Olivia Wynne cast a nonchalant glance at Wayne Quinn, her voice clear as she asked, "Who says I don't have a chance?"
That one glance from Olivia Wynne sent an unexpected chill down Wayne Quinn's spine. A surge of irritation washed over him. He casually lit a cigarette, took a drag, and then looked at her. "During the meeting, the boss told me the production team for *Love Song* called to terminate your contract. On top of that, some of the brands you endorse have also called to pull their deals. As of now, you have no projects lined up."
Olivia Wynne had already heard the news from some of her so-called "friends" at the company on her way in, so hearing it again from Wayne Quinn didn't faze her in the slightest.
'If I'm going to make a comeback, a low-budget idol drama like *Love Song* won't cut it. I need a major production to have any real chance.'
Olivia Wynne thought of the original owner's network and smiled faintly.
'The original owner had people backing her. It shouldn't be too hard to land a role in a major production.'
"Quinn, how about this? The company wants to shelve me, right? If I can land a role in a major production on my own, you handle things with the company for me."
Wayne Quinn's resolve wavered, but he didn't voice his agreement.
Olivia Wynne glanced at Wayne Quinn. Seeing his brow slightly furrowed in thought, she knew he was tempted but still had reservations.
She slapped her hand down on the table, her tone commanding. "Quinn, you already manage one Actor Laureate, but you've never had an Actress Laureate, have you? Give me a chance, and I'll bring back the award for you."
Leaning back, Olivia Wynne's expression turned languid. "I just need one chance. Give me that, Quinn. There's no downside for you."
"So, Quinn, are you willing to take this gamble with me?" She looked at Wayne Quinn, her wide eyes shining with confidence.
Wayne Quinn stared at Olivia Wynne. The woman across from him was nothing like the person he once knew. She seemed to radiate a new light, and her presence was impossible to ignore, even when she was just sitting there.
A part of him believed she could actually pull it off, but he couldn't agree right away. He needed to observe her for a while first.
"You can head back for now. I'll think about it."
At his words, Olivia Wynne smiled. She stood up, extended her hand to Wayne Quinn, and said, "Quinn, I'll be waiting for your good news. I hope we'll have a great partnership ahead."
Wayne Quinn didn't take her hand. Instead, he said, "Whether or not we'll be working together is a separate issue. I just hope that the next time you get into trouble, you won't hide it from your manager."
Olivia Wynne calmly withdrew her hand. "You're right, this was my fault," she said softly. "From now on, I won't hide anything from you."
'After the original owner discovered she was pregnant, she'd locked herself at home for days without telling Wayne Quinn. That's why he was completely blindsided when the news broke online and couldn't manage the crisis in time.'
Wayne Quinn waved his hand dismissively. "Alright, you can go. I need to think about my next steps."
"Take your time, Quinn. I'll be on my way."
With that, Olivia Wynne walked out, feeling quite pleased with herself.
'Looks like Wayne Quinn was tempted by my proposal. As long as I take decisive action and land a role in a major television series, this whole thing should be a done deal.'
Standing before the elevator doors, Olivia Wynne watched the floor numbers light up in ascent, her brow furrowing slightly.
'What major TV series are starting production soon?'
DING. The elevator doors slid open, interrupting Olivia Wynne's thoughts. She glanced up, waited for the occupants to exit, and then moved to step inside.
Clara Quinn stepped out of the elevator, removed her sunglasses, and blocked Olivia Wynne's path.
"Well, well, if it isn't Olivia Wynne. Shouldn't you be on set? What are you doing here? I heard the opening ceremony for *Love Song* is today. Why didn't you go?"
Clara Quinn tapped her own head, feigning a sudden realization. "Oh, that's right! You're not a rising star anymore. You've been blacklisted by the company. You'll never get the chance to act again. And your role in *Love Song* has been recast."
"You're a homewrecker now. It's disgusting how you meddled in someone else's relationship."
"I thought you were so powerful. What happened? Did your lucky charm fail to protect you this time?"
Olivia Wynne shot Clara Quinn a cold glare, her voice icy. "And who are you?"
Clara Quinn froze for a moment before exploding in fury. "Olivia Wynne, cut the act! Do you think you're still a big star? You're washed up! No one cares if you live or die. You better not mess with me, or I'll find a way to crush you."
Giving Clara Quinn a look one might reserve for a simpleton, Olivia Wynne stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the first floor.
Stung by Olivia Wynne's disdainful look, Clara Quinn shrieked in a fluster, "Olivia Wynne, you won't be smug for long—!"
The elevator doors slid shut, cutting off Clara Quinn's furious tirade.
'Clara Quinn. Another actress at the company. The original owner didn't have a good relationship with her. The day the original owner was drugged was during a company dinner, and Clara was there. I wonder if she had a hand in it.'
Making a mental note of the name, Olivia Wynne looked up at the descending floor indicator.
After exiting the elevator, Olivia Wynne didn't leave right away. She first sent a message to her assistant, Ian.
"What scripts are casting right now?"
After sending the text, she slipped her phone back into her purse and walked out the main entrance of Starlight Media. Just as she was about to hail a taxi, she was ambushed by a swarm of reporters.
"Olivia Wynne, is your 'lucky charm' image just a publicity stunt?"
"There are rumors online that you interfered in the marriage of Actor Laureate Yates and Nicole Neal, that you're the other woman. What's your response to that?"
"You were seen at an OB-GYN clinic. Are you pregnant? Is the baby Actor Laureate Yates's?"
The reporters hurled questions at her one after another, giving Olivia Wynne no time to respond. Dozens of them surged forward, forcing her to back away slowly in her high heels.
Her heel hit the edge of a step behind her. Just as she was about to fall, Olivia Wynne grabbed a nearby reporter, using them for leverage to execute a swift flip, landing gracefully about two feet from her original spot.
After steadying herself, Olivia Wynne looked up at the reporters. They seemed so stunned by her acrobatic maneuver that they had forgotten their questions entirely.
Olivia Wynne looked at the stunned crowd and spoke slowly. "Please, take a step back. I will answer your questions, but let me take them one by one."
"First, I am not the other woman. As for why there are rumors online about me interfering in someone's marriage… I'm sorry, I have no idea. Perhaps someone is just jealous of my good looks."