After the taxi made a stop at Joyful Learning Academy, Genevieve stepped out of the car, hurrying to the entrance of the campus, where she stopped near the main building when she felt someone grab her wrist. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Leo beaming at her, and just then, a lady approached the two, smiling at Genevieve. “Leo is fast on his feet.” She said, looking down at the kid. “I told him to wait at the playground with the others, but when he saw you, he got so eager.” “Leo, next time, you should listen to Miss Lewis and wait, okay?” Genevieve softly scolded, making Leo pout as he looked up at her. “Sorry, Miss Lewis.” He then apologized to the lady, who shook her head and smiled brightly at him. “That's all right. Even so, you are a good kid.” She uttered with a grin. “I should get back to other children.” After his teacher left, Leo held onto his mother's arm, looked around at the gate, and asked, “Where’s uncle Jack?” “He has something important to take care of,
The dinner table was silent, and Genevieve kept staring over at Noah, but his eyes were glued to his food, and the fact that he had been quiet since they got back from the restaurant had her feeling a bit suffocated and anxious. She wasn't the only one who felt the awkward tension... Leo did, and he stared between the two of them for a few minutes before he finally cleared his throat and said in a tone more polite, “I am sorry. I promise not to leave Miss Lewis's side again. I promise.” Snapping out of his thoughts, Noah threw Leo a calm look and asked, “What are you talking about, bud?” “Well, he disobeyed the teacher again and left her side to come over to me when I went to get him,” Genevieve mumbled, seeing Leo pout as he stared at his plate. Trying not to smile and look serious, Noah gazed at him and said, “Bud?” “Are you mad at me?” Leo mumbled, looking down at his lap, where he held his hands together. “Mad is a strong word, buddy. But it would be best if you obeyed you
With her gaze on the page, Genevieve took her time reading through the contract, and then she noticed Noah waking from the bed. After doing a little stretch, he approached her and kissed her on the head, mumbling, “Morning.” “Good morning,” She replied, but her eyes stayed on the paper. “What are you on?” “Reading through the contract. Remember? James wanted me to drop it off today.” Sighing hard, Genevieve rested her head on the document and groaned, “But after what happened to Glenn, I don't know if EXAT would still want to work with me. Honestly, I won't be shocked if they terminate the contract today.” Chuckling, Noah caressed her hair and said, “You'll be fine. Have a little faith.” “Glenn is the soon-to-be daughter-in-law of the Stark family.” Genevieve cried, lifting her head to look at him. “And because of me, that happened to her! And it happened in front of Mrs. Stark. Do you think I will get away with that! It already seems like Mrs. Stark hates me.” Seeing a mixture
Resting back in the front seat of the car, Genevieve kept her eyes on the window, watching the street pass by as her mind drifted through the thoughts of how her meeting was going to go with Director James. For a moment, Rhodes stared at the side mirror, growing concerned by the second that the car didn't only follow them when they were dropping Leo to school, but it was now driving after them every turn he made. “Father,” Genevieve mumbled, grabbing his attention from the mirror again, “About Jack...” Withdrawing from the window, Genevieve stared at him and asked, “Do you know where he went?” “He didn't tell you?” Rhodes asked. His tone was laced with surprise. He glanced out of the corner of his eye toward her as she shook her head. “I didn't want to push him this morning, but I guess I am more curious than I thought I was.” “Well, umm, he's still in search of a job. I think he feels guilty living off my pension funds.” A sad smile tugged at Genevieve’s lips as she looked dow
Even though the callback was at ten o’clock, Genevieve, Rhode, and Noah were in the casting waiting room at nine o’clock, and she looked nervously at the door and then back at Noah. Reaching for her hand, Noah took it in his and squeezed it, saying, “You are going to kill it.” The dark circle under his eyes made her smile, knowing that he stayed up all night, practicing with her, and she fell asleep before he did. With a smile, she tiptoed toward his lips and kissed him before pulling back and whispering, “For good luck.” When he let go of her hand, Genevieve took one last look at the two, and then she headed into the room, leaving the two outside. At nine fifty o’clock, Rhodes and Noah were seated in the hall when a lady wearing black pants with a white blouse approached the room, and when she opened the door, she popped her head into the waiting room and said, “All actresses and actors here for the callback, please follow me in the theater.” Those words made Genevieve’s heart s
“Glenn was the one who's supposed to play Jane?” Genevieve repeated in disbelief, feeling a little suffocated. Looking over at James, Noah scowled at him and asked, “Why didn't you tell her who the actress was that was ineffective for the role?” “I did mention it to you... Didn't I?” James mumbled as he cocked his head to the side, feigning innocence as his smug grin remained firmly planted. “You did not! If you did, I wouldn't have accepted the job,” Genevieve gritted out, anger burning in her chest, before turning away to avoid eye contact. Staring at her with furrowed brows, Director Rheyns thought about it for a while and then said, “But why? Is there an issue between Glenn and you?” Not wanting to explain the complicated relationship she and her cousin had, Genevieve, sighed out her frustration and mumbled, “No. There isn't.” “Well, whatever it is, I am glad you agreed to the callback because you are Jane. You are what we envisioned her to be. The emotions are raw, the conn
