The Prison-Made Queen novel Chapter 542

Clive stared at his own reflection in the glass, a mocking curve playing on his lips.

A lesson? He had learned more than enough lessons over the past few weeks. He certainly didn't need their fake sympathy.

His phone vibrated again. He glanced over to see a new text from Luke: [Clive, the company has already compromised. Don't push your luck!]

With a cold smirk, Clive typed out a quick response: [Tell Magnus Judson that if he wants to discuss a deal, he can do it in person. Have him come see me himself.]

Hitting send, he turned his phone off entirely and headed toward the bedroom.

For a whole week, Clive's phone was flooded with missed calls from Luke, but he couldn't be bothered to even look at them, leaving his phone permanently on Do Not Disturb. He simply ignored the agency, leaving them hanging. He spent his days idling in exclusive private clubs and his nights retreating to Winifred's villa, living a life of absolute luxury and excess, seemingly forgetting he was ever a working actor.

That is, until one late night.

Clive had just finished an intimate moment with Winifred. Under the warm ambient lighting, she leaned back against the headboard, a slender lady's cigarette held delicately between her fingers. Her bold red lips parted slightly. "Clive, Glitz Entertainment has been trying to get a hold of you, haven't they?"

Clive, who was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window sipping a glass of wine, turned to her with a look of mild confusion. "Yeah. It's incredibly annoying."

Winifred blew out a perfect ring of smoke and narrowed her eyes at him, offering a helpful warning. "Leaving them hanging won't do you any favors."

True to her word, Winifred had poured a substantial amount of money into Glitz Entertainment, and right now, Clive was her absolute favorite. As an investor trying to balance a business partnership with her current lover, she had no desire to see their relationship turn completely sour.

Clive swirled his glass, the amber liquid catching the cool glow of the lights. For reasons he couldn't quite articulate, hearing Winifred side with the agency made him feel a sudden, unexpected pang of resentment.

"Why? Do you think I should just bow down to them?" he asked defensively, remembering exactly how badly Glitz had screwed him over.

Seeing his reaction, Winifred smiled in satisfaction.

"Go to the company tomorrow, alright?" She patted his cheek gently. "Even if you decide not to sign with them, there's no need to burn the bridge completely. Don't disappoint me."

...

The following afternoon, Clive finally appeared in the lobby of the Glitz Entertainment building. Sporting dark sunglasses and a sharply tailored black suit, he exuded an aura of cold, untouchable authority.

The receptionist gaped at him, her eyes filled with a complicated mix of shock and awkwardness. "M-Mr. Sloan! You've returned! Mr. Judson and the others are already waiting for you upstairs."

Clive didn't even grant her a glance as he strode purposefully toward the elevators.