Chapter 37
Katherine said, “Glad to hear that. When’s a good time for you to sign the contract?”
The company address was right there on the business card she’d given Jasmine.
“I’m free now, if that works?” replied Jasmine.
Katherine immediately sat up straight and replied, “Of course.”
After hanging up, Katherine called Wyatt to let him know Jasmine was coming over to sign. She said, “Come pick me up. I’ll let Derrick know where I’m going.”
Wyatt didn’t argue. The car was with him anyway, and Derrick had already said that from now on, unless something unusual came up, Wyatt would be in charge of driving Katherine everywhere.
Agent and chauffeur–Wyatt had never done a job with a range like his. But for those shares Derrick promised, he could put up with it.
Their office was in a building right across the street from Riverbend Group, only taking up one floor in the middle. The place had no fancy renovations.
Derrick had said that since Katherine was pregnant, they couldn’t be doing construction work around her. And with the company still so small, it’d be a waste of money anyway. So the renovation had been put on ice.
Of course, he was the one footing the bill, so what he said counted.
Katherine turned to Wyatt, asking, “Hey, you think Jasmine’s gonna regret it after seeing the surroundings here?”
They got there first, and upon walking in, they felt like entering a company that had just moved out.
Wyatt shrugged. “I don’t think so. Sure, we’re missing the nice internal decoration, but the hardware is solid.”
Katherine nodded, thinking his words made sense. Renting office space in this financial district wasn’t easy or cheap.
Anyway, the building belonged to Riverbend Group. They’d planned to use it for expansion later. For now, they just lent it to Katherine.
The location wasn’t random either–security here was
was top–notch, and Derrick clearly wanted her to stay close by.
A few minutes later, Jasmine arrived. The ser he saw the place, her face flickered, like she wasn’t sure if she’d just walked into a
company or a crime scene after a robbery.
Nextar
Before she could say anything, Katherine laughed. “Don’t mind the look. We haven’t decorated yet because of my personal reasons.”
She was always upfront with her people. Lifting her shirt just enough to show her slightly rounded belly, she said, “I’m pregnant. Renovations aren’t great for the baby.”
Jasmine looked surprised and glanced at Katherine again, thinking, ‘She looks about my age, and she’s already pregnant?”
“Well, it’s not that bad, Jasmine said.
After all, in a high–end building like this, even an unfinished office looked way better than some hole–in–the–wall studios.
As they walked toward the conference room, Katherine said, “I guess you’ve looked us up. We’re brand new, so the system is not perfect. But there’s one big perk. Since you’re our first and only artist, all our resources will be focused on you.”
Jasmine blinked, clearly caught off guard. She’d been ready to be grateful for any company willing to take her, but now, they even said that they’d be putting all the resources behind her.
She couldn’t help wondering if this was some rich kid’s passion project. Otherwise, how else could they ignore the threats and still insist on signing her? That took real strength.
“Just trust yourself and us,” Katherine grinned, giving Jasmine’s shoulder a little push toward the chair. “Your career’s about to be smooth sailing. Now, let’s sign.”
With a lawyer watching, they both signed their names and pressed their fingerprints on the contract.
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Chapter 37
“Perfect.” Katherine beamed at the papers.
To Katherine, Jasmine was her cash cow. Katherine’s gaze toward Jasmine practically sparkled with light.
“From now on, we will work for the same target. Welcome aboard. How about we go grab a bite to celebrate?” Katherine said, pulling out her phone. “I’ll text Derrick, see if he wants to join.”
Wyatt’s brows shot up, and he quickly said, “Better not. You’re pregnant. You shouldn’t eat too much outside.”
Katherine paused, resting her hand on her belly, murmuring, “Right, I forgot about that.”
Ever since the baby had become normal, she’d been feeling better than ever. If Ethan didn’t come to check on her every day, she might’ve started wondering if she wasn’t pregnant.
She cut off that thought and rubbed her stomach. “Fine, let’s skip it.”
Turning to Wyatt, she said, “Handle the welcome dinner for me.”
“Thanks, but don’t bother,” Jasmine said, clearly not used to that level of enthusiasm.
Wyatt still didn’t get why Katherine was so fixated on taking people out for meals. He thought for a second, then suggested, “How about we swap the welcome dinner for a welcome gift?”
Katherine nodded. “That works. You handle it.”
She didn’t really know what was best for this sort of thing. Her first instinct was always a welcome dinner because she loved eating. Too bad she needed to eat less outside now.
“Why don’t you show Jasmine around and let her know our plans for her? I’m heading across the street,” Katherine said.
Across the street was Riverbend Group’s headquarters. Of course Wyatt didn’t stop her.
From the way they talked, Jasmine picked up a few hints. She figured Katherine must be connected to Riverbend Group, and that was where her confidence came from.
After all, Riverbend Group and Riverbend Media sounded a lot like a parent company and its subsidiary.
