So, did you actually need something?”

Julian’s jaw clenched. He looked like he was about to say something big, but after a long pause he changed the subject: “It’s almost lunch. Why don’t we all eat together? I’m sure your dad won’t mind.”

Wait, since when did he know my dad?

I frowned, about to refuse. But Julian was already pulling me out of the studio.

Of course. More photos. Great. Behind us, people were whispering and snapping photos. Looks like I’ll be trending again tomorrow.

I shook off his hand and muttered, “Can’t you just keep a low profile?”

He shot me a look, unreadable. “Compared to you, I’m already invisible.”

Jealous, much?

I rolled my eyes, trying not to smile. “It’s not what you think!” Seriously, it’s not.

Julian’s gaze was sharp. “So you just don’t want me eating with your family, huh?”

Me: …

Honestly, why is he being so unreasonable?

“You seriously want to come?”

Julian looked at me. “Do I look like I’m kidding?”

I fought back a laugh. “Fine, just don’t regret it.” Fine, your funeral.

“I’d regret not going even more!”

He was acting like a kid. I hurried after him. Usually, Julian barely says a word to anyone, but today he was a totally different person.

Yeah, that did it. Especially when he saw me run up and hug my dad—his face went completely dark.

“You’re not going to introduce us?” Julian interrupted my moment with my dad.

My dad shot me a look. Who’s this guy?

I hesitated. “Dad, this is… my coworker.”

Ouch. Julian’s smile froze instantly.

Awkward. “Julian, this is Mr. Monroe.”

Yeah, this was going to be fun. They shook hands, exchanging a look that practically sparked with tension. This dinner was bound to be awkward.

First up: ordering food. My dad said I liked light flavors, so he ordered chicken noodle soup and salad. Julian insisted I liked spicy food and ordered buffalo wings and Cajun fries.

The waiter looked like he was enjoying the show. My dad smirked. “Julian, seems like you don’t know Savvy that well.”

He looked lost. “Savvy’s my nickname,” I explained.

“How come I didn’t know that?”

Me: …

Give it time. We haven’t been dating that long. Of course he wouldn’t know.

But Julian wasn’t letting it go. “Sir, I spend every day with Savannah. No one knows her eating habits better than I do.”

Actually, I could explain. My mom likes bland food, so that’s what we ate at home. I’m not picky, so my dad thinks I like it too. But truthfully? I love spicy food. Whenever my parents or my agent aren’t around, I go all out. Not that I’d admit it and ruin the family mood.

Dad went full parent mode. He put some steamed veggies in my bowl, looking smug. “Eat more, don’t be picky. Sorry, she’s gotten spoiled.”

Julian was not backing down. He immediately put a peeled shrimp on my plate and smiled at my dad. “It’s fine, I’m the one spoiling her now.”

He was not amused. My dad’s face looked like he’d just bitten into a lemon. Honestly, I wasn’t trying to embarrass him, but my agent was strict and I hadn’t had real food in days. So when I ate the shrimp Julian gave me, my dad nearly snapped his fork in half.

He was loving this. Julian looked very pleased. “Sir, honestly, looking after someone takes energy. You’re getting older, it must be tiring. I’m different—whatever Savannah wants to do, I’ll do it with her.”

Yikes. My dad hates being called old. Now Julian had basically called him out to his face. He nearly lost it.

Time to play peacemaker. I quickly tried to smooth things over. “Dad, have some water. Cool down.”

He calmed down, kind of. Then he gave a half-smile. “Savvy’s a bit delicate. I’m afraid you, as a young man, won’t have the patience. Don’t trouble yourself.”

He was laying it on thick. Julian put his hand on the back of my chair. “Can’t help it. I like being needed.”

Me: ???

Two grown men, over seventy combined, bickering like toddlers.

Saved by the bell. Luckily, my dad got a work call halfway through dinner and had to leave. Otherwise, it would’ve turned into a full-on showdown.

No arguing. Before he left, my dad said, “Savvy, come with me.”

“Okay.”

Might as well. I needed a ride anyway.

He was not letting this go. Julian panicked and grabbed my hand. “Savannah, you sure you want to go with him?”

Me: …

Wait, does he really not get it?

Wow. Clearly, Julian never even considered it. He actually believed those online rumors. Jerk. He trusts gossip over me.

Let him stew. Fine, I won’t even bother explaining! I pulled my hand away, took my dad’s arm, and smiled sweetly. “Mr. Monroe, thanks for the ride.”

Dad was loving this. He knew exactly what was up. Right in front of Julian, he patted my hand.

He looked ready to explode. Julian’s veins popped with jealousy.

Here we go. In the car, my dad huffed. “That kid likes you. Let me make one thing clear—I don’t mind you dating, but do you have to pick someone that clueless?”

Time to play it cool. I laughed awkwardly. “Dad, nothing gets past you. Julian’s great, just a little overprotective.”

Butter him up. I watched his face and said sweetly, “It just means you look so young, right?”

Classic Dad. He grinned, but quickly put on a stern face. “Don’t try to sweet-talk me. Tell me the truth: how long have you two been together?”

Couldn’t meet his eyes. I fiddled with my sleeve, embarrassed. “Honestly, we just started dating. That’s why we haven’t gone public.”

He was relieved. My dad nodded approvingly. “Good. Don’t go public. I don’t like that kid.”

Me: …

No surprise he and Julian butted heads. My dad’s always been a little gruff. No wonder he clashed with Julian today.

Tsk.

This is going to be good. Just thinking about Julian’s reaction when he finds out the truth made me want to laugh.

He was just teasing. My dad gave me a mock glare. “Stop grinning. Be serious. When are you going to stop pretending to be broke and just live like the heiress you are?”

Not happening. Uh… That’s going to be tough.

He knew. My dad saw right through me, frowning. “Don’t tell me you’ve got that fool wrapped around your finger too.”

He’s got me pegged. What can I say? The older, the wiser!

Can’t argue with that. I gave him a thumbs-up. “Dad, you’re amazing! I must’ve inherited your genes.”

Classic. He shook his head, both exasperated and amused. “You little rascal, always saying the right thing.”

Old money, through and through. The Monroe family’s been wealthy for generations—he’s fourth generation. The business just keeps growing.

I wanted to make it on my own. When I insisted on joining the film industry, I didn’t want to use the family name. Plus, I took my mom’s surname, so only my agent knows my real background.