Terry genuinely looked troubled, and L''s guard eased ever so slightly.


    "You haven''t pursued directing much in the past few years, but the short films you''ve directed have gotten good feedback. Plus, you''ve got Taylor Foster and Samuel Grant backing you up, so there''s no question about your ability."


    "But I can''t offer you the same deal that Mr. Grant could. Honestly, I''m asking for a favor here. Don''t feel pressured. I understand that everyone works for money. Just think it over. I''m still looking for investors, and you have some time until you wrap things up. I''ll leave the script with you. If you''re interested, please leave me a message."


    "Oh, you have two new actors under you, right? If you see roles that suit them, we can arrange something. But as for the lead roles... Well, they''re both neers, So...


    His words stopped there. L watched him nervously scratch his head, yet his words and expression seemed sincere.


    After a moment''s hesitation, L said, "I''ll take a look at the script. If it''s suitable, I''ll let you know."


    As if remembering something, she added, "But whether this works out or not, it''s between us. No one else."


    Terryughed heartily. "Fair enough! You''re doing me a huge favor here. Once I stand on my own two feet, I''ll help you boost those neers to stardom. We''ll make it big together. How about it?"


    L''s eyes lingered on his face, looking for any sign of dishonesty, but she couldn''t find any.


    After a brief pause, she smiled and said, "Then I''ll thank you in advance on their behalf, Mr. Jones."


    Her gaze waspassionate, her skin fair with a mild blush, and her lips were naturally pink. Her delicate, oval face brightened up with a smile that was both beautiful and appealing.


    Terry had always known she was beautiful, but seeing her up close like this still caught him off guard. For a moment, he nearly lost hisposure.


    Realizing he was distracted, his heart skipped a beat. He instinctively looked toward a ck car parked in the distance.


    L attempted to follow his gaze, but Terry instantly turned away and pretended to look unconcerned.


    "Take your time with the script. If you''re good to go, we''ll talk further after you''re finished with your current project. I must hurry back to meet an investor in the city this afternoon."


    L nodded, watching his car drive off. Only then did she look down at the script in her hands.


    Meanwhile, Terry''s car had just turned the corner and stopped by the roadside. He waited for the ck car to approach before stepping out.


    Dorian was the first to step out, impably dressed in a tailored suit, his hair neatly styled, looking worlds apart from the disheveled mess he had been just a few days ago.


    Terry was about to speak when he noticed someone step out from the passenger side. He froze at the sight.


    "Ter," Zara called, her hair half-tied with her wless makeup. Her usual sweet smile concealed any trace of the struggles she''d recently faced in her career.


    Terry frowned deeply, ignoring herpletely as he shifted his intense gaze toward Dorian.


    He had gone out of his way to help Dorian, but now he was seeing him side by side with the one who had caused all the trouble in the first ce.


    "I"


    Dorian had barely started speaking before Terry cut him off with a punch.


    "You really are a piece of work, aren''t you? I''ll have you know, everything that''s happening to you right now... you deserve all of it!"


    Terry, who was usually calm and collected, threw punches and insults without hesitation.


    "Are you crazy? How can you just hit someone like that?" Zara rushed over to help. Seeing Dorian''s swollen face and blood dripping from the corner of his mouth, she was on the verge of tears.


    "You"


    Dorian stopped her, his gaze darkening and steady as he asked, "I saw L ept the script. Does she know it''s from me? What did she say to you?"