The news broke quietly but spread like wildfire. Veronica Hale had been officially blacklisted.
It wasn’t just one studio or one streaming giant. It was a coalition of: powerful agencies, A-list influencers, and major production houses releasing a joint statement. They cited her use of manipulated footage, abuse of power, and patterns of coercion in the industry. She was cut off. Cold. It felt... surreal.
Celeste sat on the patio of Damien’s condo, a blanket around her shoulders, watching the statement roll across the screen of her tablet.
“They actually did it,” she whispered.
Damien stepped out behind her, carrying two mugs of coffee. “Told you they would.”
She accepted her cup, still staring at the screen. Her photo was splashed beside Veronica’s, but this time, it wasn’t scandal.
