Chapter 188 Chapter 188
She never imagined Linda would have such courage.
Claire was Edward's wife! The future first lady of Star Splendor! Wasn't this insignificant manager afraid of being fired and banned from the industry the next minute?
Linda could see the gears turning in Claire's head. But she didn't care anymore.
The die was cast.
With Linda's reputation and resume, she would find a position at any other top agency in a matter of hours. Star Splendor needed her, not the other way around.
In fact, Linda had wanted to leave for a long time. Since Edward took full control, the company had changed. Before, Linda's opinion shaped careers. Now, everything revolved around Edward's ego and Claire's whims. She was fed up.
Linda sighed, looking at the spoiled girl in front of her with a clinical and brutally honest gaze.
“Claire, listen carefully. If you really want to succeed in this industry, you need to stop playing celebrity and start working. President Cassano's support can open doors, but it can't keep them open if you don't have talent or work ethic.”
Linda paused, preparing for the final blow.
“And, to be bluntly honest: your looks and acting style are not suited to the high-end film industry.”
Claire's eyes widened.
“What?”
“You don't have a ‘movie face.’ Your expressions are limited. In serious films or dramas, your flaws are magnified on the big screen.” Linda fired off the truth that no one else had the courage to say. “I suggest you shift your focus to variety shows, reality shows, and commercials.
You can stand out more as a ‘personality’ than by trying to be a serious actress. Because, as an actress... you don't have what it takes.”
Linda was serious.
Claire's acting was suitable for teen soap operas and idol dramas, where appearance and marketing mattered more than talent. But to be a “Queen of Cinema”? Never.
She had already tried to warn Edward, but he insisted on indulging Claire's “dream.”
Linda had kept quiet out of loyalty and for the money.
But now that she was quitting?
The truth was the best resignation letter she could write.
Claire turned pale. Her face twisted with hatred, she shouted the manager's full name, her voice echoing in the elevator shaft:
“Linda! Have you lost your mind? Do you even want to keep your job in this industry?”
She took a step forward, threateningly.
“Do you know the consequences of saying all this to my face? All I have to do is have a word with Edward... all it takes is a snap of my fingers, and I can banish you from Star Splendor and any other decent agency immediately!”
Was that a threat? Of course it was.
But to Claire's surprise, Linda just smiled. A slight smile, like someone who had finally lifted a hundred-pound weight off their back.
Linda shrugged, adjusting her purse elegantly on her shoulder.
“Frankly? I don't give a damn.” Linda looked her in the eye. “Those were my sincere and professional feelings. I suggest you take them seriously, for your own good.”
The elevator reached the ground floor.
DING.
The metal doors slowly opened.
Without another word, Linda walked out with her head held high, her high heels clicking on the marble floor of the lobby, without even looking back to see Claire's murderous expression.
Claire stood there with her mouth open, alone inside the metal box.
She couldn't believe it. Had the “maid” just fired her?
“Linda!” Claire rushed out of the elevator, losing her composure. “Linda, don't you dare turn your back on me! You'll regret this!”
The main lobby on the first floor was bustling. There were still several candidates waiting for or leaving auditions.
With Claire's current popularity—fueled by scandals and marketing—most people recognized her instantly.
Linda was also a well-known figure behind the scenes, an iron-fisted manager with a vast network.
Upon seeing the scene—the manager walking out coldly and the star screaming hysterically at the elevator door—the lobby came to a standstill. Whispers began like wildfire.
“Hey, isn't that Claire Ford?”
“It's her. Wow, she looks furious.”
“Are she and her manager fighting? It looks serious.”
“How brave... she's screaming in the middle of the lobby. Isn't she afraid of the consequences?”
“Consequences? What are you talking about?” A girl laughed softly, covering her mouth. “I heard that the Big Boss of Star Splendor is her boyfriend. What would she be afraid of? She's in charge here.”
“The President of Star Splendor? Edward Cassano?” Another voice interjected, confused. “But I heard rumors that the President had a long-time fiancée. A certain Caroline, wasn't it?”
“So... Claire is his girlfriend now?”
The girl lowered her voice, but the malice was evident: “Wait, if he had a fiancée and now he's with Claire... doesn't that make her ‘the other woman’? She's the mistress who destroyed the engagement?”
The discussion was not loud, just a buzz of gossip.
But the acoustics of the lobby were treacherous.
And Claire, with her nerves on edge, heard the key word.
“The other woman.”
It was like striking a match in a powder keg.
Hearing someone call her a mistress, Claire's blood boiled. She forgot she was a public figure. She forgot the cameras, forgot her “good girl” image.
She spun on her heels and stormed toward the group of girls, her fists clenched and her eyes bloodshot.
“Who are you calling ‘the other one’?”
The group was startled and backed away.
Claire stopped in front of the girl who had made the comment, trembling with rage.
“Edward broke up with that boring fiancée a long time ago! I'm his official girlfriend! I'm the future Mrs. Cassano! What nonsense are you talking about?!”
Claire already had the title of girlfriend, but deep down, insecurity gnawed at her. She knew how the relationship had started.
The term “mistress” was her biggest wound.
She pointed her finger in the unknown girl's face.
“That's defamation! Do you know who I am? I can sue you for that and ruin your life!”
The girl was initially startled. She was just gossiping to pass the time and didn't expect the star to have bionic hearing.