Ryker hadn''t been spoken to in such a tone in years, especially by a minor actress. He gave Le a dispassionate nce before carefully lowering his head to inspect the camera again.


    This wasn''t his first time noticing it. From the moment L had brought out this camera on her first day here, he had been itching to take a closer look.


    Now that he had the chance, he examined it thoroughly, noting the unfortunate chipped corner-a pity, but it didn''t significantly impact the camera''s value. It truly was an excellent piece of equipment.


    Someone in the crowd who was eager to see L get embarrassed couldn''t help but ask, "Mr. Workman, how is it?"


    It was strange how people with no prior grievance against someone could find satisfaction in their misfortune. They derived an odd sense of superiority from stepping on others when they were down.


    L nced at the person who had spoken. Her calm and fleeting gaze made them ufortable. The words they were about to say to stir things up were caught in their throats, and they quickly swallowed them down.


    Wasn''t she supposed to have a soft personality? Her look wasn''t aggressive, yet the cold indifference left a chill in the air.


    Ryker handed the camera back to L. "The 500 thousand L mentioned is already the lowestpensation amount."


    Le let out a shrill scream. "That''s impossible!"


    She sounded like a squawking chicken.


    "If it were me," he said, sweeping his gaze across the crowd, "I would start thepensation at 700 thousand."


    She froze. The onlookers, who had been eagerly anticipating drama, were also stunned.


    "How is that even possible?"


    "She has that kind of money?"


    "700 thousand? L actually asked for 200 thousand less!"


    The whispers grew louder. The mocking disdain earlier had now turned into envy and admiration.


    L''s expression remained calm as if used to this fickle attitude shift.


    The person who had been the most vocal in stirring things up was now bewildered. This individual worked for Zara''spany and had a close rtionship with her. The role she had was secured through Zara and a connection to Dorian.


    Lately, he had been signaling that he no longer cared about L''s well-being. The underlying message was clear—anyone could give L a hard time, and it wouldn''t matter.


    So, when themotion started, this person quickly informed Oliver. When Dorian didn''t show up to intervene, the implication was that L could be humiliated without consequences.


    This emboldened her to join the taunting, hoping it might earn Dorian''s favor.


    However, things were taking a strange turn. How could L afford such a high-end camera?


    Quietly, she stepped out of the crowd and contacted Zara to report what was happening.


    Meanwhile, Le''s face had gone deathly pale. After a long moment, she gritted her teeth and said, "This is impossible! You''re all working together to scam me. It''s because of my tone earlier, isn''t it?"


    Ryker frowned. "I''m not particrly close to either you or L. What would I gain from helping her deceive you?"


    "But you said earlier you hadn''t seen the lens before. How can something you''ve never seen be worth that much? It''s probably worthless junk!" she shouted, disregarding herposure.


    He shook his head. "This brand is a custom model. I simply haven''t encountered it before."


    "That''s nonsense! You''re all liars! This is extortion! I''m calling the police!"


    Her outburst finally prompted Leonard, who had remained silent, to speak, "You broke the item, and L asked you beforehand if you could afford topensate for it. Now, you''re trying to back out and even want to call the police?"


    His words made her pause, and a trace of rationality crept back in. She was a long-struggling minor actress whosepany didn''t value her. This supporting role was hard-won, and she could not afford to offend Leonard.


    "I..."


    But Zara wouldn''t be happy if she failed to handle this situation. There was no way Zara would help her financially.


    What could she do now? Le met Leonard''s icy re, her scalp tingling with fear.


    "I... I''ll pay," she stammered.


    But with what money? She didn''t have it. Even after filming this entire project, her earnings wouldn''t amount to 500 thousand.


    "How do you n to pay? Bank transfer or cash?" L asked calmly, fully aware that Le couldn''t afford it. She had no intention of creating unnecessary enemies, but she wouldn''t let anyone push her around.


    Tears welled up in Le''s eyes. Her teeth clenched as she abruptly dropped to her knees with a loud thud.


    The weight of the crowd''s gaze felt like sharp des slicing into her skin. All this humiliation-she med it entirely on L.