"Evan, I'm very optimistic about this," the investor said, clapping a hand on my shoulder. "The board has decided to inject another ten million in funding. No additional conditions."
My pulse quickened.
Ten million.
Just as I opened my mouth to thank him, my phone began to ring. I declined the call. It rang again immediately.
And a third time.
I moved to power it off, but the investor waved his hand. "Answer it. It might be urgent."
Apologizing profusely, I stepped out of the hotel conference room and swiped answer.
"Evan Dickerson, did you pull strings behind my back?" Natalie's voice was a shrill shriek. "Why didn't Director Wang cast me? Even after we broke up, you're haunting me like a ghost! Are you trying to sabotage me?"
I leaned against the corridor wall. A mocking smile surfaced.
"You have no professional training, no connections, and zero acting experience. On what grounds would Director Wang cast you?" I asked coolly. "Did you really think your talent got you that role in the last life? It was because I paid him five million to let you buy your way in."
In the previous life, that low-budget drama had exploded in popularity, yet I hadn't seen a dime of return. Director Wang had despised Natalie's acting. I had tried to frame the five million as an investment, but he refused.
In the end, I changed the terms: the five million was simply her "entry fee." The drama's profits would have nothing to do with me. Only then did he reluctantly agree, fulfilling Natalie's stardom dream.
I knew it was a sunk cost. Money could be earned again, but I had wanted to give her a future before I went to prison. To keep her from overthinking it, I had buried the truth deep in my heart for eight years.
Silence stretched on the line.
"Just five million?" Natalie finally scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain. "Do you think I can't afford that? Evan, without you dragging me down, I'll live a better life than you ever could!"
She hung up.
I returned to the meeting, finalized the details, and headed home.
The moment I stepped into my apartment, the cloying scent of sweet perfume hit me. Natalie's signature scent.
Frowning, I strode to the desk. The drawer hung open.
I stared into the empty space.