New Manager

Half an hour later, the trio reached the filming site. Since Noah had to keep his identity secret, he watched everything from afar.

Sophie emerged from the dressing room wearing a delicate light blue dress adorned with lace. The dress fit her perfectly, accentuating her graceful figure and especially her long, slender legs, which seemed to go on forever.

She looked like a masterpiece, as if crafted by a skilled sculptor.

Today's photo shoot theme was about a bride chasing after her runaway groom. During the chase, the bride injures her leg, and the groom isn't aware of it.

In the end, the dazzling diamond in the bride's hand catches the sunlight, creating a beautiful rainbow that reminds the groom of the vows he made to her. Finally, the groom returns, and the couple reconciles, finding their way back to each other.

"Sophie, the way we're doing things today is quite different, are you comfortable with that?" The photographer, who had taken on the role of director for today's shoot, asked Sophie with a hint of concern.

"No problem at all!" Sophie responded with a warm smile and a reassuring nod.

The director gave her a thumbs-up, signaling his approval, before gently reminding her to get ready for a quick rehearsal.

"Actually, I don't need that," Sophie confidently declined, standing her ground with a determined look in her eyes.

Having witnessed Sophie's remarkable professionalism the day before, the director had no reason to question her abilities. If this had been their first encounter, he might have hesitated. But knowing what she was capable of, he nodded in agreement and proceeded with the filming without further delay.

The commercial was unconventional, lacking a script and spanning just 30 seconds, demanding the models to swiftly embody the required emotions.

The scene they were about to capture was pivotal—Sophie had to portray a sense of urgency as if she were about to embark on a chase. Her expression needed to convey intensity and purpose, capturing the essence of the moment with just a glance.

As the scene began, Sophie's expression radiated hope, a glimmer of optimism lighting up her eyes. But as the moment stretched on, that hope slowly faded into despair, the realization creeping in that she couldn't catch up.

With the filming about to commence, Sophie, needing no guidance, gracefully took her position in front of the camera. The moment the slate clapped, Sophie seemed to vanish, her presence transforming entirely.

In her place stood an abandoned bride, her eyes darting around desperately, searching for something—or someone—that seemed forever out of reach. Though her eyes reddened with emotion, no tears fell, capturing a heart-wrenching vulnerability.

As she ran, Sophie added a realistic touch of breathless panting, her movements growing more frantic, embodying the urgency and intensity of her character's desperate search. Her every motion was a testament to her skill, drawing viewers into the depths of her character's turmoil.

Sophie stood there, her face a canvas of raw urgency, as if she were on the very edge of breaking down. From a distance, Noah observed her closely, recognizing in Sophie a hidden treasure, dusty yet undeniably precious. It was no surprise to him that three years ago, she had risen above her challenges with such grace and strength.

He couldn't help but wonder, if Sophie hadn't been forced to retreat back then, how high could she have soared by now?

Beside him, Lisa spoke up, her eyes sparkling with an untouchable pride. "Mr. Noah, our Sophie is quite remarkable, isn't she? If only that scoundrel hadn't held her back!" Her words hung in the air, echoing the unspoken potential and the obstacles Sophie had faced.

"No one will hold her back from now on," Noah declared firmly, his voice filled with determination as he turned and made his way back to the car, his tall frame exuding confidence.

Lisa watched him with a smile, reassured by his words. She knew that Sophie was ready to forge her own path, free from the shackles of the past. And the fact that Noah, a man of considerable power and influence—the owner of an empire—was in her corner only strengthened her belief.

The day unfolded seamlessly, thanks to Sophie's remarkable professionalism. The photo shoot progressed without a hitch, shaving off half a day's work for the director, who could hardly believe his luck.

Impressed by Sophie's talent and poise, the director approached her, eager to help. He wanted to offer her a way to navigate the troubling rumors that had been swirling around her, hoping to provide support and solutions for the challenges she faced.

"I've heard whispers that your current company is struggling to manage your career path effectively," the director remarked, his eyes gleaming with opportunity. "Would you be interested in stepping onto a much bigger stage?"

Sophie accepted the director's business card with her usual grace. "I'm not entirely sure at the moment," she replied, her voice calm and measured. "For now, I don't have any plans to make a change, but I'll definitely reach out if I decide otherwise."

The director nodded, respecting her decision. With a warm smile, he added, "That's perfectly fine. Feel free to contact me anytime you reconsider. Our doors will always be open for you."

Sophie offered her gratitude with a warm smile before turning on her heel to make her way back to Noah. But before she could take more than a few steps, Lisa darted towards her, eyes wide and phone clutched tightly in her hand. "Sophie!" Lisa cried out breathlessly, her voice tinged with urgency. "I just got a call from someone named Ashley. She claims to be your new manager, set up by Nathan himself. She insisted that as soon as you're done with this shoot, you must return—Nathan's arranged for you to appear at some event. And get this, it's happening in just three days!"

