When Peter was younger, he was a genius. Every movie he directed was a box office hit. He had personally created a cinematic legend. The team he brought up was made up of elites, the best of the best. Any student who had studied directing looked up to him. They wanted to become like him, or even surpass him.
However, Peter had rarely appeared in public recently. Rumor had it that he was focusing on spending time with his wife and daughter, making it nearly impossible to meet him.
Lillian didn’t actually plan to work as a waitress here.
She picked up her luggage from the dressing room and quietly headed upstairs. The party had shifted to the main hall with Conrad’s arrival, and everyone was gathered there, leaving the second-floor lounge almost empty.
The top deck of the cruise was reserved for invited VIPs, and anyone who could access this floor had been rigorously screened. As an external staff member, Lillian had no right to be there.
She looked around, took a key card, and opened one of the rooms.
As soon as she entered, she unbuttoned the collar of her dress, took off her high heels, and opened her suitcase. While taking off her stockings, she planned to change into different clothes and pretend to be a staff member from the Brown Family Group to sneak upstairs. She figured she might as well use her connection with Conrad if she had it.
However, just as she was about to pull her stockings off, she heard someone speak.
“Given my condition, isn’t it a bit inappropriate for you to throw yourself at me right now? How about we schedule a time for this instead?”
Lillian froze, surprised as she turned toward the window.
Gordon raised an eyebrow, scanning her up and down with a smirk. “What’s going on here? What are you up to?”
Before Lillian could respond, Gordon hissed, “Hold on, let me guess. Is it some kind of uniform seduction, or are you playing Charlie’s Angels?”
Lillian quickly lowered her leg to avoid exposing her private parts.
“What are you doing here? I thought you were at the hospital?”
Gordon shrugged. “I’ve been cooped up in the hospital so long, I’m about to catch something. There’s a party, so I figured I’d come to have some fun, so people don’t think I’m walking on two crutches. Just came up to get some fresh air.”
Gordon was playing with an old coin in his hand, tossing it in the air before catching it with a quick motion. “So, what’s your excuse for being here? Trying to date me?”
Lillian forced a smile. “No, thanks. I’ve got something to do. We’ll talk another time.”
Just as she turned to leave, Gordon leisurely said, “Oh, if that’s the case, I’m not happy. If you don’t tell me, I’ll just send a video to Conrad, showing you in my room, taking off your stockings and planning to tie me up and, you know, violate me.”
Lillian whipped her head back around. “Are you kidding me? I’ve got serious business to attend to, and it has nothing to do with him.”
“I can tell,” Gordon said. “But right now, I’m really bored. So, what’s going on?”
“I’m here to see Director Peter.”
“You’re going through all this trouble just to see a director?” Gordon pulled out his phone. “It’s me. Yeah, where’s Peter? I’m arranging a meeting. Done.”
After hanging up the phone, Gordon looked at Lillian. “All set. Come with me.”
Lillian’s eyes widened. “Just like that?”
“Lillian,” Gordon said, “in City N, although the Brown Family is at the top, my Smith family comes second. We’re not so powerless that we can’t get a director to meet with us. Don’t forget what my family does.”
The Smith family ran a media company, and in recent years, they had expanded into other industries. Because of Gordon’s achievements in racing, his father had even set up a sports club for him during college, and he had a number of athletes under his management.
But Lillian hadn’t expected Gordon to be able to arrange a meeting with Peter so easily.
“Don’t be surprised. Our upcoming project will also be working with Peter. I remember you’re from the directing department. What do you need him for?”
In this circle, second-generation heirs weren’t usually naive-people in their position tended to have a higher level of sensitivity than others.
“We have a project that’s been stalled. If Peter’s team could help…”
“Stop with the nonsense. Give me the project proposal,” Gordon said, extending his hand.
Lillian hesitated for a moment.
“Peter is a director, but not a pure artist. Without capital backing, do you really think he’s going to vouch for you? Whether a project succeeds or not depends equally on quality and luck. Besides, he’s been semi-retired for a while. This time, he only came back because his wife wanted to return to the country. You won’t get such luck next time. With me involved, you’d be foolish to miss out on such a good opportunity.” Gordon raised an eyebrow. “I’m not always this free, you know.”
Lillian gritted her teeth, squatted beside him, and told him about the original script idea and the difficulty of production.
Gordon’s gaze slowly shifted from his phone screen to Lillian’s profile.
Her skin was flawless, pale and smooth, with fine fuzz visible on her face. She wore a thin layer of foundation and blush. He rested his chin on his hand, eyeing her lips as they moved while she spoke.
Lillian talked for a while, but when she turned around, she realized Gordon was much closer than she expected. She frowned. “Did you actually hear what I was saying?”
“I heard everything. Conrad’s been surrounded by danger lately. You should watch yourself,” Gordon replied.
Lillian lowered her gaze. “When has there ever not been danger around him? His problems aren’t mine to worry about.”
“Just a reminder-City N isn’t as peaceful as it seems. If you can stay out of trouble, then do it. But if something happens, don’t expect someone to always be there to save you.”
Lillian nodded. She had a vague sense that the security around Hillside Villa had increased, but with how smoothly everything had gone today, she had assumed there was no real issue.
“Alright, take my wheelchair and let’s go. I’ll take you to see Peter.”
Lillian quickly got up with a bright smile. “Mr. Gordon, you look especially handsome today.”
Gordon barely stopped himself from rolling his eyes. “I know I’m good-looking. You don’t have to remind me.”
As Lillian opened the door, about to push Gordon out, she suddenly shoved him back into the room. She didn’t gauge the force properly, and the wheelchair bumped against the wall.
“Ugh, Lillian, are you trying to kill me?”
Before Gordon could finish speaking, he noticed Lillian had cracked the door open just enough to peek around the corner.
“Seeing ghosts?” he asked.
Lillian quickly shushed him, her eyes wide with fear.
Just as she poked her head out, she saw Conrad heading upstairs. It was terrifying.
They had almost crossed paths! If they did, Conrad would likely tear her apart!