With a worried look, Director James walked into Mr. Stark's office, and when he and the chairman's gaze locked, he drew his eyes to the floor and said, “Good morning, boss. Charlotte told me that you requested to see me?” “Yes. You are fire.” Mr. Stark said in a flat tone. “You will get compensated, and you should clear your desk.” A look of horror and disbelief flashed through Director James's face, and it took him a long moment to collect himself enough to answer back, “Boss, I don't understand?” Giving him a dull stare, Mr. Stark frowned and said, “What’s not the to understand? You are fire. Clear your desk and walk out, and don't return to the company. Another casting director will come in soon to replace you.” With that, Mr. Stark returned to the large stack of papers on his table and picked up his pen. Confused and desperate, Director James stood there, staring at Mr. Stark, and then he let out as the office door opened, “Is this about yesterday... about Genevieve? Whatever
Everyone was waiting in anticipation, ready for Genevieve’s reaction, and she stated calmly, “Since you all seem pretty eager to know, I will say this once and only once.” The reporters grew quiet, their cameras trained on her, waiting for her response. She glanced at the camera one more time, her eyes burning as she stared, then she took a deep breath. “I stole nothing from her. The callback took place and I did what I was told to do. About Glenn falling, it was an accident. That's all.” Genevieve finished coldly. “So are the rumors of you begging Director James to be the one sent for the callback after injuring Glenn is not true?” “I have spoken my truth. If you wish to continue spreading the lies, then so be it. But please leave me alone.” With that, Genevieve turned away from the group, approaching Noah, and he opened the back door for her, watching her enter. “I believe the rumors. She was way too defensive and cold towards us.” One reporter said. “Well, it's obvious. S
Max's eyes widened at Noah's command, but he nodded without hesitation. “Understood, sir,” he replied, already mentally preparing the necessary security measures. Noah's expression softened briefly. “Thanks, Max. Your discretion is appreciated as always.”Max offered a small, respectful nod before hurrying off to carry out his orders. Noah watched him go, a wave of hesitation washing over him.With one last glance towards the guest suite, Noah headed out of the mansion. He climbed into his car and drove towards the airport. As he navigated through the city streets, his mind raced with thoughts of the confrontation ahead.The airport was bustling with the usual activity when Noah arrived. He parked his car in a strategic location, ensuring he had a clear view of the terminal entrance. He checked his watch, noting that Hunter’s flight was due to land any minute.Noah’s phone buzzed with an incoming message. It was from one of his men, confirming that Hunter had landed and was making hi
Noah’s heart hammered in his chest as he turned back to Genevieve, her words echoing in his mind. "Hunter... why do I feel like I’ve heard that name before?" “What do you mean, Genevieve?” Noah asked, his voice low but urgent. He took a step closer, his eyes searching hers for any hint of recognition. “Have you heard about Hunter before? Do you know something?”Genevieve’s gaze flickered away, a shadow of something unreadable passing over her face. She shook her head slightly, biting her lower lip. “It’s nothing, Noah. Just... a feeling. I can’t explain it.”Noah wanted to press her, to demand answers, but he saw the resolute set of her jaw and knew she wouldn’t budge. He let out a frustrated sigh but didn’t push further. “Alright,” he said softly, his tone gentler now. “But if you remember anything, anything at all, promise me you’ll tell me. This guy has been tailing you from since I can remember, and his coming here can not be a coincident.”She nodded, her eyes meeting his with a
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the city, Noah made his way through the bustling streets toward Genevieve's hotel. He had donned a simple disguise—a pair of dark glasses, a baseball cap pulled low over his forehead, and a scarf wrapped around the lower half of his face—enough to conceal his identity from casual observers.Arriving at the hotel, Noah hesitated for a moment before steeling himself and striding purposefully toward the entrance. The lobby was dimly lit, the soft murmur of conversation blending with the gentle hum of the air conditioning. Noah kept his head down, avoiding eye contact as he made his way to the elevator.Pressing the button for Genevieve's floor, Noah felt a surge of nervous energy coursing through him. When he reached her floor, Noah stepped out into the hallway and made his way to her door. He hesitated for a moment, his hand hovering over the handle before finally summoning the courage to knock.The sound echoed through t
