CHAPTER 6
~Xade's POV~
"I'm telling you, this movie needs to hit harder than anything we've done before," Dominic said, leaning forward as he set his glass down.
I gave a small nod, my attention flicking between my plate and the man seated with us. "It will," I said evenly. "The story has heart. People will feel it."
Across the table, Chris, our project coordinator, looked hopeful. "If the promotion rolls out right, this could be our comeback piece, Xade. You've really hit a corner here."
"I know. But this will be good. Dristan assured me."
"You have so much faith in your plot and screenwriter."
I did not say much and nodded. We were seated in a private room of the restaurant on the second floor, the scent of roasted chicken and wine filling the air. My appetite had faded hours ago, but I stayed for the conversation.
While Dominic's energy filled the room; Chris's optimism balanced it.
Just then, the door opened and two people stepped in — a man in his late thirties with the sharp look of someone used to being listened to, and beside him, a woman who drew attention without trying.
She couldn't have been older than her mid-twenties, her elegance softened by the hint of a smile. Her perfume drifted faintly as they entered, light but expensive.
"Ah, there they are," Chris said, rising to his feet. "Thank you for joining us, Agent Stallion and Ms. Crystal Voss."
"Oh, Mr Chris, it's our pleasure." He turned to me and Dominic and gave a nod. "Director Xade, thank you so much for having us," the man replied warmly as they took their seats.
"Welcome," Dominic greeted them warmly.
I gave him a polite nod before my gaze slid briefly toward the woman beside him. Her leg brushed mine under the table, just barely, but enough to make me pause.
She didn't seem to notice, or maybe she did. Either way, she didn't pull back.
I moved my legs and looked away, clearing my throat as the others settled into conversation.
"I do not mean to jump the bean but with me is our new rising A-list actress, Crystal Voss. I heard you were auditioning for the role of your female lead. She'll be the best bet for your lead role in your upcoming movie."
I glanced at Dominic. He seemed to have read my mind as he gave a nod while keeping on a straight expression.
"Well. That depends."
Agent Stallion leaned back in his seat, his brows rising slightly. "Depends on what, Director Xade?"
I looked up, meeting his gaze evenly. "Depends on how good she can act," I replied simply.
He gave a short laugh, shaking his head as if amused. "Oh, come on now. We've all seen her latest movie. She is the best fit. Everyone knows her range. She shouldn't have to audition when her potential is already proven."
Dominic shifted slightly beside me, glancing between us. Chris looked tense, probably wishing someone would lighten the mood.
"I don't work like that," I said flatly. "Everyone acts. No exceptions."
Agent Stallion's polite smile started to fade. "But we already had an understanding with Vice CEO Xaiden. He personally confirmed…"
I cut him off, calmly but sharp enough to slice through his words. "And I'm the Director of this movie, as well as the CEO of the company. My word stands before his."
The man's jaw clenched, but he didn't reply.
Crystal, sitting quietly until then, shifted slightly in her chair. Her perfume drifted again, sweet and confident, but her expression was careful.
I turned to her, meeting her eyes directly. "If you want to take the lead role, you're going to act a set of roles," I said quietly. "And you can begin by getting your leg away from mine."
A flicker of shock crossed her face. She jerked her leg back, colour rising to her cheeks. Dominic stifled a cough beside me, hiding a smirk behind his glass.
"I… I apologise for my agent," she finally said in a defensive voice. "But I don't see why you're bullying me."
I didn't respond to that. I just watched her with what can be described as a cold and unreadable expression. Then I said, "Your time starts now. Act a fallen heiress scene. You've just been thrown out of your family home."
Her lips parted slightly in surprise, but she gathered herself quickly.
She stood there, trying to keep her expression calm. Her eyes were wide and her mouth trembled as she whispered, "Father, please don't do this…"
"Stop," I interrupted before she finished the first line. "Next scene. You're a detective who just discovered your partner betrayed you."
She blinked, confused, but nodded. "You… how could you lie to me…"
"Next," I said again before she could finish.
Dominic glanced at me like he couldn't tell whether I was testing her or torturing her.
"Now you're a mother who lost her child," I said.
Crystal's hands trembled slightly. She tried to look devastated, voice shaking, but it felt forced.
"Next," I ordered again. "A thief pretending to be innocent. Then an assassin, who's about to betray her target."
Each time, she stumbled more. Her voice cracked. The frustration in her eyes grew, and the confidence that had glowed at her arrival faded into a dull ache of embarrassment.
Finally, she threw her hands up. "This isn't fair!" she snapped, glaring at me. "You didn't even let me finish a single one!"
I leaned back in my chair and took a slow sip of my drink before standing.
Carefully, I folded my napkin and placed it beside my plate. "Life isn't fair," I said evenly. "If you think because you're beautiful, roles will line up for you, then you're sorely mistaken. I don't roll that way."
She stared at me, speechless, tears glinting in her eyes, though she tried to hide them.
"And for your information," I added as I turned away, "I've already found my lead. You don't compare to her."
Crystal gave a small, disbelieving scoff as Dominic stood beside me, awkwardly fixing his jacket. Chris just looked like he wanted to disappear.
"The meal's on my tab," I said curtly, and started walking out.
Dominic followed after me quickly, muttering something that sounded halfway between apology and laughter.
Once outside, the cool night air hit, cutting the tension in half. The valet brought my car around.
Dominic finally spoke. "Man, what the hell was that? You humiliated her in front of everyone. You could've just told her no."
I didn't look at him right away. My steps were slowed. "I was giving her a fair shot at an audition," I said simply. "She failed. And if she, a named actress, can't beat…"
I stopped. My brows furrowed slightly. "What's her name again? The one who won the audition?"
"Oh, uh… Xena Winter," Dominic said quickly. "I've got her contact if you want."
I gave him a look. "Why would I want that?"
He looked nervous all of a sudden, scratching the back of his neck. "Well… I just thought maybe you took a liking to her. You know, with the whole moaning and shii, I…"
Before he could finish, my hand smacked the back of his head.
"Ouch! What was that for?" he complained, rubbing his head. "I wasn't the one who got you all hard and…"
He stopped mid-sentence when I turned and gave him a glare that could've frozen lava.
"Fine," he muttered, throwing his hands up. "I won't send her contact details."
I opened the car door but paused, leaning slightly toward him. "No," I said. "But you will tell her to report tomorrow to the industry."
Dominic blinked, confused for a moment, then nodded quickly. "Understood."
I got into the car, the door shutting with a clean thud. The driver glanced at me through the mirror, waiting for instructions.
"Home," I said quietly.
As the car rolled forward, the city lights streaked past the window. My hand slipped into my coat pocket, pulling out my phone.
There was no hesitation when I scrolled to the letter A in my contacts and pressed dial.
The call connected after two rings.
"Agent A," a deep voice answered on the other end.
"It's me," I said. "I need you to dig into someone for me."
"Who?"
"Xena Winter."
There was a pause, just the faint static of the line. Then Agent A replied, "Understood. You'll have a report in five hours."
"No. Make it three."