UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT Chapter 38

By the time I left the apartment, night had fallen. Seattle’s neon flickered against the sky, like it was mocking my helplessness.

I lit a cigarette, exhaled a wisp of smoke, my head a mess. Serena’s love, Mia’s dependence, Christina’s warning, Lisa’s teasing—four ropes tightening until I could barely breathe.

My phone buzzed. A message from Christina:

“Liam, come to my office tomorrow. The Enchanted Angels situation isn’t over.”

A jolt went through me; Ms. Ward’s cold smirk and Zack’s feral glare flashed in my mind. There was clearly a bigger game behind all this.

I clenched the phone and told myself: Liam, you need to get stronger—fast. Otherwise, you won’t even be able to protect them.

The next day, I went to Christina’s office.

She sat behind a wide desk in a tight black dress that traced every dangerous curve, the deep V at her chest enough to set my blood on fire.

She handed me a file, her voice calm but razor-sharp:

“Liam, Zack—the owner’s son at Enchanted Angels—has been shipped overseas by his father. Call it damage control. But it’s not that simple. Ms. Ward was their strategist. She’s long known about Zack’s sick tastes, and still sent Mia to him on purpose.”

I froze, anger roaring in my skull. “Ms. Ward? How dare she?!”

Christina let out a cold smile, lit a cigarette, and blew a pale veil of smoke.

“In this circle, the cleaner it looks, the filthier it is underneath. Ms. Ward is just a piece on the board. The real player is someone else. You need to find out who. Otherwise Mia will stay in danger.”

She paused, eyes cutting into me. “And about last night—you and Mia. I heard. Liam, learn some restraint. What’s your plan with Serena?”

I lowered my head, my throat dry like I’d swallowed sand. “Christina, I… I’ll handle it.”

She smiled, tapped my shoulder; the warmth bled through my shirt and stole a beat from my heart.

“Liam, you’re still green. This world isn’t short on women, but you’d better learn who’s a piece and who’s a player. Don’t let yourself sink too deep.”

Leaving her office, I felt a pressure I’d never known.

Serena’s love, Mia’s reliance, Ms. Ward’s plotting—three mountains on my chest. I knew I had to learn to swim in this murky water: not drown myself, and not let them get dragged under.

At noon, I asked Serena to meet at a café.

She wore a simple white shirt, cool and composed, as if she’d set down her celebrity aura. Her gaze was complicated, threaded with fatigue. “Liam, I heard about Mia. Are you… okay?”

I managed a bitter smile and lowered my voice. “Serena, I’m fine. But I have to be honest. Last night, Mia and I…”

She cut me off. Hurt flickered in her eyes, quickly masked by calm.

“Liam, I told you—I don’t mind sharing. But you have to make me feel you’re worth it.”

Her voice was almost a whisper, with a hint of plea. I took her hand; the warmth of her palm kicked my pulse into a sprint.

“Serena, I’ll prove it. I’ll level up. I’ll protect you. I’ll protect Mia.”

She smiled, a soft light in her eyes. “Silly boy. I’ll be waiting.”

The café’s warm light traced her fine features. I knew the road ahead was long, and there was no way back. For them, I had to push through.

Entangled