Chapter 3

Of course, I won't be the next Mira.

But Janus didn't think so.

He believed he could manipulate me, just as he controlled Mira.

The online outrage was out of control. Even his army of paid trolls couldn't smother it.

So he ordered me to go live and "clarify" things, telling the public all those bargain-basement gigs were my own choice, that the netizens had misunderstood him.

He wanted to rinse his hands clean and let me carry the filth, just like he did to Mira.

When there were doubts in the past, he'd push Mira out as a shield.

I played along and did not refuse.

On livestream, I looked into the camera and spoke with such sincerity, every word sounded heartfelt.

Even so, sharp-eyed fans noticed my exhaustion and weakness.

I wasn't faking it. I was tired. Like everyone, I was loved by my family too, doted upon.

And Janus was working me to death.,

I barely had time to rub essential oil into my legs to keep my tail hidden. I feared my true form would show.

I sighed softly.

My fans were heartbroken. They flooded the comments, cursing Janus.

They saw me this drained, and still shielding Janus.

I forced a faint smile and said, "Don't blame Janus, everyone. He didn't know. It's all my fault."

As soon as I defended him, the netizens became even more furious.

Someone wrote: [Last night Nerina performed at a birthday party in Tridont City. Then she had to take a midnight flight to Azure City just to livestream this fake apology. Damn you, Janus. How cold are you?]

The accompanying picture showed me waiting for a plane at the airport, eyes closed and curled up on a sofa.

Janus burst into the room furiously, forcibly shut down the live broadcast, and smashed the live streaming equipment all over the floor.

He roared, "Why does it fail with you? Last time, the entire internet was cursing her."

Her? He was probably referring to Mira.

Back when Mira'd won her third major film award, her pay skyrocketed.

Janus went berserk, signing her up for film after film, even going as far as to double booking her time.

She could only continue filming and rolling, resulting in a terrible reputation after all the movies she released bombed in the end.

Some directors ranted online about how her "spark" was gone, and the internet turned on Janus, calling him a heartless leech.

He then forced Mira into livestreaming an "apology," making her admit she was greedy and had decided to overwork.

Because Mira loved him and couldn't bear to see him cyberbullied, she stepped forward and took the blame.

Netizens immediately turned their anger towards Mira.

They said fame had rotted her, that she was a fraud, talentless, a disgrace.

From then on, her career plummeted.

And with Janus whispering poison in her ears—that she was washed up, barren, useless—her depression worsened until she finally chose the ocean.

The public was told Mira had vanished into the sea and couldn't be found.

Netizens were unaware of Janus's actions, but those in the industry knew.

Some even exposed Janus online, naming him the real culprit. For a while, he was despised by everyone.

But money buries scandals. Janus paid many online trolls to defend him and Mira couldn't speak for herself. Eventually, the noise faded away.

This time, he resorted to his old tricks again, attempting to make me bear all the blame.

But I wasn't Mira. I didn't love him.

I had someone take the airport photos, and also arranged for someone to leak them.

When netizens realized they were fooled by Janus, and remembered Mira's tragedy, they would definitely see his true colors.

This time, Janus had no scapegoat and was finished.

He was boycotted by the entire internet, which demanded he leave the entertainment industry.

But infamy was still fame.

His name burned hotter than ever. And his hunger for money, women, power, and control would only make him a better fuel.

*****

Janus has been cooped up at home for a whole week.

As his girlfriend, I naturally had to visit him to check on him.

Janus' home was in a luxury villa district right in the city center.

Caspian drove me straight into the garage—no guards stopped us.

He pulled out a key from behind the gate lights.

He'd been here too many times to count.

Back in the day, before Janus ever showed up, Caspian had been the one by Mira's side.

He'd watched her whole rise, from a nobody stuck in D-list roles to a triple-award-winning actress.

And the first time Caspian laid eyes on me, he knew right away I wasn't the same as Mira.

He was also the one who told me about everything Janus did to Mira.

Caspian stepped into the incredibly familiar house.

For a second, I think he half-expected to see Mira still sitting at the dining table, smiling, asking if he'd eaten, telling him to sit down and share a meal.

But Mira wasn't there anymore.

Only a drunken Janus remained.