Chapter 172

Sophia Laurent closely monitored the online discourse.

The buzz around "Empress" and "River Banquet" continued to surge, with Scarlett Ashcroft dominating conversations.

Once the internet trolls joined the fray, public attention swiftly shifted to the cheating scandal.

Julian Lombardi had been gloating over Derek Langley's humiliation on set—until the flames reached him.

Netizens demanded Scarlett release footage exposing the cheater and his mistress. Julian jerked his hand back from a burning cigarette.

He sucked in a sharp breath.

Vanessa Kalmien burst into the dressing room, panic-stricken.

"Julian, have you seen the news?"

"I have." His face darkened.

"Who knew Scarlett could endure five years of abuse at Lowell Entertainment without cracking?" Vanessa seethed. "She was saving it all for this moment."

Her lips twisted. "This is why I said we should've blacklisted her completely. But no—you all insisted her face still had value..."

Julian raked fingers through his hair.

"I need to call Scarlett. We can't let her expose us."

Vanessa nodded frantically. "Do it now. That's exactly what I was thinking."

Neither anticipated Scarlett—once trampled into the mud—could make such a comeback.

On the "Empress" set, Scarlett stood beneath a tree, studying a veteran actor's performance.

These past days had deepened her understanding of the craft.

Her assistant approached with a phone.

"Scarlett, you have a call."

Reluctantly, she tore her gaze away.

Her brow furrowed at the caller ID. After a beat, she stepped aside and answered.

"Scar! Lett! You vicious—"

Julian's voice barely registered before she ended the call. Blocked and deleted in one fluid motion.

He stared at his phone, stunned.

"She hung up on me?!"

Vanessa stomped her foot.

"Julian, Pearl Group backs her now. Force won't work—you need to sweet-talk her..."

Her chest heaved, voice trembling.

"You shared a bond from campus to career. She must still have some sentiment..."

Containing Scarlett was critical.

Julian knew this. His lead role in "River Banquet" was his lifeline—he couldn't lose it.

First, stabilize the situation. There'd be plenty of time to deal with her later.

But when he redialed, a robotic voice answered:

"The number you have reached is not in service..."

His face turned ashen. The phone shattered against the wall.