Chapter 45 – The Return Novel (Natalie & Bryce) PDF Read Online Free

Filed to story: The Return Novel (Natalie & Bryce) PDF Read Online Free

When Tony heard Ellington’s question, he felt his mask of expressionless start to crack. He looked like he was trying very hard to suppress the disgust he felt, and he was trembling. Tony said nothing, failing to suppress his anger. He looked at Ellington with hostility.

Ellington said, “You’re even more good-looking when you’re angry, you know that?” Then Ellington changed his tone and continued, “As long as you agree to the conditions I offered you yesterday, I can definitely make you famous. Then you’ll have enough money to help that seriously sick sister of yours. It’s a win-win situation. Why not accept my proposal?”

Ellington recalled how Tony had refused to cooperate with him yesterday, saying he’d rather die than do what Ellington wanted. He felt the incident was pretty ridiculous but infuriating at the same time. Tony was quite strong-willed, but as his agent, Ellington could make Tony’s life difficult by hiding him away from prospective employers.

At the mention of his sister’s illness, Tony’s face turned pale, and his body trembled even more. Ellington saw that his words were having an effect, and he felt determined to get what he wanted. Ellington knew that the company was going through a restructuring, giving him the opportunity to pressure Tony.

Tony bit his bottom lip. He felt lost with nowhere to run. He hated Ellington for insulting him time after time. Just at that moment, someone knocked on the door and walked straight in. Ellington’s assistant, seeing Ellington’s expression, hesitated. Ellington’s good mood was ruined. He snapped at the assistant, “What is it? Spit it out, why don’t you?”

The assistant lowered his head and said, “Mr. Ellington, it’s… it’s not good news. I’ve been told that the company has assigned Mr. Bavel to another agent from today. The other agent will be looking after him.”

Tony’s eyes filled with the light of hope. Maybe this was finally a chance to turn things around. But Ellington cut across these thoughts, yelling, “Ridiculous! Howard and I are good friends. No one would dare snatch my people away. This new agent has no idea who they’re dealing with here. There’s no need to worry about them,” he snorted, not giving the new agent another thought.

The assistant felt embarrassed. He gave Tony a worried look and left the office. With just the two of them in the office again, Ellington sat thinking before laughing out loud. “So, my big star Tony, I’ve been waiting on you for a long time now. Have you still not made up your mind? But I guess it’s okay. I have plenty of time. I can wait for you. But can your sister’s illness wait? I don’t think she can last more than a year based on what I understand. Time flies, Tony. Seeing the despair on Tony’s face, he kept pressing the artist. Golden periods don’t last very long. How many good years do you think you have left? If you agree to do what I want, I’ll give you everything: fame, money, everything. Think about it, huh?”

These words ignited Tony’s anger, and rage filled them. He roared, “But I’m not interested in you or in what you want!”

Ellington chuckled. “I know, Tony. I know. But you know how this industry works, and you’re already in it. Being naive will just cause you more suffering.” He had kept Tony effectively hidden away from potential employers for 2 years, and he could easily keep him hidden for another two.

Tony was still shaking with anger. If Ellington hadn’t hindered his career, he could have been a star by now.

Ellington refused to let go of his opportunity and kept probing at Tony’s weakness.

He said, “Okay, let’s consider that in this day and age, everyone needs a financial backer. How can you become popular otherwise? Some artists find a way to get people to back them, often by giving those people what they want. What makes you less successful than those people is that you’re too stubborn. You don’t give the important people what they want.”

However, Ellington went on, “If you start to appreciate your situation, then it’s still not too late. Think about it. You’re still young and you want to be popular, and the only thing you need is a word from me to make you famous. How about that?” He kept on Tony in this vein.

Finally, Tony snapped, punching a glass bottle on the counter next to him and grazing his knuckles. He yelled, “Will you stop this blackmail? I want to change agents!” What the assistant had said was Tony’s last hope, and he was desperate to take the opportunity. It didn’t matter if the new agent was a nobody; he just wanted to cut ties with Ellington.

Ellington glanced at Tony unperturbed and said silkily, “Look, Howard and I are good friends in this company. He has the ultimate authority. Why don’t you ask him to change your agent and see if he approves a swap?”

Tony stood there in despair, feeling trapped. It was as if his life was over with no way out. Ellington, seeing Tony’s despair, said quietly, “Follow me, and I’ll treat you well. You won’t be treated unfairly, I promise. In the entertainment industry, it’s not just you who gets to decide your fate; you need others to help you.” Ellington touched Tony on the shoulder.

Just at that moment, the door banged open loudly. Natal stood in the doorway, glaring. She’d been listening to the men’s conversation from outside and was furious.

She stormed into the office. She’d been wondering why Tony Bobble was hidden away from all opportunities, and now she knew it was all down to his leech of an agent, Ellington. Tony had been hidden away for two whole years, and now Ellington was threatening him with more of the same.

Natalie didn’t think of herself as a savior, but she knew talent when she saw it. In the years she’d spent abroad, she’d seen artists that had talent who weren’t popular, but some of them had been constrained by their agents too.

Once Natalie had intervened and mentored them, though, those artists had become famous. However, none of those artists were in the exact same situation as Tony. Ellington, she thought, was shameless.

Ellington looked at Natalie angrily and roared, “Who the hell are you? Don’t you know whose office this is? How dare you barge in here without knocking!”

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