Possessed No More: The True Star Returns to Claim Her Throne-Chapter 29: 250

"Damn it! Where did this moron come from, trying to screw over my people!"

Riley Perry was amused by Nana’s fiery temper and couldn’t help but laugh. "Alright, let’s not talk about him. Is the contract taken care of? Quick, tell me, how much money am I getting?"

Speaking of which, Joanna was thrilled. She pulled out a document and placed it in front of Riley Perry. "Because you came in to save the day, Director Miles offered the same rate as the previous second-tier star. He said he isn’t losing any money on it, since she already paid the cancellation fee.

"Hurry up and sign it." She was starting to think this artist of hers was really going to make it big.

"You’ve been pretty lucky lately!"

She used to have to beg and plead, chasing people down just to get Riley Perry any resources. But these past few days, she suddenly didn’t have to worry about it. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

She’d landed the role in *Starfire* on her own merits at the audition, and before filming for *Starfire* was even finished, the crew from the neighboring set of *Immortal Demon Tribulation* came looking for her.

Not only that, but she’d also received a ton of variety show invitations recently. Riley Perry had refused them, but Joanna had managed to slot her other artists in instead. For the opportunities she couldn’t take, she traded them with other agents at the company. Her own professional relationships had even improved significantly. In short, she was riding a wave of success, and it was all thanks to Riley. ’Luck?’

Riley Perry looked out at the pitch-black night sky. ’Maybe so.’

...

After finishing his scenes for the night, Raymond Warren directly contacted a paparazzo he’d worked with in the past. "Big Mouth, I need you to tail some Z-list nobody for me. I want all her dirt, and the price is negotiable."

"Who’s the target?"

"Riley Perry."

The person on the other end was stunned for a second, then said hesitantly, "The one they call the ’prettiest face’? Yeah, she’s definitely Z-list. I have to think for a minute to even put a face to that name."

"Yes, that’s her. If you have any dirt on her now, you can sell that to me, too."

Big Mouth: "You know, a job like tailing one specific person might take six months or even a year to bear fruit. If the money’s not good, I’ll lose my shirt on it."

Raymond Warren knew this meant two things: he didn’t have any dirt on Riley Perry, and he was raising his price.

"1.5 million. If you can get me dirt that will destroy Riley Perry, I’ll give you 1.5 million."

"Five million. Half upfront as a deposit."

Big Mouth didn’t mince words, his price was ruthless. "I make more than five million on a single job tailing a second-tier star. If you’re not willing, go find someone else. Maybe they’ll take the job."

Raymond Warren hesitated for only a moment before agreeing. "Fine. Five million it is. I’ll pay the deposit first, and the other half when you have results."

As soon as the call ended, Raymond Warren transferred the 2.5 million.

Inside a hotel in Film City, Justin Locke looked at the 2.5 million transfer he had just received. A cold glint flashed in his eyes. ’What a fucking moron.’ He quickly opened a paparazzi group chat and typed a message: Who has dirt on Raymond Warren? Price is negotiable.

Someone quickly replied below: *Mr. Locke, did Raymond Warren get on your bad side?*

Justin Locke replied: *Yes.*

Kenny: *Then why are we talking about money? I’ve got some dirt on him. Sending it to you now.*

*The guy plays around a lot. Likes to sleep with his fans.*

Eleven: *I have some too. Recordings of him making arrogant statements.*

Others in the group who had dirt on Raymond Warren sent it to Justin Locke as well.

Justin Locke immediately transferred them money at the going rate. A stream of replies followed: *Mr. Locke, you’re the man!*

After getting the dirt on Raymond Warren, Justin Locke sent a message to Riley Perry: *There’s a guy named Raymond Warren trying to collect dirt on you. He offered five million. Do you two have a history?*

Riley Perry was surprised to receive Justin Locke’s message. ’It can’t be that much of a coincidence, right? Did that moron Raymond Warren actually hire Justin Locke?’

Riley: *The most important thing for a businessman is to be trustworthy. Is it really okay for you to sell out your own client like this?*

Justin Locke thought to himself, ’If it weren’t for you that night, I’d be dead. Screw being trustworthy!’

Justin Locke: *Miss Perry, did you run a background check on me?*

Riley Perry thought to herself, ’As a matter of fact, I did.’

Riley: *No grudge. He’s acting on someone else’s orders.*

Justin Locke: *Should I look into it for you?*

Riley: *Don’t. The other party must be very powerful, otherwise they wouldn’t be able to use the president of the Warren Group as their lapdog.*

Justin Locke broke into a happy smile. ’My Little Fairy is truly kind. She risked her life to save me that day, and now she’s worried I’ll get into trouble.’

Justin Locke: *I understand. I’ve already taken half the deposit, so I’ll have someone follow you for a couple of days and snap a few pictures to hand over. Miss Perry, you just do whatever you need to do. I guarantee no dirt on you will ever leak from my side.*

Riley Perry replied with a ’Thank You’ sticker.

’It’s not like there’s anything to take pictures of,’ she thought, ’but I appreciate the kind gesture.’

After ending the conversation, Justin Locke didn’t release the dirt on Raymond Warren. He had already figured out Riley Perry’s entire schedule over the last few days. She had been filming Director Quinn’s *Starfire*, and Raymond Warren was also in the *Starfire* cast. If he took Raymond Warren down now, Miss Perry would have to reshoot her scenes.

’I’ll wait a bit longer,’ he thought. ’Maybe that little brat will piss someone else off one of these days, and I can earn another fee.’

’Miss Perry was right. He was a businessman, and businessmen always put profit first. Who would argue with money?’

As a thought struck him, he immediately created a new group chat. The group name: Riley Perry Global Fan Club.

He started it off by posting a beautiful photo.

It was a picture of Riley Perry in costume on set, wearing a red cheongsam. Her makeup was exquisite, and with her eyes just slightly downcast, she gave off a particularly sorrowful feeling.

A stream of comments appeared below:

Dog 1: *Boss, who’s the beauty in the photo?*

Dog 2: *Hey genius, look at the group name.*

Dog 1: *No, seriously, when did I get added to this group?*

Dog 3: *Boss, you’re a paparazzo, and you’ve started stanning a celebrity? Do you know what that’s called? It’s called neglecting your duties!*

Dog 4: *Still, this Miss Perry is seriously beautiful.*

Dog 5: *If you like her, then go for it. Winning her over is the real prize. Don’t be scared, Boss, get in there!*

Dog 6: *...*

Justin Locke: *From now on, you all better watch yourselves. Riley Perry saved my life. You know what to do, right?*

A stream of "Holy shit!" flooded in from the Dogs.

The Dogs: *We get it! We get it!*

His savior? Then from now on, to them, Riley Perry was on the level of the Empress Dowager. Who would dare mess with her?

Mess with her and you die!

Closing the group chat, Justin Locke called his subordinate. "Rocco, starting tomorrow, you’re assigned exclusively to Riley Perry. Take the most beautiful pictures of her you can and send them to me. Also get some private, candid shots. I need to keep those to hand over for the job.

"But your main job is to protect her. If you can’t handle it alone, you can bring one or two more people.

"I’m doubling your pay from now on."

Rocco immediately cheered. "Thanks, Boss! Don’t you worry, I’ll definitely handle this job well."

He was also in the Riley Perry Global Fan Club, so of course he knew why the boss was doing this. Following Miss Perry was a cushy assignment, and he was more than happy to do it.

...