Blacklisted: The Ungrateful Star's Downfall

Tags: Smear Campaign, Ungrateful Ex, Best Actor Cheating, Class Divide Face-Slap My boyfriend, Shaun Lee, had just been nominated for Best Actor. Standing in front of the press cameras, he used his interview to viciously tear into my supposedly tyrannical control over him. "Everything I have today is the result of my own hard work! Corporate executives control everything about me. My entire life has been in their grip. "Today, I'm finally breaking free from these chains to reclaim who I am! "I will prove to the world that without corporate power backing me, I can shine just as brightly!" His speech earned immediate applause from the media. Outlets rushed to praise Shaun for his courage and vision, painting him as a hero who dared to stand up to the industry's elite. Sitting in my car, I couldn't help but smile. Pulling out my phone, I dialed the event organizers. "For tonight's Best Actor award... let's switch to someone who actually listens." Shaun was a rising star I had personally handpicked. Back then, he was only eighteen, and I ran into him at a private networking dinner. He had looked terrified, surrounded by predatory, wealthy older women, ready to be escorted to someone's hotel room the moment dinner ended. When my assistant told me his story, I felt a twinge of pity. His family was dirt poor, but he had the looks. His parents were chronic gamblers who had racked up massive debts, forcing him to drift among wealthy women to pay off their loans. Once you step into that side of the industry, there's usually no turning back. In a moment of weakness, I stepped in and saved him. I mapped out his career trajectory and found his exact niche. I hired top-tier acting coaches to hone his craft, pushing him step by step until he reached the A-list status he enjoyed today. And now? Now that his wings were fully grown, he chose to drag my name through the mud in public. "The agency gave me my start, sure. But I refuse to be micromanaged every second of every day, and I refuse to kiss up to industry executives over dinner! "I'm sick of this life. I want everyone to know that without them, I'll do just fine on my own! "I will prove myself. Real talent is the only currency that matters!" His words were impassioned and resonant. Thanks to years of my media training, Shaun carried himself with effortless poise, without a trace of fear under the blinding lights. Coupled with the spotless public image I had cultivated for him, his industry reputation was golden. The moment he finished, his fans went wild on Twitter, flooding comment sections to curse the greedy corporate overlords holding him back. Shaun strode into the venue under the protection of his security detail. Watching the entire spectacle through the tinted window of my car, I let out a soft chuckle. My assistant glanced at my face nervously and probed, "Shaun is probably just hyping himself up for the press, Mr. Hayes. The competition tonight is brutal. He probably felt like he had no choice." I sneered. "Four out of the nominees tonight belong to our agency. It doesn't matter who takes the trophy—it wouldn't hurt his standing either way. "Every resource was given to him fairly. He's just getting ideas he shouldn't have. He wants to walk away without renewing his contract. "Fine. Let's grant him his wish." Hearing that, my assistant froze in shock. As the head of the top talent agency in the industry, I had navigated corporate cutthroats for two decades. Every artist signed under me made bank. Over the years, I poured my blood, sweat, and tears into them. I treated every single one like my own child, giving everything without a second thought. Whenever someone wanted to step out of the limelight to live a normal life, I always gave them a graceful exit. We remained close friends. Shaun was the first one who ever dared to bite the hand that fed him. Anyone with half a brain could tell that the "corporate monster" he was whining about was me—Austin Hayes. Glancing at Twitter, the top three trending topics were already about Shaun. I smirked and immediately instructed my assistant to pull up Shaun's complete file. Over the past ten years, I had poured a fortune into shaping him. Since he wanted independence, he'd better settle the bill down to the last cent. Furthermore, cancel all the pre-drafted press releases. I originally intended to hand him tonight's Best Actor trophy as a reward. Now? Forget it. My assistant hurried off to handle it, while I sat back in the car and made a call. "Mr. Davis, there's been a slight change of plans tonight. Stick to