The buzz from the trending topic only grew louder, with more and more rumors spreading.

Logan was running around like a headless chicken, missing Clark's steady presence by his side.

Back then, with Clark around, they could weather any storm or online backlash together.

Several businesses had already issued their final ultimatums—either she cleared things up immediately or faced a breach of contract lawsuit.

Kate, with her makeup stripped away and her hair tied back into a simple ponytail, looked exhausted.

The stress was clearly taking a toll on her.

When the phone rang, she answered swiftly.

"Director Dent, it's a misunderstanding. Please, give me another chance. I'm begging you... Alright, thank you."

With a heavy heart, Kate hung up. Leo Dent had turned her down for the film.

She was so close—just one step away from a grand slam—and she couldn't accept the setback.

Kate glanced back at the photo, where the man's face was too blurred to identify, but oddly enough, it resembled Clark a little.

A bizarre thought suddenly took shape in her mind.

Kate hadn't invited me out for ages.

So when I received her invitation, I was genuinely pleased.

The restaurant was a members-only establishment. I brought the bottle of wine she loved, the one we had stored together long ago.

I had kept a bottle from her birth year, and she had one from mine. I had a sense that if we didn't use it now, we'd never have the chance to share it again.

But as soon as I entered the private room, I froze.

Kate was seated next to Vincent.

She greeted me warmly and pulled me to sit down, but I couldn't muster a smile.

Vincent, ever the polite host, poured me a drink, but I felt like I might be sick.

Kate exchanged a look with Vincent, their shared smile making me feel like an outsider, as if I should be hiding under the table.

Then, just like in old times, she used her sweet voice to coax me.

Kate said, her tone sugary and smooth, "We talked it over. The person in the photo looks a lot like you. How about we clarify that it's actually you?"

She spoke softly and sweetly, but all I heard was "we."

I thought, "Kate, there was a time when 'we' meant you and me.

I want to ask her, you're so afraid Vincent won't make it at the Moore Group, but do you worry about your loyal fans turning on me?"

I suddenly found myself smiling.

I saw the shock on her face, and a hidden satisfaction rose in me, though it was overshadowed by a deep, painful sting.

I forced myself to remain calm. "Sure, but I have one condition. I'm resigning."

I watched Kate's face go blank for a moment before she snapped, "No! I won't agree!"

Her sudden anger made me feel, for a brief second, like she still cared about me.

But the hand Vincent had resting on her shoulder brought me back to reality.

I stood up, looking at Kate steadily. "Ms. Winslet, I wish you all the best in your future career."

I turned and walked out, my chest and stomach twisting in pain, making it hard to breathe.

I thought, "Is it really this painful to let go of ten years of your life?"

As I walked out the door, Kate abruptly stood up but was quickly restrained by Vincent.

"What are you doing?" Kate snapped, shaking off Vincent's hand.

Vincent smirked, his eyes gleaming with a sinister light. "Are you so impatient that you're willing to risk losing Director Dent's movie?"

Kate hesitated, standing up and then sitting back down, nervously tapping her foot.

Vincent chuckled, toying with Kate's hair. "That's more like it. He's just an agent, after all."

Meanwhile, I stood at the restaurant entrance, clutching the bottle of wine, and waited for half an hour. No one came out to pursue me.

In the end, I felt pathetic even to myself.

With a self-deprecating laugh, I tossed the bottle of wine from her birth year into the trash can.

I had been hiding out at home for a month.

The only thing I used to do was scroll through Twitter and news feeds, searching for any dirt on Kate. Now, though, I couldn't even bring myself to turn on my phone.

As soon as I powered it up, it was flooded with insults and slander.

Some people had even sent me wreaths and memorial photos.

The paparazzi had been parked outside for a month, hoping to catch this so-called agent in a scandalous affair with a superstar.

But they were disappointed. Kate hadn't shown up even once.

When Rebecca Moore came knocking, I was still lounging at home, doing nothing.

Rebecca, my sister, was a free spirit—wild and adventurous.

She looked at me with disdain. "I thought after leaving the Moore Group for ten years to chase your dreams, you'd be doing better. Didn't expect you'd be in such a mess."

I could only manage a wry smile. Ten years had been my own doing.

Rebecca's arrival also signaled the countdown to my return to the Moore family. But before that, there was one thing I wanted to do.

Perhaps it was the intense repression, but right now, what I craved most was a complete release.

I raised an eyebrow at Rebecca. "Do you still have that Beast of yours?"

Rebecca's interest was immediately piqued. "You're thinking of racing?"

She came over and patted my shoulder with a curious grin. "Did you know Vincent's racing this time too? I'll make sure you're signed up—no backing out now."