CHAPTER 923: CHAPTER 923: LONG TIME NO SEE

After Leah returned, she quickly joined the film crew to start shooting a movie. It was the Republic-era film Floating Life by the award-winning director Ryan Wright.

Leah played the lead role of Anya.

Anya was once the pampered daughter of a wealthy family, well-read, pure, and beautiful. During wartime, as the country fell, all her family members died. She couldn’t escape her fate and was sold to a dance hall, becoming its top socialite.

Later, when the resistance battles intensified, Anya abandoned her cheongsam, cut her long hair, and decisively plunged into the revolutionary wave.

This film, Floating Life, is a major female-centric drama that primarily follows Anya’s journey of growth. It is highly anticipated and likely to vie for this year’s various awards. Thus, Floating Life has been a hot topic in the entertainment industry even before production began.

With Leah taking on the role of Anya, she once again stirred up tremendous buzz, with her every move closely monitored by the paparazzi.

However, since joining the film crew, Leah hadn’t gone out. She had been devotedly studying the script, preparing for the first auditions tomorrow, doing her homework.

Just then, her manager, Madame Goldie, walked in, "Leah, you’re still reading the script, good girl. It’s time for lunch, let’s go eat first."

Only then did Leah put down the script, stretching lazily, "I’m hungry, too. Madame Goldie, let’s go."

Leah left with Madame Goldie; meanwhile, a group of burly bodyguards approached them from the front. They rudely and aggressively cleared the corridor of people, "Make way! Clear the path! Don’t block the way for the incoming star!"

Leah and Madame Goldie were immediately pushed to the side, only to see a security line being set up ahead, giving the impression of a superstar about to make an appearance.

Madame Goldie, a seasoned gold-tier manager with years in the entertainment industry, chuckled quietly, "Leah, who is this? Making such a fuss. Anyone who didn’t know would think it’s you, seeing you’re the lead actress of this crew."

Leah’s soft, charming face showed no emotion. She looked calmly ahead, where people surrounded the "superstar" — someone she found very familiar.

It’s... Davina Rowe.

Davina Rowe had arrived.

She had come to this Floating Life crew.

Today, Davina Rowe wore oversized sunglasses. Her bodyguards cleared the way. Her manager and assistants numbered more than ten. Someone draped a black coat over her shoulders. She walked over in high heels, swaying her hips and waist—the aura clearly screamed she’s the real star!

Those who didn’t know would really think Davina Rowe was the lead actress of Floating Life.

"It’s that Davina Rowe again?" Madame Goldie questioned, "Nowadays, any Tom, Dick, or Harry dares to come out for a stroll. Leah, how did this happen last time? How did you get her into the Floating Life crew? I hadn’t heard she was joining before."

Leah wasn’t surprised by Davina’s sudden appearance. She teased a curl by her cheek, "Davina has long coveted Floating Life. She probably got in through the patron’s backdoor, parachuting into the crew."

The patron?

"Leah, are you referring to... President Xavier?"

Leah gave Madame Goldie a look—who else could it be besides President Xavier?

Madame Goldie, "..." President Xavier, what are you up to again?

Leah moved forward, ready to eat. Given her current status and popularity in the entertainment industry, the crew would offer her special treatment. However, she refused—no need for the fuss, dining with everyone was perfectly fine.

At this moment, Davina’s sharp eyes spotted Leah. She immediately called out, "Leah, long time no see, how are you?"

Leah stopped in her tracks and looked at Davina.

Davina strutted over in her heels, arrogantly removing her sunglasses with a smug grin, "Leah, aren’t you surprised to see me? Just so you know, I’m now the second lead in Floating Life, placed here... by President Xavier himself. Isn’t President Xavier kind to me?"

Justin Xavier parachuted Davina Rowe into the second lead role in Floating Life!

Leah raised a finely shaped brow, her red lips curled into a faint smile, her silence more eloquent than words.

Davina felt as though she’d punched a pillow. She’d aimed to see expressions of envy, jealousy, and anger on Leah’s face, but there was nothing—Leah’s subtle smile lacked aggression but was utterly scornful.

The smug look on Davina’s face instantly vanished. She huffed coldly, clearly embarrassed and irate, "Leah, do you want to know how I was with President Xavier last night? President Xavier is annoying; he made it painful for me. We only slept at dawn, and today, my bones feel shattered."

"Oh, really?" Leah replied, posing a question.

"Of course, it’s true!" Davina asserted.

Leah raised her hand, showing the phone she held.

Davina stared for a second, then stiffened, realizing Leah had activated the recorder, capturing her earlier words.

"Le... Leah, what are you planning? Delete that recording now!" Davina had a very bad feeling and reached out to snatch Leah’s phone.

Madame Goldie stepped in, "Hey, Davina Rowe, what are you trying to do? Every inch of Leah’s skin is insured. You better keep your distance. If you harm Leah, you’ll cry over the huge compensation!"

Davina, "..."

Leah flicked her fingers, opened a messaging app, and sent the recording directly.

Leah looked up at Davina, "Don’t worry, I just sent your little speech to... your President Xavier, sharing it with him."

Davina’s eyes widened in shock, utterly astonished that Leah sent the recording to... Justin Xavier?!

...

After returning from Hayden Crawford and Serena Sterling’s wedding, Justin Xavier became extraordinarily busy. He’d been constantly traveling for business, receiving that message while he was in a business meeting in Port Kael.

In the VIP conference room, Justin Xavier sat at the head, visibly angry. His long fingers picked up the latest quarterly report, which he tossed aside, letting it scatter amid the executives—an amusingly awkward scene, yet they dared not utter a word or move.

"Bang, bang, bang," Justin Xavier’s firm fingers tapped rhythmically on the curved luxurious meeting table, "Is this your efficiency? Work overtime tonight to redo it. If overworked, it’s an occupational injury. Fail to satisfy me, and you’re fired immediately!"