Lisa's voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper as she leaned in closer. "I've been digging into the brand behind this event, and while it's not some no-name outfit, they've got a slew of customer complaints stretching back years. It's as if Nathan handpicked this mess on purpose, like he's setting you up for a fall."

Sophie snatched the phone from Lisa's hand with a steady composure, her voice calm but firm, "Let's head back first. We'll discuss everything later."

Lisa's heart ached as she watched Sophie, knowing the weight of the decision before her. "Sophie, you've worked so hard for this. Accepting this job could mean throwing away everything you've achieved."

Sophie turned to face Lisa, her eyes burning with determination. "Do you really think I haven't braced myself for this moment, Lisa?" she retorted, her voice edged with a mix of betrayal and defiance. The shock of Nathan choosing Amber over the Monroe legacy still lingered, but she refused to let it shake her resolve. "I've said it before, being in charge and being sidelined are just a hair's breadth apart. The outcomes are divided by the thinnest of lines, and I won't make the wrong move again."

Not far off, Noah sat in the car, his gaze locking with Sophie's as she approached. A warm smile spread between them, a silent exchange of understanding and support.

Once Sophie settled into the passenger seat, Noah handed her his phone with a knowing look. "I reached out to Ethan," he said, his voice edged with intrigue. "He's dug through the database for everything he could find on this Ashley—your new manager. Her resume, as well as some shadows from her past, are all in here."

"Wait, you know about the event Nathan set up for me?" Sophie asked, turning to Lisa with a suspicious glance, wondering if she had spilled the beans to Noah.

But Lisa quickly shook her head, hands waving in denial, making it clear she had nothing to do with it.

"In this business, if I want to know something, I find out," Noah said confidently, his voice carrying the weight of someone who had conquered many challenges.

Sophie wasn't shocked anymore; she knew how Noah had risen to the top. She flashed him a determined smile, saying, "Don't worry, you've already given me the weapon I need to defeat my enemies. I promise I'll see it through to the end."

Noah didn't reply with words. Instead, he gently reached out, brushing his fingers through Sophie's hair. Lisa shivered at the sight, goosebumps rising on her skin.

These two had only recently tied the knot, yet they already had the aura of a couple who had spent a lifetime together.

Once filming wrapped up, the trio headed back to New York.

On the flight, Sophie and Noah cozied up to each other, sharing a warm and affectionate moment.

However, the moment their plane touched down and they disembarked, they drifted apart like strangers on separate paths.

Nathan had arranged for their new manager, Ashley, to meet them at arrivals.

At the airport's exit, Ashley waited patiently. She was dressed in a sleek light purple chiffon dress and stood confidently on towering 10-inch heels. Her sunglasses shaded her eyes as she frequently glanced at the watch on her wrist.

Her entire demeanor radiated impatience, as if she were the star waiting to be whisked away by an entourage.

Sophie spotted a sign with her name on it near Ashley's feet, but she decided to ignore it. Instead, she walked straight out of the airport with Lisa by her side.

Lisa let out a quiet chuckle, noticing that Sophie was starting to show her own fiery side.

During the ride, Sophie got a call from Ashley.

"Sophie, where are you? Wasn't your flight supposed to land at 12?!"

"I'm already heading back to the office," Sophie answered in a relaxed tone.

"You didn't see me when you came out of arrivals?"

"I did see you," Sophie replied, staying calm and not letting any emotion show.

"Then why didn't you come over to me?!" Ashley's voice was filled with frustration.

"You had on those sunglasses, so I figured you were there to put on a show," Sophie retorted with a hint of sarcasm.

Ashley's face flushed with anger, and she abruptly hung up the phone. She hurried back to her car, determined to return to the office.

Ashley had entered the industry at a young age, but her extremely poor eyesight was a challenge. Despite helping some artists rise to fame, they often ended up either clashing with influential figures or needing rehab.

This track record meant that, as a manager, she didn't have the best reputation in the industry.

Ashley was asked by Amber to deal with Sophie because Amber wanted her to handle the situation. However, things didn't go as planned.

Before Ashley even got a chance to meet Sophie, she ended up feeling embarrassed. Despite this setback, Ashley was resolute. She wasn't about to give up easily.

After all, Sophie was just an old version, and Ashley couldn't believe she was being treated with such disrespect. How could Sophie not show her any regard?

Twenty minutes later, Sophie was the first to arrive at the office. As soon as she walked into the main entrance of Global Pictures Entertainment, she made a beeline for Nathan's office, pushing the door open with determination.

