Semua Bab The Fame Paradox: Bab 31 - Bab 40

Sydney Harper sat in her apartment with a delicate champagne glass between her fingers while the city lights glimmered against the gold liquid. Her phone sent nonstop vibrations on the marble table but she knew every aspect of the ongoing discussions without checking her Twitter notifications or screen. Scarlet Sinclair.And worse? They weren’t just talking about Scarlet. They were talking about them. Together.Suffice to say, it was a shocker.When she initially got the invitation to walk for Maison Rouge, and saw Scarlet’s name there, too, she laughed aloud.It had been ages since she last saw Scarlet face to face. And yet, here they were, about to share a runway as if the past two years had never happened.Sydney had to act unbothered, had to hold her own when she finally saw Scarlet at the fitting. But inside? She had raged.Because Scarlet looked good. Too good.Jealousy. Rage. Envy.It was always about Scarlet. Scarlet. Scarlet.Sydney released a steady breath, her

The vibrant lights of Let's Talk With Laura Show illuminated the sleek, contemporary set while the crowd burst into applause. The camera moved over enthusiastic faces, capturing the thrill in the room as the show resumed after a commercial break. The excitement was palpable — everyone realized this was the interview they had long anticipated. The cherished hostess Laura Hollis rested in her signature velvet chair, her inviting yet keen expression just as it ought to be. She bent forward, smiling at the camera. "Welcome once again to the Let's Talk With Laura Show! Now, tonight’s guests need no introduction—fashion’s reigning queen and one of Stardom Heights' most sought-after actors. Please give a big welcome to Sydney Harper and Max Davis!”The crowd stood up and clapped when they saw Sydney and Max come on stage. Sydney was in a white silk dress that clung to her perfectly, her long blonde hair hung down her back.She greeted, very confident, in her signature smile and painted

Grayson rode the elevator to his penthouse and looked around the place. The aroma of food hung in the air. A sudden change from the day’s mess.He stepped inside, his movements quiet, calculated.He had spent the entire day cleaning up the mess left in Scarlet’s wake. Crown Entertainment was split—some believed in her talent, while others saw her as a liability. He had protected her, quieting the doubters in the boardroom, yet the truth was that Scarlet's upcoming decision was to decide everything. As he turned into the dining room, he saw her placed at the table, with dinner set before her. Salmon cooked in a pan, asparagus roasted and a light drizzle of lemon butter sauce over it. A bottle of wine sat on one side and two plates bridged by the other, only one of its glasses filled.She had been anticipating his arrival. Their gazes locked over the table, a quiet understanding shared between them. There was no requirement for greetings, no need for pretense. They were both aw

Tension filled the private conference room of Skye Management; the stark, modern décor of the walls seemingly narrowed to suffocate those hunched within. Sitting at the table, Sydney Harper played with her nails and tapped her fingers—an unusual gesture for her. Max sitting beside her, his arms crossed and a grin on his face as he sat back in the chair and observed her.“You’re spiraling,” Max said, exhaling slowly.Sydney shot him a glare before bouncing her leg under the table, unable to stay still. "You’re not panicking? People are questioning us, Max. How did the entire narrative flip overnight?”The fallout from Let’s Talk with Laura had spiraled out of control.The tables had turned.Scarlet was no longer the villain.And Sydney? She was right at the center of the storm.“I did say it could backfire,” Max muttered, rubbing his temple.Sydney let out a frustrated breath. “I don’t understand. How?” she asked, more to herself than anyone else. Max shrugged. “Maybe Scarlet.”Mat

Scarlet walked up to the bridge as the wind gave her chills. The river flowed darkly beneath her, with water going into depths that never seemed to have an end. The water made her feel uneasy and made her pulse go faster.Then—she felt it.A shove.Her breath caught as she tipped forward, weightless for a terrifying second. As she fell, she twisted just enough to see them standing at the edge, watching her descent with cruel delight.Sydney.Max.Matthew.Her parents.The laughter rang around in the night, twisted and empty sounding. She hit the water and the world tilted. She was crashing into the freezing depths. Air was stolen from her lungs. Desperately she thrashed, trying to get to the surface, but the river dragged her down, unrelenting.Water filled her mouth and she tried to scream.She was unable to breathe.She couldn’t—Scarlet sat up with a gasp.The bad dream still made her feel heavy, and her heart hit her ribs hard.She aimed to take a big breath to calm down, but