Part 74：Lan, stay, please?

Zoe knew she was regretting her decision.

She turned to Lan and said, "Lan, stay, please?"

Lan shook her head gently, her voice calm but firm. "Zoe, a new manager will be better for you."

"But you're my first manager," Zoe said, her voice tinged with desperation.

"And I'll always be your first manager," Lan replied with a wistful smile. That was all she said, but it was enough. There was no point in arguing further.

A loud rumble of thunder rolled across the sky. Moments ago, the sun had been blazing bright, but now heavy clouds were gathering, signaling an imminent downpour.

The car ride was heavy with silence. It wasn't until they arrived at the photoshoot location that Zoe finally saw a break in the tension. The magazine crew greeted her warmly at the entrance, their smiles bright and their words brimming with excitement. Zoe, ever the professional, forced herself to shake off her emotions. She plastered on a smile, exchanged pleasantries, and got straight to work.

During the shoot, Zoe posed effortlessly under the dazzling lights—sometimes with a casual, lifestyle vibe, other times exuding high-fashion elegance. In the background, Lan watched, arms crossed, her expression unusually tender.

Zoe felt her gaze and, for a fleeting moment, her mind wandered. The photographer seized the opportunity to capture her distant, contemplative look. "Perfect!" he called out.

Zoe snapped out of her trance and quickly replaced her lost look with a radiant smile. She had a job to do.

Lan's final project with Zoe was a highly anticipated fashion show for VX. When news broke that Zoe would be walking as a guest model, it instantly trended on social media. Of course, the hype was engineered—VX had poured resources into building the buzz. Marketing director Zheng was thrilled. "Chen always delivers," she said, referring to VX's aggressive PR strategy.

The buzz, however, brought its fair share of backlash. Many online comments mocked Zoe's "sudden rise" and claimed she was undeserving of the honor. Some suggested that top-tier actresses had turned down the gig, leaving room for a "lucky newcomer" like her. The criticism stung, but Zoe swallowed her anger. After all, VX was still establishing itself in the Chinese luxury market. No A-lister would risk their reputation on a brand that was still a gamble.

Despite the online chatter, the calculated media blitz had achieved its goal: Zoe was no longer just a rising star—she was a name firmly planted in the industry. In just a month, offers for dramas, variety shows, commercials, live streams, and events poured in like a tidal wave.

For Lan, it meant an exhausting schedule right up to her departure at the end of the month. Still, she meticulously managed Zoe's engagements, even coordinating her replacement manager. "She's more experienced than I am and has broader connections," Lan assured Zoe, trying to sound optimistic.

But Zoe's heart sank every time Lan spoke about leaving.

Back at the agency one afternoon, Zoe arrived to finalize a contract for a major endorsement deal: a smartphone brand. While not a top-tier global name, it was a respectable domestic player with a growing reputation. In an industry where phones are launched and replaced in the blink of an eye, landing a single-quarter contract was still a win, especially considering Zoe was a relatively unproven face.

Just as she was settling in, He appeared, his demeanor oozing faux warmth. "Ah, our superstar is back in the office! Look at you, glowing with success!" His exaggerated tone grated on Zoe.

"Thank you, Mr. He," Zoe replied, her practiced smile unwavering. She knew better than to trust his niceties.

Before she could proceed with the contract, He gestured to a young woman beside him. "This is Siyao, a new talent we just signed. She's a fan of yours and insisted on meeting you!"

Zoe glanced at Siyao, a sweet-faced girl with wide, innocent eyes. She offered a polite smile. "Hello, nice to meet you."

Siyao beamed. "It's an honor, Sister Zoe!"

He continued, "Siyao will also be joining the cast of The Eighth Spark of Love. As her senior, I'm counting on you to guide her on set."

Zoe's eyes narrowed slightly. Was this an innocent introduction, or was He trying to plant someone in her camp?

Feigning surprise, Zoe quipped, "Oh, Mr. He, is Siyao your relative? You're giving her such special attention! You know, when I joined the agency over a year ago, I didn't get this level of care."

Her playful tone masked a sharp edge, and Siyao looked helplessly at He, unsure of how to respond. He chuckled awkwardly, trying to downplay the remark. "Oh, Zoe, how could you say that? Haven't I always supported you? You're starring in a major drama, aren't you? That's all thanks to me."

Zoe resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Everyone in the agency knew that it was Lan, not He, who had secured her breakout role.

"Of course, Mr. He," Zoe said with a saccharine smile. "My mistake."

She didn't say another word about mentoring Siyao.

Later, in the car, Lan spoke up. "You didn't have to put him on the spot like that. He's still the VP overseeing talent management."

Zoe's eyes hardened. "And what did all my patience and politeness get me before? Did he stop pressuring you to accept projects I didn't want? Did he stop exploiting me to promote his favorites? Lan, he's driving you away. Do you expect me to keep playing nice after that?"

Lan sighed but said nothing. She knew Zoe wasn't wrong.

4o