"I'm here for an explanation," Sophie declared, slamming her hands on the desk. "So there is really something going on between you and Amber?"

Nathan paused in his work, taken aback. After a brief moment of hesitation, he shifted the conversation. "You just got off the plane. How did you end up coming straight here?"

"How long has this been going on?" Sophie pressed on, refusing to let the topic drop. "How long have you and Amber been together?"

"SOPHIE!" Nathan shouted, his patience snapping. "I've had enough of this. Do you realize how annoying you're being? Can't you do things that men appreciate? Like Amber does? What kind of woman nags every single day like you?"

Sophie withdrew her hands slowly, her eyes searching Nathan's face with a mix of hurt and disbelief. "What do you take me for? A toy?" she asked quietly.

"Sophie, let's end this," Nathan said with a tone that felt cold and detached, as if he were speaking to a stranger. "I'm genuinely with Amber now. We're truly in love. You can't blame me; there's no explanation needed for real love. From now on, our relationship is strictly professional. I'm your boss, and you're my employee."

Sophie curled her lip into a sneer, surprisingly calm, much more so than Nathan had anticipated.

"So, you're not planning to end my contract, are you? You must think that if you let me go, Amber won't achieve anything," she said.

"Sorry, but you still have three more years," Nathan replied.

"Is that why you arranged for me to be at that event?" Sophie asked, pressing for answers.

"Given your current situation, this event is perfect for you!" Nathan responded. He sat back down and began leafing through some papers. "If there's nothing else, you can go. Also, Ashley will be your manager from now on, and you'll need to follow her instructions."

-

Sophie realized she had spent five long years with someone who didn't deserve her time.

Her heart ached, but anger outweighed the sadness she felt inside.

"Unfaithful people usually don't end up living happily ever after," she said with a sly grin, letting her words linger in the air before she stormed out of Nathan's office.

Her resolve was crystal clear—she was more determined than ever to ensure Global Pictures vanished from the entertainment scene for good.

Sophie walked back into her room, feeling a mix of emotions. Meanwhile, Ashley had just arrived from the airport.

Without so much as a knock, Ashley barged into the room, pointing a finger at Sophie and shouting, "Do you realize that you're my artist now? Do you still plan to model and take other jobs? How dare you act this way towards me! Are you a pig!?"

Hearing Ashley's words, Sophie rose from her seat and calmly but deliberately moved towards Ashley. "Say that again," she challenged. "What were the last four words you just used?"

"I asked if you are a pig," Ashley repeated with an air of arrogance.

Before Ashley could even blink, Sophie's hand had already struck her cheek. "That slap is to remind you of your place," Sophie said firmly.

Ashley stood there, shocked and wide-eyed, ready to retaliate. But before she could act, Sophie calmly pulled out her phone and showed it to her. "I have plenty of compromising photos like this saved," she said coolly. "Because of those four words you just uttered, I've decided to send them to the four biggest media companies."

Ashley paused, feeling confused by Sophie's words. It wasn't until she glanced down at the screen that she saw a picture of herself trying to charm a director.

Her mind went into overdrive. "This can't be real! How did Sophie get her hands on these photos? I was so cautious; there's no way this could be true. It must be fake," she thought frantically.

"I'm sure Amber is the mastermind behind this mess. If you hadn't overstepped your bounds, I wouldn't have to waste my time on someone like you, a mere manager. But clearly, you have no idea who you're dealing with," she declared boldly.

Fear crept over Ashley as her hands started to shake. Had she known that Sophie had this kind of leverage over her, she would never have agreed to Amber's plan to make life difficult for Sophie.

Her expression shifted instantly, and she dropped to her knees. "Sophie, I didn't mean to treat you this way. Please, don't let those photos get out. It would ruin me," she pleaded desperately.

Sophie gazed down at Ashley with a commanding presence. "Listen carefully; I'll say this only once. I don't go after those who leave me in peace, but if someone crosses me, I'll make sure they regret it deeply. From now on, you do your job, and I'll do mine. If you want to plot and play games, I'm more than willing to join in, but the repercussions will be far worse than just these photos being released."

At that moment, Sophie's demeanor was both fierce and authoritative.

Ashley was at a loss for words. Wasn't Sophie supposed to be a pushover? "I understand. I know what I need to do and what to avoid," she stammered, clearly intimidated by Sophie's piercing gaze.

After venting her anger, Sophie quickly regained her usual calm demeanor. Her voice returned to its usual indifferent tone as she asked Ashley, "When am I supposed to be on stage at the event?"

"You—You're actually going?" Ashley was baffled by Sophie's decision.

"Just tell me when," Sophie insisted, repeating her question.