the original backup plan—let's do an open public vote." Shaun, since I'm taking my hands off the wheel tonight, let's see if your pure, unadulterated talent can actually carry you to the winner's podium. I hung up just as my car pulled to a stop at the red carpet. The moment I stepped out, flashes went off in an absolute frenzy, cameras tracking my every move. Looking straight ahead, I walked into the venue. Plenty of hushed whispers reached my ears along the way, but I couldn't care less. Once inside the main auditorium, I had barely settled into my seat when I saw Shaun walking straight toward me. The seating arrangement formed a wide semicircle. Flanking me were fellow executives and studio heads of equal standing. Approaching me, Shaun wore a look of sheer defiance. "Mr. Hayes." Leaning back in my chair, I gave him a slight nod, my demeanor chillingly distant.Shaun faltered for a second. Then, as if remembering his newfound resolve, he said in a low, firm voice, "Don't blame me, Mr. Hayes. All I want is to walk my own path. I don't want to be controlled by you anymore, and I won't let you." I simply nodded. The studio heads around me all chuckled. "Mr. Lee seems exceptionally bold tonight," one remarked. "Have you already found a new backer?" Meeting my gaze, Shaun instinctively took two steps back and gave an awkward smile. "Of course not. I'm just planning on taking a break and becoming my own boss." I nodded. "Good for you." My calm reaction caught him off guard. He clearly didn't expect me to accept it so casually, but he wasn't ready to let it go. "Mr. Hayes, I came over to let you know that from now on, I won't be taking any more orders from the agency!" "Understood. Anything else?" Stunned by how easily I dismissed him, he pressed on, "From today on, I don't have to put up with anyone's demands. I'll secure all my own projects, and I believe in myself! "You've always been my role model. I hope that one day, I can become someone just like you." I looked up, truly studying him for the first time in a while. In ten years, the frightened boy had grown into a bankable leading man. But he seemed to have completely forgotten that his success was entirely manufactured by me. He only got to play the lead because I allowed it. Without my blessing, he would have remained nothing more than a plaything for the wealthy. The entertainment industry was never a place where someone like him could survive on their own. He thought standing tall for so long meant he finally had a seat at the table. Little did he know, to people like us, talent was merely a commodity. I gave a faint smile, then waved my hand. My assistant appeared instantly. "Mr. Lee, your seat is in the back." Shaun bit his lip hard. "I will succeed! Just you watch!" Seeing his indignant expression, I didn't say a word. The executive beside me scoffed, "Reaching for the stars with a paper-thin foundation. He actually thinks he got here without resources backing him up. Without us, he wouldn't even have a foot in the door!" "If someone doesn't listen, just replace them," another added. "Austin, you really backed the wrong horse this time." I replied indifferently, "He chose his path. He can crawl through it himself. "I've made more than enough off him anyway. If any of you want to pick up his contract, be my guest." The group burst into laughter. "Take on an ungrateful rebel? Not a chance!" "The market's only so big. He wants to flip the script and become a player? Who is he trying to compete with?" "All ambition and zero leverage—who'd be stupid enough to sign him?" Just like that, his grand delusions were about to hit a brick wall. Once everyone was seated, the ceremony kicked off. I checked my phone; my assistant confirmed that everything had been arranged. Once his contract expired, it wouldn't be renewed. Every brand deal and project negotiated during this period would recast him immediately. I genuinely hoped Shaun was ready for what was coming. After all, those doors were opened by me. If he didn't want them, someone else would gladly take his place. Soon, the awards started rolling out. From Best Screenplay to Best Score, right down to Supporting Actor and Actress, talent from my agency swept half the categories. The surrounding executives offered their congratulations one after another. "Austin's sweeping the board again tonight!" "You're too kind. Congratulations to you as well." I smiled politely, my eyes drifting toward Shaun. With his head held high, he took the stage as a presenter, handing a trophy to a young child actor. Moments later, I was called up as a guest presenter