Chapter 2
Three days later, Violet finally got her invitation to the music gala.
She posted on X almost immediately and tagged Jack.
Violet: [My first time at an event like this, and I'm so nervous. Thank you so much for this opportunity, Mr. Martinez!]
Jack's fans immediately blew up online.
Fan A: [Who even is she? Why does she get to sit next to Jack?]
Fan B: [Where's Laura? She's always been the one by Jack's side at every gala for seven years!]
Fan C: [Apparently, she's a new artist signed under Jack's own company, and people are saying they're pretty close.]
Fan D: [I feel so sorry for Laura...]
The office door swung open.
Jack strode in and slammed his phone down on my desk.
"What's going on with the trend?" Jack snapped.
I looked up. "What trend?"
"Violet's getting roasted online!" Jack barked, his face dark with anger.
"Violet's getting dragged online." His expression darkened. "What the hell is your PR team doing? Why hasn't this been cleaned up yet?"
I glanced at the screen. Posts accusing Violet of riding Jack's name were already blowing up on X.
"Violet posted that herself. The team wasn't informed beforehand," I said calmly. "And she doesn't have any work out yet. Your fans were bound to react when she suddenly got invited to a major event."
He narrowed his eyes. "So you're blaming me now?"
"I'm stating the facts."
He stared at me for a moment and then laughed under his breath. "Laura, you've gotten pretty bold lately."
I didn't respond.
"Fine. You want facts?" He dragged out a chair and sat down. "Then here's one. Violet is the person I'm choosing to promote, and I don't want to see a single negative headline about her again. Fix it. However you do it is your problem."
"Even if I have to lie?" I asked.
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "Laura, you've been with me for seven years. You know my temper. I have no patience for people who don't do as they're told, especially women."
I looked at him, and suddenly, I was back in that cramped little apartment from all those years ago.
After he finished the song that first put him on the map, he pulled me into his arms, laughing and crying all at once. "Laura, when I make it, I'll buy you the biggest house, hire the best help, and make sure you never have to struggle again."
Back then, I was all he saw.
I nodded. "Got it."
Jack gave a satisfied nod and stood up to leave.
"Mr. Martinez," I called out, stopping him. "I'd like to talk about my stake in your company."
"Handle it however you want," he said without turning around.
I took a breath. "What I mean is, I want to cash out my shares."
He turned sharply. "What did you just say?"
"I've worked for you for seven years. Those shares were part of what you promised me in return," I said, sliding the contract across the desk. "Now that the company is stable, I want to cash out part of my stake and do something of my own."
He looked as if someone had hit him in the stomach. "You're leaving?"
"The company is running smoothly now," I said. "Whether I'm here or not won't make much difference anymore. I just want to do something for myself."
Jack let out a cold laugh. "Laura, do you really think anyone in this business would protect you if I didn't? Without me, you're nothing."
I clenched my hands so tightly that my nails bit into my palms. "I'm cashing out," I said quietly.
He stared at me, his expression shifting from shock to anger, and then settling into contempt.
"Whatever," he said. Then he walked out and slammed the door behind him.