<h4>Chapter 128: Be My Model</h4>


    Natalie arrived at the studio where Victor’s photoshoot for thetest perfumeunch was supposed to take ce. The moment she stepped inside, she could feel the tense atmosphere—everyone had strained expressions as if they were walking on eggshells.


    A superstar was causing trouble, and no one seemed able to make him cooperate.


    "What’s going on here?" Natalie’s cold voice cut through the tension like a knife.


    E immediately rushed over to her, relief written all over her face. "Thank goodness you’re here, Ms. Natalie. Only you can handle this."


    Natalie frowned and made her way to the lounge, where Victor was lounging on a couch, engrossed in a game on his phone.


    "Victor, what’s wrong with you?" she asked, irritation clear in her voice.


    He continued ying, not bothering to look up at her. "You already know the answer."


    "You’ve wasted hours with these pointless demands of yours."


    "Creating a favorable atmosphere for artists should be apany’s top priority if they want to ensure better performance," he said, his tone serious, as if <i>she</i> had done something wrong. "But you failed to provide that, Natalie."


    "What’s wrong with the working atmosphere here? This is one of the best studios around. Everyone here is practically bending over backwards to amodate you and keep you happy."


    "Not <i>everyone</i>," he interrupted sharply.


    "Who caused you difort then?"


    "You," he said finally, his gaze lifting to meet hers. "Your presence is what makes everything perfect for me. But despite me telling you to be here, you neglected your responsibility towards me. You failed to do what you promised, so I’m not obligated to fulfill yourpany’s demands either."


    "Are you serious right now?" she asked, incredulous. "I never agreed—"


    "I’ve already epted it," he interrupted again. "If you don’tply, I won’t work. You can sue me for breaching the contract if you want. But what’s mine is already yours, so you can take it—everything, including me."


    She gritted her teeth. "Not once in my life have I ever regretted helping someone... but how I wish I’d left you to die back in that pit."


    Victor smirked, his eyes glinting with amusement. "If you had, you wouldn’t have an artist named Victor Reid to help you pull your strugglingpany out of the mud. Go ahead, try hiring someone else. I’m sure they’re all lining up to lick Sephina Ford’s boots."


    Natalie clenched her fists. She knew he had her cornered. There were no alternatives at the moment, and he was well aware of it. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to calm down before speaking.


    "Alright, I’m here now. Let’s get to work."


    He finally smiled, satisfaction written all over his face. "That’s a good girl."


    Victor stood up, and his manager, Ron, let out a breath of relief he’d been holding.


    When they moved to the shooting area, the tension in the room seemed to ease, but just as they were about to get started, another issue arose.


    "Ms. Natalie, the model we hired to pair with Victor has already left," E reported.


    "Left?" Natalie’s frustration red again.


    "She had another assignment and decided to leave. We can try contacting other top models. I’m sure, knowing they’d be working with Victor, anyone would jump at the chance," E suggested.


    "There’s no need to contact anyone else," Victor interjected smoothly. "We already have the perfect one here—the only one I’ll work with."


    E looked around, confused, while Natalie frowned, wondering what another reckless demand he had now.


    "Who?" E asked hesitantly.


    "Natalie Ford," Victor dered, his gaze locking onto her. "She’s the model I want."


    "Have you lost your mind, or are you taking this promotional shoot and product for granted?" Natalie eximed, her voice filled with frustration.


    Everyone in the studio froze, stunned that someone dared to speak to Victor, a superstar, in such a manner.


    "You’re the most beautiful woman here and the only one who suits me perfectly," he retorted confidently. "Either it’s you, or no one."


    The atmosphere turned tense, as the two important figures were being stubborn. The shooting crew waited to see who would win.


    "Do you even understand what this product is about?" Natalie’s voice rose with impatience. "It’s a perfume called <i>The Spark of True Love</i>. If customers see <i>me</i> in the promotional pictures—a woman they think of as disloyal and unworthy of anything rted to love—do you really think they’ll buy it? It would fail before it evenunches! Do you get it now? Anyone can be in the pictures—<i>anyone but me</i>."


    Everyone was left stunned at the way this woman spoke having been aware of her reality.


    Victor, however, seemed unfazed. "No one but you is suitable for this. They don’t know the real you, but I do. Not marrying that fool Ivan Brown was the best decision you ever made. That’s not being disloyal or unworthy—in fact, <i>he</i> was the one who was never worthy of you." His voice was steady, and his gaze sincere as he looked at her.


    Natalie was momentarily speechless, caught off-guard by his words.


    "Actually, it’s not a bad idea to go along with Victor’s suggestion," a calm voice interjected, drawing everyone’s attention.


    They turned to see one of the well-known photographers, Theo Wells—a tall, slender man with shoulder-length, perfectly styled ash-brown hair. He wore an off-white henley shirt and tapered chinos paired with white sneakers, giving him an artistic yet casual and charming appearance.


    Theo nced at Natalie, his voiceposed and authoritative, his expression serious. "In this photoshoot, we’re not showing the entire face of the woman. That solves your concern. It’s about capturing the <i>feeling</i> of love, not the faces. It will also save us time which we have already wasted enough."


    Natalie sighed, "Take a good look at me. I am not suitable to be a model for this and I don’t want to mess up mypany’s first project ...."


    "I’m a photographer, and I won’t let my project be ruined either," Theo retorted sharply. "As long as you do what I say and can carry the designated clothes, everything will turn out just fine."


    "But—"


    "But—"


    "I’ve already postponed another shoot just because of Victor," Theo interrupted, his tone firm. "If there are any more dys, I’m leaving."


    Natalie felt cornered by these men. Victor turned to her, his expression calm but insistent. "Go get changed. Stop wasting everyone’s time."


    Her hands itched to strangle him. "After wasting everyone’s time yourself, you have the nerve to say that?"


    He simply offered her a mischievous smile. "We’re gettingte. Be a good girl and cooperate."


    "Ms. Natalie, this way, please," the wardrobe and makeup in-charge said hurriedly, stepping forward to guide her.


    Gritting her teeth, Natalie spun around and followed, leaving the two men behind.


    Victor nced at Theo. "You know what to do. You’re a true friend."


    "I’m doing this because she’s worth capturing," Theo retorted. "Now go get ready. You’ve already wasted more than enough of my time. If it weren’t for our friendship, I’d have kicked your stubborn ass and walked out long ago."


    Victor chuckled. "Make sure to take a few shots that include her face. For my personal collection."


    Theo paused, turning back slightly. "That’ll cost extra."


    "Whatever you ask for," Victor agreed, a satisfied smile ying on his lips.