Chapter 7: A New Chapter

The Crown Entertainment Group press conference was all anyone in the industry could talk about. News outlets buzzed with speculative headlines:

“Scarlet Sinclair Makes a Comeback After Two-Year Disappearance Due to Scandal”

“Scarlet Elle Sinclair Signs with Crown Entertainment Group: Is This Her Redemption Arc?”

For two extended years, Scarlet Sinclair had lived like a ghost—her name merely emerged in fleeting conjecture and hushed gossip. 

But today, for the first time in ages, she was finding the light again.

Journalists, reporters, photographers and industry insiders filled the atmosphere with excitement.

The camera sounds like firecrackers, bink, bink, bink, displaying light in the room for just a moment, the sound of whispers and applause.

The sleek, modern design of Crown Entertainment —glass walls and polished chrome, insured by the Crown insignia—was the graceful backdrop of a long awaited event.

Scarlet perched nervously backstage, her face a composed mask, but the weight of the moment bore down hard on her.

Was she nervous? 

Numb? 

She wasn’t sure. 

All she understood was that this marked the beginning of her new chapter, and failure was not a possibility. 

As the clock chimed 12, Beckett Flynn, CEO of Crown Entertainment, stepped onto the stage. 

The murmurs faded nearly immediately. 

Dressed in a flawlessly fitted charcoal suit, his blonde hair and captivating onyx eyes drew attention effortlessly, like flipping a switch. 

He stood proudly behind the podium, his mere presence nearly calming. 

Beckett started, “Good afternoon,” his rich baritone voice cutting through the surrounding quiet. 

"Crown Entertainment has consistently honored dedication, skill, perseverance, and the power of narrative. Today, we are excited to introduce Scarlet Sinclair as a part of our talented team.”

The journalists took their places, equipped with pens and recording equipment. 

The energy in the crowd was charged. 

“Audiences have been mesmerized in the past by Ms. Sinclair's remarkable abilities,” Beckett stated.

“Her comeback marks a fresh start which impacts both her and the entire entertainment industry. I see you have questions so I will address them now before moving forward.”

Hands lifted upwards. 

Beckett surveyed the audience, acknowledging a man positioned near the front. 

The journalist remained standing, tweaking his spectacles. 

"Why hire Ms. Sinclair when other agencies and companies have blacklisted her because of a scandal? Won’t that affect Crown Entertainment’s reputation?”

The room buzzed with murmurs as cameras clicked.

Beckett remained composed, his expression calm but firm. 

“Crown Entertainment thrives because we recognize potential where others see risk. Talent and perseverance are not erased by challenges. Ms. Sinclair's comeback is not merely a signing—it's a declaration of second chances, development, and the inescapable effects of persistence. We trust in her capacity to perform, and we stand by our decision.”

The whispers stopped, Beckett’s words lingering in the air.

A second hand shot up, this time from a woman seated in the middle.

“How will Crown handle Ms. Sinclair’s financial and legal challenges as a result of her past scandals? Isn't that going to put pressure on the company?" 

Beckett's jaw clenched a bit, yet his tone stayed diplomatic. 

“Crown Entertainment is entirely ready to handle every facet of Ms. Sinclair’s career. Our resources and expertise ensure that she can focus entirely on her craft. Beyond that, we don’t comment on private financial matters.”

The questions continued, each one probing further into Scarlet’s past and Crown’s motivations. 

Beckett handled them with precision, deflecting where needed and asserting confidence in their decision. 

At last he stepped away from the podium.

“That will be all for now. Thank you.”

He gestured for Scarlet to come up, causing fresh murmurs to spread around the room as she approached the microphone. 

Scarlet moved with certainty to take her place in the middle of the stage.

The emerald dress fit her body perfectly while her auburn waves framed her beautiful hazel eyes.

She remained the star who had once won the industry’s endearing love and affection.

She expressed her gratitude to Beckett with a nod and smile.

“I’m grateful and promise to dedicate all of my efforts to Crown. It has been a two year journey of discovery and survival. Today, I’m no longer the Scarlet Sinclair I used to be, but the Scarlet Sinclair who gained knowledge and knows to face it all.”

Without delay, reporters rushed in, calling out inquiries. 

"Ms. Sinclair, what strategies do you have to rebuild your reputation following the controversies involving you?" 

“Do you have any comments about Sydney Harper and Max Davis?”

“Why did you choose Crown Entertainment for your comeback?”

Scarlet lifted a hand, quieting the room with her quiet presence.

"Reputation is an odd construct," she remarked, her tone steady and firm.

"It's determined by perception rather than fact. I can’t change the past, but I can direct the story from here. My focus is on my own work, and I believe wholeheartedly that Crown’s vision matches my own.”

At the rear of the room, Grayson watched quietly, his gray suit merging with the darkness. 

His intense stare remained fixed on her as he observed how she skillfully managed the reporters, avoiding pitfalls and turning inquiries to her benefit. 

This was the Scarlet Sinclair he had shaped—a woman who used words as if they were weapons. 

Then arrived the instant that changed the mood. 

An observant journalist lifted her hand, her eyes focused on Scarlet. 

“One last question, Ms. Sinclair. Nice ring on your hand. Do you want to talk about it?"

The room went quiet, all eyes on Scarlet’s left hand.

The shine of her diamond ring was hard to look past.

A twinkle in Scarlet’s hazel eyes showed she was up to something.

She stared at her ring like it was new, full of wonder.

"Pretty, right?" she joked.

"Some things are just more fun in your head."

The room broke into chaos, with reporters bumping and pushing each other.

“Are you married? Who’s the lucky man?”

“Is this connected to your comeback?”

“Was this part of the deal with Crown?”

Beckett advanced, lifting a hand. 

“Please let’s maintain our attention on Ms. Sinclair’s career activities." 

The audience subdued with hesitation, yet the sense of anticipation lingered strongly. 

After responding to a few additional questions, Scarlet concluded the conference with a self-assured smile. 

“I am eager to demonstrate that comebacks are not solely about redemption. They’re aiming to reach new heights like never before. Thanks to everyone for being here.” 

The clapping was polite yet restrained as Scarlet departed from the podium. 

She felt their gazes, their skepticism, their constant inquisitiveness as though they were evaluating each of her statements. 

Scarlet entered the conference hallway and finally exhaled as the tightness in her shoulders relaxed. 

The show concluded, and she had made it through. 

Grayson materialized next to her, his face as enigmatic as always. 

“Pretty good,” he murmured softly. 

"A compliment from you?" she responded, raising an eyebrow. 

"I must be doing something well." 

His eyes briefly darted to the ring upon her finger. "That was a daring action." 

Scarlet grinned, a hint of pleasure appearing on her face. 

"The most effective distractions are the unexpected ones."