Chapter 21
The two of them stood there casually, like they’d known each other forever, without a hint of awkwardness.
Especially Elian, with one hand casually tucked into his pocket, glancing down at Miranda’s phone with even an air of indulgence.
The staff member didn’t seem to react much, simply saying. The director’s busy”
Seeing that Theo wasn’t being helpful, Arabella immediately took out her phone and made a call, her voice trembling slightly with feigned distress.
“Dorian.”
A moment later, Arabella handed the phone over to the staff member, trying to hide the arrogance in her voice but failing miserably.
“My brother wants to talk to you.”
The staff member had just been in touch with the higher–ups, so they knew to look at Elian’s expression for guidance.
Under Elian’s watchful gaze, she put the call on speaker.
A deep, slightly threatening voice came through. “This is Dorian. Aren’t you afraid we’ll pull our funding if you don’t play by the rules?
It’s clear why the Hawke family and the Blackwell family invested in your show. If my sister doesn’t get the role she wants, we’ll pull out, and your show won’t get made. I have plenty of ways to make sure of that.”
The blatant threat was loud and clear for everyone present. Faces around the room shifted uncomfortably.
Such strong–arm tactics from investors weren’t unheard of, but when it came to smaller roles, people tended to look the other way if an agreement could be reached. Most would just envy Arabella’s good fortune.
But this kind of overt threat changed the game.
They could bring funding to the table, but couldn’t use it to bully and intimidate the crew.
Arabella, however, smirked, clearly accustomed to her brother’s protective nature. The Hawke family’s influence and everyone’s pampering had always made her feel proud and entitled. Naturally, she didn’t think anything
was wrong.
Growing up in such an environment, she saw herself as a princess who got whatever she wanted, with someone always there to fight her battles and pick up the tab.
All she had to do was play the victim and pout a little. So in her mind, the director would surely cave.
“Someone’s live streaming this! There are already people calling in, complaining!” a staff member rushed over, panicked.
At this, everyone’s expressions changed.
Arabella’s face darkened. “What live stream?”
All eyes turned to where Miranda and Elian were standing. Miranda waved at Arabella with a cheeky grin. “Hi there.”
Arabella’s shocked and fearful face was front and center on the screen.
“You!”
She glared at Miranda, furious, holding back only for the sake of her image, or she might have lunged for Miranda’s phon
Elian steppe
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with a smile, addressing Dorian on the other end of the line, “Mr. Hawke, you’re quite
07:22
bold.”
But as he stepped forward, he covered Miranda’s camera. Miranda had already captured what she needed, so she smoothly ended the stream and turned off her phone screen.
“Who are you?” Dorian’s voice, cautious and suspicious, came from the other end.
“The name’s Elian Ashcroft,” Elian said casually, taking a couple of steps forward before giving a staff member a nod.
The staff member wisely ended the call and returned the phone to Arabella.
In his office, Dorian froze, realizing who he was dealing with, a shadow of seriousness crossing his face.
Why was he there?
Theo, understanding that Arabella wouldn’t get the role, gave Elian a fearful glance. He shot a cold look at the staff and said to the stunned Arabella, “Let’s go, Bella.”
Arabella glared at Miranda, her eyes practically shooting sparks of rage, but she was reluctantly led away by Theo.
As they walked, Theo made a call, speaking in hushed tones, “Erase all live footage. Yes. Delete it from everywhere. We’ll talk later, Bella. I need to head to the hospital.”
The onlookers, having witnessed quite the spectacle, dispersed quietly, knowing better than to stir up trouble.
Elian picked up his phone and made a lazy call, instructing, “Restore all the live stream footage from the City Secrets set. While you’re at it, acquire a couple of PR firms. And make sure to quote high for both the Blackwell family and the Hawke family, got it?”
After hanging up, Elian turned to Miranda.
Miranda quipped, “Are you missing something in your life?”
Elian, with a rare look of clarity and confusion, asked, “What?”
Miranda teased, “I think you’re missing some common decency.” Elian was rendered speechless.
