Chapter 2

2.

Inside the CEO’s office at Vance Corp.

My brother, Liam, the CEO, frowned as he listened to me.

“What’s going on? Is someone bullying you at that place? Is it Arthur or Linda? I’ll go over there and settle the score for you!”

I hadn’t felt vulnerable until he said that, but hearing his concern made my throat tighten.

“They’re all ganging up on me.”

My brother started lecturing me, which was his way of showing he cared. “I told you to just join our family firm. You could film anything you wanted. Why did you insist on building something from scratch with those people? Regret it now? Just come back and help me run things here!”

I pushed that momentary weakness aside and steeled my gaze.

“I regret it, but I’m not coming back yet. I’m going to settle this score myself.”

My mother, Catherine, was a legendary award-winning actress back in the day. After my brother and I were born, she stepped out of the spotlight to build her own company.

I loved acting, but I hated the idea of being called a "nepo baby." I wanted to prove I could make it on my own merits, so I joined a rising agency instead of our family firm, climbing from an extra to an A-lister through pure grit.

Earlier this year, I fell seriously ill after filming in a remote area and lost a lot of weight. My brother was heartbroken, so he started investing in our company despite my protests.

Since my brother and I have different last names, no one ever connected us. I kept a low profile, rarely showing up at the company unless necessary. Since Arthur handled all the negotiations, everyone assumed Vance Corp was investing solely because of him.

If they hadn't pulled this stunt, I might have kept my identity secret forever.

Vance Corp had already signed the contract for the new project. The ceremony was tomorrow, and they felt secure enough to discard me like a used tissue.

It’s a pity they didn't realize that the person they were trying to toss out was the one holding all the cards.