"To be honest, I meant to ask about her when I had the chance," Dylan said, his voice calm.
"But somehow, I keep forgetting whenever I talk to you."
Shawn tilted his head before shrugging, "She can be a wallflower even in other people's minds?"
Dylan blinked, "Was she a wallflower?"
It didn't seem that way. The way she acted—powerful and noticeable—wasn't what he'd expect from someone trying to blend into the background. She didn't demand attention, but somehow, people still noticed her.
"Well," Shawn started.
"That's how she wanted to appear."
Dylan frowned, "She was pretending?"
Shawn leaned back, crossing his arms, "Isn't that normal at our school? Most of us were hiding something back then. It's not strange for someone to act like a different person."
Dylan thought for a moment.
Shawn and Gabriel had already figured it out—Harmony wasn't being herself. She wasn't invisible; she was choosing to stay in the shadows. It was a performance, carefully put together to keep people from getting close to her or trying to know her.
"Then I have to say," Dylan mused.
"She's talented—able to make herself seem unimportant but still catching people's eyes when she wanted to."
Shawn didn't reply right away. He agreed, though. Harmony could act—but that was all it felt like.
Because while she could draw attention, there was something missing.
'If she truly wants to be an actress,' Shawn thought.
She had the skills, but not the spark. If someone watched her long enough, they'd lose interest. Her performances were technically perfect, but there was no heart behind them.
"She might not want to be a part of it," Dylan added quietly.
Shawn blinked, snapping out of his thoughts.
"You saw how she was back then," Shawn agreed.
"She can catch people's attention, but in the end, isn't acting also about passion? She was like a robot, doing all the right moves but without feeling."
Dylan shrugged, "Well, since you won't slip up even the smallest detail about those two, I'll just give up."
Shawn didn't respond, though a single thought crossed his mind.
'They were the same, though.'
Then Dylan tilted his head, a playful smile forming, "Why not call my sister?"
Shawn's lips twitched, "You know… I'm not great at talking to Sister Emina."
Dylan laughed.
…
Emina Ashcroft.
Her name alone carried weight. She was the only daughter of the Ashcroft family and the Chief Operating Officer of Ashcroft Nexus.
Their family name was tied to power, and Ashcroft Nexus stood at the very top of the entertainment industry. It wasn't just famous—it shaped what people watched, listened to, and talked about.
They ruled film, television, music, and media—not just following trends but creating them.
More than just finding actors, musicians, and idols, Ashcroft Nexus made stars. They trained their talents carefully—teaching them how to act, sing, dance, and build their public image. By the time these stars appeared in the spotlight, they weren't just skilled—they were unstoppable.
But the company's reach didn't stop at entertainment.
They controlled media outlets too—deciding what stories got told and how people saw the industry. Their news platforms didn't just report events—they shaped opinions.
Ashcroft Nexus wasn't limited to this country. It had ties to Hollywood, K-pop industries, European film festivals, and major media networks—making them a global force.
It was no surprise they lived up to their name and their promise:
"Where Legends Rise, and the World Watches."
But this empire wasn't built overnight. It was created over generations by the Ashcroft family.
It all began with Henry Ashcroft in the early 20th century.
Henry was a passionate theater director and talent agent who founded the Ashcroft Talent & Theatre Company in this small country.
At first, it was a small agency that worked with stage actors and playwrights. But when films became popular, Henry saw their potential. He expanded into silent films and later into movies with sound.
With his strength in creating connections and how at ease people could talk to him, this small company in an unknown country slowly rose to fame.
Even during tough times such as wars, Henry kept the company alive by producing radio shows and patriotic films. His work wasn't just about entertainment; it gave people hope.
His son, Richard Ashcroft Sr., then followed
Richard had a sharp business sense. He rebranded the company as Ashcroft Studios and focused on television. He produced the country's most popular dramas and biggest box-office hits.
But Richard didn't stop there. He created Ashcroft Media, a platform for entertainment news, and saw the music industry's growing power. That's when Ashcroft Nexus began building its music and idol divisions.
The next leader was Gregory Ashcroft—Dylan and Emina's grandfather.
Gregory wasn't just a businessman—he was a planner. He launched Ashcroft Music Academy and started training idol groups and solo artists.
He built relationships with Hollywood, European film studios, and K-pop industries—pushing Ashcroft's influence beyond their home country.
When the digital age arrived, Gregory adapted quickly—distributing their work online and launching media platforms. By the early 21st century, he officially renamed the company Ashcroft Nexus, preparing for the modern era.
And now, the company was under Lenon Ashcroft—Dylan and Emina's father.
Lenon wasn't just ambitious—he was unstoppable.
Under his leadership, Ashcroft Nexus became an entertainment empire. He didn't just expand their work—he made sure Ashcroft dominated every field, from movies and TV to idol training and media.
He pushed into global streaming platforms, digital music, and even virtual reality entertainment.
Lenon didn't want partnerships—he wanted Ashcroft Nexus to be a global name.
Now, their stars weren't just famous—they were international icons. Their news outlets didn't just report—they shaped the entertainment world.
And soon, the next leader was waiting in the wings.
Emina Ashcroft.
Smart, confident, and already running the company as COO, she was prepared to take over.
Ashcroft Nexus wasn't just a company. It was a legacy of over a century.
And the world was watching.