Hollywood: Behind The SpotLight Chapter 130

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 130

"So it's true that you're Lawrence Terrence's talent agent." Isabella was amazed and slightly overwheld by the thought that they were actually eting soone so influential in the entertainnt industry. She hadn't expected that the agent they t in Paris was the real deal, soone with genuine clout and connections that could make or break careers.

"You're still skeptical of ? I'm disappointed."

"I an, I can't help it. I'm worried about my friend and her safety in a completely foreign country, far from ho. I don't want her to get into sothing dangerous or be taken advantage of by anyone with ill intentions. Why do you think I ca with her to this country? She knows no one in the United States. She has no one to talk to or rely on in ergencies. Besides, it just feels too much like a fairytale to believe that everything will work out perfectly."

Isabella couldn't say that Collin was too handso, or that his presence made her heart skip a beat. To her, the man seed straight out of a fairytale, like a prince charming who had stepped right out of the pages of a storybook. That was why she thought of it as a fairytale. Such perfection and success could hardly exist in real life. And usually, fairytales had dark origins or twists that shattered the illusion of happiness.

"I guess that's understandable." Collin found her reasoning valid and nodded slightly, acknowledging the caution in her voice.

"What about you, Chantal? Do you think I'm a fraud?"

"No. But I didn't expect you to be this successful..." Chantal admitted while looking around. Collin's office was small, but the pictures hanging on the wall reflected years of success and nurous milestones.

He had photos from The Accidental Wedding Crashers, posing with the cast and production crew at premieres and behind-the-scenes monts. He was the producer of that film, after all.

There were posters of every movie his clients had worked on, ticulously frad and displayed on the walls to showcase their triumphs. There were also photos of him standing next to each of his clients, a testant to the people he had guided and the talent he had nurtured. And in 1998, professional photo editing wasn't as common as it would later beco, so Collin's pictures were almost certainly real.

Chantal had already been convinced when she t Axel the first ti, but eting Lawrence today solidified her decision and left her with awe at how far she could potentially go.

She didn't regret signing the deal or trusting Collin with her career ambitions. She wanted to be a star, and nothing else mattered at that mont.

Collin was satisfied with Chantal's reaction and felt a small sense of pride at her enthusiasm. Honestly, he didn't care much about Isabella's suspicions. To him, she was just additional baggage, albeit well-aning baggage. As a talent agent, Collin knew his priorities, and he always focused on the clients who truly mattered.

Still, he was glad Isabella had accompanied Chantal to the United States. Her presence provided comfort and support, so Chantal wouldn't feel lonely or overwheld by the challenges of moving to a foreign country. She at least had soone to lean on if things went wrong.

"I know you guys are tired and need to rest. Co with , I'll take you to your apartnt."

"Apartnt?"

"That's right. What, did you think you'd be living on the streets or in so cheap, uncomfortable place?"

"I an, we thought we'd have to live in a boarding house with other people," Chantal admitted, feeling a mix of relief and surprise at the thought of having privacy.

"Nah, I need you to live in a comfortable place with proper anities and space. I want you to stay healthy, ntally and physically, so you can focus on your career and well-being. If you need help, don't be afraid to call at any ti, day or night."

He led them out of the building at a casual pace. Now that Collin was finished with his eting with Lawrence, he was free to leave early without getting caught up in unnecessary questions or office politics. Staying at the office was boring and repetitive anyway. His clients were the busy ones, not him.

He had already secured projects, arranged schedules to avoid conflicts, and wasn't actively seeking comrcials, endorsents, or sponsorships at the mont, he had closed several deals for them just a few weeks ago.

He had free ti to drive around, clear his mind, and maybe even enjoy the Los Angeles cityscape. And if managent asked why he left early, he could easily say he was assisting his new client with settling in.

He drove the two won to an apartnt complex a bit far from the agency. It was the least expensive option in a safe neighborhood of Los Angeles, where walking outside at night felt secure and the surroundings were clean and comfortable.

Isabella and Chantal were impressed when they saw the place where they'd be living and imdiately felt relieved to have their own space.

"How much is the rent here?"

"I already paid half a year's rent in advance to secure the apartnt and avoid any issues."

"How much?"

"I paid $4,200 for six months, including utilities and basic maintenance fees."

"That's a lot... That's 24,000 francs when converted," Isabella muttered, shocked at how generously Collin was spending money on them.

"You already paid for our tickets and my docunts, and now this..." Chantal was speechless. Gratitude mixed with guilt and anxiety, was she really worth the investnt? Could she truly live up to Collin's expectations and make all of this worthwhile? Suddenly, she felt the pressure to perform well and prove herself.

"This is my investnt in your talent, your career, and your future. Within six months, we'll work hard to build a successful career for you. As for the money I spent on you, I trust you'll repay once you're famous, right?"

'Please say yes,' Collin thought.

"I will! I promise I'll pay you double, no, triple! I'll work as hard as possible and exceed your expectations," Chantal said with determination. She couldn't just dismiss his generosity, she truly appreciated the investnt he was making in her future.

"Really? Well, since you said so, I'll send you the receipt for every penny I invest in you. Once you get your first paycheck, everything will be docunted. After that, make sure to keep your promise and don't let down."

"Yes." Her accent grew more noticeable as she spoke passionately.

"Also, here's money for this month to help you settle in and handle initial expenses. Be sure to budget wisely. I recomnd cooking instead of ordering food, it's cheaper and healthier. Oh, before I forget, my first plan for a blind audition on The Singing Voice won't work. The roster is already full for this season, and no additional slots are available."

Chantal's face fell with disappointnt. She felt a pang of worry that her first breakthrough might be delayed.

"Don't worry, it's not the end of the world. I have a second plan that's just as promising, maybe even better. I'll look for record labels interested in signing you and launching your music career. I already have a solid list and even contacted a few to begin discussions. For now, rest for two days, recover from your trip, and get ready for what's next. Always look neat and professional, and don't stay up late."

"Thank you, Collin," Chantal said sincerely, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"Thank you," Isabella added with a soft smile, relieved they would be cared for.

Collin excused himself with a confident stride. Instead of returning to the office, he went straight to his apartnt.

What he didn't ntion was the conversation he had with Jennifer. Behind the scenes, there were complications with The Singing Voice. As the show's host, Jennifer didn't recomnd Chantal auditioning, for strategic reasons that could impact her career.

Their conversation went like this:

"Collin, I'm legally not allowed to say anything negative about The Singing Voice, but I must advise caution. I don't recomnd her auditioning. Do you know who the grand winner was last year?"

"His na was Renee Denver, right?"

"That's right. Have you heard a song from him in the past few months? Or seen any promotion of his work?"

"No."

"Exactly. The record label he signed with after winning didn't promote his album properly. It hindered his career. The label that partnered with The Singing Voice sabotaged him."