Chapter 218: Guess Who I Saw
The party grew more and more crowded. Lena poured a glass of wine, plastered a smile on her face, and pulled her into the throng.
They were immediately met by a dapper, middle-aged man in a crisp suit.
"President Miller, you made it! Long time no see. What have you been up to? You look like you’re on top of the world—must have landed another big, profitable project. Congratulations!"
"HAHAHA! Lena, you’ve always got a silver tongue. With you saying that every time we meet, I’d feel bad if I *didn’t* make a fortune! I hear things are getting serious with you and President Goldman. Congratulations! Here’s to us all getting rich."
"Absolutely. When we hold the wedding, we hope you’ll be able to find the time to attend, President Miller."
"I’ve been old friends with you and President Goldman for so many years, of course I’ll be there. Here’s to you both—wishing you a long and happy marriage, and a healthy baby soon."
Lena’s pregnancy was already an open secret in their circle, so no one batted an eye at her drinking juice.
After clinking glasses with President Miller, she deliberately coughed in Cecelia’s direction.
President Miller’s gaze shifted, and he noticed Cecelia standing off to the side.
"Well now, I just noticed the pretty young lady standing beside you. Who’s this? She even looks a bit like you. Don’t tell me she’s your sister?"
Lena laughed. "And you say *I’m* the sweet-talker. President Miller, you’re the real charmer. Me, as beautiful as her? This lovely young lady is an artist I just signed, and this is her first time out with me. She’s young and a bit green, so please forgive her if she’s a little clumsy. Luna Linden, this is President Miller from Agile Media. Go on, say hello."
Cecelia, like a well-behaved child, dutifully greeted him, "Hello, President Miller." He first glanced at Lena before his eyes settled back on Cecelia, his gaze full of frank admiration.
"Our Lena has an impeccable eye. Your taste in talent is always on point. Miss Linden has very distinctive features. And her face looks all-natural, from what I can tell."
Lena laughed. "But of course. One hundred percent natural. She just graduated, so she’s still a diamond in the rough, waiting to be polished. If you’re not opposed, President Miller, we hope you’ll keep us in mind for future opportunities."
President Miller nodded, satisfied.
"I can tell she’d be popular with audiences. She has a ’girl-next-door’ vibe that I find very appealing. As it happens, our company is filming a campus idol drama this year, and I’ve been unhappy with all the female leads they’ve recommended."
"Well, what a coincidence! Our Luna looks fantastic in a schoolgirl uniform. How about I have her come over for a screen test tomorrow? We can get some costume photos taken for you to look at."
President Miller laughed, feigning helplessness.
"That’s Lena for you, not even pregnancy can slow down your hustle. Hahaha, now that you’ve put it that way, how could I not give her a chance? Just one thing: when this girl becomes a huge star, don’t forget about us at Agile Media."
Lena quickly pushed Cecelia forward.
"How could we ever? Without you, President Miller, she wouldn’t have a future! Luna, you are so lucky to have caught President Miller’s eye right off the bat. What are you waiting for? Thank him!"
Cecelia quickly raised her glass in a toast. "Thank you, President Miller."
President Miller took a sip of his wine, his eyes appraising her once more.
Her sculpted features, her delicate skin, her fair, smooth shoulders, her slender figure... The more he looked, the more he liked what he saw.
"You know me, I’m a man who likes to focus. Since I’ve decided to cooperate with you, I won’t waste my time on anyone else. So, Lena, why don’t you go ahead and network? I’ll chat with Miss Linden alone for a bit. I can see she’s still very new to all this; she might not make the best impression on others. You can come back for her when you’re finished."
"Oh, that’s wonderful! Thank you so much, President Miller."
Lena patted Cecelia’s hand, a meaningful smile on her face. "Alright, I’ll go tend to other matters then. Luna, be smart. Take good care of President Miller. Your future is in his hands now."
With that, Lena casually walked away.
President Miller suavely made an inviting gesture toward Cecelia.
"Let’s find somewhere we can sit and talk."
Cecelia smiled at him and walked with him in the direction he indicated.
Just as the two of them turned, Wyatt Wynn snapped a few photos. CLICK. CLICK.
"Vaughn, look who I just ran into! Holy crap, I can’t believe she still dares to show her face! You’re over her now, right? Can I finally go get my revenge?"
「The Vaughn Residence.」
Damien Vaughn had no appetite and was in no mood to talk. He listlessly picked at his dinner for a few moments before making an excuse about work and retreating to his study.
But he’d been on edge all day, unable to focus on a single thing. He was staring blankly at a book in his hands when Wyatt’s message came through.
’Cecelia?’
’Dressed so elegantly, smiling at some old man... Where is she? What is she trying to do?’
’That damn woman! Didn’t I tell her to keep a low profile and stop parading herself around? She doesn’t take what I say seriously at all!’
’Does she think that just because I, Damien Vaughn, am not settling scores with her, no one else will? Does she think she’s been completely reborn? The nerve!’
Damien immediately called him.
Wyatt was still holding a grudge against Cecelia for getting him hauled in by the traffic police. Tonight’s event was a mixer for media bigwigs and brand sponsors. He never expected to run into her here, let alone see her cozying up to old Miller from Agile Media. ’This woman is really something else!’
"I don’t care how resourceful she is or who she’s latched onto now. She still has to answer for what she did to me! I’m telling you, Vaughn, she clearly doesn’t give a damn about you, so why are you still bothering with her? She’s not short on men now that she’s left you. She’s thriving, and here you are..."
Damien’s face was grim as he snatched his jacket. He strode toward the door, ordering Wyatt as he went.
"Stay out of my business. You so much as touch a hair on her head, and you’ll see what happens. I’m on my way over now."
Wyatt Wynn: "..."
’I’ve never seen anyone so completely whipped.’
’Does that woman have some kind of fatal leverage on Damien? How else could she have him so completely wrapped around her little finger?’
’It was getting to the point where he was actually starting to envy Cecelia.’
Cecelia followed President Miller into a lounge and sat down. He started by boasting about his company’s impressive achievements in recent years and the stars they had launched. Then, his gaze landed meaningfully on her chest.
"Do you have a boyfriend, Miss Linden? How long ago did you graduate?"
’Thank goodness her dress was modest, revealing nothing but her shoulders and arms.’
Cecelia sat bolt upright. Unsure how to answer the boyfriend question, she decided to deflect.
"I graduated recently. Are you thirsty, President Miller? Would you like me to get you a glass of water?"
President Miller waved a dismissive hand. "No need. You look so innocent... you’re still a virgin, aren’t you?"
Cecelia wondered if she had misheard him.
’The party was bustling just outside, and he looked like such a respectable gentleman. How could he say something like that?’
Seeing the confused look on her face, as if she hadn’t understood him, President Miller chuckled and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Since you’re planning to enter this industry, you must have done your homework. An agent as capable as Lena has surely coached you on how things work. We’re all adults here, so I won’t beat around the bush."
"Miss Linden, I’m very taken with you. If you spend the night with me—give me your first time—the leading role I just promised is yours tomorrow."
Cecelia was so disgusted by his words she felt the urge to throw up.
’So the rumors about this industry online were true after all?’
’Nothing has even started, and he’s already laying down conditions?!’