CHAPTER 69: CHAPTER 69: THAT DOG FORREST RUNS OVER HIS WIFE—IMPRESSIVE

Crystal Sutton had just returned to the country to develop her career, yet she could already endorse their game without a single work to her name.

Who was backing her had long been a hot topic in the company, and today, the news that Jenson Forrest had accompanied Crystal Sutton to the shoot spread instantly. It was clear to everyone that President Forrest was Crystal Sutton’s patron.

President Lowell chuckled. "Miss Sutton is certainly multi-talented; I didn’t realize she could also dance. In that case, let me ask President Forrest for his instructions..."

President Lowell didn’t dare offend Crystal Sutton, but the new game was a heavyweight project. Gigatrend’s previous blockbuster game had used choreography from Adverse to great effect. This time, Gigatrend had sincerely invited Adverse again.

Their initial offer had been rejected. Now that they had finally gotten the dancer to come, Gigatrend was talking about replacing them. Not only was it unprofessional, but President Lowell also had no faith in Crystal Sutton’s ability.

"Supervisor Lowell, isn’t this a bit much? Crystal is the future boss’s wife at Stellar. Are you saying President Forrest doesn’t trust my Crystal?" Rose Lowell pulled at President Lowell’s sleeve, but he skillfully deflected her and insisted on consulting Jenson Forrest.

Jenson Forrest had just emerged from the conference room after hearing the annual plan presentation. President Lowell approached him and explained the situation, causing Jenson’s expression to darken.

"The fluidity and appeal of the character’s movements are critical to the game’s visual beauty. Need I remind you, President Lowell, of the importance of the original dance? Is the original motion-capture dancer someone who can be so easily replaced?"

President Lowell, though reprimanded, felt a wave of relief. Thankfully, the president hasn’t been blinded by lust.

He said hurriedly, "As it happens, the motion-capture dancer is in the capture studio for a test run right now. Would President Forrest like to see for himself?"

Jenson Forrest nodded, and President Lowell quickly led the way.

Outside the capture studio, he gently pushed the door open.

Jenson Forrest’s eyes immediately fell on the woman dancing in front of the black backdrop. She was hooked up to various pieces of equipment. As she performed the dance, technicians captured her movements and their subtle details, which would then be synthesized to make the game character replicate her actions.

Zinnia Lawrence was completely focused, and the staff were all absorbed in their tasks. No one noticed the figures at the door.

Just as President Lowell was about to announce them, Jenson Forrest raised a hand and shut the door, sealing the room off from the outside world.

President Lowell assumed Jenson Forrest was satisfied and didn’t want to interrupt. He was surprised to hear Jenson’s deep voice.

"Let Crystal Sutton try out for the motion-capture role. If she’s competent, sign her."

President Lowell was stunned. Why had the boss suddenly changed his mind?

Jenson Forrest, however, had already strode outside, his expression cold and his pace swift. That woman, Zinnia Lawrence. She thinks she can earn my money, then turn around and divorce me? She really thinks she can do anything, doesn’t she?

Zinnia was in the middle of a recording when President Lowell suddenly entered with a group of people.

"Let’s take a quick break."

Zinnia stopped and looked over to see Crystal Sutton greeting everyone with a beaming smile.

"I’m Crystal Sutton. I’m also here today to audition for the motion-capture role. It’s a pleasure to meet you all!"

Rose Lowell and her assistant came forward, distributing coffee and milk tea and livening up the atmosphere.

Yara Fairchild angrily stormed in front of Crystal Sutton. "This is Zinnia’s job! Stop trying to butt in! With your clumsy limbs, I suppose you’re trying to animate a cast of handicapped game characters?"

Zinnia had already unhooked herself from the equipment and walked over. She looked at Supervisor Lowell. "Supervisor Lowell, Gigatrend invited me for this collaboration. Were you dissatisfied with the dance I just performed?"

President Lowell looked troubled, but Crystal Sutton cut in with a laugh.

"Oh, sister, don’t make things difficult for everyone. Let’s be honest, this game company is a subsidiary of Stellar. Jenson said that I’m more suitable and told them to replace you with me. President Lowell couldn’t do anything about it."

