The moment Tony stepped out of Miranda’s apartment, his mood soared. Although Miranda had temporarily turned him down, he knew there was still a chance. The thought made his steps lighter.
Excited, he pulled out his phone and quickly ordered flowers for the following week. As soon as the payment went through, his agent, Ceban, called.
“Tony!” Ceban’s voice was brimming with excitement on the other end. “I’ve got great news for you!”
“Really?” Tony replied.
“Yes! I’ve landed you an endorsement deal!” Ceban’s tone was laced with pride. “And they’re offering three times the usual rate!”
Tony didn’t seem overly impressed. As one of the world’s top influencers, endorsements were a routine part of his life. But the mention of triple the fee piqued his interest.
“Three times?” Tony confirmed with a hint of curiosity.
“That’s right!” Ceban sounded almost breathless. “This is a rare opportunity-they’re serious about this!”
Without much hesitation, Tony agreed. “Alright, we’ll take it.”
After hanging up, his expression turned resolute. He knew his competition was Eric, the heir of the powerful Wilson family. Eric had wealth and influence on his side. If Tony wanted to stay ahead in this battle, he would have to work harder to build his own capital.
—
At Broad’s house, the study was softly lit.
On the desk lay a thick contract, its cover boldly displaying the words “Tony Clark Endorsement Agreement.”
Broad sat at the desk, meticulously scanning through every clause.
This deal was critical to him. It wasn’t just a simple business collaboration-it was a chance to regain the trust of the board. Since his failed auction bid, his position in the company had been precarious. If this partnership with Tony fell through, he might lose the board’s support entirely.
“This time, failure isn’t an option,” he muttered, taking a deep breath, his eyes gleaming with determination.
The door creaked open.
“Hey, you’ve been hiding in here for hours,” Vivienne said softly as she entered, carrying a plate of freshly sliced mangoes-Broad’s favorite fruit.
She playfully nudged him with her elbow. “Eat something, or you’re going to turn into one of these legal documents.”
Broad merely grunted, his eyes glued to the termination clauses.
Vivienne lingered for a moment, but when he didn’t react, she sighed and glanced at the desk-then froze.
“Tony Clark,” she whispered, her breath catching.
A pause. Then-
“Oh my God!” The plate clattered onto the desk. “Is it that Tony Clark? The one from YouTube?”
Broad looked up at her, irritation flashing across his face. “What’s the problem?”
Vivienne was practically trembling with excitement, her finger pointing at the signature line. “Are we really working with him? Are you serious?”
Broad gave her an impatient glance. “So what? Does it matter?”
She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, but her eyes still sparkled with enthusiasm. “You don’t understand-I’m his number one fan!”
“And?” His tone was ice-cold.
She leaned in closer, her voice turning syrupy sweet. “Do you think… I could be part of this campaign?”
“Are you kidding me?” Broad scoffed. “Tony has millions of followers. This isn’t some backyard photo shoot-it’s a high-stakes commercial project worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
“But I-”
“Enough.” His voice was sharp as a blade. “You’re not getting involved in this.”
Vivienne knew that tone all too well. When Broad made up his mind, not even God could change it.
But she wasn’t about to let this opportunity slip away.
She sighed dramatically. “Look, I know you’re under a lot of pressure right now.” Her voice softened suddenly. “But I’ve heard Tony can be… difficult. He throws tantrums on set, delays shoots…”
Broad’s brow twitched slightly.
“And I’ve been following him for years.” She inched closer. “I know how to handle him. Letting me help could save a lot of trouble.”
The room fell silent. Broad’s expression eased just a little.
Vivienne hid her triumphant smile. Time to play her trump card.
“Besides,” she added casually, “it could help with the custody battle for Winnie.”
Broad’s head snapped up. “What did you say?”
“Think about it,” she said, her fingers lightly tracing his arm. “If people see us working well together, it’ll show the court we’re building a stable family. And Miranda…” She sneered, “… she’s just Eric’s temporary fling. Who do you think the judge will side with?”
The silence in the room grew heavier.
Vivienne held her breath, watching as Broad rubbed his temples. Finally-
“Fine,” he said, pointing a warning finger at her. “But one mistake, and you’re out.”
Vivienne let out a delighted squeal, planting a kiss on his cheek. “You won’t regret this, darling!”