bChapter /bb100 /b

Elianna crossed her arms, her lips pursed. “Why do I have to go? Can’t you do it?”

Mona took a deep breath, trying to reason gently with her. “Going yourself shows more sincerity. It’ll give you a better shot.”

Elianna was still too proud to stoop. Mona had to coax and cajole before she reluctantly nodded.

Mona immediately contacted the author of “Moonlit Hunt,” suggesting dinner to get acquainted and smooth future coborations.

Skr saw the message, an eyebrow arching slightly.

She could guess with her eyes closed Elianna wouldn’t give up that easily. Skr mused. ‘She’d definitely try again.

Skr decided to ept.

After all, she was rather curious to see Elianna’s reaction upon discovering she was the author of “Moonlit Hunt.”

Besides, once Elianna knew, she’d probably stop hounding Skr for the lead role. A little peace and quiet would be nice.

‘Worth the trip,‘ she figured.

Mona was thrilled to get a reply. Sapphire hadn’t outright rejected their invitation, which meant there was still a chance.

Mona immediately started looking for restaurants and asked Sapphire about her avability to set a specific time.

[Sounds good.]

Seeing those words, Mona finally breathed a sigh of relief.

“Elianna, it’s all set,” Mona said. “When the timees, you need to keep that temper of yours in check. Don’t say a word out of line.*

Elianna hated being lectured. She scowled, impatient. “I know, I know. How many times do you have to say it?”

Mona wanted to add more, but Elianna’s retort shut her down.

‘Unbelievable,‘ Mona thought, exasperated. ‘If Elianna weren’t Mr. Campbell’s fiancée, an artist this disobedient and temperamental would have been shelved ages ago. I wouldn’t be groveling like this.‘

Annoying as it was, she had to do her job right, or this prima donna would find another reason to chew her out.

Back in her office, Mona contacted the paparazzi. She nned to get some photos of Elianna meeting Sapphire for a bit of PR.

Skr delegated her work, asking Sophie to keep an eye on thepany, and went to the meeting alone.

Mona rushed Elianna into the private room before Skr arrived, which sent Elianna into a huge fit.

She was already furious about Sapphire’s rejection; now, having to stoop to suck up to Sapphire made her even angrier. She was ba /bticking time bomb.

“It’s not even the agreed time,” Eliannained. “Why are we here so early? Who does she think she is, making me wait for her?”

Mona, helpless, suppressed her own irritation. “Just bear with it, Elianna. Once you get the role and finish the movie, you can vent all you wantb./bb” /b

i‘/iOnce Sapphire’s served her purpose,‘ Mona thought, b‘/bthis brat can do whatever she wants, and I won’t care. But right now, we need something bfrom /bbher/bb. /bWe can’t afford to offend her.‘

Mona talked until her throat was dry, but Elianna was still fuming. “You’re so worried, why don’t you do it?”

b1/3 /b

b10:31 /bMon, b14 /bJul

She snapped. “Am I stupid? Do you need to keep nagging? It’s so annoying.”

Mona clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms, and forced a smile. “Okay, okay, I’ll stop.”

After waiting for over ten minutes, Elianna was losing it. “Where is she? Does she have any concept of time?”

Mona tried to soothe her while texting Sapphire.

Skr got the text just as she reached the private room. She knocked and walked in.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” Skr said.

Mona’s frown instantly vanished. She hurried over. “Not at all! We were a bit early anyway. Sapphire, please, have a seat.”

She eagerly guided Sapphire to a seat and called a waiter for their orders,pletely missing the way Elianna’s face had contorted

All her pent–up fury found its outlet and erupted.

“Skr Lambert, you’re Sapphire?” Elianna shrieked.

Mona jumped, quickly trying to pull her back. “Elianna, calm down!”

Elianna was beyond calm. She flung Mona’s hand off. “Get out! This is none of your business!”

Mona nearly stumbled and fell. Her face was grim. Biting her lip, annoyed, she decided to leave Elianna to it and walked out.

Skr sat down, calmly picked up the hand towel from the table, wiped her hands, and replied, “Yes, I’m Sapphire.”

“You did this on purpose, didn’t you?” Elianna used.

Skr tilted her head. “Purposefully what?”

“Last time, I asked you for the lead role, you refused, and then you made me grovel and beg! You were deliberately messing with me, making things difficult!” Elianna said.

Skr almostughed. “I just turned you down. How did you spin that into a whole soap opera in your head?”

She rested her chin on her hand. “Just because you’re like that, do you assume everyone else is too?”

Elianna’s face flushed then paled. “Skr, are you daring to say you weren’t targeting me?”

“I treat everyone the same,” Skr stated. “If you want a role, earn it with your talent.”

Elianna didn’t believe a word. She sneered, “Easy for you to say all those noble things. Who knows what you’re really thinking?”

Skr calmly poured some coffee and took a sip. “Unlike you, I’m not two–faced.”

“Skr! iYou /ibitch!” Elianna lost it, grabbing a cup and hurling it at Skr.

Skr nimbly dodged it.

Missing, Elianna’s eyes darted around,nding on the coffee pot. As she reached for it, Skr snatched it away first.

Completely unhinged, she grabbed a chair to throw at Skr, but Skr caught hold of it. Elianina tried to wrench the chair bfree/b. Skr bdidn’t /bbfight /bbher /bfor it; she just let go.

Eliannab, /binot /iexpecting Skr to release it, lost her bnce and tumbled to the floor.

Her eyes zed with fury. “Skr!”

10:31 Mon, 14 bJul /bG

Skr righted the chair, looking innocent. “Didn’t you want the chair? I gave it to you. You just didn’t hold on tight.”

Elianna sat on the floor, biting her lip in frustration, ring daggers at Skr.

Skr nced at her phone. “That’s a

all for today. I have other things to do, so I’m leaving.”

She opened the door to the private room and walked out.

Mona saw her leave, braced herself, and went into the room.

Elianna was a mess on the floor, her red eyes filled with murderous intent. “Skr, I’ll kill you one day!”

Mona’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly tried to help Elianna up, but Elianna shoved her away. “What are you doing in ihere/i? Came tough at bme/bb?/bb” /b

Mona stumbled back a few steps, nearly stepping on shards of a broken cup.

Even so, she couldn’t get angry. She still had to cate Elianna. “Elianna, please, calm down.”

“Calm down? This is all your fault! If you hadn’t pushed me to invite her to dinner, would I have walked right into her trap to be humiliated like this?b” /bElianna shouted.

Mona pressed iher /ilips together. It had been her idea; she couldn’t deny it.

Her mind raced. “Maybe… maybe we can use this.”

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