The assistant hurriedly supported Tanya, whose legs had gone weak. For a moment, she could barely keep herself standing.
It took several long seconds before Tanya finally steadied herself.
Her mind raced, desperately trying to find a way out—any countermeasure at all. But the moment she recalled the joint announcements issued by law enforcement, the federal broadcasting authority, the cyber administration, and the national performers' association, a wave of dizziness hit her again, and she nearly collapsed.
This wasn't something that could be managed.
There was no solution.
The pressure was so overwhelming that her mind instinctively rejected reality. For a fleeting second, she genuinely wished she would faint—because maybe, when she woke up, everything would be resolved, or someone would tell her it had all just been a nightmare.
"Sister Tanya, what's wrong?" Ash asked casually, still focused on his game, barely glancing over.
Tanya took a deep breath, forced herself to move, and walked quickly to his side.
"Ash… something huge has happened," she said, her voice strained. "That Jason from yesterday—he's not just some rich kid. He's… a very important figure."
She took the phone from the assistant and shoved it into Ash's hand.
At first, Ash didn't care. He even opened his mouth, clearly about to mock Jason again.
But the instant his eyes landed on the Federal Broadcasting Authority's notice, his expression froze.
The controller slipped slightly in his grip.
Since becoming famous, Ash had been endlessly praised by fans, lifted onto a pedestal. He'd grown arrogant, used to trampling over others.
As long as he didn't cross certain obvious lines, public relations could always smooth things over.
Even someone like Lewi, the boss of an entertainment company, didn't need to be taken seriously—as long as Ash had a powerful backer.
But no matter how arrogant he was, Ash understood one absolute truth:
There was one wall no celebrity could climb over.
The Federal Broadcasting Authority.
He could sneer at companies, curse investors, ignore public opinion—
But he could never ignore them.
One document.One sentence.
That was enough to decide a celebrity's life or death in the industry.
Ash wasn't well-educated and lacked broader understanding. Even if someone showed him Jason's résumé, he might not truly comprehend how terrifying Jason's wealth and influence were.
But even the most ignorant person in entertainment understood the power of federal regulators.
That was common sense.
Ash panicked.
"What tax evasion?!" he shouted. "That was legitimate tax planning! And forcing underage girls? They were willing! This is a setup—someone is framing me!"
Tanya and the assistant fell silent.
Even if the girls were "willing," it was still illegal.
And "reasonable tax planning" was, in many cases, a meaningless excuse—once the authorities decided to investigate, it instantly became tax evasion.
Yet in that moment, Tanya suddenly realized something deeply unsettling.
Something wasn't right.
First—If the allegations involved coercing minors, shouldn't the broadcasting authority, cyber regulators, and performers' association wait until the case was fully confirmed before acting?
Second—For tax issues, wasn't the usual process a warning, followed by back taxes and penalties? How had it escalated straight to criminal detention?
This wasn't normal procedure.
This wasn't routine enforcement.
This was… preemptive execution.
Tanya's heart sank.
She finally understood.
This wasn't about evidence being discovered today.
This was about someone powerful enough to make every department move at once—without waiting, without hesitation.
And that someone…
Was Jason Carter.
Why was there no warning—why did the announcement come down directly?
The question flashed through Tanya's mind, but instead of giving her hope, it made her face grow even paler.
Because this meant one thing.
Someone with overwhelming authority had directly mobilized multiple federal agencies, synchronizing their actions in a single move.
This wasn't procedure.
This was execution.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
The sound of knocking echoed through the luxury apartment like a hammer striking their hearts.
The assistant rushed to the door camera. The moment she saw the figures outside, her blood turned cold.
Police officers.
Her throat tightened.
A calm, authoritative voice came from outside.
"Ash, open the door."
"You are suspected of tax evasion and coercion of underage girls. You are now being lawfully detained."
The words hit like thunder.
Ash's face drained of color.
All arrogance vanished in an instant.
His lips trembled as he turned to Tanya.