And with their offices literally facing each other, if she didn’t put that together, she’d be too clueless.
Wyatt figured it was time to be upfront with Jasmine, so he spoke up, “We know you trained at Korita before, so we’re planning to send you to the open auditions for Tomorrow’s Stardom.”
At that, Jasmine frowned “Actually, I’m not looking to join any girl group anymore.” She was especially touchy about that label these days.
Wyatt got it right away and tried to calm her. “Don’t feel stressed. Joining a group would just be temporary, The real goal is to get you a fast boost in popularity.
“That’s a lot quicker than building a name through acting. And once you’re well–known, better roles will follow, right?”
Back when he was an assistant, Wyatt had learned how to talk people around, so his words were convincing.
Jasmine was already clinging to this lifeline, so she just nodded. “Alright, I’ll go along with whatever the company says.”
She’d had enough of her old life. As long as it didn’t involve drinking with or sleeping with someone, she didn’t care what the job was.
Wyatt continued, “Good. When you finish this show you’re filming, don’t take on any more roles for now. Before you join the program, we’ll make an official–announcement, and you’ll need to repost it.”
Jasmine understood and was fine with that.
Wyatt went over her career plan in detail. The sky was already going dark by the time they wrapped up. His throat felt dry and raw—of course, this kind of work always landed on him.
Since Katherine was off with Derrick and probably didn’t need him, Wyatt offered. “It’s a long way to your place. Let me drive you back.”
“Thanks, but I’ll take the subway,” said Jasmine. Before Wyatt could argue, she added, “It’s faster, and no traffic.”
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Chapter 37
Wyatt, who was constantly stuck in traffic himself, had nothing to argue about. “Alright then. Enjoy it while you can. Once you’re famous, going anywhere in public will be a pain.”
Jasmine thought both Wyatt and Katherine were way too optimistic. She thought, ‘It’s just a show. How can they be so sure I’ll make it big? Why are they so confident about me?‘
At Derrick’s office, Katherine was curled up in her favorite beanbag chair by the floor–to–ceiling window, holding a finance book. She just read it for a while, and all she felt was sleepy and cross–eyed. As for what it said, not a single word stuck.
“How do you even get through something this boring?” she muttered, tossing the book down beside her.
Hearing her complaint, Derrick looked up from his screen. He got up, put the book back on the shelf, and pulled out a coloring book, whose cover was a starry sky.
“How do you even have this?” Katherine asked, looking surprised. Seeing the paintings, she hesitated and asked, “Are these safe for me?” “They’re made for pregnant women,” Derrick said.
He placed them in her hands and said, “If you’re bored, do some coloring. I’ll be done in half an hour.”
Since she worried about radiation, Katherine usually didn’t play with her phone.
“Alright, take your time. I’m in no rush to go home,” she said. Anyway, to her, staying at home was just as boring.
But the second she said those words, her phone rang.
“Derrick, can you answer that for me?” said Katherine.
She’d already squeezed the paints onto the palette and didn’t want to move. Plus, her phone was right next to Derrick.
“It’s your dad,” Derrick said, already answering and putting it on speaker.
“Hello, Richard,” said Derrick.
Richard replied, “Derrick? Where’s Kate?”
It was obvious Richard didn’t have much love for Derrick.
“Dad, go ahead. I’m listening,” Katherine said.
X
Richard’s voice instantly softened. “How have you been feeling? Is the baby behaving?”
“I’m good. The baby is doing well too,” Katherine answered while coloring the painting.
Richard didn’t really have any agenda. He just missed his daughter. He added, “Are you home? I just got off work. Thought I’d swing by.”
Ever since that day, Richard hadn’t been back to Windridge Villa. He was living alone in an apartment now, and after making up with Katherine, his heart felt unbearably empty.
“Sure, stay for dinner, okay?” Katherine said.
When she hung up, she tilted her head to look at Derrick. “Is it okay if Dad comes for dinner tonight?”
Derrick looked at her, replying, “You already said yes, didn’t you?”
“Will it make you mad?” she asked, still looking right at him.
She was doing it on purpose–trying to get him used to the idea of having other people around her.
She knew Derrick just had no sense of security. Whenever there was someone else in her orbit, he felt like she’d forget him.
But Katherine would prove through actions that no matter who else was there, he was always the most important.
“Nope,” Derrick said.
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Chapter 37
Caught under her bright eyes, Derrick could only sigh and say nothing else.
Seeing him give in, Katherine smiled, “Can Dad stay at our place tonight?”
The man who’d just said he wouldn’t be mad instantly went dark. His eyes turned gloomy, his hand pressing into the sofa until the cushions sank deep.
“Ka–the–rine,” he growled. His voice was tight, almost through gritted teeth, carrying the edge of someone barely holding back. “You—”
However, Katherine tipped her head back and cut him off with a loud, exaggerated kiss.
Tilting her head, she blinked at him, looking innocent. “What?”
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