She choked on her anger but kept quiet, knowing that any reaction would only confirm her status as a parachuted cast member and embarrass herself further.


    Her re shifted to Wesley, her annoyance palpable, though she remained silent to avoid drawing more attention to her situation.


    Wesley nced at Emily, the arrogant woman, confused by her sudden anger.


    Blinking in mild bewilderment, he shrugged it off and pressed on.


    "Emily, we can’t let just anyone push us around just because they have connections or capital backing them," he said, his words pointedly including Zen in the usation.


    Although he didn’t dare address Xavier directly, the subtle undertone made it clear that his remark extended to him as well.


    Wesley’s resentment was palpable. Losing the lead role to Xavier had been a bitter pill to swallow.


    With Xavier’s arrival, Wesley had been unceremoniously sidelined to the second male lead—a ring reminder of the power imbnce that he couldn’t overlook.


    "Some dogs just can’t help but bark, can they?" Zen said with a casual shrug, his tone dripping with disdain.


    Turning his attention back to Hera and Xavier, he deliberately ignored Alice, Wesley, Emily, and their group.


    Zen had no intention of wasting his time or energy on people like them.


    Engaging further would only drag him down, and frankly, he didn’t see the point of giving them even a second more of his attention.


    But that single word was enough to offend several people at once. Both Emily and Wesley gritted their teeth in frustration.


    "Zen! Who do you think you are, huh?" Wesley growled, his face twisted with anger.


    "Just because you have a backer, you think you can do whatever you want here? Don’t forget—you’re still just the third male lead, not someone important! Do you really think offending so many people at once will do you any good?"


    Wesley’s re was sharp, his barely contained rage simmering beneath the surface. He had never felt this humiliated before, and Zen’s audacity had clearly struck a nerve.


    Zen turned to Wesley with a smug expression, his confidence practically radiating off him.


    "Oh? And what exactly can you do to me?" he said, his tone dripping with mockery.


    "If you’re aspetent and impressive as you im, why don’t you try getting me kicked off the production team?"


    The challenge hung in the air, daring Wesley to respond. Zen’s disdain was clear in the way he looked at him—like a clown performing for an unimpressed audience.


    Meanwhile, Hera and Xavier remained silent, but their calm, unbothered demeanor spoke volumes.


    Their unspoken support for Zen was evident, leaving Wesley to stew in his growing frustration.


    "Enough!" Emily roared, her voice sharp andmanding, like an angry bull ready to charge.


    Her re bore into Wesley, silently demanding he stand down.


    Though arrogant by nature, Emily wasn’t entirely foolish.


    She recognized the precarious position Wesley was putting them in.


    Picking a fight with Zen and Xavier’s group was a dangerous gamble—both men were influential figures who could crush their opponents with little effort if they wished.


    While Emily enjoyed wielding her own authority, she wasn’t reckless enough to openly oppose such powerful individuals.


    The problem, however, was Wesley.


    His actions reflected poorly on her, especially since they were in the same circle.


    By aligning herself with him, his reckless behavior risked dragging her into enmity with Zen and Xavier—a battle she knew they couldn’t win.


    "We have more important things to do than waste time bickering here. Why don’t you focus on polishing your script instead?" Emily said sharply.


    For once, her words carried some merit, though even she failed to realize it.


    She was simply trying to defuse the tension and extract herself from an increasingly awkward situation.


    Emily knew better than to let herself be dragged further into petty disputes.


    After all, she hadn’t risen to her current position—or maintained the favor of a powerful backer in the industry—without ying her cards wisely.


    She understood that a single misstep could undo years of careful effort and nning. Allowing a trivial squabble to jeopardize her standing was a risk she wasn’t willing to take.


    After being reprimanded, Wesley begrudgingly backed down, though the hatred in his eyes remained.


    His gaze lingered on Zen and, more intensely, on Xavier.


    Wesley couldn’t suppress the resentment simmering within him—resentment born from always being overshadowed by Xavier.


    No matter where he went, Xavier’s presence inevitably relegated Wesley to the sidelines, reducing him to little more than a supporting role—a mere foil to highlight Xavier’s brilliance.


    Wesley had always tried his best to be noticed and liked, working hard to integrate himself into various groups, hoping others would choose him over Xavier.


    He longed for the validation that came with being selected, the role he felt he deserved.


    But no matter how much effort he put in, reality always mocked him.


    Just when he thought the tide had turned in his favor, that others preferred him over Xavier, Xavier would stille out on top—securing the role effortlessly.


    It felt like a cruel joke, and Wesley couldn’t shake the feeling that it was all unfair.


    His hard work seemed irrelevant in the face of Xavier’s influence and power.


    He believed Xavier used his status to bully his way into getting what he wanted, leaving Wesley to scavenge for the scraps.


    To him, it was as if he was a beggar, forced to fight for the leftovers.


    What Wesley failed to realize and ept was the stark difference between those who were truly exalted—people like Xavier, who were gifted with unparalleled talent, charisma, and looks that could captivate anyone at a moment’s notice.


    Competing against someone like him was like throwing an egg at a boulder—no matter how hard he tried, he would only end up breaking himself.


    Wesley’s efforts were futile, as he was simply not on the same level, and his stubbornness would only lead to his own downfall.


    Xavier didn’t achieve his position through the power or influence of others, and certainly not through his family.


    He had left his family’s reach toe to this city, determined to make a name for himself in the entertainment industry while concealing his true identity.


    If he had sought quick sess, he could have easily used his family’s influence to secure everything he wanted without lifting a finger.


    But that wasn’t his way.


    He fought for everything he had, relying on his own talent, hard work, and sheer determination.


    Beyond his relentless effort, Xavier was also incredibly gifted in acting, with a natural stage presence that set him apart.


    No matter how hard Wesley tried to outdo Xavier, he would only end up sabotaging himself and undermining his own aplishments.


    After all, it’s absurd for a quail topare itself to an ostrich.


    Even Hera, observing from the sidelines, could see the raw envy and hatred Wesley harbored for Xavier.


    She had encountered many people like him—those who failed to recognize their own limitations and insisted onpeting in areas where they didn’t belong.


    These types were always the first to stir up trouble.


    Alice, knowing this well, was cleverly using Wesley’s jealousy to her advantage, pushing him to confront Xavier, and even coaxing Emily to challenge Hera.


    Fortunately, Emily, notcking the foresight, quickly retreated from the confrontation.


    But Wesley? He was too blinded by his own emotions to step back and see the bigger picture.


    Realizing the situation was quickly spiraling, Alice immediately stepped in, putting on a fa?ade of concern for the team’s harmony.


    "Everyone, let’s not make things difficult for each other. After all, we’re all colleagues now." She shed a sweet, practiced smile at the group.


    "Ha! How pretentious," Zen said, his voice cutting through the room, loud enough for everyone to hear.


    It was as if he’d pped Alice’s face,pletely undermining her attempt to smooth over the tension.


    Hera lowered her head, struggling to suppress herughter as she watched Alice’s face shift through several shades of color in mere seconds.


    The mix of emotions was clear—frustration, embarrassment, and perhaps a hint of shame—as Zenpletely disregarded her, consistently making sure to expose her white lotus tactics whenever she tried to y them in front of him.