CHAPTER 46: THE PRICE OF AN ELITE MANAGER

Even though I still felt that a rookie like me didn’t need such an elite manager like Marissa, I couldn’t bring myself to tell Lando that I wanted someone else.

Marissa was a top-tier manager and agent, so many celebrities wanted her on their side. That was why she often moved from one client to another, and if she thought someone’s career didn’t look bright, she wouldn’t bother renewing their contract.

I’d even heard that being chosen by Marissa was like winning one chance out of a thousand. That was why I couldn’t believe she had willingly agreed to manage me instead of signing with an A-list celebrity. Back when I was still Helena Moore, she didn’t even bother replying to my messages.

But honestly, that was fair because back then, there were too many people trying to tear me apart, and she probably didn’t want to risk her reputation.

So Lando must have gone through a lot of trouble to secure Marissa on my side, probably even paying extra, but it would leave my pocket empty in the future.

Oh, I really, really wanted to cry right now.

"To tell you the truth, Ms. Orszebet, I wouldn’t have even paid attention to your name if Mr. Brixton hadn’t contacted me personally," Marissa said flatly.

Since Lando still had other work, he left me alone with Marissa in the living room while he went to his office. Lingo was asleep on his lap, and he probably didn’t even realize the kitten was there.

Back to Marissa, she was acting like she knew Lando’s secret identity as Mr. X, the man behind ZENTRA Media.

I mean, hadn’t Lando once said he didn’t want strangers in his house? And yet here was Marissa, a stranger, sitting comfortably in his living room.

If Marissa really did know Lando’s secret, did that mean they were close? They looked like they were around the same age, and Marissa was beautiful, with the aura of a woman who would suit a powerful businessman.

Was Marissa Lando’s type? Ugh, why did I suddenly sound like a jealous wife?! It wasn’t like Lando and I had any sort of romantic relationship.

Sure, we were married, but ... that was only on paper, not real.

Well, anyway, if Lando wanted to date other women, that was none of my business. If I remember correctly, he once told me he didn’t have a girlfriend. But what if he had ... a situationship? A woman who wasn’t his girlfriend, but who was still romantically involved with him.

I knew I shouldn’t be worrying about that ... but then why did this sudden sadness creep into my chest?

"But Ms. Orszebet, when I went through your portfolio, I was intrigued," Marissa said suddenly.

I jolted, realizing she was still talking to me. What was she saying? She wasn’t interested at first, and now she suddenly was because of my portfolio?

What portfolio? Oh ... was she talking about my audition with Rosélle Beauty?

"Ah, it’s nothing, Ms. Hale." I gave her an awkward smile and added, "I’ve actually heard a lot about you, and honestly, I feel underqualified to work with someone like you."

"You are underqualified, Ms. Orszebet," Marissa replied without hesitation. "If you had reached out to me on your own, I probably would’ve blocked your number."

I blinked several times, frozen in place. Marissa hadn’t even tried to sugarcoat her words or make me feel worthy of having her.

Oh, for heaven’s sake ... I like this woman!

At least she was honest. I’d rather someone tell me straight to my face what they didn’t like, than pretend to be nice while mocking me behind my back.

That was exactly how my former manager treated me. He always spoke in a sweet, flattering tone, but behind my back, he made it clear he didn’t even like me that much.

The lowest point was when he abandoned me on a porn set, leaving me there so those men could try to take advantage of me. That was the day I realized just how disposable I was to him. So yes, I’d take an honest, straightforward manager like Marissa any day.

Even if Lando did have some kind of secret relationship with her, I would still choose Marissa. It was because I knew Lando wasn’t the type to trust people easily. And if he trusted Marissa that much, then I could trust her too.

"Even so, I never said you were untalented," Marissa went on. "Do you know why I’ve managed to get where I am today?"

I answered almost without thinking, "Because you have sharp eyes."

"Yes, exactly," Marissa said with a small nod. "I can tell who has real potential, who just needs the right guidance, and who would only waste their money hiring me. My fees aren’t cheap, and if someone doesn’t have the talent to back it up, then it’s better they don’t throw their money away on me."

Exactly! That was why Lando shouldn’t have hired Marissa for me in the first place!

My career wasn’t even that great back then. Sure, people often told me I had talent, but without great support, I could never climb to the A-list. Well ... maybe I was close—just about to make it—but then those fake scandals hit me like a storm and dragged everything down.

I wasn’t sure about now, but maybe I could climb higher with Lando as my support. It wasn’t that I wanted to depend on him so much, but let’s be honest ... in a world full of nepo babies and the rich, someone born with nothing and without strong backing was always the easiest to bring down.

Just like me back then.

"And what do you think about me, Ms. Hale?" I finally spoke. "I know Mr. Brixton must have paid you a lot, so you agreed to become my manager even though I’m still a rookie. Do you think Mr. Brixton is just wasting his money hiring you?"

As much as I wanted a manager like her, I wanted even more to make sure Lando’s money—my debt to him—didn’t go to waste.