She wasn’t afraid to tell Zinnia. Not only would it sow discord between Zinnia and Jenson Forrest, but it would also put President Lowell in her debt.

Zinnia clenched her fists. While she was dancing, she thought she’d seen the fleeting silhouette of a man outside the door. She had dismissed it as a trick of the eyes. So it really was him...

Time and again, he had taken her opportunities, her creations, and handed them to Crystal Sutton.

But Zinnia still clung to a sliver of hope. She looked inquiringly at President Lowell. He gave an awkward smile and pulled Zinnia aside.

"I’m very sorry. Miss Lawrence, your past choreography was a perfect match for our games, making them soar. We were sincere about this collaboration as well. However, our president seems to have other considerations. He saw your performance just now and... wasn’t satisfied. We won’t be able to sign a contract with you, Miss Lawrence."

So, he canceled the collaboration because he saw me? Because he knew it was me? Zinnia dug her nails into her palm, her heart numb.

"How could you do this?! Are you just toying with us? You’re a huge game company! Have you no integrity?!" Yara Fairchild gritted her teeth.

Zinnia pulled her back. "Forget it, Yara. Let’s go." It was useless. Even if they raised hell, Jenson Forrest’s command was absolute.

As Zinnia Lawrence and Yara Fairchild were leaving Gigatrend Games, Jenson Forrest’s car happened to pull up. The rear window was halfway down, revealing the man’s cold, aristocratic profile.

Yara immediately rushed forward. "Stop the car!"

Without an order from Jenson Forrest, the driver didn’t dare to stop and continued forward. Jenson’s gaze never even flickered in their direction.

Infuriated, Yara charged toward the front of the moving car, determined to get justice for Zinnia today.

"Yara!"

Seeing the danger, Zinnia panicked and rushed forward, trying to pull Yara back.

In the backseat, the man finally looked up, his pupils constricting. "Stop!" he commanded in a low, dangerous voice.

The driver slammed on the brakes. But the two women who had been struggling in front of the car had vanished, and for a terrifying moment, he didn’t know if they’d been hit.

Jenson Forrest’s hands, resting on his knees, balled into tight fists. He threw the door open and strode quickly to the front of the vehicle.

In front of the car, Yara had nearly been hit, losing her footing and collapsing to the ground. Zinnia, who had been pulling her, was dragged down as well. They landed in a tangled, disheveled heap.

Jenson Forrest strode over. Seeing that they were both unharmed, his handsome face turned ashen. "Quite a slick performance," he said.

"That dog Forrest trying to run over his own wife—you’re the slick one here!" Yara cursed.

Zinnia pushed herself up from the pavement and grabbed Yara, who was about to lunge again. She faced Jenson Forrest. "You misunderstand, President Forrest. People who stage accidents pick kind-hearted targets. A black-hearted, rotten-to-the-core capitalist like you isn’t worth the effort."

Jenson Forrest sneered. He knew perfectly well why she was angry. Throwing a tantrum just because a deal fell through... Such childish behavior. And they think they’re ready to leave the Forrest family? To leave me? What a joke.

"So long as you weren’t trying to pull a scam." With that, Jenson Forrest turned to get back in his car.

Yara, furious on Zinnia’s behalf, wrenched free and rushed to block the car door, glaring at Jenson Forrest. "That dog Forrest! You’re a true bloodsucking capitalist—the kind who devours people whole and doesn’t even spit out the bones!

"When other rich men get divorced, even if they don’t give their wives half their fortune, they at least provide a car, a house, and alimony!

"But you? Zinnia was practically a widow for the two years she was married to you, and now that you’re divorcing, you’re saddling her with massive debt! She tries to earn her own money, and you block her every move, stealing her jobs to give to your little mistress.

"You have to steal from your wife’s bowl to feed your mistress. If you’re that cheap, stop trying to act like some big-shot patron! What did Zinnia ever do to you? Did she dig up your family’s graves in a past life? Why do you have to humiliate and bully her like this? What kind of a man are you?!"