Chapter 2

When I woke up again, I was lying in the luxury apartment beside the film studio. Zara had bought the place specifically to make filming more convenient for me.

An ice pack covered my face, but I still couldn't hear anything in my right ear.

After examining my injuries, my private doctor looked grave. "Your eardrum is damaged. You need to get to the hospital immediately. The longer you delay treatment, the lower your chances of recovering your hearing."

I was just about to get up when the bedroom door swung open.

Xavier Martinez, the head of talent management at Monroe Media, walked in with two members of the legal team and placed a document beside my bed.

"Bridger, the company has already dealt with the incident on set."

I opened the document. The first page was a public apology.

According to the statement, I had slapped Kyson on set because I was unhappy about the change in casting, seriously mistreating a newcomer in the process.

To show my remorse, I would voluntarily withdraw from consideration for the male lead and suspend all public appearances.

There was even a space for my signature at the bottom.

I threw the document back at him. "Where's the full footage?"

Xavier avoided my eyes. "The equipment on set malfunctioned. Only part of the video was preserved."

"Then release everything that was saved."

"Zara wants this matter put to rest." He pushed the document toward me again. "You apologize, Kyson agrees to forgive you, and the company steps in to contain the backlash. It's the best outcome for everyone."

"What if I refuse to sign?"

"Bridger, your studio, promotional accounts, and commercial partnerships are all managed by the company. Whether you sign or not won't change the company's decision."

The moment he finished speaking, my phone began vibrating incessantly. My management team had just issued a public apology on my behalf.

[Regarding the on-set altercation, Bridger Callahan has acknowledged his wrongdoing and offered his sincere apologies to Kyson Bentley.]

The comments flooded in less than a minute after the statement went live.

[Finally, an apology. Wasn't he still being stubborn yesterday?]

[Using his status as an award-winning actor to bully a newcomer. Being suspended is the least he deserves.]

[Monroe Media handled this beautifully. They didn't protect an artist with a history of misconduct.]

I hadn't signed a single word, yet I'd already been forced to admit to every accusation.

Xavier looked at me. "Zara also said that as long as you cooperate, she'll preserve an important supporting role for you in the film."

"Get out."

He didn't try to persuade me again. He simply left with the others.

I opened the trending topics. The video from the set had already reached the number one spot.

The footage had cut out the entire sequence showing how the punch was staged. All that remained was the moment I raised my hand toward Kyson's cheek.

The next shot showed me being held down and punched a hundred times in succession.

The caption consisted of a single line: [Award-winning actor Bridger Callahan bullies newcomer on set and is taught a lesson by a righteous bystander.]

The comment section had already surpassed a hundred thousand posts.

[Serves him right.]

[I've heard he has had a terrible temper for years. The Monroe family used to protect him, so nobody dared speak up.]

[A man who climbed to the top by relying on a woman doesn't deserve those three major acting awards.]

At three in the morning, another topic shot to the top of the trending list.

[Monroe Media Throws Its Support Behind Kyson Bentley]

Monroe Media's official account posted a promotional still of Kyson with the caption: [A true gem should never be left in the shadows.]

Zara liked and reposted it from her personal account.

Three years ago, she'd defied her family's opposition and insisted that the company sign only me. Back then, she'd held my hand and said, "Bridger, a true gem will never stay hidden. I'll take you all the way to the top."

I hadn't let her down. I'd won three major acting awards for Monroe Media and turned a newly established talent agency into an industry leader.

Now she was saying those same words to another man.

The bedroom door opened again. Zara walked in carrying a bowl of hot broth.

"Bridger, why didn't you call me when you woke up?" She sat beside the bed, scooped up a spoonful, and brought it to my lips. "The doctor said you need to rest, so I've canceled all your upcoming engagements. Once you've recovered, I'll find you another film."

I looked at her and suddenly remembered the apology that had been issued in my name.

"Who gave the company permission to admit I was in the wrong?"

Zara's hand paused. "It was just a PR move. There's no need to take it so seriously."

"Why was the full footage deleted?"

"Kyson is just starting out. He can't afford a controversy. You're already an award-winning actor. Taking a step back won't cost you anything."

Her phone screen suddenly lit up. Kyson sent her a voice message, his gentle voice filling the room.

"Zara, I'm exhausted from filming today. When are you coming over to keep me company?"

Zara quickly turned off the screen, but I'd already caught the scent of men's cologne on her collar. It was the same fragrance Kyson had worn on set that day.

I knocked the bowl out of her hand. The scalding broth splashed across the back of Zara's hand.

"Don't touch me with hands that have touched him."

The tenderness on her face faded. "Bridger, I've spent three years by your side. Isn't that enough? How many women in this industry stay devoted to the same man forever?"

She lowered her voice. "Kyson is young and obedient. He's just something new and exciting. Once I get tired of him, he'll leave on his own. He isn't a threat to your position."

Once she got tired of him, he'd leave.

So the hundred punches I'd endured, the role I'd lost, and the reputation she'd destroyed meant absolutely nothing to her.

I pointed at the door. "Get out."

Zara stood up, all warmth gone from her eyes. "I've already given you a way out. Once you've lost all your endorsements and acting offers, you'll learn who you need to bow your head to."

The door slammed shut.

I reached for my phone and scrolled to the bottom of my contacts, finding a number I hadn't called in three years.

When the call connected, a woman's cool voice came through.

"Bridger?"

Looking at the apology posted by my studio, I said slowly and clearly, "Ms. Conrad, I've decided to accept your proposal for an arranged marriage."