Chapter 128
Chapter 128
Dillan and Joanna swaggered up, confidently introducing themselves, fully expecting to waltz right in. But the security manager wasn’t having any of it he dismissed them rudely.
Dillan flushed as if he had been publicly slapped, humiliation surging through him.
Beside him, Joanna felt it too. She bit her lower lip, struggling to contain her fury, fists clenched unconsciously.
To the security manager, only Sylvia mattered; No one else could sway him.
“Sylvia, hurry and get Joanna and me inside!” Dillan snapped into his phone, his voice sharp with urgency and entitlement. “If you don’t help, we won’t even get in!”
Joanna, standing close by, added fuel to his fury. Her face was flushed with indignation. “Dillan, Sylvia is way out of line! If it weren’t for you, she. wouldn’t even have this company. She’s not even grateful, and now she takes all the credit, making everyone think she was the one who booked this conference center!”
A flicker of cruelty flashed in Dillan’s eyes. “Joanna, let it go. I helped her out of pity. If she dares push me any further, I’ll make sure she loses everything.”
“You’re right, Dillan,” Joanna said sweetly, her gentle demeanor soothing Dillan’s ruffled feelings. “I think you were very shabbily treated.”
Dillan turned to her, affection softening his expression. “That’s all I needed to hear.”
In Dillan’s mind, Sylvia was no match for Joanna. If not for their shared hometown, he would’ve kicked her out of the company long ago.
Regret began to settle in. Why hadn’t he changed the company’s ownership and legal representative to his name when filing the business license yesterday? If he had, he could’ve kicked Sylvia out fair and square right now.
Just then, the automatic doors slid open. Sylvia appeared with a cold, unreadable expression.
Immediately, Dillan and Joanna hurried over to Sylvia–like it or not, without her, they couldn’t even get past the entrance.
Once inside, Dillan quickly shed his earlier humiliation and barked at the security manager, “There’ll be a bunch of media coming for me soon. Don’t you dare turn any of them away!”
The security manager ignored him entirely and turned to Sylvia respectfully, “Is that okay, Ms. Sullivan?”
Sylvia gave a slight nod and said calmly, “In addition to the media, members of the Hollywood production team will be arriving. Here’s the list. Please verify it before letting them through.”
She handed him a sheet and walked toward the elevator without looking back.
Now that Joanna and Dillan were already in her trap, she intended to tighten the net–and make them pay the signing fee for the Hollywood team.
Dillan quickly caught up to Sylvia, gritting his teeth as he leaned in and warned in a low, threatening voice, “Once the meeting starts, keep your mouth shut. Joanna and I will be taking charge of everything,
Sylvia glanced at him, the corners of her lips curling into a mocking smile. She said nothing.
They arrived at the rooftop garden conference room. The space was expansive, bright, and outfitted with the latest technology. Dillan and Joanna froze, momentarily stunned.
On the sleek oval table sat Al–powered control buttons, voice–activated LCD computers, and several service robots standing by.
It was all so high–end.
They felt like small–town outsiders suddenly dropped into a science fiction world, eyes wide with awe, while a pang of inadequacy gripped their hearts.
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Still, they did their best to maintain composure, swallowing their awe.
Dillan strode to the head of the table and pointed to the seat beside him. “Joanna, sit here.”
Joanna, unable to hide her excitement, shot Sylvia a smug glance before taking the seat with an elegant pose.
Sylvia quietly took a seat in the corner, her expression unreadable, betraying no emotion.
Soon, the media arrived, ushered in by staff members. Most were attending for the first time, and the sight before them left them stunned.
Cameras were quickly set up, their lenses trained on Dillan and Joanna. The live broadcast began.
Moments later, Dillan’s phone buzzed. A grin spread across his face as he read the message. He stood up confidently. “The top–tier Hollywood team is
here! Let’s give them a warm welcome!”
The doors slowly swung open, and a group of professionals strode in confidently. Instantly, all cameras swiveled toward them. The live chat exploded.
“Wow, isn’t that Jaxon Knapp, Hollywood’s top screenwriter? Dillan must have some serious connections to get him here!”
“And Michelle, the famous Hollywood producer! I can’t believe she’s here. Wow, impressive!”
But while everyone’s attention was on the arrivals, no one noticed the most telling detail: each member of the Hollywood team instinctively turned to look at Sylvia, their eyes filled with respect.
To them, she was the true boss. Dillan was just a laughable clown.
Once everyone was seated, Dillan scanned the room with a self–satisfied smirk. “Well, since you’re all here because of me and want to join Cerulean Entertainment, let’s get down to business.”
The moment he finished speaking, Jaxon and the others couldn’t help but exchange glances and smile mockingly.
How bold of him to assume such importance. Without Ms. Sullivan, who would even know him?
In the corner, Sylvia gave a wry smile. These were seasoned professionals. They would never take Dillan seriously.
But if Dillan saw through her act, her plans might be ruined.
Sylvia swept a discreet glance their way and cleared her throat–a subtle cue.
The message was instantly received. Jaxon and the others instantly sat up straight, turning their attention respectfully to Dillan.
The boss was displeased–they wouldn’t dare step out of line.
Dillan basked in this illusion of respect. Even Joanna sat a little taller, feeling more confident.
She had never worked with a Hollywood crew before, and now, out of nowhere, she was suddenly their “boss.” She was practically bursting with smug
satisfaction.
Dillan took out a stack of documents, shot a dismissive glance at Sylvia, and barked, “Sylvia, distribute the contracts.”
He wanted to seize this chance to flaunt his authority in front of Joanna, to show her exactly who called the shots around here.
Sylvia still didn’t argue. She took the documents and handed them out to the team one by one.
Jaxon and the others stood up instinctively as she approached, nervous and respectful.
Joanna noticed and hesitated before speaking quickly, “Please, everyone, make yourselves comfortable. Mr. Sheppard isn’t one for formality.”
Dillan added with a smile, “Exactly–now that we’re all one team, there’s no need to stand on ceremony.”
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But Jaxon and his team remained standing, their expressions cold and unreadable.
If it weren’t for Sylvia, they wouldn’t even be in the same room as Dillan. He wasn’t earning their respect they were simply honoring her.
Sylvia frowned slightly and said in a low voice, “Didn’t you hear Mr. Sheppard? He told you to sit down. Why are you still standing?
As soon as she spoke, the team sat back down immediately, their backs ramrod straight, as if obeying a command.
