A sight like this was rare indeed. Top that off with Giovanni's character and the words he said, everyone turned their gazes to Fabien. Fabien had always had a way with words, but he had lost his credibility now. It was important to keep in mind that Giovanni was a huge part of the reason Grindham's Chamber of Commerce was able to find its footing in the market during Farshya's reform and opening–up era.Back then, age had caught up to him, and he had the intention to groom a successor. Fabien was just a busboy. He would still be a nobody now if it wasn't for him. For Giovanni to manifest in spirit form and reprimand Fabien, it spoke a lot about the mess the chamber was in and the latter's character."It's my fault for being a poor judge of character. Mr. Carver entrusted me with the branch of the Chamber of Commerce, but I failed to watch over it. Worse, I cast it into oblivion."The regret, resentment, and guilt in Giovanni's heart were as plain as day."Here I am, watchin
It was rumored that wooden dolls made in Krowo possessed supernatural abilities to create manifestations that defied the natural order.Whenever someone made a wish to the doll, it meant that a ritual had been completed. But a price had to be paid. Without an offering, the wish-maker's soul would be locked inside the puppet, doomed to worship it forever.Another rumor claimed that the doll could bring its owner to the peak of success, but at a terrible cost. The faster the rise, the more tragic the fall.Most people, driven by desire, couldn't escape the cycle.Take Monica, for example. While she seemed innocent, she was capable of doing anything for fame.Ever since she picked up the puppet, misfortune began to plague the person she hated most. Monica even effortlessly secured the role that should've gone to the other woman.After tasting success, Monica made wish after wish to the doll. Each one hollowed out a piece of her soul.When the puppet finally left her body, Monica co
Upon hearing that, Leon didn't sit down. He frowned. As expected of the son of the Carver family, he went straight to the point. "I think I should contact Mr. Pickett and the rest of the cast."Monica looked mildly distressed. "Mr. Carver, what are you so worried about?""I'm not worried. I'm being professional." Leon's smirk was cocky yet charming, matching his on-stage persona. "If someone secretly took photos, my fans will have to step in to clear things up. It's such a waste of their time and energy."Despite the casual tone, Leon remained standing. There were only the two of them in the private room, and if photos were taken, things could get messy. A veteran in the industry, he knew better than to take chances.He even took out his phone and moved to leave. "Let me ask what's going on."Monica clenched her hands, staying seated as if it was inconvenient for her to leave. Just then, Dewey appeared behind Leon and greeted him kindly. "Leon, why are you still standing?"A few
Everything would work out as long as he had photos of Leon. The more popular Leon became, the more attention he attracted. Posting those photos online to slander him would bring both profit and notoriety.The man didn't care whether this was a trap set by Monica, nor did he concern himself with her relationship to Leon. In the entertainment industry, relationships between men and women were rarely simple. What mattered was that Leon could draw attention.Muttering to himself, he said, "I didn't get anything substantial yet. I need to head inside for more shots. Then I'll post a teaser on my blog—something like, 'Top star spotted dating trending actress.' That'll do the trick."That man brimmed with confidence. Just as he reached for the door handle, someone knocked on his window. He froze. Paparazzi like him thrived in the shadows. If anyone from the crew spotted him, he'd be kicked out immediately.He considered pretending the car was empty, but the figure outside remained persi
Its true nature? What was it? The elders in the Chamber of Commerce exchanged puzzled glances; none had ever heard of such a thing, and the newer members looked even more confused.Fabien stood frozen, uncertain whether to leave or stay. By the time he sensed something was wrong, it was already too late.One of the members standing closest to the pond suddenly shouted, "Look at the fish! T-They..."Before he could finish, the rest rushed over. A breathtaking scene had unfolded around the Goldenflow Carp—it looked like a living painting.In the pond, red and white fish glimmered under the light, their scales forming a shifting tapestry of color. Each one circled the Goldenflow Carp.At first glance, the carp resembled nothing more than an old coin. But it shimmered, and the fish tail engraved on it appeared to come alive.It was a miraculous sight. A bridge seemed to form beneath the water, and the fish struggled to cross it, but something invisible held them back.Still, after
The voice belonged to none other than Aria. She was looking at Fabien with a grin. While Fabien furrowed his brows, the elderly members of the Chamber of Commerce broke into an uproar. "What did you say? Say it again?" one of them shouted, barely able to contain his anger as he glared at Aria like she had committed a crime. After all, the Goldenflow Carp was the very symbol of the Chamber of Commerce's heritage. It represented their long-standing legacy and boundless prosperity.And yet, Aria dared to claim that the Goldenflow Carp was a fake. None of them could accept that.Aria spoke slowly. "I meant what I said. What Mr. Langford is holding is a counterfeit. You know it too, or you wouldn't be reacting like this."The man questioning Aria was none other than Isaac Navaro—the same elderly figure Cassian had approached earlier. Back then, Isaac told Cassian he refused to wait any longer.He had once been grateful for everything Barron had done when he was alive. But that was i