Seeing Nana’s mood improve, Jane dared to ask her face-to-face. If they didn’t resolve their conflicts, they might go their separate ways.
“I didn’t know anything that night. I just remember getting drunk and don’t remember what happened.”
“Really?”
Jane raised an eyebrow. Carl didn’t seem like the kind of man who would betray Nana.
“Really, and I don’t think I touched Grace that night either. When I woke up, my shirt was off but my pants were still on.”
Jane and Nana smiled at each other when he said this.
“So where did those photos come from?”
Jane asked, knowing what was on Nana’s mind.
“I really have no idea. I don’t remember a thing.”
After sorting out her feelings, Jane took a deep breath and prepared to continue working when her phone suddenly rang. She looked down and saw it was Lenny calling.
Perfect timing! She cleared her throat before answering the call.
“Hello Mr. Peg.”
As usual, she greeted him first.
“Miss North, I have a new drama recently and I need to plan the staffing. Can you see if you have any time to help me out? It would be great if you could attend and help with the promotion.”
“Since you’ve spoken, I’ll gladly comply.”
Jane agreed. Lenny was a well-known director in the industry, and collaborating with him would be beneficial.
“By the way, there’s someone else I have in mind. Would you consider it?”
Jane asked. When Lenny mentioned the matter to her, this person came to her mind.
“Oh? Who is it?”
“You should know him, Carl.”
When Carl was mentioned, Lenny fell silent for a moment.
“Well…” Lenny seemed hesitant, “You know about Carl’s recent scandal. I must say, I have some reservations.”
He thought for a moment and then nodded, “But since it’s recommended by you, it’s not entirely out of the question.”
Jane smiled politely, “Mr. Peg, you’re truly reasonable. Don’t worry, I guarantee there won’t be any mistakes. But please wait a moment, let me ask for his opinion.”
They discussed some details and then Jane ended the call.
Jane furrowed her eyebrows and took out her phone again to call Carl.
At that moment, Carl was still at the hospital taking care of Tracy. This time, Tracy’s illness had a lot to do with him, so he decided to stay and look after her.
After a while, the call was finally answered.
“What’s up?”
Carl got straight to the point. He didn’t have much time to talk with Jane at the moment.
“I just wanted to ask if you’re considering making some adjustments to your work recently?”
Jane knew Carl was busy, but she still wanted to make sure.
“Adjustments to my work?” Carl furrowed his brows slightly. “Why?”
“You know, these past few days, the rumors about you and Grace have been spreading like wildfire. If you don’t make some adjustments, there might be a lot of problems in the future.”
Jane’s words made sense, but Carl still hesitated.
“Just now, Mr. Peg called me and said he needs help with a new drama. I recommended you to him.”
Carl pursed his lips. Lenny was indeed a good resource.
However, he looked at Tracy lying quietly in the hospital room, and an image of her collapsing flashed through his mind. He fell into deep thought.
“Take your time and think about it. Let me know when you have an answer.”
Jane sensed Carl’s hesitation and knew he had a lot on his plate recently, so she didn’t force him.
“Thank you for your kind offer, but I think I’ll pass.”
After thinking it over, Carl ultimately decided to decline Jane’s offer.
Since he came to the hospital, and it was his own mistake, he believed it was his responsibility to bear it.
Carl’s refusal was something Jane had anticipated from the beginning, so she didn’t have much more to say.
“In that case, I’ll inform Mr. Peg. Take good care of Tracy.”
With that, Jane hung up the phone.
On the second day, Jane arrived at the company, and she immediately received news from Lenny that Maria’s role had been finalized. However, it was slightly different from the initial agreement. This time, Maria’s character was even more important than the previous one. When Maria heard the news, she almost jumped with excitement.
As a result, Maria’s agent took her to meet Lenny to discuss the specifics. However, when Maria heard that she would have to isolate herself in a remote location for over three months, her heart sank.
Initially, Jane and the company had positioned her as a rising star, but with this role confirmed, she would have to disappear from the public eye for a full three months. She feared that she couldn’t bear the weight of being a rising star anymore.
Since she had gained popularity based on her looks and public image, Maria had many fans, but they weren’t necessarily loyal fans. After this journey, the only ones left would likely be Maria’s true fans.
Although the agreement with the director had been settled, the company didn’t immediately commence promotion. They quietly awaited notification from the director’s team.