Hunter’s heart pounded in his chest as he dashed out of the office, the echo of his boss's enraged voice still ringing in his ears. He fumbled with his phone, nearly dropping it as he opened the travel app to book a flight. His fingers moved frantically across the screen, selecting the earliest available departure."Please, please, please..." he muttered under his breath, watching the spinning wheel of the app processing his request. Finally, the confirmation screen appeared. "Yes!" he whispered, relief flooding through him as he saw the details: a flight to the city where Genevieve's production was taking place, leaving in two hours.Hunter grabbed his coat and briefcase, racing down the hall toward the exit. He pushed through the revolving doors and into the bustling street, hailing a cab with a frantic wave. A yellow taxi screeched to a halt beside him, and he jumped in."To the airport, please! As fast as you can!" he instructed the driver, his voice breathless.The driver nodded
Glenn reluctantly reached for her phone, her fingers trembling slightly as she dialed Mrs. Stark's number. Each ring felt like an eternity, the weight of her mother's expectations bearing down on her with every passing second."Hello, Glenn. What can I do for you?" Mrs. Stark's voice was calm and professional, but there was an underlying tension that Glenn couldn't ignore."Mrs. Stark, it's me, Glenn. I... I wanted to talk to you about the situation with FoxZ and... and the role," Glenn stammered, her words faltering as she struggled to find the right way to phrase her request.There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before Mrs. Stark responded, her tone cautious. "I understand, Glenn. Believe me, I wish there was more I could do to help. But given the circumstances..."Glenn's heart sank at Mrs. Stark's words, the reality of her situation crashing down on her with brutal force. "So, there's no chance of me getting back on the cast? Not even in a different production or wi
The plane ride back home felt like an eternity for Glenn. She sat in her seat, staring out the window, lost in thought. She couldn't shake off the events of the past few days—the confrontation with Noah, and the humiliation at the resort.As the plane landed and the passengers began to disembark, Glenn gathered her belongings and made her way through the airport. She hailed a cab and settled in for the ride home. The familiar sights of her town passing by felt both comforting and suffocating. She couldn't wait to be back in her own space, away from prying eyes and judgmental whispers.When she arrived home, she was relieved to find the house empty except for the maid."Young Miss, you are here?" the maid asked, her voice filled with surprise and concern.Glenn's mood, already sour from her encounter with her mother, turned even darker. She snapped at the maid, her words sharp and biting. "Of course, I'm here. Where else would I be?"The maid flinched at Glenn's tone, taken aback by her
As Noah and Rhodes sauntered away from the pool area, the tension hung thick around them, akin to the lingering resonance of an unresolved chord in a somber melody. Each step seemed weighed down by the weight of the confrontation they had just left behind.Rhodes's phone vibrated in his pocket, disrupting the heavy silence. Hastily retrieving it, he checked the caller ID before answering, his voice pitched low, betraying the gravity of the situation."Hello?" Rhodes's response was clipped, betraying a sense of urgency."Rhodes, it's Smith. We've got the footage," came the voice on the other end, crisp and professional.Rhodes's brows shot up in surprise. "Everything?""Yeah, our guy was in the right place at the right time. We've got everything, clear as day," Smith replied confidently.Rhodes nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. "Alright, send it over."Ending the call, Rhodes turned towards Noah, a mix of curiosity and caution etched across his features. "Boss, what's the pla
For the longest, Rhodes stood outside Noah's hotel room, his knuckles hovering over the door, hesitating for a moment before he finally knocked. The door opened, revealing Noah, who was dressed in a simple white wrinkled t-shirt and faded jeans, a stark contrast to his usual sharp suits. With a faint smile, Rhodes raised an eyebrow, surprised by Noah's attire. "Boss, you're looking... casual," he remarked, a hint of amusement in his voice. Noah chuckled, stepping aside to let Rhodes in. "I figured we're going incognito today. Can't have anyone recognizing us," he said, closing the door behind Rhodes. "Is everything ready?" Noah asked, getting straight to the point. Locking eyes with his sudden dark ones, Rhodes nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, boss. The arrangements have been made. We're all set." Noah leaned back, a thoughtful look on his face. "Good. I want everything to go smoothly today." Rhodes nodded again, understanding the importance of the task at hand. "Don't wo
The morning sun filters through the curtains, casting a warm glow over Glenn's room. She wakes up to the insistent ringing of her phone.Groaning, she reaches over and sees her mother's name flashing on the screen. She debates letting it go to voicemail but knows her mother won't give up easily.Reluctantly, Glenn answers. "Hello?""Glenn, finally!" Mrs. Carrell's voice is sharp, cutting through the early morning calm. "I've been calling and calling. Why haven't you been answering?"Glenn rubs her eyes, trying to wake up fully. "Sorry, Mom. I was sleeping. What's up?""What's up? What's up is that I just saw the news. Genevieve is still leading the production, and you're nowhere to be seen. What have you been doing all this time?"Glenn sighs, already feeling the weight of her mother's disappointment. "I'm handling it, Mom. Don't worry.""Handling it? For three months, Glenn! You keep saying the same thing, but nothing changes. I'm starting to think you don't know what you're doing."