Chapter 124

"I remember Sebastian refusing to join Serena on that reality show before. People called him stuck-up. But after seeing Serena's audition tape? Honestly? Good call, Sebastian."

"Blazing Horizon lost its charm for me. It's just a money grab now."

"Poor Julian. I genuinely respected him. Talented and hardworking, just like Sebastian."

In the serene luxury spa suite, Serena suddenly bolted upright from her massage table and hurled her phone against the wall in fury. The startled aesthetician froze, unsure how to react.

"Leave us," Miranda commanded, dismissing the staff with a sharp gesture before retrieving the phone. The plush carpet had cushioned its fall, the screen still displaying the relentless Twitter feed.

Miranda exhaled sharply through her nose. "The new PR team completely botched this. Their strategy is amateurish. I'll have to personally oversee damage control."

Serena ripped off her gold-infused face mask and threw it to the marble floor. "That spoiled brat Damien Vaughn is actually using Sebastian to promote Vivian? While she's still married to Adrian Blackwood? Has he lost his mind, willing to start a war between the Vaughns and Blackwoods over some married woman?"

Placing the phone on the side table, Miranda kept her voice measured. "Just internet trolls making noise. Not worth your energy. Your health comes first - don't let this nonsense affect your recovery."

"That hypocrite Sebastian, acting all high and mighty, yet groveling before Damien. Disgusting!" Serena refused to believe Sebastian's admiration for Vivian was genuine. In her mind, it had to be Damien's manipulation. "Why are you panicking? Vivian's still a nobody. Her new project hasn't even started filming. This game isn't over yet. Sebastian's fans might worship her now, but if any connection between them surfaces? That spotlight will become a wildfire that burns her career to ashes."

Miranda's eyes glinted with cold amusement at the thought.

Days later at The Northern Kitchen, Vivian found herself invited to dinner with Sebastian. After weeks of relentless rain, she'd dressed for the chilly evening in a delicate off-shoulder ivory sweater that accentuated her collarbones, paired with form-fitting black jeans and stiletto boots that turned heads as she walked through the restaurant.

Approaching the private dining room, Vivian overheard Sebastian through the slightly ajar door. "Should I go meet her?" His manager Harrison groaned audibly. "For heaven's sake, stay put. Your 'goddess' can find her own way."

Vivian was about to enter when a voice called out behind her. She turned to see Julian emerging from another private room across the hall, trailed by Serena and the rest of the Blazing Horizon cast and crew.

Ignoring Serena completely, Vivian smiled warmly at Julian and director Gregory Thornton. "Mr. Montoya, Mr. Thornton."

Julian's face lit up in recognition. "Just a little cast bonding dinner," he explained. Though Sebastian's tweet hadn't caused major waves publicly, it had certainly stirred the pot among the Blazing Horizon team. Miranda had reignited the leaked audition controversy, blaming the production team for the backlash against Serena's reputation.