myself. Seeing the two of us on the same stage, the host deliberately held us back."Let's get a quick word with Shaun and Mr. Hayes," the host said, grinning. "Earlier on the red carpet, Shaun mentioned he's planning to rely entirely on himself moving forward. Does this mean you're going solo? "And Mr. Hayes, what are your thoughts on Shaun branching out on his own?" The host clearly smelled drama, and the entire audience leaned in. I smiled calmly into the microphone. "I respect all of his choices. Shaun has been with our agency for many years, and it's been a wonderful partnership. If he wants to go solo, I'll fully cooperate. The agency will hold an official contract termination ceremony with him shortly. "We part as friends. Ending things on good terms is the best outcome for everyone." Shaun's face darkened instantly. He hadn't expected me to announce his departure so bluntly on live television. Still, he quickly forced a professional smile. "Yes. Once my contract is up, I won't be renewing. I'm looking forward to launching my own independent studio, and I hope everyone continues to support me." "Will the two of you collaborate in the future?" the host pressed. I sneered inwardly. Once you leave my roster, why would I care about you? Collaborate? You just want to keep leeching off my connections! Dream on. "Mr. Hayes runs the biggest agency in the business," the host pushed further. "Half the industry's prime resources flow through his hands! Surely Shaun will need his guidance after going solo." I smiled faintly. "We'll see what the universe brings. Shaun is a very dedicated actor. If the right opportunity arises, of course." Shaun's eyes flickered with mixed emotions. "Naturally. I also hope to see more original scripts coming our way." He sure knew how to flatter himself. I shot the host a sharp, icy glare, warning him not to dig any deeper. The host stiffened, casting a nervous glance at Shaun. That single glance was all I needed to know they were in cahoots. I smiled without saying another word and walked off the stage. When the co-host announced that the Best Actor and Best Actress winners would be decided by a live public vote, with the first-row panel of studio heads casting the tie-breaking votes, Shaun panicked and looked straight at me. I offered him a reassuring smile. Visibly relaxing, he pulled out his phone and sent me a text on Snapchat. *Austin, forgive me for not discussing this with you beforehand. But I really need to live my own life. I can explain the contract situation later.* *I understand,* I replied. *As for the contract, if you don't want to renew, then don't. I wish you all the best.* Having ambition in this industry wasn't a crime, but lacking self-awareness was fatal. Shaun desperately wanted this award. He assumed that because he was still technically under my wing and because I had built his entire career, I would naturally push him over the finish line for his grand slam. While waiting for the results, his personal assistant had already begun blasting out pre-written victory press releases. I didn't mind giving him a little push, letting the premature news leak everywhere. His fanbase went into an absolute frenzy, declaring Shaun the greatest of his generation. His industry rivals, however, pounced immediately. "Is he serious? The votes aren't even tallied, and he's already celebrating? Popping champagne at halftime is the ultimate curse!" "Shaun Lee is way too green." "Disgusting. Does he actually think he bought every single vote?" "It's a public vote this time!" His fans grew anxious. In the past, whenever it came to voting, we never lost because I poured millions into running campaigns. But tonight, I wouldn't spend a single cent. As the votes updated on the massive screen, the race grew razor-thin. Shaun's confident smile slowly began to crumble. At the very last second, Shaun and his rival, Sean Chen, were separated by exactly one vote. The host announced, "We will now invite the heads of the four major entertainment agencies to cast their deciding votes! Each ballot holds immense weight!" Of the other three, one voted for Sean Chen, while two abstained. Every pair of eyes in the venue snapped directly to me. Shaun wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, looking at me with desperate, pleading eyes. I took the microphone and spoke clearly into it: "My vote goes to... Sean Chen!" On the giant screen, Shaun's smile froze completely. The camera zoomed in for an agonizing close-up, catching his utter disbelief before he even had time to mask his expression. He was paralyzed in his seat.