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The drive to the penthouse was filled in silence at first. The kind of silence that wasn’t empty but comfortable. Rafael, never one to let silence stretch too long, leaned forward from the passenger seat and switched on the radio. A pop song blasted, completely out of place with the brooding energy in the car.“Really?” Nikolai muttered, his hands tightening on his lap. Even the driver was shocked. However, he kept it cool. It wasn't his place to interfere in his boss's life.Rafael shrugged with a grin. “What? We’ve had enough drama for one day. I’m setting the mood. This is what peace sounds like, my friend.”Cassie stifled a laugh, her hand covering her mouth. She glanced at Nikolai from the corner of her eye. His jaw was tight, his mask hiding most of his face, but his eyes... sharp, stormy... flicked briefly toward her, softening when they landed on her laugh.That fleeting look sent a flutter through her chest.Nikolai, having had enough of the mask, removed it and just stared
The hush that followed Raymond’s retreat didn’t last long. A sharp sound of grinding teeth and fingernails digging into flesh... drew Cassie’s attention. Rachael. She stood a few paces away, her fists clenched so tightly her manicured nails bit into her palms. Her perfectly painted lips were twisted in a scowl, her eyes blazing with fury. And Cassie, for all the times she had endured Rachael’s cruelty, had never seen her quite like this... unhinged, seething, barely containing her envy. Because there it was, plain for everyone to see: three men circling Cassie. Rafael, with his easy grin and protective stance, Nikolai, with his dark, impenetrable presence, and even Raymond, though now slinking away in defeat, had once fought tooth, and nail to claim her. The crew whispered among themselves. The scene was like something out of a twisted fairytale... the heroine surrounded by princes, though one of them had long since turned into a villain. Rachael’s voice cut through the
“Hey… woman.” Suddenly, a cool voice was heard. Every head snapped toward the end of the hall. The voice was cold, almost casual, yet it carried such weight that the entire space seemed to freeze. Cassie’s breath caught in her throat. She knew that voice. It was carved into her memory, equal parts comfort and authority. And then she saw him. Nikolai. He stood just inside the doorway, his gray piercing eyes gleaming by the dim light of the set’s exit sign. His tall frame was wrapped in a perfectly tailored black coat, and though his face was partially hidden by a black mask, there was no mistaking him. The aura he carried was enough. Cassie’s eyes widened in shock, her heart stumbling in her chest. What was he doing here.... now, of all times? “Niko…” she whispered, the name slipping from her lips before she could stop it. Around her, the atmosphere shifted instantly. Veronica gasped softly, recognizing the gravity of the moment. The mentees clutched each other, whispering in a
The moment Rafael stepped into the corridor, the air shifted. His presence carried a quiet authority that made people pause and listen... and even often retreat. His dark eyes locked onto Raymond with calm warning and simmering irritation. “Raymond,” Rafael greeted, his tone deliberately even, but his posture was anything but relaxed. His shoulders were tensed, his hands flexed at his sides. “You’ve got a bad habit of showing up where you’re not wanted.” He said mockingly. Raymond scoffed, though Cassie noticed the slight tightening around his eyes. “Ah, Rafael. Always swooping in like some self-proclaimed hero. Tell me... do you enjoy being Nikolai’s guard dog? Or are you just obsessed with Cassie yourself?” The words were filled with spite, meant to provoke him. Cassie felt her heart lurch. She wanted to step between them, to stop the clash before it spiraled, but her instincts told her Rafael wasn’t about to back down. Not this time. “Careful,” Rafael said, his voice d
The set was buzzing with the kind of weary energy that always came after a long shooting day. Lights were dimming, cables were being wound up, and the chatter of cast and crew filled the air as everyone began packing their things. Cassie let out a slow breath, glancing at Veronica and her three mentees... Daniel, Lila, and Evaan... who were still brimming with excitement after the rollercoaster of the day. The trio looked like they didn't want th day to end at the set. Rafael was a few feet away, his hands tucked in his pockets, speaking quietly to one of the producers. Cassie bent down to close her bag. A part of her still felt proud... after all the chaos, she had managed to shine and stand tall against Rachael and didn't let her win. But exhaustion was catching up with her, and the weight of whispers and jealous stares from earlier still lingered in her chest. She wasn’t about to let it show, though. “Alright,” Cassie said, turning to Veronica and the trio, offering them
Everyone held their breath as they waited.Evelyn rubbed her temples. “Alright,” she said with reluctant authority, her voice filling the set. “One take. That’s all. If this doesn’t work, we go back to Rachael. Understood?”Everyone nodded, though most people thought it was pointless. To replace Rachael... The Vixen... Rachael!... with Veronica, a scandal-stained actress, and Lila, an untested intern? It sounded absurd and foolish. But Cassie stood at the edge of the set, her expression unreadable. Her silent confidence unsettled people more than her words ever could.Did she have that much confidence in Veronica and Lila?Nevertheless, the cameras whirred and the clapboard snapped.“Action!”At first, Veronica’s steps were hesitant. She clutched the hem of her dress as though grounding herself. The character she was meant to play... an older sister betrayed by the younger one... was supposed to radiate fury, pain, and devastation.But Veronica wasn’t acting. She was living it. She c