"Sister Tanya… what do I do?" he stammered."I didn't do anything… why is this happening?""Why are the police here?""I can't go to jail, right?""Quick—do something. Hire PR. Hire lawyers!"
Tanya forced a bitter smile.
PR would be hired.Lawyers would be hired.
But with the Federal Broadcasting Authority already issuing a statement, PR was meaningless.
As for lawyers—legal maneuvering only worked under fair circumstances.
The problem was, someone at the very top wanted Ash gone.
His tax evasion and exploitation of minors were facts. With that level of intent behind the case, any attempt to overturn it legally was nothing more than fantasy.
Still, they had no choice but to try.
"Ash," Tanya said quickly, "don't say a single word to the police later. I'll immediately assemble a legal team and contact Ms. Lily."
Cold sweat poured down Ash's forehead.
"Yes—yes—contact Sister Zhou!""She can definitely help me!""Can we not open the door for now? Let's wait until the lawyers arrive and Sister Lily responds!"
Tanya snapped back instantly.
"That's resisting arrest. Absolutely not."
She steadied herself.
"It's fine. Just stay silent."
She opened the door.
Ash instinctively tried to pull back—but several officers stepped forward and cuffed him cleanly, efficiently.
No hesitation.
No negotiation.
He was taken away.
—
Inside the detention room, under the harsh white lights, Ash's face grew more and more lifeless.
Tanya worked frantically outside—calling lawyers, pulling favors, exhausting every connection she had.
Finally, she reached Ms. Lily.
Ash was allowed a brief call.
Clutching the phone like a lifeline, he pleaded desperately.
"Sister Lily… you have to save me.""As long as you protect me, I'll listen to you from now on.""I'll be obedient. I'll be your dog—"
The voice on the other end was icy.
"Ash," Ms. Lily said flatly, "in ordinary matters, I would protect you."
"You're handsome. That alone is worth something."
"But you offended a god-tier tycoon and still expect me to shield you?"
"Are you trying to die—and drag me down with you?"
There was a pause, filled with contempt.
"It seems I spoiled you too much in the past."
"You were already living better than ninety-nine percent of people—earning in a day what others earn in a lifetime, living in mansions, driving supercars."
"What exactly were you dissatisfied with?"
Ash's voice cracked.
"Sister Lily, I know I was wrong. Please… just this once. Save me."
"What's the use of my forgiveness?" she interrupted coldly.
"You need Jason Carter's forgiveness."
"And as far as I know, he already gave you a chance."
"You were arrogant. Ungrateful."
Her tone hardened.
"I won't help you."
"I am nothing in front of Jason Carter."
"And I will never offend him for your sake."
"Reflect properly in prison."
"If you ever get out and live a normal life—learn to open your eyes."
"Sister Lily, please—let me apologize to Jason—"
The line went dead.
Ash stared at the phone.
When he tried to call back—
Blocked.
Completely.
His face turned ashen.
Only now did he finally understand.
This was not a crisis.
This was the end.
—
Tanya stood outside, checking her phone with trembling hands.
One message after another flooded in:
✔ All endorsements terminated✔ All works removed from platforms✔ All capital withdrawn✔ All partners severing ties immediately—even at a loss✔ Everyone fearing implication
Ash was finished.
And with him—
So was her high-paying, glamorous career.
Regret crushed her chest.
If only she had forced him to apologize yesterday.If only he had humbled himself.
Maybe—just maybe—none of this would have happened.
Ash finally broke down.
"Tanya… quickly contact Jason.""I'll apologize. I'll sincerely apologize."
Tanya knew it was useless.
Too late.
But with the desperation of a dying gamble, she still tried.
Through multiple intermediaries, she finally obtained Olivia's contact information and called.
The result was exactly what she feared.
No answer.
Not even a rejection.
Blocked.
Immediately.
Negotiation never even began.
At that moment, Tanya fully understood—
Jason Carter didn't need to speak.
He didn't need to threaten.
Once he decided you were finished—
There was no second chance.
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