<b>Chapter </b><b>161 </b>


    Samuel left without another word.


    Ynda was left reeling by hisst words.


    <b>A </b>


    165 won her spe


    The shock of being caught by Samuel hit her like a tidal wave–she nearly forgot she was even here to find someone tonight.


    She drifted toward the elevator in a daze, and by the time she reached Quentin’s floor, she was standing in the restroom, overhearing two girls chatting, their faces full of obvious frustration.


    “Quentin’s been into her for ages. He’s so damn loyal. Doesn’t he get that she’s only back because of Charles?<b>” </b>one girl sneered.


    “Oh, it’s not just Quentin. There were a couple other guys in that private room drooling over her too. Leo was just sitting there, staring at her like a lost puppy,” the other girl snarked.


    “That bitch has some killer charm. Charles splurged ten million on her in jewelry! With all these big shots swarming tonight, she must be loving it. Now that she’s back in the entertainment scene, nobody dares challenge her. Directors won’t even try to give her grief. Just watch–things are only gonna get tougher for us,” the first girl grumbled.


    Ynda kept her head low, scrubbing her hands, while the two women kept gossiping nearby. They were probably someone’s arm candy from the private room.


    ‘So Quentin’s into Joelle? Well, working together is definitely off the table, Ynda thought, a pang of regret going through her.


    Joelle always came across as that fragile yet resilient type that guys just couldn’t resist. She never cared about their money, but somehow she had every single one of them wrapped around her finger.


    Quentin was one of those people–once he fell for someone, he’d give it everything, even if all he could ever do was watch her be happy from afar.


    He really was the most qualified backup–the perfect fallback guy.


    Ynda suddenly realized there was no point in trying to talk business tonight. If Joelle’s admirernded the CEO spot, she’d be totally screwed.


    ‘Honestly, maybe it’d be better if the Andrade family just went down in mes, she thought, bitterness churning in her chest.


    Meanwhile, in the private lounge, Joelle sat right at the center of it all, still carrying that na?ve, untouched charm in her eyes–as if the entertainment world hadn’t managed to stain her one bit.


    She looked over at Charles, paused a moment, then finally said, “Charles, long time no see.”


    Charles didn’t meet her gaze. Maybe it was because he’d juste out of the hospital, but his usual aura was pretty faded. He just replied with a low “Mm.”


    11:20 Sat<b>, </b><b>Oct </b><b>4 </b>


    1901


    69 vouchers


    The private room was packed with over twenty people, each with their own little schemes, but some of the guys in there were obviously hung up on Joelle–their eyes practically glued to her.


    Joelle stood up, her smile lighting up the room. “Thanks for throwing this wee–back dinner for me. It’s great to <i>see </i>so many familiar faces again. My work’s shifting back here, so I hope we can all hang out more often.”


    She hadn’t even finished speaking before Leo grabbed a bite–and instantly started hissing, pain written all over his face.


    He opened his mouth, gulped down his wine in a hurry, but that only made him hiss again.


    Quinn, sitting nearby, couldn’t help butugh. “Man, don’t tell me you’ve got a crush on Joelle. Bro, using such a clumsy move to get her attention? That’s pretty low–level.”


    “Your mom!” Leo shot back, scowling as his eyes watered from the pain.


    ‘Damn you, Ynda–she really went all out on that bite!‘ he cursed in his head, tongue throbbing madly.


    ‘God, my tongue hurts like hell!‘


    Quinn clicked his tongue. “Seriously, man, keep it ssy. Did a girl actually bite your tongue or what?”


    Leo guiltily shot a quick look at Charles, who was sitting right next to him.


    Leo quickly dropped his gaze, avoiding both the food and the drinks now. “You’re such a gossip,” he muttered under his breath.


    Before Leo could finish his sentence, the private room door swung open and Oscar Rowe stepped in—the biggest name director around, the only one in the country with two Best Director Oscars to his name. The guy was basically untouchable in the industry.


    Oscar was no stranger to events like these. His films were investor goldmines, so most of the folks gathered here had crossed paths with him more than once.


    He nodded to the group, then gave Joelle a warm smile. “Joelle, we ran into each other abroad a year ago. I swear, you’re looking even more stunning these days.”


    Joelle rose to her feet, her confidence flipping on like a switch. “Mr. Rowe, I wasn’t expecting you tonight–a real surprise.”


    Oscar nodded, then patted Ian on the shoulder. “I’m nning to start a new film in the next couple of years. Someone rmended this kid to me–he’s got some real talent. Turns out, he’s actually your junior.”


    Back in the day, Oscar epted Joelle as hisst disciple and taught her countless acting skills.


    Joelle had the waiter bring over a couple of chairs, her gazending on Ian. “If Mr. Rowe thinks you’ve got what it takes, you’re about to be the next big thing–everyone knows his taste is spot on.”


    Oscar smiled, obviously satisfied withn. He wouldn’t have brought him to a room full of industry big shots if he didn’t think the kid was special.


    11:20 <b>Sat</b>, Oct 4


    As soon asn sat down, he immediately felt someone openly staring at him. He turned his head and caught Leo, two seats away, locking eyes with him in the most unsubtle way possible.


    Leo dramatically downed a gulp of his drink, making a big show of it–and instantly started hissing in pain.


    Quinn, sitting nearby, just shook his head in disbelief. “Bro, if your tongue’s busted, why keep drinking? Are you just asking to suffer?” <fnf8fa> Checktest chapters at f?ndnovel</fnf8fa>


    Leo smirked softly, eyes growing a bit hazy. “She went all in. I couldn’t stop her. Honestly, the way she shed her teeth was kinda adorable.”


    Quinn gawked at him like he’d absolutely lost it. “Wait, your tongue got bitten by a girl? For real?”


    Leo shotn a sidelong nce as he pushed his food around his bowl. “Yeah.”


    Ian didn’t pay him any mind. Parties like this just weren’t his thing. If it weren’t for Joelle’s personal fan club lurking around, most of the crowd was only here to give face to Charles–and with heavy hitters from the Cooper and Lawson families in attendance, nobody wanted to miss out on the chance to rub elbows.


    Ian reached out for a dish, but right as he was about to grab it, someone yanked the table around, and the dish slid way out of his reach.


    Leo stopped with a mocking grin, his eyes glinting with mischief. When Ian tried for another dish, Leo spun the table again, just to mess with him.


    Even the most oblivious person in the room could tell Leo was doing it on purpose.


    People could only marvel to themselves, ‘Joelle’s really something else–she’s got at least four or five guys here all wrapped around her finger, and each one’s at the heart of power. Even that new junior looks like he’s already falling for her.‘


    Joelle could feel those jealous nces from a few of the women nearby.


    Her lips curved into a cool smile as she calmly reached out to keep the table steady.


    Oscar could tell what Leo was up to and quietly asked Ian, “Did you somehow offend him?”


    Something flickered in Ian’s eyes, but he simply shook his head.


    “Mr. Rowe, I don’t think this is the right ce for me. I’ll head out for a while–I don’t want to put you in an awkward spot,” Ian said quietly.


    Oscar patted his shoulder in reassurance. “You deserve the trust you’ve earned. You really know how to keep your cool.”


    Ian didn’t say anything more. He just stood and slipped out of the room in silence.


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