UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT Chapter 43

I sneered, my tone cutting. “Mr. Stanton, all this pomp just to poach a small fry like me? NovaStar Entertainment isn’t short on talent, is it?”

He stood, walked up to me, patted my shoulder, a hint of provocation in his voice.

“Liam, don’t sell yourself short. You made Serena a star, and you shielded Mia from a dirtbag like Zack. Not everyone can do that. NovaStar needs someone like you.”

He paused, leaned in, and murmured:

“Besides, if you stay where you are, can you really outplay Mr. Warren? Or stop the next scandal? Come with me. I’ll give you resources. A real backer.”

His words were a blade, sliding into my softest spot.

I thought of Mr. Warren’s grim face, the tabloid blogs’ venom, and Christine’s warning.

Tyler Stanton had clearly come prepared—every line testing my limits.

I drew a long breath and said, cool as ice, “Mr. Stanton, thanks for the offer. But Serena, Mia, and I aren’t jumping ship.”

He blinked, then chuckled, low and mocking.

“Liam, you’re stubborn. But this industry doesn’t bend just because you say no.”

He waved a hand; a few actresses drifted over. They pressed in, perfume thick in the air, soft curves brushing my arm, teasing my pulse faster.

Tyler’s smile was meaningful. “Think it over. NovaStar’s doors are always open to you.”

I pushed them away, caging the heat in my chest. “Tyler Stanton, I’ve got my own path. I don’t need your guidance.”

He shrugged, lifted his glass.

“Good. I like a man with a spine. Three days. Give me an answer. Otherwise, next time it won’t be just a rumor.”

Leaving the VIP suite, a threat like none I’d felt before settled over me.

The night breeze cleared my head a little, but all I could see was Tyler Stanton’s grin and those actresses’ provocative eyes. I knew this game had just begun, and NovaStar’s reach was far beyond what I’d imagined.

Back at my rented apartment, I texted Christine:

“Christine, Tyler Stanton is the chairman of NovaStar Entertainment. He tried to poach me, Serena, and Mia. I turned him down, but he gave me three days to think.”

Christine replied quickly:

“Good job, Liam. Stanton’s trouble. Keep a close eye on Serena and Mia—don’t give him an opening. Call me anytime.”

I set my phone down and lay on the bed, my mind a knot.

Serena’s love, Mia’s reliance, Christine’s warning, Stanton’s threat—four mountains crushing my chest.

I clenched my fists and told myself: Liam, get stronger—fast. Or you won’t even be able to protect them.

Stanton’s threat sat on me like a boulder. I tossed and turned all night, haunted by his arrogant smirk and those actresses’ taunting eyes.

NovaStar’s power was beyond my imagination. I had to find a counter, fast, to keep Serena and Mia out of his reach.

But before I could sort my thoughts, my phone lit up with a bombshell alert, the headline cracking like thunder:

“Rising star Serena openly admits she’s fallen for her manager!”

I froze, mind blank.

The photo showed Serena and me shaking hands in a café, paired with gushing captions from tabloid accounts, insisting Serena had gone public about us on Instagram.

I opened Instagram in a rush. Her latest post was front and center:

“Yes, I’m in love. He’s my manager, and the person I trust most. Thank you for caring—hope we get your blessing.”

Shielding the Stars