Chapter 10 - Striking Back

AN: Your comments, likes, and reviews keep me writing, so please don't forget to share your thoughts! I'm excited for you to dive into this next chapter! ~DEATH_C

The weight of Mia's words hung in the air like a storm cloud. John's mind raced as he tried to process what she had just told him. Blake Winters—a name that commanded respect and fear in Hollywood—was behind the lawsuit. The realization made John's heart pound with anxiety. Why him? Why now?

"Mia, this doesn't make any sense," John said, pacing back and forth in his living room. "Why would someone as powerful as Blake Winters come after me? I'm a nobody in this industry. What could he possibly want?"

Mia sat on the edge of the couch, her brow furrowed in thought. "I don't know, John. But if Blake Winters is involved, there's got to be a reason. He doesn't make moves like this without a purpose."

"Purpose?" John echoed, stopping in his tracks. "You're saying this is deliberate? That he's targeting me for something?"

"It's possible," Mia replied, her tone serious. "Blake Winters is known for being ruthless in business. If he sees you—or something you're involved in—as a threat or an opportunity, he'll do whatever it takes to gain control."

John felt a chill run down his spine. "But what could I possibly have that he wants? I'm just an actor trying to break into the industry. There's nothing special about me."

Mia sighed, rubbing her temples. "John, you're not seeing the bigger picture. It might not be you, specifically. It could be the project you're on, or even the people you're connected to. Blake is known for playing a long game. If he's targeting you, it's part of a larger plan."

John slumped onto the couch, his head in his hands. "This is insane. I finally get a break, and now I'm caught in the crossfire of some Hollywood power struggle. How am I supposed to fight back against someone like him?"

Mia's expression softened, and she reached out to touch his arm. "We'll find a way, John. We're not alone in this. Anderson is on our side, and so is Evelyn. We just need to figure out what Blake's angle is—and how to counter it."

John looked up at her, his eyes filled with uncertainty. "But how? How do we even begin to understand what someone like Blake Winters wants?"

Mia bit her lip, thinking. "We need more information. Evelyn said she'd keep digging, and Anderson's team is on it too. But maybe… maybe we should do some investigating of our own."

John frowned. "Investigating? You mean, like, snooping around?"

Mia gave him a half-smile. "More like gathering intel. We need to talk to people in the industry, find out if anyone's heard anything about Blake Winters or his latest projects. If we can figure out what he's after, we'll have a better chance of defending ourselves."

John hesitated. "But won't that draw attention to us? If Blake finds out we're poking around…"

Mia shook her head. "We'll be careful. We won't do anything reckless. But we can't just sit here and wait for the hammer to drop. We need to be proactive."

John nodded slowly, the wheels in his mind starting to turn. "Okay… okay, you're right. We need to know what we're up against."

Mia smiled, her eyes bright with determination. "Exactly. And I know just the person to start with."

John raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

Mia leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Have you ever heard of Sandra Reyes?"

John thought for a moment, the name tickling the edge of his memory. "Sandra Reyes… she's that entertainment reporter, right? The one who always seems to know everyone's business?"

"Exactly," Mia said, nodding. "She's got her finger on the pulse of Hollywood. If anyone's heard whispers about Blake Winters, it's her."

John frowned, a bit skeptical. "But why would she talk to us? We're not exactly A-listers."

Mia smirked. "Leave that to me. Sandra and I have a bit of history. I can get us a meeting with her."

John felt a flicker of hope. "You think she'll be able to help?"

"If there's dirt to be found, Sandra will know about it," Mia replied confidently. "She loves a good story, especially one that involves taking down someone like Blake Winters. If we give her a reason to dig, she'll do it."

John took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the situation settle over him once more. But at least now, they had a plan—something to focus on, something to fight for.

"Alright," he said, nodding resolutely. "Let's do it."

---

The next morning, John and Mia met with Sandra Reyes at a trendy café in West Hollywood. Sandra was every bit the stereotype of an entertainment reporter—glamorous, sharp-eyed, and always on the lookout for the next big scoop. She greeted Mia with a warm hug and a knowing smile before turning her keen gaze on John.

"So, Mia tells me you're in a bit of a bind," Sandra said, leaning back in her chair and crossing her legs. "And that it involves none other than the mighty Blake Winters."

John nodded, trying not to let his nerves show. "That's right. We're hoping you might have some insight into what's going on."

Sandra's red-painted lips curled into a smile. "Honey, I always have insight. The real question is, what's in it for me?"

Mia leaned forward, her voice low. "Sandra, if we're right about this, it could be a huge story. Blake Winters going after a newcomer like John? There's got to be something big behind it. And if you break that story first…"

Sandra's eyes glittered with interest. "You have my attention. So, what exactly are we dealing with here?"

John took a deep breath and quickly summarized everything that had happened—the audition, landing the role, and then the shock of being served with the lawsuit. He explained how they'd discovered Blake Winters' connection to the law firm behind the lawsuit, and how it all seemed to point to something bigger.

