Chapter 2

I tried calling him, but my number was blocked. My texts on SnapChat instantly bounced back with red exclamation marks.

Just as I was about to head to the studio to confront him in person, a new post went live on my stolen account.

It wasn't a video.

It was a lengthy open letter signed by Christian.

In it, he painted himself as a devoted, heartbroken boyfriend who had been used and discarded.

He claimed that I, Lauren, had been carrying on an affair with our production assistant, Austin, behind his back. He claimed that once he caught us, I showed zero remorse and tried to run off with the account to start a new life with Austin.

He even attached several fabricated text screenshots, along with a sneaky, out-of-context photo of Austin and me walking side by side after a team dinner.

The angle made it look like an intimate embrace.

To make matters worse, almost at the exact same time, Austin—a usually quiet, broke kid who kept his head down—posted a video on his personal socials.

He broke down on camera, confessing to having an affair with me!

Tears streaming down his face, he apologized profusely to Christian, sobbing that he had made a terrible mistake and fallen under my seductive spell!

The video blew up instantly across the internet.

Hashtags like #LaurenCheating and #LaurenExposed raced straight to the trending topics.

The comments under my old videos were completely overrun with disgusting, toxic abuse.

"Christian broke his back building that whole company alone, and this is how you repay him? Do you even have a soul, Lauren?"

"Cancel this snake! Clear Christian's name! He was blind to ever touch someone as trashy as you!"

Brand partners I had worked with for years flooded my inbox with termination notices, some even demanding breach-of-contract penalties.

Countless misinformed fans felt betrayed and turned into vicious anti-fans.

I tried to get a hold of Austin, but his phone was disconnected and every social profile was deactivated.

It was clear as day: Christian had paid him off.

Faced with this tidal wave of defamation and cyberbullying, I had no platform to defend myself.

My account was stolen, my voice silenced, and Austin's fabricated confession stood as their smoking gun.

Any defense from me would have sounded weak and hollow.

Christian had played a ruthless game.

He didn't just want the account; he wanted to destroy my reputation so badly that I could never work in this town again!

I drove over to the studio, but the front doors were locked tight.

Nobody from the team would answer my calls.

Right then, a text flashed across my phone—an invitation from Apex Media, a massive premier talent agency.

The message clearly stated that they had been tracking my secret account, "Corporate Breakthrough," for weeks.

They were obsessed with my unique styling sense, high production value, and explosive growth trajectory.

Once I verified my identity, they didn't care about the toxic smear campaign swirling around my name. Instead, they offered an exclusive contract packed with incredible terms.

They promised to pour tier-one resources into backing me, helping me clear my name and reclaim my spotlight.

A lifeline in the dark!

Without a second thought, I signed the electronic contract with Apex Media on the spot.

Shortly after the ink dried, my new manager gave me a call.

"Lauren, next week is the annual Fashion Creators Summit. All the major platform execs, luxury brands, and top influencers will be there. Apex secured a keynote speaker slot for you. It's your ultimate platform to re-emerge."

She paused before adding, "By the way, our sources say Christian and Chloe are attending too... representing your former account."

My fingers tightened around the phone.

Perfect.

I was just wondering where I was going to find a stage to drag them into the light.