UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT Chapter 24

Serena snapped her head up, shot Lisa a glare, jealousy edging her voice. “Lisa, that’s enough! Liam isn’t your toy!”

Lisa laughed, bell-bright and teasing. “Jealous, Miss Serena? Relax. I’m not stealing your little lover.”

Claire raised a hand, voice placating. “Alright, cut it out, both of you. Liam, you did well today, but this is only the beginning. Mr. Carter’s down, and others will crawl out of the woodwork. You need to learn to stand your ground in this business.”

I nodded, though the pressure in my chest only got heavier.

Mr. Carter’s fall felt like a dream, but the darkness in showbiz was far from over. I looked at Serena—tired eyes warmed by a new softness, as if to tell me that no matter how hard it got, she’d stay by my side.

Leaving the office, the night air sobered me. Serena slipped her arm through mine, rested her head lightly on my shoulder, and murmured, “Liam, thank you. But don’t take risks like that again, okay?”

I smiled and squeezed her hand. “Serena, as long as you’re here, I’ll dare anything.”

Her fingers were soft, the warmth of her palm sending my heartbeat racing.

Claire and Lisa walked ahead, whispering, throwing us the occasional knowing smile.

Los Angeles was still roaring after dark, neon painting the streets in a riot of color.

I knew this maze of an industry had endless challenges waiting. But with Serena—and with Claire and Lisa quietly backing me—I wasn’t alone anymore.

News of Mr. Carter hit the industry like a bomb.

The next day, major entertainment outlets were flooded with: “Prominent investor arrested on suspicion of money laundering.” No names, but everyone in the circle knew it was Mr. Carter.

Back at the agency, the atmosphere turned strange. Mr. Warren holed up in his office all day, glued to the phone, his face as dark as a storm cloud.

I ran into Mia.

She wore a fitted sports top, sweat sliding down her neck, sketching the lines of youth; but her eyes were full of worry. “Liam, I heard you got into big trouble last night. Are you okay?”

I smiled, trying to reassure her. “I’m fine, Mia. It’s handled.”

She let out a breath, a shy smile blossoming. “That’s good. Liam, you’re amazing.”

Her eyes were clear as a lake—so pure they left me moved and a little guilty.

This industry is too cruel to girls like her. I have to protect her, keep her from getting swallowed by the dirty rules.

At noon, Serena asked me to meet at a café near the agency.

She wore a simple white blouse, the star aura stripped away to a cool, clean grace. She ordered a black coffee and looked at me gently. “Liam, I still haven’t properly thanked you for last night.”

I waved it off with a wry smile. “Don’t thank me, Serena. I almost blew it. If it weren’t for Claire and Lisa, I’d probably be down at the precinct already.”

She shook her head, eyes earnest. “You don’t get it. When you stood in front of Mr. Carter for me, I was… really moved. No one’s ever gone that far for me.”

Her voice dropped to a trembling whisper. Heat rushed through me, and I blurted, “I told you—I’ll protect you. No matter how dirty this industry gets, I won’t let you face it alone.”

She paused, a glimmer of tears in her eyes, then smiled with a touch of bitterness. “Silly boy. If you keep this up, I won’t be able to let go.”

Behind the Spotlight