Chapter 233 Chapter 233
Half an hour later.
The doorbell of the charming coffee shop across from campus rang, announcing the arrival of Caroline and Tania. The late afternoon sun in Araraquara cast a golden light across the room.
They didn't have to look far. Linda was already sitting in a discreet, secluded corner at the back of the shop, wearing an impeccably tailored suit and exuding pure corporate authority.
When she saw the two approaching the table, Linda looked up from her tablet. She raised her eyebrows in surprise, but smiled politely. “I see that Miss Ford and Miss Richards have a truly close friendship.
”You bet they do." Tania made no effort to be friendly.
She pulled out a chair, sat down next to Caroline, and waved curtly to the waiter, ordering a double espresso.
Then she crossed her arms on the table, glaring at the businesswoman. “I wasn't going to let my best friend come alone into the lion's den. I hope you don't mind.” Linda laughed lightly, unfazed by the hostility. "Miss Richards, you're absolutely right to be protective. I understand perfectly well that our indirect encounters in the past, through the agency, were not at all pleasant. But you can relax your grip. The reason I invited Miss Ford here today is strictly professional. A business proposal, nothing more.“ ”Oh, really?" Tania retorted, narrowing her eyes.
“And what kind of ‘business’ does StarColi want to do with my friend?”
Linda smiled enigmatically and turned her full attention to Caroline. She analyzed her from head to toe for a long moment, with the clinical gaze of someone evaluating a rough diamond, before asking, “Miss Ford, I gather you don't have a manager at the moment, correct?”
Caroline hesitated for a second before nodding. “Correct. I don't.”
She was just a college student who had just passed a test. Where would she find a high-profile manager? No reputable agency would sign a contract with a newcomer with no contacts and no resume.
Linda nodded slowly, her eyes shining with predatory satisfaction. "Miss Ford, I'll be blunt: you are stunning. And I don't just mean your face. I'm talking about your aura, your presence. I've been responsible for dozens of artists in my career, but very few had what you have. You were born to devour the cameras. If you had received the proper training and the right investment earlier, you would have been a top-tier actress long ago.
Caroline frowned, confused by the sudden compliments. “Where are you going with this, Linda?”
She hated it when people tried to surround her with flattery.
Linda wasn't a fan of wasting time either. She leaned across the table, her tone becoming sharp and direct. "I've worked at StarColi Entertainment for a whole decade. I started from scratch and became a first-class manager. In that decade, I launched dozens of successful careers. Any talent under my management reaches at least B-level popularity in the country.
What I'm trying to say is very simple: Caroline, if you're willing to let me be your manager, I promise to turn you into a major star in two years.
She paused dramatically. "And to be perfectly honest... with your looks, your natural talent, and a good marketing strategy, if we have the right resources, I can cut that time down to six months. If you sign with me, I'll use absolutely all of my contacts from the last decade in the industry to get you the best scripts and contracts. I'll make you an icon.
When Linda finished her passionate speech, silence fell over the table.
Both Caroline and Tania were in shock. Tania's eyes looked like they were about to pop out of their sockets.
After a long, stunned pause, Caroline finally found her voice, asking incredulously: “Are you telling me... you want to be my manager?”
“Exactly.” Linda didn't blink.
Caroline was speechless.
Was she having hearing problems? What was the StarColi executive up to?
“Linda, forgive my frankness...” Caroline narrowed her eyes, looking for the catch. “But as far as I and the rest of the country know, you are Claire's exclusive manager. The agency president has entrusted his fiancée's career to you. I highly doubt he would allow you to manage the career of his fiancée's arch-enemy at the same time, right?”
In fact, Edward had made a point of monopolizing Linda's time to turn Claire into the “fairy of the nation.”
Linda took a slow sip of her coffee. When she placed the cup back on the saucer, her expression was one of absolute ice. “I was her manager. I'm not anymore.”
Caroline blinked, the shock hitting her for the second time in less than five minutes. “You're no longer Claire's manager?!”
“No.” Linda replied with frightening calm. "We had... irreconcilable differences. Especially after her latest scandals, which I was forced to try to clean up. It was a complete breakup, and I resigned from StarColi. I signed the termination papers last night. Miss Ford, I dedicated ten years of blood and sweat to that company, but I have professional limits. I'm out, and I'm not coming back. Linda sighed, a trace of genuine exhaustion crossing her face. “If it had been up to me, I would never have agreed to manage that girl's ego. It was a direct order from the boss, Edward Collins. But now I'm free.” Linda took an elegant business card from her purse and slid it across the table to Caroline. "I've recently taken on the position of Managing Partner at Vox Talents. It's a huge agency, a direct rival of StarColi.
I have free rein with the president there. Capital is not a problem.
She looked directly into Caroline's eyes, conveying unwavering determination. "Consider my proposal, Caroline. I'm willing to bet all my chips on you. And if you're still worried that this is some kind of trick... we can put a financial penalty clause in the contract. If I fail to elevate your career to the stipulated level within the agreed timeframe, Vox Talents will pay you a million-dollar fine for your lost time. You can set the amount of that fine yourself.
Caroline was completely paralyzed.
Linda's proposal had no loopholes. The penalty clause proved her absolute sincerity.