CHAPTER 296: CHAPTER 295: PERFECT SKIN... FRESH FACES...

Rex stepped out first, stretching his legs and giving the studio building a slow once-over.

It looked... ordinary. Almost disappointingly so. A few metal letters on the sign were chipped, and the only thing flashy about the place was the gold decal of a star on the front door — which had already started to peel at the edges. Not exactly the glamorous image the word studio conjured.

"This is it?" Rex leaned forward, eyebrow raised.

"Yup." Hannah checked her mobile notes like she was confirming a diagnosis. "Appointment’s set for 11 o’clock. Courtesy of our... very cooperative department head."

Sophie smirked. "Cooperative? You mean after we—"

Hannah cut her off with a look. "We just made sure it was worth his while."

The girls gathered their bags, and the group made their way toward the entrance. Hannah, ever the organized one, pulled out her phone to double-check the details. "We’re right on time," she said with quiet satisfaction.

Inside, the air changed immediately. The faint hum of an overworked air conditioner filled the silence, carrying with it that peculiar smell of carpet cleaner and too many years of coffee spills. The lobby itself was modest... a couple of leather chairs, a small glass table stacked with outdated magazines, and a potted plant that had clearly been fake for at least a decade.

They had barely taken a seat before a man appeared from a side hallway. Middle-aged, hair slicked back like he’d shellacked it in place, his fitted navy suit straining a little at the buttons. His smile was wide, practiced, and oily enough to fry eggs.

His gaze lingered on the girls for a beat too long, the kind of unblinking stare that made skin crawl.

At first, it was just surprise ... that instinctive double take when beauty walks in unannounced... but it didn’t stop there. His eyes swept over them one by one, the way a jeweler studies gems, noting details, weighing value.

Hannah, with her poised, professional air, drew his respect in spite of himself, someone who looked like she could hold a room if she wanted. Sophie, all bright-eyed charm, struck him as effortlessly approachable, the kind who could make people spill secrets without realizing it. And then Elara, quiet and reserved, carried a soft elegance that made her all the more noticeable; the kind of beauty that sneaks up on you.

Each appraisal left a trace of something darker flickering behind his eyes, a mix of envy and want. He was suddenly, absurdly aware of the sag in his own skin, the thinning at his temples, the way his suit pinched at the waist. The thought that these three , this level of beauty ... had walked in with someone like Rex, young and effortlessly confident, made his jaw tighten.

By the time his gaze slid to Rex, the warmth in his expression cooled as though a switch had been flipped. What had been a salesman’s smile became something more guarded. Beneath it ran the sharp edge of jealousy, and the faint, unspoken question... Why him?

It wasn’t the casual acknowledgment of someone greeting visitors ... it was an unblinking, deliberate sweep from head to toe. Elara’s shoulders instinctively drew in, her gaze dropping to the floor. Sophie, less shy, maintained eye contact but her smile thinned. Daisy’s lips twitched into an awkward half-smile, as if unsure whether to be polite or tell him to stop staring.

Victor Gaines drank in the sight of them, mentally cataloguing details with a predator’s precision. Perfect skin... fresh faces... They were the kind of beauty that walked into a room and made the air change. And here they were, unguarded, still believing in the game.

God, he hated guys like the one with them. His gaze finally slid to Rex... slow, reluctant, like acknowledging him was a chore. Tall, confident, young. Knows how to talk to them. I’ll put him in his place.

Initially, he had been ready to treat this like any other student visit... a polite handshake, a quick tour, a few half-hearted words about "how the industry works," then send them on their way.

Easy. In and out. Maybe even slip in a hint about "small processing fees" for any extra help.

But the moment they stepped through the glass doors, his plans shifted.

His eyes landed on the two girls and, for a split second, his mind emptied. He froze, mid-breath, taking in their youth, their poise, their beauty. His gaze lingered a fraction too long, moving from one to the other in slow appraisal. Seeing the way the girls brightened the room, his plan shifted. Why hurry? There was potential here... a chance to make an impression, maybe even....

A faint spark of jealousy twisted in his gut when he noticed they were standing close to Rex. Some scrappy, fresh-faced university kid, walking in here like he was someone.

Lucky bastard, Victor thought, the bitterness sharp enough to taste. Then, darker notions began to swirl. He was already thinking about how to impress and tempt them and get them in his trap and slowly enjoy them later.

Outwardly, he put on a smooth, businesslike smile.

"You must be the students from—" He waved a hand dismissively, as though their school’s name wasn’t worth remembering. His tone was casual, but his eyes never left the girls. "Yes, yes, I was told. Welcome to Northstar Studios." He spread his arms as if presenting a kingdom. "I’m Victor Gaines, head of department here."

He didn’t bother offering Rex a handshake. Instead, he leaned subtly toward the girls, his voice dropping into a practiced, faux-confidential tone. The kind of tone meant to sound approachable but carrying a faint edge of authority.

"So, you’re here for that university project, right? Studying how smaller entertainment companies operate?" He gave a slow nod, as if confirming something only he truly understood. "Well, let me tell you, this industry is... tricky. Everybody thinks it’s all bright lights and big premieres, but in reality?" He made a small scoffing sound. "It’s about persistence, timing, and knowing exactly where to step."

As he spoke, his eyes flicked briefly toward Rex, then inevitably drifted back to the girls. His gaze lingered on each of them in turn... Sophie’s confident smile, Daisy’s easy charm, and quiet Elara, who kept her eyes down yet couldn’t hide the natural elegance in her features. He took his time, like a jeweler appraising rare gems, his thoughts turning just a shade darker with each passing second. Beautiful... far too beautiful to waste on just a quick walk-through.

(End of Chapter)