All eyes turned to Nora, who stood nervously under the spotlight. One reporter asked, "Ms. Nora, is what Ms. Natalie said true?"
Though clearly a bit anxious, Nora nodded. "Yes, it’s true. I needed this job, so I approached Ms. Natalie and apologized. She immediately rehired me."
"What are your thoughts on working for another company while technically employed by this one?"
Nora hesitated but then spoke honestly. "We didn’t really have a choice. The way things were being run, we were all just following orders from Mr. Ken."
"Ms. Natalie, it seems like the employees were just following orders. Don’t you think that’s unfair to them?"
"But no one showed regret. It shows they wish to work for Ford group, so I am giving them the opportunity to leave. The Ford group is far bigger and I am sure it can accommodate them and won’t throw them after using them. I will be soon hiring a new staff which is solely loyal to my company. I do not need dogs that are loyal to others instead of their master. Also, Nora is the only exception I rehired. After this no one would be rehired even if they begged," Natalie declared.
The reporters fell silent for a moment before one asked, "Ms. Natalie, what are your plans to revive this bankrupt company and turn it into a success?"
Natalie’s expression determined, "I plan to return this company to its original mission, the one my mother, Caryn Ford, envisioned when she started it—an artist management and PR company. That is the legacy I intend to restore."
"Wouldn’t that mean you’ll be competing with your family’s company, Spotlight Management, built by your own grandmother, Sephina Ford?"
Natalie didn’t flinch. "Aren’t all companies in the same field essentially rivals?"
"Yes, but when two companies are owned by the same family, the dynamics can be more complicated."
"We will handle it. My grandmother entrusted this company to me, and I won’t disappoint her.," Natalie looked straight into the camera, as if her next words were directed to the particular person, "All the resources that taken away from this company would be back to it rightfully and it would rise to the fame it deserved. From this moment forward, it will be known as Starcraft PR and Artist Management. I can assure you it will become the leading company in its field."
"It’s good to see your confidence, Ms. Natalie, but to execute your plans, you’ll need renowned artists. As a company that’s just starting, aren’t you lacking the resources and connections? You’ll likely only attract minor artists who haven’t had much success."
Natalie smiled, her calm demeanor unwavering. "Every new company faces challenges. We may start small, but there’s nothing wrong with working with lesser-known artists. If they come to me, I promise they’ll be given equal opportunities based on their talent. Success is built on persistence and finding the right people, no matter their current status."
The reporter pressed further. "But that still won’t be enough to compete with companies that already have big-name artists."
Natalie’s expression shifted, amusement crossing her face. "Who said we don’t have any big artists?"
It shocked the reporters. Before they could react, the doors to the conference hall swung open, and a group of people entered, led by a tall, handsome man, and the room collectively gasped in disbelief.
"Victor Ried?" one of the reporters exclaimed, eyes wide. "The current top actor?"
Everyone watched in disbelief as the stunning blond man strode forward, his presence commanding the entire room with an effortless air of confidence. His sun-kissed golden hair was perfectly tousled, appearing both casual and impeccably styled at once.
He wore a sleek, form-fitting leather jacket that hugged his broad shoulders and tapered down to his lean waist. Beneath the jacket, a fitted shirt lay slightly unbuttoned, revealing just a hint of a tattoo that snaked up the side of his neck.
His jeans, impeccably tailored, emphasized his toned legs, completing the effortlessly cool yet sophisticated vibe. A few sleek silver rings adorned his fingers, while a luxury watch gleamed on his wrist. A single small hoop earring glinted in his ear, lending a subtle edge to his refined and magnetic presence.
Behind him, a group of his associates trails at a respectful distance, each dressed stylishly but none with quite the same magnetic presence as him. They follow his lead, their expressions suggesting they know they’re in the company of someone extraordinary.
Ahead of them, a large crowd of reporters stands frozen, their cameras poised and flashes of cameras started to go off. But the man remained unfazed, walking as if he owned the world around him.
He heading straight toward Natalie, who sat behind her desk. Natalie stood up to greet him, pulling out a gentle smile, but the man stepped ahead and offered her friendly hug.
The reporters scrambled to capture the moment, their cameras flashing wildly, unsure of what to make of this unexpected interaction.
The current superstar of the industry, Victor Ried—the actor every studio and company in the business was clamoring to work with—was here, himself. Why?
"Jerk, get your hands off me," Natalie muttered through a smiling mouth, keeping her voice low, just for him to hear. "Or I’ll send you right back to that pit I once dragged you out of."
"You should feel lucky. Every woman here would die for what you’re getting right now." He released her, keeping the playful threat in his tone. "Besides, if I go back to that pit, I’ll be dragging you down with me."
Her smile didn’t falter. "You wish," she shot back, keeping the banter between them subtle enough that no one noticed.
Turning around, she addressed the reporters, "Everyone, I’d like to introduce our first artist and one of the major investors in Starcraft PR and Artist Management—Victor Ried."
The room erupted into a storm of disbelief. No one could process that the Victor Ried, a top-tier actor, had signed with this new company.
Dan quickly stood and offered Victor a seat, which he accepted with his usual casual confidence.
A reporter asked. "Mr. Ried, is it true that you’ve signed with this company as their artist?"
Victor’s lips curled into a playful smirk. "Do you think Ms. Natalie is lying?"
The reporter quickly stammered, "No, of course not. We didn’t mean—"
Victor cut them off smoothly. "Anything you want to know about me, you can ask Ms. Natalie directly. Whatever she says, you can consider it as my words." He glanced at Natalie with an amused look. "She’s going to personally manage my career from now on and will act as my spokesperson, too."
Natalie nodded, keeping her frustration carefully hidden behind her calm exterior. Since when did I agree to personally manage him? she bit back her annoyance. I don’t have time to babysit this maniac.