Chapter 54. Not Random Tittle

LEO

I stared blankly at the half-burnt cigar butt sitting in the ashtray, smoke curling up like a mocking ghost.

My chest felt hollow and my air stuffed.

Just then, my phone vibrated.

I snatched it up, dragging in a breath.

“Hello, sir,” my manager’s voice crackled through the speaker.

“It took you seven business days to get back to me.” My voice was flat, but my jaw was tight.

“I know, I know. I’m sorry,” he said quickly, with the usual nervous chuckle. “I’ve been gathering information on the show’s participants and even had to ask a friend for help. But I finally got something that might be helpful.”

My fingers tapped impatiently on the glass table. “So, what did you get?”

He exhaled, then dropped the news. “Jessica… is not the owner of the show. She’s the pretty, friendly recruiter—the front who lures clueless and desperate aspiring actors into their trap.”

“Okay… What else did you find out about her?”

“She’s been