They were taken aback. "Not producing it? Why not?" Nina asked. Nelly smiled and said, "I'm not some big-shot director. I've only made a few documentaries and, yes, I've won some awards, but I don’t have much income. This script took me five years to write, and even though I want to shoot it, I can’t find investors. Without funding, it’s impossible to move forward. Plus, the competition is fierce. Thousands of scripts are submitted, and mine hasn’t attracted any interest. I wanted to produce it myself, but the funding fell through. I just can’t make it happen!"Nina thought it was for some other reason. "Your script is really good!" Nina encouraged her. "Both Penelope and I think it’s well written.""Don’t give up!" Penelope joined in. "Look, we’re here to support you."Nelly appreciated their encouragement but had to face reality. "Thank you, but I need to make money first. That’s why I’ve been working on other projects lately. Even though I’m proud of this script, investors
"No regrets," Nina replied. "I just never imagined I'd be in this position. I used to be just a secretary, and now I'm making a huge gamble with ten million. It's enough to scare anyone!"Penelope put her arm around Nina’s shoulder. "You're my biggest investor now. I'll be counting on you!""Don't say that!" Nina said. "The hard work is just beginning. We'll only be able to relax once the drama airs and gets good feedback. Otherwise, we'll be in big trouble. We have to win this time!"Penelope knew she was making a huge gamble just like Nina. The stakes were high, and this project could make or break them. She did not know why she felt compelled to take such a risky path. Perhaps it was Nina's determination that inspired her. It ignited a fire in her, driving her to aim for the top. She was no longer just Penelope from a small town. She was aiming to become Queen Penelope.A confident smile tugged at Penelope's lips. "We can only win, no room for failure!"Back at the office,
Wilfred was always decisive and had no intention of letting Scott go. However, he hesitated, considering whether Scott’s words were trustworthy and if he could be a reliable ally. Their struggle made a lot of noise in the room.Feeling somewhat better, Nina woke up and saw them grappling with each other. "What are you two doing?" she asked.With his back to Nina, Wilfred blocked Scott from view, preventing her from seeing the fight. She had no idea they were actually in a confrontation."Scott?" Nina called out, having glimpsed his figure.Hearing her, Wilfred released Scott and quickly hid the scalpel. Scott, understanding the situation, smiled as if nothing had happened. "Nina, you're awake."Nina sat up. "Why are you here?"Scott, holding the gifts he brought for her, replied, "I came back from a business trip and didn't find you at home. I guessed you might still be at work, so I came by. Here, these are for you."He handed her a champagne rose and a box of chocolates.
"Where is it?" Scott continued to ask.Wilfred hesitated before finally responding, "Do you know the Nile organization?"Scott's expression tightened. "Isn't that a terrorist organization? It was supposed to have been eradicated years ago. How could...""It wasn't," Wilfred said, his eyes darkening. "I was one of them."Scott fell silent, recalling the time Nina was kidnapped. He looked at Wilfred again. "Is Nina being targeted by this organization?"Wilfred looked down. "I don't think so.""Nash and Miranda's scandal, could it be that he…" Scott had a terrifying thought that seemed to make sense."She might not have the antidote," Wilfred said. "But right now, it's our only lead. Without her, finding the antidote would be nearly impossible."Scott clenched his fists, the concern for Nina evident. They were all worried about her, each in their own way. "I understand," Scott said. "I'll find a way."Wilfred cautioned him, "Do what you can, but be careful."Just then, Nina
The restaurant was in complete chaos. Nina was still eating, but Scott and Wilfred became alert. "Nina, there's a fire! We need to get out now," Scott said."Alright," Nina replied, following them out of the restaurant.The restaurant was on the ground floor, so if there was a fire, they could quickly escape. Soon, the restaurant was empty. All the customers were outside, trying to see where the fire was. The restaurant owner was still inside.Nina stood outside, watching. There was not any smoke and it did not look like a fire at all."What's going on?" a customer asked nervously. "Is there a fire?""The alarm went off, so there must be a fire!""Look, the sprinklers are on!"They were talking about the fire sprinkler system inside that had been activated. Amidst the chatter, the owner came out, looking embarrassed. "I'm so sorry, everyone. Our fire system malfunctioned and set off the alarm. I apologize for the scare!"The owner bowed to everyone. "I'll prepare some small g
"It's bad! She is coming this way!"Seeing Nina heading in their direction, James and Felix quickly moved towards the back of the kitchen."What's going on?" Felix asked. "Why is she coming this way? Did we get caught?""Impossible!" James quickly denied. "We were trained soldiers. There's no way she'd notice us.""Then why is she coming?"Both men crouched as they moved."Let's hide for now."They concealed themselves in a hidden corner."Don't let her spot us. We'll move when she leaves."Nina inspected the fire alarm system.It had a hole punched through it."Looks like it was smashed," she noted.The owner quickly explained, "A server might have accidentally bumped into it, triggering the alarm.""Your servers have that much strength?" Nina asked skeptically. "This hasn't happened before, has it?""This is the first time," the owner admitted, struggling to come up with an excuse.Nina observed the large hole, drawing her own conclusions. "Seems like your server has s
James glared at Felix. "Really, Felix? I treated you like a brother, and you betrayed me!"Felix did not back down. "Right back at you!"James turned to Nina, forcing a smile. "Ma’am, I’m really sorry. It was an accident, not intentional. My mistake!"Nina responded, "I think you did it on purpose.""That’s impossible! How could I? I’m a good soldier who serves the people!" James stood at attention and saluted.Nina asked, "Then what are you doing here?" with a stern expression.James thought quickly and grabbed Felix. "We came to eat!"Felix immediately nodded. "Yes, we came to eat."Nina’s expression darkened. "This restaurant isn’t that big. How come I didn’t see you? And why were you in the kitchen breaking things?"She became more serious. "Aren’t you disrupting the restaurant’s business?"Both men fell silent."Did Nash send you to follow me?" Nina continued. "What’s his deal?""Well…"The two hesitated, not know how to respond."Where is he?""Captain isn’t here,"
On the second floor, she noticed a door that was slightly ajar. Nash must be inside. Nina rolled up her sleeves and pushed open the door with her cold and determined expression."Nash, stop being a coward. Can't you just be straightforward...?"Standing in the doorway, her eyes locked onto Nash sprawled on the floor. He looked utterly defeated, surrounded by empty bottles, still clutching one with some liquor left. It seemed he had been drinking all day.Nina had been furious, ready to confront him. She had planned to say the most hurtful things, aiming to crush his pride and make him feel worthless. But things did not go as she had imagined. Seeing Nash drunk and disheveled, any cruel words she had prepared now seemed pointless. He would not hear them anyway.However, she could not understand why Nash had drunk himself into such a state.Wasn't he supposed to be happy with Miranda? Hadn't he rid himself of her? He had humiliated her, boosting his own ego. He should be