UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT Chapter 40

After wrapping everything up, I texted Susan: “Susan, did you see the news online? Don’t worry, I’m handling it.”

She replied quickly, her tone calm but edged with fatigue: “I saw it, Liam. Thank you. This business is like that—I’m used to it.”

That “used to it” pricked my chest like a needle.

I thought of the tears in her eyes last night and her “I don’t mind sharing,” and a heavy guilt settled over me.

I knew this wasn’t just some rumor; there was probably a bigger play behind it.

At noon, I met Maya at a café near the office to steady her so the noise wouldn’t rattle her.

She wore a simple white tee, skinny jeans tracing her youthful lines, but her smile was a little forced.

“Liam, the stuff online… is it true? You and Susan…?”

I quickly raised a hand, voice firm.

“Maya, don’t buy into that trash. Susan and I are strictly professional. Those shots were taken by paparazzi—pure fabrication.”

She bit her lip, something complicated flickering in her eyes, and said softly:

“I believe you, Liam. But I’m still scared. The comments are vicious. I’m afraid I’ll drag you and Susan down.”

I patted her hand, warmth rising in my chest. “You’ll be fine, Maya. Focus on your next gig. I’ll take care of this.”

She nodded, a spark of resolve in her eyes. “Thank you, Liam. I’ll work hard. I won’t cause you trouble.”

Leaving the café, a wave of exhaustion hit me. The storm had only just begun. I had to hold my ground in these muddy waters and keep Susan and Maya from being pulled under.

In the afternoon, Christina called me into her office. She wore a tight red dress that hugged her curves, the deep V diving dangerously low. Leaning on her desk with a glass of red in hand, her eyes were razor sharp.

“Liam, that little mess online is blowing up. Tell me—how are you going to put it to bed?”

I took a breath and lowered my voice.

“Christina, I’ve had PR issue a statement and warned the gossip blogs to take their posts down. If needed, I’ll go on the record myself.”

She smirked, red lips tilting into a taunt.

“A clarification? Liam, you’re still green. You don’t smother a blaze in this industry with a press release. Someone’s fanning the flames. Find the hand behind it.”

I froze, the anonymous text and Ms. Ward’s cold smirk flashing through my mind. “You’re saying… someone set this up on purpose?”

She lit a cigarette and exhaled a pale ribbon of smoke.

“Nothing in showbiz happens for no reason. You’ve made enemies. Think—who’s most likely to trip you up right now?”

A jolt ran through me—Zack’s feral grin, Mr. Warren’s dark stare. Was the ‘Temptress Angel’ business not finished? Or was it someone else entirely?

I clenched my jaw. “I’ll get to the bottom of it.”

She stepped closer and tapped my shoulder, warmth seeping through my shirt and kicking my heartbeat off rhythm.

“You’ve got guts, Liam. I like that. But don’t forget—this game has no shortage of enemies. Learn to be ruthless, or you won’t even be able to protect Susan and Maya.”

I left her office with a sense of danger I’d never felt before.

Back at my desk, I opened my laptop and started digging into the gossip account’s background.

To my surprise, it traced back to a small talent agency that had just signed a newcomer—billed as “the next Susan.”

A chill ran through me. Was someone trying to climb by stepping on Susan?

Spin Control