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Isabella held her wine glass and looked at me, speaking softly.
"Mr. Evans, you know why I've stayed at your company for so long. I hope you can give me an answer."
I looked into my daughter's eyes and then at Isabella.
"I've just gone through a failed marriage. Can you give me some time?"
Isabella set down her glass, smiled at me, and took my hand.
"Charles, I'll wait for you."
We smiled at each other. It felt like a date, yet also like a family dinner.
Three days later, at the press conference, the exhibition hall was packed with stars and investors from the film industry, and reporters crowded the entrance.
I brought Isabella to the main seat.
The press conference began. I stood up, took the microphone, and started my speech.
"First, thank you all for attending Summit Pictures' press conference. Our company has terminated all contracts with Vivian Evans and blacklisted her entirely. As a public figure, she has caused significant negative impact to our company. We cannot cooperate with an artist of such poor moral character."
"Secondly, the next star our company plans to promote is the well-known Summit agent beside me—Isabella Scott!"
Instantly, banners featuring Isabella's professional photos descended throughout the press conference hall.
Isabella looked at me in disbelief.
Though she had acting skills, she had spent these years building her career as an agent and had never acted professionally. The closest she had come was filming a few promotional lines for the company. But I believed in her—back in university, her dream was to become a top-tier actress with serious acting chops.
She tugged at my sleeve and whispered, "What if I can't handle it?"
I smiled reassuringly. "If you can't, I'll be here to support you."
The entire room broke into applause, cheering for me, the hidden boss of Summit Pictures.
Though I had stayed behind the scenes all these years, my capabilities were undeniable. Vivian had been naïve to think that being a top actress meant she could threaten the company.
She was wrong—I was the one who made her a star. Without my support, she was nothing.
No acting skills, no emotional intelligence—I was the one who lifted her to the top, and she had been so ungrateful.
