LOGINHe managed a small smile, but it was so clearly forced and pained that it was hard for the others to watch.The agent and the assistant exchanged glances, realizing Harley actually had a point.Someone who fiercely sticks to a goal is often the one who makes it happen.Harley gave a short, quiet laugh. "Just stop trying to convince me. If I back down now, I wouldn't be me."The car had already left the street. He leaned back against the seat, closing his eyes to rest.Suddenly, the agent noticed something off.Usually, his phone would be blowing up with notifications right about now, but the car was dead quiet. That was weird."Harley, where's your phone?" the agent suddenly asked.Harley snapped his eyes open, sitting straight up. He instinctively checked his pockets. "Oh, man, my phone!""I thought I saw you taking it in with you to talk to Cassandra," the agent recalled, frowning. "But when you came out... your hands
"Did you... get work done?" Harley suddenly pointed at her face and dropped the bomb.Cassandra paused, then her eyes went cold. "What are you even talking about? Where did I have surgery? This is my natural face.""Seriously? I just remember you looking way different," Harley sounded genuinely surprised.Cassandra's calm demeanor was suddenly ruffled, like a small stone had hit the water."Quit wasting your breath trying to flatter me. It's not working," she snapped, a little irritated.Harley shrugged. "If you don't say yes, I'll probably keep showing up until you do.""Whatever." Cassandra was unfazed. "Come or don't come. My mind is made up. You have your dream, and I have mine. I'm going to turn that land into a memorial for the Thompsons."She bit her bottom lip, her tone turning icy."It's a prime location. Don't you think using it for some old family memorial is a massive waste?"Harley was heated and let the ins
The name "Cassandra"—it just had this weird vibe, like a moth or something annoying. It made you tense up, like a name that gave you the creeps."Cassandra, did we go to high school together or something?" Harley tried to make small talk."No idea," Cassandra answered flatly."I see the business attire. Are you working at a law firm?" Harley kept trying."I'm an attorney," Cassandra clipped back.Harley paused, but then figured, yeah, that makes sense.Someone so blunt and straight-laced would be perfect for law."Okay, so here's the deal. Is it the price, or is there another reason you're refusing to sell the land?" Harley jumped right into business."I just don't feel like selling it." That one sentence completely shut down every argument he had ready.Harley's eyes widened a bit. He stared at the determined woman in front of him.He truly couldn't match her up with the girl in the thick glasses from his m
Harley gave the director a perfect out, so the director finally lowered his voice. "Alright, you two go over the script again later, and really nail that scene I talked about. We need it to feel real. Jessica, what's up with you? You've been totally distracted today.""I'm sorry, Director. I'm just having a rough day," Jessica mumbled, looking embarrassed and guilty."Hey, it happens. Everyone has an off day. Trust me, my mood isn't great, either." The director added, trying to lighten the mood.Jessica's face flushed even more.Once the next actors took the stage, Jessica and Harley headed to the break area together."Harley, thanks for covering for me back there."If he hadn't stepped in, the director probably would have called her out in front of everyone. That would have been truly humiliating."Seriously, what is going on?" Harley frowned.Her mood was throwing her performance, and it made his job harder too."I... I'm dealing with some stuff," Jessica sighed heavily, looking dow
Richard hadn't expected Blake to bring up the past.His face instantly turned pale, but he had already prepared an excuse.He laughed and explained, "I just wanted to bring you two closer. You were so talented and young, and I adore Emily. I wanted to find a good mate for her. I thought you were excellent, and she liked you, so bringing you together was a good thing. Who knew it would cause so much trouble. Afterward, Emerson criticized me and even sent me to prison to reflect."Blake listened and found it utterly hollow.Richard's skin had only gotten thicker. He could make a lie sound like the absolute truth."I see. I thought you wanted to embarrass me and severely disappoint Emerson. It seems I misunderstood your good intentions," Blake played along, cooperating with the act."I was foolish back then. Don't take it to heart!" Richard didn't want to talk about old matters, so he swallowed his anger and apologized."It's over, and I
There were no outsiders, so Blake didn't bother with pretenses.Seeing that Blake wasn't going to pour him coffee, Richard helped himself to a cup.Blake knew Richard was deliberately trying to ease the tension. He gave a cold smile. "What have you been busy with lately, Richard? You look quite occupied.""Just managing some small businesses. Nothing you need to worry about. Unlike you, who has to manage the entire Chavez family empire. You must be busy every day. I genuinely feel for you, my boy. A young man should have a young man's life. Don't you find it boring dealing with dry documents every day?" Richard subtly dropped hints, but Blake paid them no mind."I have no inherent hobbies. My only hobby is work. Thank you for the thought; I appreciate it."Blake's answer was polite, yet his gaze grew colder.Richard couldn't help but grit his teeth.Though he was seething inside, he couldn't let it show on his face."What line







