All Chapters of Breaking The Spotlight: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Celeste awoke to the sharp vibration of her phone against the nightstand. Looking at the clock on her nightstand, the time read 5:47 a.m., but the sheer volume of notifications flashing across the screen told her something was wrong.She barely had time to process before another sound cut through the airm Damien was buzzing at her intercom.She threw on a silk robe as she made her way to the door. The moment she opened it, Damien strode in, with zerio expression.“Turn on the news,” he said, voice calm but edged with something dark.Celeste grabbed the remote, flipping through channels until she found it. Her name in bold letters splashed across every screen.EXCLUSIVE: CELÉSTE GREY & DAMIEN SINCLAIR—A POWER PLAY OR A DANGEROUS ALLIANCE?A female anchor appeared on-screen, her tone dripping with feigned concern."Newly uncovered documents suggest that billionaire Damien Sinclair has been financially backing actress Celeste Laurent for months, which raises questions about just how deep

Celeste adjusted the cuffs of her pristine white blazer as she stood at the head of the conference table, a poised figure of authority and ambition. The fallout from the scandal was still rippling through the industry, but instead of retreating, she was ready to strike back harder than ever.Across from her, a group of investors and executives sat, waiting for her to speak. They had seen the headlines, the betrayal by Marlon Chase, the destruction of Lillian Mercer’s reputation. Some had doubted whether Celeste Laurent would survive the storm, but today, she was about to prove why she wasn’t just surviving—she was about to dominate.She cleared her throat, exuding the same confidence that had built her empire. “Ladies and gentlemen, I understand that recent events have caused concern, but let me be clear, this is not a setback. It’s an opportunity. Sinclair Industries is stronger than ever, and I’m here to present the next move: a full-scale expansion into digital streaming, giving us

As the pressure begins to mounts Celeste’s fingers curl around the railing of Damien’s penthouse terrace. The city stretched below, glittering and alive, but all she could feel was the pressure crushing down on her.Her name was still in the headlines, the industry was still whispering, and now, she knew for certain that someone wanted her erased, but the worst part was that s«"«he didn’t know how far they were willing to go.A gust of wind brushed against her skin, sending a chill down her spine. She didn’t flinch when Damien’s arms circled her waist, pulling her back into his warmth.“You’re thinking too much,” he murmured against her ear.She exhaled. “I don’t like waiting.”Damien’s grip tightened. “Then let’s stop waiting.”An hour later, Celeste and Damien sat in his office, staring at the digital wall of information his team had compiled planning their next entrapment. Sienna Langley was a pawn, hat much was clear, but the real enemy was lurking close by.Celeste’s stomach twi

Celeste sat in front of the mirror in the penthouse, applying a subtle touch of lipstick while her mind worked through the looming storm ahead. She could feel it the tension building, the air charged with the weight of an impending battle.Her phone buzzed. A message from Mia.Mia: It worked. They took the bait.Celeste’s pulse quickened. She tapped out a response.Celeste: What’s happening? Mia: A man contacted me. Not Calloway directly, but one of his men. He wants to meet. He says he has “an offer I can’t refuse."Celeste read the message aloud to Damien, who stood by the window, his phone in hand as he monitored encrypted channels with Nolan’s team.Damien smirked. “They’re desperate. They think you’ve got a billion-dollar project lined up, and they’re scrambling to find a way to undercut you.”Celeste nodded, the fire of determination in her chest. “Which means they’re coming out of the shadows.”Damien turned back to his laptop, fingers flying over the keyboard. “We’re tracking

The morning after the confrontation at the law firm, Celeste woke up to chaos.Her phone wouldn’t stop buzzing. There were literally hundreds of calls, texts, and notifications flooding in.Then she saw the headlines. “SHOCK ENGAGEMENT? DAMIEN SINCLAIR & CELESTE LAURENT TIED TOGETHER IN A SECRET DEAL” “HOLLYWOOD’S POWER COUPLE OR A STRATEGIC MERGER?”“CALLAWAY SPEAKS OUT: ‘I WARNED YOU ABOUT HER.’”Celeste’s heart pounded. She had thought this was behind her, but alas, it was all being dragged up again.She sat up, her mind racing as she scanned the articles.The entire narrative was twisted: They were making assumptions with regards to their relationship. Was it just a business deal, or were they really in love?Another headlinersaod that Damien wasn’t supporting her, but rather that he was controlling her.This had Calloway all over it. He had positioned himself as the concerned “mentor” warning everyone, and worst of all, it was working.The comments in the news feeds were bruta