Chapter 4 You'll See Once You're In

By three o'clock in the afternoon, the Sunrise Club had already transformed into a hive of decadence and indulgence.

As Lena approached the entrance, Johnny rushed up to her, urgency in his voice. "Lena, the room is filled with key players from the investment world. Impress even one, and the assistant director role is yours!"

Lena's eyes sparkled with motivation, yet she approached the situation with caution. "Who's inside?" she inquired.

Johnny avoided eye contact with her, replying, "You'll see once you're in."

Lena proceeded inside without further questions. As she entered, her gaze immediately landed on a familiar figure, causing her to stop dead in her tracks.

It was Collin.

Perplexed by his presence, she noted him reclining in a corner, a glass of red wine in hand, mostly shrouded in shadows yet exuding an unmistakable air of nobility.

Lena's expression grew tense at the sight.

Meanwhile, Collin appeared aloof, elegantly drinking his wine without acknowledging her.

"Lena... Lena!" Distracted, Lena felt someone bump her arm. Regaining focus, she turned to see Johnny, who was frantically winking at her. "What are you waiting for? Go and serve Mr. Wallace a drink!" he whispered sharply.

Lena quickly shifted her gaze from Collin to Josh Wallace, who was ogling her unsettlingly.

Her forced smile quickly disappeared.

It was common knowledge among the crew that Josh had inappropriate thoughts about her. Despite Roderick having shielded her from Josh's advances, Josh remained undeterred.

The thought of Roderick saddened Lena deeply.

Timothy Higgins, another producer, handed her a bottle of red wine and nudged her forward. "Hurry up, Mr. Wallace is waiting! He's alone tonight, so you'll have to keep him entertained."

When she heard this, Lena's expression immediately hardened.

"Timothy, I'm not feeling well. Please find someone else to entertain Mr. Wallace." With that, she set the wine and glasses on a table and made to leave.

Lena hadn't known Josh was the sponsor tonight, nor had she anticipated Collin's presence.

Her eyes unwillingly drifted back to Collin, who remained coolly detached, sipping his wine.

Before she could reflect further, Timothy seized her arm. "Lena, what are you doing? Don't you want the assistant director job?"

"I-" Lena started to reply, but was cut off.

"Hey, Timothy, ease up," Josh interjected as he grabbed Lena's arm, his bulky frame imposing and intentions overt. "Assistant director? Lena, just say yes and join me tonight, and I'll back the project. You'll get the assistant director spot, and I can even secure the lead role for you. No one will dare object."

Lena quickly sidestepped his hand and attempted to wriggle free from his grasp, her actions tinged with panic. "Mr. Wallace, please conduct yourself properly!" she implored.

Josh's face flushed with humiliation at her resistance. In a low, threatening tone, he warned, "Lena, you should grasp the reality of your position while I'm still maintaining some courtesy. From the moment you walked in here tonight, you should see this coming. Do you think you're still the favorite under Roderick Barton's protection?"