Chapter 10
Having seen through Zell’s real intentions, Ashley didn’t bother pretending to be polite anymore.
stars rise every day. Everyone’s chasing
Zell bristled at Ashley’s jab. “Yvonne, you’ve been gone for three years. The business has changed. New stars rise every d quick cash. The deals I’ve lined up aren’t perfect.
“But let’s face it. Most of your old fans have been taken by current top stars. Your comeback would only ride on nostalgia, and repeating past success won’t get you back on top.”
Ashley looked like she might pag. “Mr. Lampard, Yvonne just took a break. She didn’t vanish. Did you even check Twitter trends today?
“No one doubts Yvonne’s star power, comeback or not. Honestly, we don’t care about these lame endorsements. Yolanda would be perfect for then… if brands thought she was worth it.”
The sarcasm darkened Zell’s face. “Ashley, who do you think you work for! Since when did you start calling the shots?”
“Can’t you see who Ashley really works for? Yvonne cut in coldly, before Ashley could answer. “Like she said, these are scraps. If you cared about the company’s future, you’d drop this ridiculous plan”
Yvonne! This is for the company and for us. I’m not stopping your comeback, but you can’t act like a diva and ignore the company’s interests. Every decision we make prioritizes the company. Zell launched into his usual manipulative speech.
The endorsements you’ve picked make me wonder if you really care about the company’s interests at all Yvonne shot back.
Zell stared at Yvonne, genuinely shocked that she was challenging him “Yvonne, you know I didn’t mean it like that.” He was fuming but forced to keep his cool.
“The company agreed to stay quiet about my comeback plans. That was my deal with Emmett. Don’t mess this up, Yvonne said coldly.
Zell had been getting shut down by Yvonne lately, and it was driving him crazy. “Yvonne, we need to talk, Zell said, his voice tight with frustration. “Talk to Ashley about work. I’ve got a pre–filming meeting,” Yvonne said, walking away without looking back.
Ashley stayed behind as Yvonne left. Inside, Ashley was cheering Yvonne’s boss on.
“I suggest you think twice. Yvonne is about to be a star again. Don’t let short–term gains blind you, Ashley said pointedly. “And don’t let Yvonne down, either.”
Ashley’s words shook Zell. He frowned, thinking. What’s she implying? Do they know something? Impossible. Yolanda and I have kept our affair completely under wraps
Zell studied Ashley closely but saw nothing suspicious on her face.
“Mr. Lampard,” Ashley said! her voice firm, “you know how Yvonne operates. As of today, I’m done training newbies. I’ve handed of my current trainees to others. From now on, I’m focusing solely on Yvonne. She paused for emphasis.
“We can’t touch these, Zell protested.
“This was Yvonne’s call,” Ashley replied, unyielding-
“Fine” Zell finally conceded, With Yvonne still a shareholder, he couldn’t afford to push her too far yet.
Ashley relished seeing him back down.
Meanwhile, Yvonne was meeting with Emmett and a major investor from Radiant Entertainment,
“The main cast is locked in, and we were planning to announce this week, Valerie said, her enthusiasm palpable. “Let’s keep the buzz going. We should announce Yvonne now!”
Their decision was correct. Yvonne joining the cast set social media on fire
1/1
Chapter 1
