Chapter 2

2、

A flash of greedy excitement crossed Harrison's eyes. He clearly didn't expect me to back down so easily.

Yasmin, on the other hand, turned pale with anger.

"Jenson Drake, have you lost your mind? Harrison and I are completely innocent friends!"

"Is that so? You're flaunting matching couple rings on a live broadcast. Why are you suddenly too scared to admit it?"

The moment I pointed it out, the camera operators zoomed straight in on Yasmin's left hand.

Panic flashed across her face as she tried to pull the ring off, but in her frantic rush, it got completely stuck. In the end, she had to hide her hand behind her back.

Seeing me turn to leave, she snapped sharply.

"Don't think threatening to quit gives you any leverage over me! Playing hard to get won't work on me!"

"You'd better think this through. Even if you get on your knees and beg me in the future, I will never let you come back!"

I nodded with an amused chuckle.

"Only a fool would stay at a job that works them to the bone for nothing. Now that someone is dying to take my place, I couldn't be happier."

Harrison put on a hypocritical front, trying to act like the peacemaker. "Jenson, don't quit over a petty grudge!"

"If you really feel treated unfairly, why don't we have a fair competition?"

He was handpicked by Yasmin herself. What part of this was fair?

Seeing my silence, Yasmin assumed I was having second thoughts, and her sneer returned.

"Regretting it already? Too bad, it's too late! Harrison, stop being so modest. You're the only one I trust."

I didn't care whether she was putting on a show or genuinely looked down on me anymore. I had zero interest in guessing.

Just as I took a step away, she barked at me again.

"Where do you think you're going? I have a world tour coming up next week and Harrison will have his hands full. Go to Crescent Media Group and make sure my global ambassador contract gets renewed!"

A cold laugh escaped my throat.

She was clearly demanding a favor from me, yet she acted like she was granting me charity.

She had no clue that Crescent Media Group was just an entertainment venture I threw some pocket change into years ago for fun.

Over the years, it had groomed multiple A-listers and expanded into the international market, becoming a reigning powerhouse in the industry.

Countless celebrities fought tooth and nail just to get a meeting with Crescent Media, but few ever found a way in.

Yasmin genuinely believed she had reached the top through sheer luck.

She never once questioned why her rise to fame had been unnaturally smooth.

Renewing her contract was nothing more than a single word from me.

But now, I was done. I was never opening another back door for her again.

"If I recall correctly, Harrison is your manager now. Since he's so capable, he shouldn't disappoint you."

Before Yasmin could speak, Harrison eagerly volunteered himself.

"It's just a routine brand renewal. How hard could it be?"

"Yasmin is the hottest Best Actress right now. Brands are begging to work with her. Renewing her contract is Crescent Media's honor!"

Looking at Harrison's cocky, self-assured expression, I almost laughed out loud.

This man was astonishingly arrogant and stupid.

Crescent Media was backed by the wealthiest conglomerate in the country. It had never lacked resources or capital.

Besides, it was just a side venture I played around with. Even if it had zero signed artists, it wouldn't dent my fortune in the slightest.

I was genuinely eager to see how Harrison planned to secure that renewal.

Bursting with new authority, Harrison walked up to me holding two glasses of champagne.

"Don't worry, Jenson. I won't let anyone down. I will guide Yasmin to become a global superstar. Too bad you won't be around to witness it."

I said nothing. Looking at his arrogant smirk, I flipped my wrist and tossed the entire glass of champagne right into his face.

"Oops. My hand slipped."

I brushed my hands together. Just as Harrison was about to blow a fuse, I spoke in a chill voice.

"As your senior who hasn't officially clocked out yet, here's your very first lesson. Don't write checks your ego can't cash, or you'll only end up humiliating yourself."