Chapter 187 Chapter 187
Claire bit her lower lip so hard it almost bled. Her eyes burned with toxic determination.
“I don't give a damn about the damage!” she hissed. “As long as I stop Caroline, any price is cheap.”
She lifted her chin, the arrogance of someone with powerful connections overflowing.
“It's not that hard to get a leading role. With my current popularity and Edward's money, I'll never lack opportunities. I'm the future Mrs. Cassano! I can choose any script I want.”
Her expression darkened, revealing her true fear:
“On the other hand, if I don't stop her now... if I give her a chance to shine... she might end up being successful.” Then what? What do I do if she becomes bigger than me?
Linda felt her blood run cold. She looked at Claire as if she were a lunatic.
Claire wasn't thinking like a star; she was thinking like an insecure and vengeful woman.
“Claire, have you lost your mind?” Linda tried to be firm, her voice laden with warning. “I don't approve of this breach of contract. It's professional suicide.”
“Have you considered the real consequences?” Linda crossed her arms. “If you give up ‘Imperial Palace’ now, they won't wait for you. They'll hand the role to Gisele on a silver platter.”
The mention of the name made the air heavy.
Gisele was the star of the rival agency.
Claire's direct competitor. They had been vying for magazine covers, advertising contracts, and red carpets for years. “Gisele is already on your heels,” Linda continued, relentless. “If she gets that lead role and the series is a success... she'll move up to ‘Tier 1’ and you'll be left behind. It will be almost impossible to surpass her in the future.”
You'll spend the rest of your career eating her dust.
Linda was playing her last card. The fear of being irrelevant.
But to Linda's shock, Claire just rolled her eyes dismissively.
“I don't care about Gisele. Let her get the part, let her win the Oscar, I don't care!” Claire stamped her foot like a spoiled child. “I want the role of Caroline. And that's final.”
“You...” Linda turned pale, anger choking her throat.
This was the first time in her career that Linda had seen an artist treat her own future with such contempt.
But then it dawned on her.
Linda looked at the engagement ring on Claire's finger.
Of course.
Claire was marrying Edward Cassano. She would be a high society lady. For her, acting was just a glamorous hobby, a way to feed her vanity. She had a golden “plan B.” She didn't need to fight.
Linda felt a bitter taste in her mouth. This was exactly the kind of “artist” she detested.
People without hunger. People who didn't respect art or hard work because they had a financial safety net.
Artists like that... never really made it to the top. They shone for a while, bought by money, and then disappeared.
For the first time, Linda looked at Claire and didn't see a rising star. She saw a dead end.
Linda was an elite manager. She had resources, contacts, and ambition. Her dream was to mold a true “Queen of Cinema,” a legend who would win awards on merit.
She had invested years in Claire. But even with all the resources in the world, Claire was... mediocre. She was pretty, yes. She acted acceptably. But she lacked soul. She lacked drive. And above all, she was uncontrollable.
How could Linda build an empire with someone who would rather destroy her own career to harm an unknown sister?
“Linda, did you hear me?!”
A shrill scream pierced Linda's eardrums, pulling her out of her thoughts.
She looked up and found Claire's contorted face inches from hers.
“If you can't even do something as simple as stealing a little supporting role, then why am I paying you?” Claire yelled, pointing her finger in the manager's face. “Don't be my manager anymore! Get out!
I don't need such a useless manager!”
The hallway fell silent.
Claire's attitude, which was already difficult, had crossed the line of what was acceptable. Her hatred for Caroline had turned her into an irrational monster.
Linda felt her face burn with humiliation.
She was respected in the industry. Edward himself had to use his influence and charm to convince her to manage Claire exclusively.
And now... this spoiled girl, who wouldn't survive a day in the real world without her fiancé's money, was calling her useless?
Linda gripped the strap of her purse tightly. Something broke inside her at that moment. Her professional loyalty was over.
Linda had put up with Claire's whims for too long, solely out of professional loyalty to Edward.
But that was the limit. The rope snapped.
The moment Claire called her “useless,” something in Linda's face changed. The expression of forced patience disappeared, replaced by a professional and severe coldness.
“Claire.” Linda's voice didn't change, but the tone was icy. “I am your manager, your career strategist. I am not your subordinate, much less your servant. Watch your tone.”
Claire blinked, stunned. It took her a few seconds to process that the ‘servant’ was talking back.
“W-What did you say?” Claire's expression twisted in anger. “What's your problem?” Are you crazy? You're the one who needs to tone it down, not me! I'm your boss!“
”Boss?"
Linda let out a short, dry laugh, devoid of humor.
She finally understood. Claire never saw her as a partner or mentor. She saw her as a glorified servant.
Linda straightened her posture, looking Claire up and down.
“Claire, if my memory serves me correctly... you're not married to President Cassano yet, are you?”
The silence in the hallway was deafening.
“You're the girlfriend. The fiancée, perhaps. But the name on the company door is still his, not yours. So how exactly are you my ‘boss’?”
Linda decided to stop mincing words.
Diplomacy was over.
She would no longer tolerate Claire's toxic temperament. She was determined to throw in the towel, even if it meant offending Edward. As an elite manager, respected throughout the industry, submitting to this level of disrespect from a mediocre actress was humiliating.
“Linda, what do you mean by that?” Claire's voice faltered. She realized, for the first time, that Linda wasn't bluffing.
Linda looked her straight in the eye.
“What I mean is that Miss Ford's temper is out of control. I'm not paid to be a punching bag.
”If you think I'm useless, fine. Ask President Cassano to find a ‘competent’ manager who will satisfy your every whim. Our partnership ends here.
Claire opened her mouth in shock, but Linda continued, relentless:
"I will inform President Cassano personally of my decision. I'm sure he'll find someone willing to be your doormat. But since we've worked together for so long, I'll give you one last piece of professional advice. Whether you listen to it or not is your problem.
Claire was stunned.