“In what situation could it still be? The filming has wrapped up, and the crew is celebrating next door. Our little sister-in-law is also there,” Charles said in a lowered voice.
“The movie hasn’t premiered yet, what’s there to celebrate?” Ryan remarked.
“My movie is definitely going to be a big hit. What’s wrong with celebrating in advance?” Charles shot him a glance and said, puzzled, “But little sister-in-law is next door, and the boss is here drinking alone.”
“They’re having a cold war,” Ryan said.
“Why are they arguing again?” Charles felt a headache coming on. It’s just a woman, and all this drama exhausts him just by watching.
“Can it not be a problem? Our boss has a strong sense of pride. Being used as a stepping stone by a girl, how can that feel good?” Ryan sneered in response.
“What’s going on?” Charles asked, confused.
Ryan then recounted to Charles everything he had heard outside the door.
After hearing it all, Charles snorted.
“I’ve said it before, anyone who falls for it is a damn fool. Our boss suffered a lot before. He was betrayed by a woman in the past and was nearly killed, sent off to Yonkers Army.”
“Now it’s even worse. Isabella is just a little girl. If the boss is at her mercy, these thirty years have been for nothing.”
“Lower your voice, you want to get us killed?” Ryan was terrified and nearly covered Charles’s mouth. The boss’s hearing is no joke, at this close range, their whispered conversation might reach his ears.
“Is it necessary?” Charles looked unimpressed.
Ryan snorted; he had spent more time around Andrew than Charles and naturally understood Andrew better.
“Have you ever seen him so distressed over Scarlett? This time, he’s really fallen hard. ”
As Ryan finished speaking, Andrew’s chilling gaze locked onto them. “If you want to chat, go chat outside. No one’s stopping you.”
Ryan and Charles promptly shut their mouths and tried to blend into their seats, minimizing their presence.
Meanwhile, in a nearby large room, the crew, led by Director Liu, along with the producers and main cast, numbering around several dozen people, were having a lively celebration.
Isabella hadn’t been feeling well lately. Weary from socializing, after exchanging pleasantries with the director, producers, and others, she found a corner to sit alone.
Sitting in the corner with a glass of wine, Isabella rested her head on one hand, feeling a slight ache in her temples.
She and Andrew had been in a cold war since, and she wasn’t sure how Andrew was handling it, but she was exhausted both mentally and physically. This was their longest silent treatment yet, and she had no idea when it might end, leaving her feeling uncertain.
These days, she even began to doubt whether she had misjudged Andrew’s feelings for her.
When men deceive women to get them into bed, promising the world, maybe they never truly meant it, and she had foolishly believed it.
The more she thought, the more her head throbbed, and after the headache, it felt like her heart ached too.
She was starting to regret the cold war with him. This dragging-on, neither dead nor alive, was really damn uncomfortable. Clearly, the one who was supposed to ignore the other had ended up being ignored instead.
Entering the room, Isabella discovered that besides the director, there was another man, a friend of his.
In his thirties, with an above-average appearance, there was a hint of toughness and cunning in his demeanor. Isabella glanced at him and felt a sense of familiarity.
With a good memory, she quickly remembered him. This man seemed to be called Brandon. At the last investor’s banquet, they had a brief encounter; this jerk almost took advantage of her.
She was somewhat guarded, keeping a distance from him. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, she sat alone on the side.
Victoria, after toasting, used the excuse of going to the restroom to freshen up.
Seeing her leave, Isabella was about to follow suit when Brandon approached her.
“Isabella, we meet again. Is this fate?” he said.
“It’s just a coincidence,” Isabella replied indifferently.
“Even so, it’s my honor,” Brandon said, raising his glass towards her.
Isabella looked at him with a forced smile and didn’t even touch her glass.
Brandon didn’t insist on her drinking; instead, his eyes wandered around her, as he casually asked, “You’re quite close with Andrew Turner, aren’t you?”
The last time, Andrew deliberately appeared for her, and afterward, they left together. Brandon didn’t believe there was nothing between them.
“What do you consider as being close?” Isabella’s tone held a hint of sarcasm.
For someone like Brandon, even sleeping together might not be considered close; putting on pants afterward, they would still be strangers.
Seeming to understand her implication, Brandon changed his approach after a laugh, “How familiar are you with Andrew?”
“He’s my man,” Isabella stated bluntly.
Using Andrew as a shield probably made Brandon think twice about pursuing her further.
Impatiently dealing with Brandon, Isabella raised her eyes and noticed Victoria and the director exchanging a few words before leaving the private room together.
Now, there were only Isabella and Brandon left in the room. Instantly, alarm bells rang in Isabella’s mind. She immediately stood up from her seat and briskly walked towards the door.
Reaching out to push it open, she realized the door wouldn’t budge; it was locked from the outside.
“I suggest you don’t waste your energy; this door won’t open,” Brandon sat in his place, smiling contentedly. His gaze was fixed on her, like a predator eyeing its prey.
Turning around, Isabella, even if naive before, now understood. Brandon had schemed against her along with a few others.
“What do you mean, Brandon? Planning to force me?” Isabella’s tone was harsh. If she didn’t confront this now, she would only end up being bullied.
Standing up from the couch, Brandon leisurely walked towards her, smiling provocatively. “If you cooperate willingly, I’d save some effort.”
“Try laying a hand on me!” Isabella raised her chin, not backing down. In truth, she wasn’t really afraid of him; after all, Isabella was skilled enough to handle a couple of men effortlessly.
After hearing her words, Brandon only scoffed mockingly. “There’s nothing I’m afraid of. The women I want have never slipped through my fingers.”
After saying this, Brandon loosened his tie and unbuttoned a few buttons on his shirt, step by step approaching her.
“Shameless,” Isabella muttered, clenching her fists and striking out at him.