However, the first notice that Lenny gave Maria was an invitation to have a late-night snack.
It must be said that the way two food lovers met was different.
During this meal, Lenny also talked about some useful things, such as Maria’s acting skills. It wasn’t because Maria’s acting was poor or her professional abilities were lacking. Rather, Lenny felt that her current acting style wasn’t quite suitable for his film. In the film, Maria’s role was a complete breakthrough for her.
Maria needed a thorough transformation from the inside out.
On the company’s side, the preparation for the TV drama’s theme song was underway. Jane took the time to visit the recording studio, where Osborn was in charge. Jane had always trusted Osborn, and the recording of the theme song was going smoothly. However, at that moment, an unexpected person arrived at the company.
As Jane looked at the man in sunglasses, she sat on the sofa with a slight change in expression.
This was the male singer, Zach Maltz, who was previously invited to sing the theme song but couldn’t agree on the price.
“Miss North.” When he saw Jane, Zach nodded and took off his sunglasses, revealing his complete face.
His eyes carried arrogance, a kind of attitude that suggested he was unrivaled. Jane found it amusing, as she hadn’t seen someone like him in the entertainment industry for a long time.
“You should know me, right?” Zach smirked.
Jane didn’t stand up, she simply looked up at Zach, intentionally showing a hint of confusion on her face. “And you are?”
This made Zach’s expression stiffen. He furrowed his eyebrows, but unceremoniously found a seat and sat down, crossing his legs as he looked at Jane.
“Miss North, are you joking? As the CEO of an entertainment company, how could you not know me?”
Jane raised an eyebrow, her cold gaze falling on his face. “I’m sorry, what did my assistant say your name was?” Jane paused for a moment, playing with the pen in her hand. “Are you the actor who has won a Best Actor award?”
Zach remained silent.
“Or should I say you’re a director who has directed blockbuster films? Or a singer who has had global concert tours?” Zach’s expression turned unpleasant, and he squeezed out a sentence through his teeth, “Miss North, you really know how to joke.”
“Joke?” Jane’s expression showed surprise. “Why would you think I’m joking? If you’re not any of those people, why would I know you?”
Now Zach couldn’t sit still anymore. He stood up abruptly, his face looking displeased as he stared at Jane, but at the same time, he met Jane’s gaze directly.
Zach froze, never having encountered such scrutiny and indifference before.
He gritted his teeth secretly, trying to make his facial expression appear more relaxed and pleasing.
“Miss North, let me introduce myself. I’m Zach Maltz, and recently, I’ve had three songs that ranked in the top three on major online charts.”
It could be said that Zach had only entered the entertainment industry for a month, but in that month, every song he released became an instant hit on the internet.
His starting point was incredibly high, which was why he carried such arrogance in his actions.
However, Jane had seen countless talented individuals, far more accomplished than him. She didn’t even bother to pay attention to someone who acted so superior with just a little success.
But on the surface, she still had to pretend to be surprised. Jane smiled at Zach and said, “So it’s you. May I ask what brings you here to see me?”
Jane’s display of power earlier had already dampened Zach’s fighting spirit. He pursed his lips, cleared his throat, and slowly said, “Miss North, I came here this time to propose a collaboration.”
As if hearing something unimaginable, Jane looked at Zach with a glance. “I seem to remember our previous collaboration, but you rejected it due to dissatisfaction.”
Naturally, Jane was referring to the matter of the TV drama’s theme song. Zach’s expression finally relaxed a bit.
“It’s not that I disagreed, Miss North. It’s just that there were some things I needed to consider. Actually, the reason I’ve come to you this time is because I want you to sign me.”
Jane had also wondered why Zach had come to see her, but she didn’t expect it to be for this reason.
“Are you suggesting that you want to join Star Entertainment?”
Zach nodded, “I currently have my own independent studio and haven’t signed with any company. But with my current popularity, many big companies have already extended olive branches to me, yet I prefer your company. If you sign me, not only for the theme song, but I can even create an entire album for that TV drama.”
Jane curled her lips. “You’re quite confident. Are you implying that I will definitely sign you?”
“Of course, the TV drama your company is promoting now needs popularity, right? If it weren’t for the female lead, Star Entertainment’s TV drama wouldn’t have been delayed until now, I’m afraid.”
Jane’s gaze became deep.