Chapter 60
Zander listened to Sylvia, shrugged elegantly, and smiled. “Alright, Sylvia. Whatever you say.”
He hadn’t expected Sylvia to be the renowned international film investor, Master Cameron. Realizing this, a genuine smile spread across his face. It felt like they had even more in common now.
“Sylvia,” Zander continued, taking a sip of his coffee, “making movies here isn’t quite like doing it overseas. There’s more… local navigating to do. Let me know if you need anything.”
He added, “Are you okay on the funding side?”
The film Sylvia planned was a contemporary urban drama, not requiring a massive budget. However, she had been investing heavily in various ventures lately, and cash flow was a bit tight.
‘It’s just a temporary hiccup,’ she thought. “Thanks, Zander, but I don’t need help with that right now.”
Just then, a car pulled up to the cafe. In the back seat, Joanna looked thrilled.
“Byron, are you sure? Is the mysterious Master Cameron really in this coffee shop?” Byron sat beside her, his expression unreadable. He didn’t particularly care who this ‘Master Cameron‘ was.
But it mattered to Joanna, and he owed her for taking such good care of Zack all these years. Helping her with this was the least he could do.
“He should be,” Byron stated flatly. His network was extensive; the information would be accurate.
“Oh, Byron, thank you!” Joanna’s face flushed with excitement. “I’m so glad you found out where he is! I didn’t know how I’d ever get to meet him!” She
beamed.
“Master Cameron has backed some huge international blockbusters. This is his first domestic film! I really want the lead role – imagine the attention it would get!”
She looked at Byron, her eyes full of hopeful anticipation.
Byron paused for a moment. “Master Cameron hired Zander Gage to direct this first film. Zander and I go way back. Getting you the lead role shouldn’t be
too difficult.”
Joanna was overjoyed, her eyes sparkling.
Soon, the car stopped at the cafe entrance. Byron and Joanna got out and headed towards a private room at the back.
Just then, the door to the room opened, and Zander stepped out.
“Mr. Gage!” Joanna hurried forward, asking excitedly, “Is Master Cameron with you?”
Zander’s expression tightened slightly. He hadn’t told anyone he and Sylvia were meeting here. How did Joanna know?
“I found out,” Byron said calmly. “I’d like to meet this Master Cameron. There are a few things I’d like to discuss.”
Seeing his old friend Byron, Zander’s irritation faded, replaced by a wry resignation. They were here for ‘Master Cameron, but Master Cameron was Sylvia. He wasn’t sure if Sylvia would want to see them.
Zander chose his words carefully. “Byron, Master Cameron isn’t really available to meet right now. Perhaps another time?”
Byron nodded. If Zander said so, he must have his reasons.
But Joanna wasn’t ready to give up. She pushed past Zander towards the room, her voice urgent, “Master Cameron, may I have just a moment? My name is Joanna Moore, I’m an actress, and I absolutely love the films you’ve invested in!”
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Chapter 60
Zander tried to stop her, but it was too late. Joanna was about to barge into the room. Suddenly, a cool voice came from inside the room. “Joanna. Fancy meeting you here.”
The voice stopped Joanna dead in her tracks. It was chillingly familiar. She instinctively looked towards Byron.
Byron froze too. That voice… it sounded exactly like Sylvia.
The next second, the door opened fully, and Sylvia walked out, her expression icy.
Byron and Joanna stared, stunned.
Joanna’s face was a mask of disbelief mixed with a flicker of fear. She stumbled back a few steps. ‘Impossible! Master Cameron is Sylvia?”
Byron’s gaze locked onto Sylvia, trying to see past the woman he thought he knew. From the moment she married him, he’d believed she was just some simple girl from the countryside. Now? How many secrets was she hiding?
“Sylvia… you’re Master Cameron?” Joanna asked, her voice trembling with disbelief.
Sylvia arched an eyebrow. “What do you think?”
Joanna recoiled internally. Master Cameron was a major international investor. How could that be Sylvia? She was just a nobody from out of town!
Then, Joanna’s eyes fell on the script in Sylvia’s hand. Understanding dawned – or so she thought. “Sylvia, is that a script? Are you here asking Mr. Gage for a part in Master Cameron’s movie too?”
She thought she’d figured it out. Sylvia was trying to use Zander to break into the film industry! ‘That makes much more sense,‘ Joanna decided. ‘Of course, she’s not Master Cameron. She’s just here trying to get a role.‘
Sylvia couldn’t be bothered to correct her. She gave a noncommittal shrug. “Believe whatever you want.”
Convinced she was right, Joanna smiled smugly. “Sylvia, making movies isn’t as simple as you think. Tell you what, if I land the lead role this time, you can stick around and learn a thing or two from me.”
She was confident she’d get the part. Zander was directing and starring, and Byron and Zander were best friends. It was practically a done deal.
Byron, who had been silent, finally spoke, looking at Zander. “If possible, give Joanna the lead in your new film.”
That sealed it for Joanna.
She expected Zander to agree immediately, but instead, his gaze shifted to Sylvia.
Joanna frowned. Was Sylvia actually competing for the lead? The lead role? She had zero acting experience. ‘She must be delusional!‘
“Sylvia, what do you think?” Zander actually asked for her opinion.
Sylvia replied coolly, uttering two simple words: “I disagree.”
Joanna flushed with anger, her chest heaving. ‘Who does she think she is? What does it matter if she disagrees?‘
Before Joanna could retort, Zander spoke again, smooth as ever. “Miss Moore, I’m sorry, but I also don’t think you’re quite right for the lead. Actually, if Sylvia wanted the role, I think she’d be perfect for it.”
‘Sylvia’s the investor, Zander thought privately. The lead actress is whoever she says it is.’
Byron’s expression grew complicated. Seeing Zander defer to Sylvia like that… it almost looked like he hung on her every word. A strange, sour feeling twisted in his gut.
He paused, then looked at Sylvia, a sudden wave of irritation washing over him. “Are you that desperate for money lately? Why get into acting? Why the lead role? Name your price. How much to give the part to Joanna?”
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He thought he was helping her, offering her an out. If she just backed down nicely like she used to, stopped this nonsense about acting, he’d make sure she got something better out of it!
Sylvia’s temper flared at his words. Did he really think this was three years ago? That she still had to do whatever he said? That his word was law?
He’d always favored Joanna. He’d even tried to make Sylvia give Joanna the bracelet his own grandfather had given Sylvia, just because Joanna liked it.
“Byron! Shut your mouth! I don’t want to hear your bullshit!” Sylvia snapped, her voice cutting through the tension like a knife.
Silence fell. Everyone stared at Sylvia, utterly shocked.
She actually dared to speak to Byron Blair like that?
