The sun was setting over the city, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple as dusk began to settle. The film studio's parking lot was mostly empty now, the day's shooting having wrapped up hours ago for most productions. But for Sherry Brown, one of the city's rising stars, the workday had just ended.She emerged from the studio building looking exhausted but polished, her makeup still perfect despite twelve hours on set, her designer outfit somehow managing to look fresh despite the grueling schedule. Her assistant, Maya Chen, walked beside her carrying Sherry's bag and several scripts that needed review for upcoming projects."Finally," Sherry sighed, stretching her shoulders as they walked toward where her car was parked. "I thought that last scene would never end. Director Chen must have made us do twenty takes.""Twenty-three," Maya corrected with a small smile. "But it looked perfect by the end. You were amazing, as always."Sherry waved off the compliment, though a plea

"I can prove whatever I need to prove!" Sherry cut him off. "I have witnesses! I have evidence! I have everything I need to destroy you if I choose to! So don't you DARE stand there and act like you have any power over me!"She stepped even closer, her voice dropping to something dangerous and quiet. "I haven't sued you yet because I don't want the media circus, don't want the questions, don't want to relive that night. But if you keep pushing me, if you keep harassing me, I will take you to court. I will make sure everyone knows exactly what kind of man you are. I will end your career so thoroughly that you'll never work in this industry again!"Victor's smug expression finally cracked, replaced by something uglier. "You think you can threaten me? ME? You're just a B-list actress with some talent and a pretty face! I've been in this industry for twenty years! I have connections you can't even imagine! Friends in high places!""And I have my uncle," Sherry said quietly, dangerously. "

At the BaiShui Group headquarters, Lisa and Vanessa sat in Lisa's expansive corner office, the city lights spread out below them through floor-to-ceiling windows. But neither woman was admiring the view. They were too busy nursing their wounded pride and plotting revenge."I can't believe she had us thrown out," Vanessa said for perhaps the tenth time, her hand unconsciously touching her cheek where the security guard had slapped her. "Physically removed from a hospital like common criminals. Do you know how humiliating that was?""I was there, Vanessa," Lisa said tiredly. "I experienced the exact same humiliation you did."She was sitting at her desk, but she wasn't working. Couldn't work. Her mind kept replaying the scene at the hospital—Alex's cold authority, Mia's protective fury, the way they'd been treated like insignificant nuisances."And then to find out Alex has connections to Jace Chen," Vanessa continued, still spiraling. "Do you know who that man is? What he represents? H

Mia felt frustration settling heavily in her chest. Tony was being deliberately obtuse, refusing to take no for an answer, pushing boundaries in a way that made her want to snap at him.But they were in a semi-public space, her building's parking garage where security cameras were recording everything, and the last thing she needed was footage of her losing her temper circulating among the city's business elite.So she swallowed her irritation, kept her voice level, and tried one more time. "Tony, I appreciate the thought, but I really do need to go. Perhaps we can schedule a meeting during business hours if there's something you need to discuss."Tony's expression shifted slightly, becoming more determined, more shameless. The reasonable businessman facade was slipping, revealing something more desperate, more stubborn underneath."Alright, if you won't let me drive you home," Tony said, his tone taking on an almost wheedling quality, "then I'll just have to escort you home instead."

Mia felt her body go slightly rigid at Tony's question, though she recovered her composure almost instantly. Years of business negotiations and high-stakes meetings had trained her to control her physical reactions, to never let anyone see when they'd caught her off guard.But inside, she was stunned. The audacity of this man—inviting himself into her car, forcing his presence on her, and now asking about her romantic life as if he had any right to that information.Slowly, deliberately, Mia turned to face Tony fully. Her eyebrows pulled together in a frown that was equal parts confusion and displeasure."I'm sorry," Mia said, her voice carefully controlled, "but why would you ask me something like that? My personal life is none of your business."Even as she spoke, Mia found her eyes flickering toward the front of the car, toward where Alex sat in the driver's seat. She was curious—desperately curious, if she was honest with herself—about how he would react to Tony's question. Would h