Chapter 251: Forget fighting.
Corrin smirked at her, giving her the same smug look he had always worn whenever he felt certain of victory.
Freya’s fingers tightened around the edge of the documents, crumpling the papers beneath her grip. Yet none of that emotion showed on her face. On the surface —she remained just as calm and composed as ever.
"Manager Finn, what’s wrong??" Corrin asked, his tone dripping with obvious-mock concern. "You aren’t thinking of refusing again, are you?"
His intention to provoke her was obvious.
Freya understood it better than anyone. But now wasn’t the time to clash with him. Instead, she turned her gaze toward the other man seated behind the desk.
"CEO Gibson," she said calmly, "my artiste, Adelyn Grace, has no intention of signing under our company’s banner. Forcing her into it wouldn’t be the right thing to do."
Harry Gibson heard her and silently exchanged a glance with Corrin.
"How is that even possible?" Corrin scoffed immediately. "Who is she to make that decision?"
When Freya looked at him, he merely smiled before continuing,
"I mean, she’s an artiste." He spread his hands as though stating the most obvious fact in the world. "And what else could an artiste possibly desire at the beginning of their career? A reputable company. Better resources. Professional teams to support and promote them. That’s it."
He leaned back comfortably. "ZX Media is offering her all of that. So tell me ..." His smile widened. "Why would she refuse?"
His gaze shifted toward Harry Gibson, almost as though urging him to think the same way.
Then he looked back at Freya.
"Manager Finn, is she really the one refusing? Or are you refusing on her behalf?"
Freya frowned. She looked directly at Corrin, ready to answer him. But before she could speak, he continued.
"And even if it truly is her refusing, shouldn’t you still persuade her to sign?"
He smiled meaningfully.
"After all, you’re still a talent manager working under ZX Media. You’ve pledged your loyalty to this company." His voice lowered. "You can’t seriously be thinking of betraying the company’s interests ... can you?"
"Manager Thatcher, you—"
"Freya Finn."
Harry Gibson interrupted before she could finish. His brows furrowed deeply as he stared straight at her. "You’d better not forget your position."
His voice carried an unmistakable warning. "Otherwise ..." He paused deliberately. "...things that have long been forgotten can always be remembered. Sometimes all they need is a small trigger."
Freya’s expression stiffened. She knew what exactly he was implying.
Harry then gestured toward the contract lying on the desk. "Make her sign and accept these terms."
"As long as she signs this agreement, the company will provide her with the best resources available." His gaze lingered on her. "And you’ll benefit from it as well."
Freya knew she couldn’t openly refuse him.
Not yet.
There was still time.
So she merely nodded.
"I’ll try talking to her, CEO Gibson."
She then slowly pushed back her chair and rose to her feet. "Please excuse me."
Without waiting for another response, she turned and walked out.
Harry watched her leave, his brows knitting together. Only after the office door closed behind her did he mutter, "If I had known she’d still be this difficult to crack, I wouldn’t have hesitated to deal with her back then."
Corrin heard every word but showed little reaction.
In his eyes, Freya had never been difficult. If she truly were ...
Would he have been able to take everything away from her so easily?
A smug smile curled onto his lips.
"CEO Gibson," he reminded, "don’t forget what you promised me."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Freya’s artistes belong to me. The moment that agreement is signed ..." He paused, satisfaction becoming more evident in his expression. "... Adelyn will be assigned to my team."
Harry turned to look at him.
"Aren’t you already managing enough artistes?" he asked with a faint frown. "Why are you still so determined to get her?"
Corrin’s expression darkened. "... Because I want Freya to see it with her own eyes." His smile became almost sinister. "As long as it’s me ... she’s destined to lose everything to me."
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Outside—
Freya walked toward the elevator and stopped to wait.
Lowering her eyes, she looked at the agreement still in her hand.
The more she read through it ...
... the more the corners of her lips lifted into a cold smile.
Such beautifully written clauses.
Every line promised countless benefits.
Yet hidden beneath those polished words were conditions carefully crafted to place the artiste at a disadvantage.
These kinds of agreements weren’t unfamiliar to her. She had seen countless contracts just like this before.
There had even been a time when she herself had handed such contracts to people.
The difference was—
Back then ...
She had been capable.
Capable of protecting the interests of every artiste under her care.
But now ...
She was no longer that same Freya.
If she allowed Adelyn to sign this agreement ...
She wouldn’t be able to protect her.
"Forget it."
The sudden voice behind her made Freya’s brows knit together. It came from barely inches away.
Yet she never turned around.
She didn’t need to.
She already knew who it was.
"Forget struggling, Manager Finn," Corrin said as he walked closer, the smugness and disdain in his voice impossible to hide. "Forget fighting. You can’t win against me."
"Accept the reality. It’ll save you from embarrassing yourself even further."
Freya continued staring straight ahead, patiently waiting for the elevator. She suppressed every urge to confront him head-on, but it felt hard. Too hard.
Seeing her remain silent, Corrin only became more pleased with himself.
"Do you know what my plans actually are?" he asked as he stepped beside her. "Or perhaps ..."
He tilted his head with a mocking smile.
"... do you know how I’m planning to defeat you this time?"
He chuckled softly.
"If you beg me ... I might even tell you."
Freya’s fingers tightened around the contract.
"You keep pretending to be strong. You keep acting as though none of this affects you." He looked at her sideways. "But do you honestly think I can’t see you breaking inside? i can’t see you losing inside. I—"
Before he could finish, Freya suddenly interrupted him.
"Are you sure?"
Corrin paused.
Slowly ...
She turned to face him.
The moment their eyes met, the determination burning inside Freya’s gaze was so fierce that, for the briefest moment, even Corrin felt intimidated.
She held his gaze steadily before asking, "Are you really sure you can see through me?" A faint, fearless smile appeared on her lips.
"Or ... is that simply the lie you’ve been comforting yourself with all this time?"
