Chapter 11
A weeks ago, as I arrived at the airport, doubts gnawed at me.
Could I really leave everything behind and start anew with my new identity?
My heart pounded as I handed over my freshly minted documents, but everything went smoothly. Too smoothly. As if fate itself had blessed my escape.
When I finally landed in California, I stepped out of the airport and took a deep breath, letting the unfamiliar air fill my lungs.
The bright sun and the warm breeze felt like a new beginning. A promise.
I wandered into a nearby café, needing a quiet place to think about my next steps.
As I sipped my coffee, I scrolled through listings on my phone, searching for an affordable apartment.
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With my savings that I had stashed away during my internship at Harris Group and the returns from the investments of the brand Anthony had bought for me, I had enough to live for at least ten years without working.
But that was not my plan. I was not there to live idly.
For the first time in years, I was free, and I was determined to chase my dream of becoming a beauty content creator.
So, I should really start over.
However, as I had not even finished half my coffee, a man with a charming smile and a thick US accent leaned toward me.
“You‘ re very pretty. They say pretty girls bring good luck. Maybe you‘ ll bring some to my agency.”
He handed me a sleek business card, the name Bright Agency printed in bold letters.
At first, I was intrigued. Bright Agency was
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a well known name, managing top content creators and influencers.
But my instincts quickly kicked in. “It could be a scam,” I thought, eyeing the man skeptically.
“Thank you,” I said politely, handing the card back. “But your agency is already big enough. I don’t think you need me.”
His smile widened, clearly amused by my cautious response. “Wow, your British accent is as pretty as your face. My eyes never lie. I’d bet you‘ re really English, aren’t you?”
I stiffened, feeling uneasy as he slid into the seat across from me uninvited.
“I’m sorry, sir, but asking about my background feels like an invasion of privacy,” I replied firmly, preparing to leave.
Before I could stand, he grabbed my hand -not forcefully, but enough to make me freeze.
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At least take this card,” he said, his tone soft but insistent. “If you change your mind, call me. With your face, I promise I can make you popular in no time. See you later, Lady.”
With that, he stood up and left, leaving me sitting there with the card in my hand.
Still uneasy, I decided to book a room at a nearby hotel instead of rushing into renting an apartment. The encounter had unsettled me, and I wanted time to think.
Later that evening, curiosity got the better of me. I typed ‘Bright Agency‘ into my search bar, and the face that appeared made my jaw drop.
“Bloody hell, the man before is Gordon Kingston?” I muttered.
Gordon Kingston was not just any talent scout; he was the CEO of Bright Agency and the President of his family’s Kingston Group. It was rare for someone of hist stature to approach talent directly.
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“Seems like some CEOs aren’t that
busy,” I mused bitterly, recalling a certain other CEO who spent his time vacationing
with his mistress.
Despite my skepticism, I dialed the number on the card.
The phone rang once before a cold, sharp voice answered. “Hello, who is this? And how did you get this number?”
“It’s you who gave me your number,” I replied, my tone dry.
The moment he heard my accent, his demeanor changed entirely. “Oh, the pretty English girl! I’m so sorry, I’m just cautious with unknown numbers. So, have you changed your mind?”
“I’m still unsure,” I admitted, “but I actually received an invitation from Bright. Agency a few years ago. That’s why I came to California, to explore the opportunity.
I had indeed focused on developing my
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social media 6 years ago, with the intention
that an agency would notice me and make. me their talent.
As a result, I got several offers after developing it for two years, one of which was Bright Agency.
Therefore, I intended to move to California without thinking twice after remembering that they had glanced at me.
Without me realizing it, they actually came. to me first before I had time to apply.
“Really?” Gordon sounded intrigued. “Well, my employees and I usually have the same eye for talent. If they noticed you back then, I can see why. So, what do you think? Ready to join?”
“It’s not a scam, right?” I asked cautiously.
“Of course not, Lady. You can sue me if I’m lying,” he replied confidently.
“How could I dare sue the boss?” I
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teased, feeling a bit more at ease.
**
A few days later, I met Gordon at the Bright Agency headquarters. The building was sleek and buzzing with energy, filled with people who radiated ambition.
After a detailed discussion about my goals. and expectations, I signed a contract with Bright Agency.
For the first time in years, my life felt like it was back on track. My days became a whirlwind of filming for my YouTube channel and curating my Instagram feed.
The more I immersed myself in this new chapter, the more I realized how far I had
come.
Valerie Keith was not just a new name, it was a new identity, a symbol of the life I was building for myself.
And as my content began to gain traction and doors opened, I could not help but
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smile.
I had left the shadow of betrayal behind, and in its place, I was carving out a future. filled with possibility.
Of course, I was not a novice when it came to the world of beauty and content.
creation.
During the four years I spent as Anthony’s wife, I did not just play the role of a housewife confined to a gilded cage.
I used that time to learn–exploring the art of makeup, understanding beauty products, and diving deep into the science. behind good skin care compositions.
Finally, all that knowledge was paying off.
As I posted my first few videos and shared tips on my Instagram, the response was overwhelming.
Famous makeup artists began praising my work, commenting on my attention to detail and unique perspective.
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“You have an eye for color!”
“Your skincare recommendations are spot
- on.
“Such a fresh face in the beauty world!”
The comment sections were flooded with admiration, and my follower count skyrocketed almost overnight.
I couldn’t help but smile, my heart swelling with pride. “So, this is the life. after I leave Anthony, what an amazing life,” I thought.
For the first time in years, I felt happy with my life.
ak
Weeks later, I came to the Agency‘ s Dinner Party. As I was still mingled with the other talents, Gordon appeared beside me, his presence as commanding as ever.
“Enjoying the evening, Valerie?” he asked, handing me a glass of sparkling
water.
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I smiled politely, accepting the drink.
“It s wonderful. Thank you for hosting such an elegant event.”
He leaned slightly closer, his expression shifting from casual to contemplative. “I wanted to talk to you about something, actually.”
“Oh?” I tilted my head, curious.
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