Sandra listened intently, her expression thoughtful. "Blake Winters is definitely not the type to waste his time on a nobody," she said after a moment. "If he's going after you, it means he sees you as a threat—or he's trying to send a message."

"But what kind of message?" John asked, his frustration seeping into his voice. "I don't understand why he would care about me or this project. I'm just an actor, and this is my first big break. Why would he target me?"

Sandra tapped a perfectly manicured finger against her chin, her mind clearly working through the possibilities. "It could be that he's trying to disrupt the project itself. Maybe he has something against Anderson or the studio. Or… maybe he's interested in acquiring the project for himself."

John's eyes widened. "You think he's trying to steal the project?"

"It wouldn't be the first time Blake's pulled a stunt like that," Sandra said with a shrug. "He's notorious for using underhanded tactics to get what he wants. If he sees potential in the film you're working on, he might be trying to force Anderson out and take over."

Mia leaned forward, her voice urgent. "But why go after John? Why not just deal with Anderson directly?"

Sandra smirked. "Because going after John is easier. He's new, vulnerable. Blake might see John as the weakest link—someone he can pressure or scare into backing out, which would then destabilize the whole project."

John clenched his fists, anger bubbling up inside him. "So he thinks he can just bully me into giving up? Ruin my career before it even starts?"

Sandra raised an eyebrow. "Welcome to Hollywood, darling. It's a cutthroat business. But here's the thing—Blake Winters doesn't know you, not really. He's betting that you'll fold under pressure. But if you fight back…"

John's jaw tightened. "I'm not backing down. I've worked too hard for this."

Sandra smiled, clearly pleased by his resolve. "Good. That's the attitude you need. Now, if you're serious about taking him on, I can help. But you need to be prepared—this could get messy."

"We're ready," Mia said firmly, glancing at John for confirmation.

John nodded, his mind made up. "Whatever it takes. I'm not letting him win."

Sandra studied him for a moment, then leaned forward, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Alright. Here's what we're going to do…"

---

The plan Sandra laid out was both simple and risky. If Blake Winters was indeed trying to acquire the project by forcing John out, they needed to gather evidence of his involvement—something that could expose his true intentions and turn the tables. But to do that, they needed to get close to someone within Blake's inner circle.

"You're going to have to charm your way in," Sandra said with a sly smile. "Make them think you're just another actor trying to make it big, eager to rub shoulders with the powerful. Once you're in, you listen. People love to talk when they think you're on their side."

Mia

 looked at John, her expression serious. "Are you sure you're up for this, John? It's a lot to ask."

John took a deep breath, his mind whirling. This was the last thing he expected when he started out as an actor. But if this was what it took to protect his career—and his future—he was willing to do it. "I'm in," he said, his voice steady. "Let's do it."

Sandra grinned, clearly impressed by his determination. "That's what I like to hear. I'll make some calls, see if I can arrange a meeting with one of Blake's associates. You'll need to play it cool—act like you're not rattled by the lawsuit, like you're just looking for opportunities."

John nodded, his mind already spinning with possibilities. "I can do that. Just tell me where to be and when."

Sandra stood up, smoothing out her skirt. "I'll be in touch. But remember, John—if you go down this road, there's no turning back. Blake Winters is a dangerous man. Once you're in his sights, it's fight or flight."

John stood as well, meeting her gaze. "I'm not running. Not from this."

Sandra nodded approvingly. "Good. Now go home, get some rest. You're going to need it."

As Sandra walked away, Mia turned to John, her eyes filled with both admiration and concern. "John, I know you're determined to fight, but… this is serious. Blake Winters doesn't play games. Are you absolutely sure about this?"

John looked at her, seeing the worry etched on her face. He knew this was dangerous, knew that he was stepping into a world far more complex and ruthless than he had ever imagined. But he also knew that he couldn't walk away—not now, not when everything was on the line.

"I'm sure, Mia," he said softly. "I have to do this. For my career, for everything I've worked for. I won't let him take it from me."

Mia nodded, though the worry didn't leave her eyes. "Okay. But promise me one thing—no matter what happens, you'll keep me in the loop. We're in this together, right?"

John smiled, feeling a wave of gratitude for her support. "Always. I couldn't do this without you."

Mia smiled back, though it was tinged with sadness. "Just be careful, John. I don't want to lose you to this."

John pulled her into a hug, holding on tightly. "You won't, Mia. I promise."

As they parted, John felt a renewed sense of determination. This wasn't just about a role anymore—this was about standing up for himself, proving that he wouldn't be pushed around by anyone, not even someone as powerful as Blake Winters.

But as they left the café and headed back to John's apartment, a sense of unease lingered in the air. The stakes had never been higher, and John knew that the road ahead was going to be anything but easy.

Still, he was ready to face whatever came his way. And as the sun began to set, casting long shadows over the city, John couldn't help but feel that the real battle was only just beginning.

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