“Of course!” Natalie sneered, rolling her eyes in annoyance.
Bianca chuckled. “What makes you so sure?”
“Because I’m Natalie King, the top star at Phoenix Entertainment. Another company has been trying to sign me for a high price. I’m certain Mr. Evans has heard about this. That’s why I came to see him personally. If he wants to keep me, he’ll meet with me for the sake of his company.”
What Natalie said made sense. Phoenix Entertainment had indeed worked hard to persuade her to stay, but she hadn’t made her decision yet. Today, she came to the headquarters of Phoenix Alliance Group to see the CEO directly, indicating she wanted to go over the heads of those at Phoenix Entertainment.
Even though Phoenix Entertainment was just a small part of Phoenix Alliance Group, losing a popular star like Natalie would be a significant blow.
Naturally, no CEO would want to face that kind of loss.
Bianca suddenly felt that if she stayed any longer, she’d just be giving Natalie more chances to mock her. Since she wasn’t allowed to meet the CEO today, it would be smarter to leave and think of other options.
Just as Bianca was about to turn away, she spotted a brisk-looking woman in corporate attire and high heels striding toward her.
The woman had an authoritative presence, walking with poise and elegance. Bianca instinctively straightened her back as the lady approached.
However, the woman walked right past her and stopped in front of Natalie, wearing a professional smile. “Excuse me, are you Miss King?”
“And you are?” Natalie replied, glancing at her with indifference.
“I’m the CEO’s secretary.”
As soon as she spoke, everyone in the room turned their attention to them. The chance to see how this would play out sparked their curiosity. In a company as large as Phoenix Alliance Group, the CEO’s secretary held more status than the general managers of other companies. It was rare to get close to the CEO’s secretary, let alone the CEO himself.
Bianca couldn’t help but frown in disappointment. The CEO’s own secretary had come down to invite Natalie upstairs, highlighting Natalie’s importance. Watching Natalie’s puffed-out chest and smug smile, it was clear her vanity was fully satisfied.
Bianca shook her head and sighed. It seemed even a big company like this could be snobby. She decided it was best not to stick around and embarrass herself.
Natalie smiled at the CEO’s secretary and said, “The CEO sent you to escort me? What are we waiting for? I want to see him right away.”
Just as Bianca began to walk away, she heard the CEO’s secretary’s sharp voice behind her. “I’m afraid you’ve misunderstood. The CEO asked me to tell you to fuck off.”
Bianca stopped and turned around to see what was happening.
Natalie’s smile froze, and for a moment, she looked bewildered, struggling to understand what the secretary had just said. Finally, she asked in a dazed tone, “What did you say?”
“Miss King, I’m afraid that’s not pleasant to hear. I’d rather not repeat it out of courtesy.” The CEO’s secretary kept a calm smile, being careful with Natalie’s dignity. “However, Mr. Evans asked me to deliver that message. I haven’t changed a single word.”
A shadow crossed Natalie’s face.
The secretary’s words caused laughter among the onlookers, their sarcastic comments reaching Natalie’s ears.
“What kind of ‘top star’ does she think she is? She takes herself too seriously.”
“They say only high officials or big business people can meet with the CEO of Phoenix Alliance Group. I’ve tried several times and been turned down. Why does she think the CEO will see her just because she’s an actress?”
“Mr. Evans specifically sent someone to ask her to leave. That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all day.”
Natalie clenched her fists, her nails digging into her skin. She had never felt such humiliation.
Even if the CEO didn’t want to see her, there was no need for this public embarrassment.
Her anger bubbled inside her, making her chest heave. She glared at the secretary and said, “Fine, tell Mr. Evans that since he lacks compassion, he can’t blame me for being unkind. If the Phoenix Alliance Group won’t keep me, I’ll find another place.”
With that, Natalie turned on her heel and stormed out. Surprisingly, she ran into Justin, who had just walked in.
“Mr. Wilson?” Natalie said, trying to hold back her anger upon seeing Justin.
“Natalie?” Justin looked surprised to see her there. With wide eyes, he asked, “What are you doing here?”
Natalie felt embarrassed to admit she was here for a meeting with the CEO of Phoenix Alliance Group, especially after being asked to leave. She hesitated, licking her lips.
Before she could respond, Justin glanced at the CEO’s secretary behind her and said softly, “Natalie, if you need to discuss something, let’s do it in the office. This is Phoenix Alliance Group, not Phoenix Entertainment.”
As he talked, Justin noticed a familiar figure in his peripheral vision. Turning slightly, he saw Bianca standing not far away.
Meeting Justin’s eyes, Bianca greeted him warmly, “Mr. Wilson.”
“Mr. Wilson…” Natalie wanted to say something to Justin, but she watched as he walked past her and headed toward Bianca.
Wide-eyed, Natalie turned to look at Bianca.
“Bianca, what brings you here today?” Justin asked with a gentle smile.
Bianca saw that Justin was still the same-easygoing and considerate toward her.
“I…”
Bianca was about to explain to Justin why she had come here, but Natalie interrupted. “She’s here to see the CEO, but she was turned down. Bianca, don’t you know who you are? Does the CEO meet just anyone?”
Natalie rolled her eyes at Bianca. Even though she herself had been rejected, at least she had caught the attention of the CEO’s secretary. Meanwhile, Bianca seemed worthless in the CEO’s eyes, which eased some of the resentment in Natalie’s heart.
“Are you really here to see the CEO?” Justin asked, surprised as he looked at Bianca. “So, you know he…”
Justin almost let slip, “So, you know he is Dave?” but quickly held back.
If Bianca really knew Dave’s true identity, why hadn’t she reached out to him?
She could easily give Dave a call.
“Mr. Wilson, you said I know him? What do you mean?” Bianca asked, looking confused.
Justin quickly chuckled, playing it off. “Oh, I meant you know he’s here today, right? Our CEO usually has a busy schedule and isn’t often in the office.”