Chapter 7

Marcus Sterling pushed open the door to find Damian Cross reclining on the hospital bed, reviewing documents.

"Shouldn't you be in a meeting right now?" Damian closed the folder, arching a brow.

Marcus pulled up a chair. "Elise fell down the stairs. She's in a room downstairs." He studied his friend's expression. "How are you feeling?" Last night, when he'd received the news of the accident, his phone had slipped from his grasp in shock.

Even the doctors called it a medical miracle—such a severe crash, yet only minor injuries.

Damian touched the red cord around his neck. "Much better. Is Elise alright?"

He knew better than anyone that his rapid recovery was entirely due to that mysterious talisman from last night.

"Fractured. She'll need time to heal." Marcus couldn't help unloading the day's events. "You should've seen it—when that talisman burned..." He rubbed his arms. "I never believed in this stuff before."

Damian's gaze flickered. "The person who gave it to you—she's an Aurora Entertainment artist?"

"Yeah, Aria Bennett." Marcus pulled out his phone and scrolled. "She had a breakout role in an idol drama last year, then faded into obscurity."

Damian had already opened Pulse. The hashtag #AriaBennettLeaveTheIndustry glared at him from the trending list.

"She's being targeted?" Damian frowned.

Marcus shrugged. "She said she can handle it."

Damian tapped the screen lightly. "Any upcoming schedules for her?"

"She's filming Orchard Network's new variety show next week." Marcus's eyes widened. "Wait—don't tell me you're..."

"Arrange it for me." Damian set his phone down. "I'm joining."

Marcus nearly leapt from his chair. "You? On a variety show?"

This was the same man who couldn't be bothered to walk red carpets at international film festivals.

"Mhm." A faint smile curved Damian's lips. "Consider it returning a favor."

Marcus suddenly understood. "You're doing this for—"

"Is Adrian Foster free lately?" Damian cut him off.

"You want Adrian to mentor her?" Marcus sucked in a breath. "He's our company's ace agent!"

Damian traced the edge of his watch. "He owes me."

Marcus shook his head, chuckling. "Classic you."

After chatting a while longer, Marcus checked the time and stood to leave.

Meanwhile, Aria was being enthusiastically clasped by Mrs. Sterling's hands.

From the hospital bed, Elise beamed. "You're even prettier in person than on TV!"

She'd never seen someone so beautiful—like a noblewoman stepped out of an ancient painting, every smile carrying an indescribable grace.