Chapter 3

Nobody knew who had the guts to expose Hayes's A-list stars with an endless stream of devastating dirt.

He had clearly crossed the wrong powerhouse!

I scrolled through the news, laughing, until a sudden realization struck me. Could this be Julian's doing?

With that thought in mind, I carried a fresh mug of coffee and tapped on his office door. "Julian, your favorite black coffee."

I placed it gently on his mahogany desk, stepped around behind his chair, and began massaging his shoulders.

Julian let out a low, relaxed sigh, leaning his head back against the leather cushion with his eyes closed.

"Julian... did you do that to Galaxy Entertainment?"

His Adam's apple bobbed slightly. After a long pause, he murmured, "He laid hands on what was mine. He had it coming."

So it really was him. A warm swell of secret joy fluttered in my chest.

Even though I knew the person he was defending was technically Claire's ghost, I couldn't help feeling a little smug.

"Lydia," Julian spoke up suddenly, using my real name, "at the upcoming annual corporate gala, you'll be the headlining act. You're singing 'Fading Twilight.'"

The abrupt request caught me off guard. I hesitated for a split second before nodding in agreement.

If memory served, that ballad was Claire Vance's breakout hit single.

Julian truly was pathologically obsessed with her.

For the next two months, I spent every spare moment rehearsing vocal tracks. Julian even had me move into his private mansion, allocating a dedicated studio just so I could sing it acapella for him.

To outsiders, it looked as though the stand-in had successfully seduced the reclusive billionaire and moved into his inner sanctum.

A tabloid even slapped a splashy headline on their front page:

*[The Stand-In Wins: Julian Vance Hides His New Flame in Golden Cage.]*

Unfortunately, the trending topic was taken down barely an hour after it went up.

I didn't need to ask to know Julian had pulled the strings, but I didn't care.

Our dynamic had smoothed into an easy rhythm. We could banter, laugh, and spend quiet evenings together without awkward tension.

In his free time, Julian would take me to visit every landmark, café, and scenic spot he and Claire had once frequented. Forced to listen to his nostalgic monologues about their past, I couldn't help thinking he was remarkably devoted.

Eventually, I couldn't resist asking, "Why don't you just ask her to come back?"

"It's only a plane ticket away."

Julian offered a bitter, self-deprecating smile. "She wanted to pursue her dreams. I support her."

I frowned slightly. I didn't know Claire personally, but she was a rising starlet who had abandoned her booming career right at its peak to head to Europe. What kind of artistic dream was worth throwing that away for?

I didn't understand it, but I respected the check.

Until that night. I went to the gala venue for the final dress rehearsal. When the house lights dimmed, I stood center stage as the headliner. Julian had slipped in unnoticed at some point. Looking up at me, a rare flash of stunned awe crossed his eyes.

I had styled myself down to the millimeter according to Claire's aesthetic: an ivory trench coat over an understated blush-pink silk dress, a matching scarf tucked neatly around my neck, hair swept up in an elegant chignon, and classic pearl drop earrings. The look was pristine, delicate, and impeccably refined.

As I sang the ballad, my tone was deliberately breathy, effortless, and soulful—projecting a completely different aura from Claire's airy pop delivery.

Julian's lips curved slightly. Holding a glass of vintage red wine, he leaned back, drinking slowly as his gaze remained glued to me.

The deep affection in his eyes was almost intoxicating.

Until a sharp ringtone shattered the melody.

"Julian... I'm home!"

In the vast, cavernous ballroom, his breathing turned ragged. His voice shook uncontrollably. "Okay... I understand."

When he hung up, I looked down from the stage and smiled warmly. "Julian, did I sing it well?"

The warmth in Julian's eyes retreated millimeter by millimeter, turning into a sheet of frozen glass.

"Lydia, thank you for your hard work. Starting now... you can temporarily disappear."

A brief wave of disorientation hit me before clarity took over.

Claire was back.

After disappearing for three months, she finally couldn't hold out any longer.

I clenched my hands into fists, then pulled my lips into a flawlessly professional smile. "Understood, Mr. Vance. However, I have one request."

Julian's expression darkened instantly. "Lydia, remember your place. Don't say things you shouldn't."

"Your payout will be settled in full, and the deed to the luxury condo in Grand Bay will be transferred to your name. Beyond that, don't harbor any delusions."

Unflustered, I reached into my designer handbag, pulled out a neatly typed agreement, and offered it to him. "Mr. Vance misunderstands. I am merely submitting a formal request to work from home. During this emotional quarantine period, please bill my hours at triple pay."

"After all... nobody knows whether Miss Claire is actually here to stay."