I Left As His Fan, Returned As A Director

Chapter 2

Word soon got around that at first, he was completely certain I would come crawling back.

When I never did, he grew increasingly irritable and short-tempered, so much so that even hearing my name mentioned during a live broadcast was enough to make his face turn cold and dark.

To me, these reports were nothing more than idle industry gossip. They did not stir the slightest emotion in my chest.

Using the fifty million dollars paid to me by his manager, I started my life over abroad.

I applied and was accepted into a top film school, where I studied directing.

Everything was a new challenge. Learning the language, adjusting to a different culture, and keeping up with the heavy workload.

But there were no more celebrities whose photos I had to retouch, no more suffocating pressure from my old family troubles, only scripts, storyboards, and endless excitement for what lay ahead.

Through hard work and natural talent, the documentaries I directed began to stand out at major international film festivals, earning me several prestigious awards.

As the founder of Wild Lens Productions, I received a generous offer from a major streaming platform back home, inviting me to return and take charge of a top-tier survival reality series.

On my very first day back, I ran into someone I recognized.

"Beatrice? Is that really you?"

I turned around and saw a woman whose face looked vaguely familiar.

It was Joanne Dawson, a production assistant I had met years ago when I used to hang around film sets.

Her eyes went wide as she looked me up and down openly, clearly stunned and impressed by what she saw.

"My goodness, it really is you! You've changed so much!"

The worn-out look I once had while waiting around at airports was long gone.

"It's been a long time," I said with a nod.

"What a coincidence seeing you here!" Joanne said, sounding thrilled.

She continued, "There's a project showcase tonight up in the top-floor ballroom. Everyone from the industry will be there, including Ashton White. He's one of the guests we're hoping to sign for this season. You have to come!"

'Ashton White.'

That name felt like something from a distant past. It had not crossed my mind in years.

I was about to decline, but then I thought better of it. There was no need to go out of my way to avoid anything anymore.

"All right, I'll be there."

The whole day was spent in back-to-back meetings with the network team, going over the show concept and schedule. By the time I remembered the event, it was already starting.

I had no interest in going back to the hotel just to change into formal wear, so I headed straight there in my usual outfit, a khaki work pants, a plain white shirt, and a multi-pocket photographer's vest.

When I pushed open the heavy double doors, the hum of conversation and soft music filled my ears.

The ballroom was large and elegant, full of people dressed in their finest.

Almost without thinking, my eyes scanned the room and landed immediately on the man at the center of attention in the guest area.

Ashton White looked even more polished than he had five years ago. His tanned skin highlighted his sharp features, and though he leaned back in a relaxed pose, he still drew every eye in the room.

Standing close beside him was a young, glamorous actress in a sparkling gown and flawless makeup, definitely not the same person he had been linked to back then.

It seemed his on-screen and off-screen companions had been replaced once again.

After a brief pause, a producer who had clearly had too much to drink spotted me and called out loudly enough for everyone nearby to hear.

"Look who's here! Ashton, your so-called obsessive fan and former site manager, has finally shown up!"