Corrin Thatcher’s expression changed instantly.

He stared at Jack, his eyes darkening as he demanded,

"Say that again."

It was as if he couldn’t bring himself to believe what he had just heard.

Jack’s brows furrowed.

Having stayed by Corrin’s side all these years, he knew one thing for certain—

His boss could never tolerate Freya Finn rising. —not when he had tried to do everything to make her fall.

Every opportunity she had tried to seize in the past—

He had sabotaged them all with ease.

And now that one had slipped past him—

There was no way he would take it lightly.

"Earlier this morning, someone from Goldstem Productions came to meet Manager Finn," Jack said carefully. "He was here to sign her artist for their upcoming project."

Corrin shot to his feet, his fists clenching at his sides.

"How is that even possible? When did she even send her to their auditions?"

Jack frowned and quickly replied, "The auditions were arranged last week. I came to inform you about it too."

"You never told me it was for Goldstem Productions’ project."

If he had known—

There was no way he would have stayed so relaxed.

Because if Freya had managed to secure even a spot in their audition—

She must have had some level of confidence.

Unable to contain himself, Corrin lunged forward and grabbed Jack by the collar.

"Don’t tell me you were in cahoots with that Freya Finn," he growled. "Is that why you kept it from me?"

Jack immediately raised his hands in defense.

"Brother Thatcher, how could I possibly side with Manager Finn? I’m your assistant —I’ve always been loyal to you."

He paused briefly before adding, "That day, when I came to inform you, you dismissed me before I could finish. You even said Manager Finn was just wasting time —that nothing she did would ever help her turn things around."

Corrin did say that.

But wasn’t he right?

Freya had nothing left to compete with him.

He had stripped away every bit of her leverage—

So how was she still managing to rise?

Just as the thought crossed his mind—

Adelyn’s face flashed before his eyes.

And suddenly—

Her earlier confidence at the company’s entrance made sense.

She hadn’t been arrogant—

She had been confident.

And he—

He had been the fool.

"It’s because of her," he muttered through gritted teeth. "She’s the reason behind all of this."

He cursed under his breath.

But then—

He paused.

Something didn’t add up.

Turning sharply, he looked back at Jack.

"Didn’t you say they made things difficult for her during the audition?" he asked. "That she was forced to compete against top-tier actors? How did she still manage to secure the role?"

Jack hesitated before answering,

"She secured the role she auditioned for."

"The supporting role?" Corrin asked, even though he already sensed the answer.

Jack shook his head.

Corrin’s expression hardened further.

"She was selected for the lead role," Jack said, the hesitation in his voice unmistakable. "When the director changed her script at the last moment ... he wasn’t making things harder for her."

He paused—

Then added quietly,

"He was giving her the—"

"—opportunity," Corrin finished for him.

If it hadn’t been an opportunity—

There was no way she would have walked away with the lead role.

His fists clenched tighter as disbelief surged through him.

Not only had Freya managed to secure a chance for her artist—

Her artist had actually made it count.

"Brother Thatcher ..." Jack called cautiously. "What should we do now? If Manager Finn really gets her artist to sign the contract, there will be nothing we can do."

Corrin’s jaw tightened.

He knew that all too well.

"No," he said, shaking his head, rejecting the inevitability. "I won’t let her sign it."

Before Jack could even process his words—

Corrin had already stormed out of the office.

"Brother Thatcher—!"

Jack called after him, but Corrin didn’t stop.

In the end, he had no choice but to rush after him.

—————

Meanwhile—

Down in the basement—

After discussing the upcoming schedule, Adelyn finally rose from her chair, ready to leave.

"Sister Freya, I’ll follow your arrangements," she said.

Freya nodded; her expression turning serious.

"Even though you performed well," she said, "and Director Rhodes seems satisfied, we can’t afford to relax."

She leaned back slightly before continuing,

"You were chosen against the wishes of many. Things won’t come easy for you."

"They’ll try to challenge you at every step. You need to be prepared —so you don’t fall into their traps."

Adelyn understood immediately.

"I’ll stay prepared," she said firmly.

Freya could tell she meant it.

"Alright then," Freya said, glancing at the time on her watch. "It’s almost lunchtime. Do you—"

Before she could finish—

The door to her office was suddenly pushed open.

Freya’s brows furrowed as she looked up.

Corrin Thatcher.

Adelyn turned as well.

Seeing him barge in like that, her brows knit slightly in displeasure.

"Manager Thatcher ..." Freya called out, her voice polite but edged with sharpness, "you’re here again. May I know what you need this time?"

Corrin didn’t respond immediately.

His gaze swept past Freya—

And landed directly on Adelyn.

His jaw tightened.

His fists clenched.

The barely contained anger in his expression made it clear—

He was on the verge of losing control.

"Did you sign the contract with Goldstem Productions?" he demanded, his tone stripped of all courtesy.

Freya’s expression cooled instantly.

And this time—

She didn’t bother maintaining politeness either.

"I don’t think I owe you an answer to that, Manager Thatcher," she replied evenly.

"If you have no business here, I’ll have to ask you to leave. I’m in the middle of something important."

Corrin’s fists clenched even tighter.

The mere thought of Freya rising again was enough to push him to the edge.

And her attitude—

Only made it worse.

Just one victory—

And she was already this bold again.

How could he allow her to climb higher than him?

No.

He won’t allow her.

He had clipped her wings once—

He would do it again.

And this time—

He wouldn’t leave any room for her to recover.

He would leave her no hope. No means.

Slowly—

His gaze shifted back to Adelyn.

Sharp. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Calculating.

As if he had already decided something.