Chapter 10 No.10

Seraphina's POV

So, Nathaniel had already agreed.

I couldn't help but feel a bitter sense of amusement.

Because of Isolde, Nathaniel had interfered with V&R time and time again.

Because of Isolde, Nathaniel had disrupted all my plans and left me to clean up the mess.

The marketing campaign I had worked so hard to prepare was now nothing but wasted effort, all because of the change in the spokesperson. He couldn't see how much work I had put into keeping everything on track.

All he cared about was keeping Isolde happy.

As for whether things would become complicated, well, that was my problem.

Why would he care?

Ophelia was fuming, utterly frustrated with Cassandra. Stepping out of the makeup room, she muttered, "After all these years in this business, working with so many stars, I've never met someone so shameless. She's acting like a total diva and still expects to keep her dignity? Disgusting."

Ophelia was a renowned makeup artist in the industry, having worked with many famous actors and actresses.

Aurelia, who had witnessed the whole scene, stepped in to comfort Ophelia. "Don't let her get to you. We need to figure out what to do next. If she's being stubborn about her makeup, we might have to change the entire shoot plan."

Ophelia turned to me and asked, "Seraphina, what are you going to do about this?"

"You two go wait in the lounge. I'll make a call and we can talk when I get back."

I walked to a quiet corner of the studio and took out my phone, dialing Nathaniel's number.

It didn't take long for the call to connect. Nathaniel's steady voice came through the receiver. "Seraphina."

"It's me, Nathaniel. Did you agree to let Ms. Isolde use her own makeup artist today?"

Nathaniel paused before replying, "Yes, why?"

"Today's shoot plan was confirmed with the makeup artist, photographer, and props team. Her makeup completely clashes with the shoot's concept, and she's refusing to change it. She's even threatening to pull out of the collaboration if she doesn't get her way. I'm worried this could affect the final result of the ad."

After I finished speaking, Nathaniel went silent.

I held onto a faint hope that Nathaniel would revoke the freedom he'd given Isolde regarding her makeup.

Before Isolde returned to the Silvermoon Crest Pack, I had always believed that Nathaniel was a serious, rational, and meticulous man when it came to work. Just like when I made mistakes at the company or on set, Nathaniel would never show me any leniency or pity.

But since Isolde came back, everything seemed to have changed. Nathaniel now acted like someone who could play favorites at work-and the person he was favoring wasn't me, it was Isolde.

That realization hit me like a punch to the gut. Nathaniel wasn't the man I thought he was.

Then I heard Nathaniel's voice, cold and dismissive. "Isolde isn't like that. What good would ending the collaboration do her? And by the way, I still haven't heard your explanation-why wasn't yesterday's shoot carried out as scheduled, and why wasn't Isolde informed?"

I felt a sharp, suffocating sensation in my chest. He didn't believe me.

"Why are you silent?" Nathaniel took my silence as guilt. "Seraphina, I'm disappointed in you. Yesterday, Isolde didn't say a single bad word about you; she even defended you. And what about you?"

Nathaniel's words sent a chill through me.

My fingers trembled around the phone, and I couldn't stop myself from holding my breath. My mind went blank, my mouth went dry, and I couldn't find the words to respond.

I felt like a coward, unable to face him any longer. Panicking, I ended the call abruptly.

Click.

My fingers were shaking too much, and the phone slipped from my hand. It hit the ground with a sharp thud.

I stood frozen, staring at the phone on the ground for what felt like an eternity before slowly crouching down to pick it up.

Seraphina, stop humiliating yourself.

From the very beginning, Nathaniel's heart had always belonged to Isolde. He would never choose me.

Yesterday's incident-if Nathaniel truly wanted to know the truth, he could easily have someone investigate. But instead, he chose to trust Isolde's words.

Is this what they mean by a man's unforgettable first love?

...

"Director Seraphina, Miss Ophelia and Miss Aurelia are still waiting for you in the lounge."

Elowen, noticing my dazed state, approached cautiously and reminded me.

"Okay, I know," I replied, immediately collecting myself and walking briskly toward the lounge.

"Well? What did CEO Blackwood say?" Ophelia asked the moment I entered.

Aurelia looked at me expectantly.

I shook my head.

Aurelia sighed.

Ophelia muttered, "I never imagined CEO Blackwood would be like this."

"Then what now..." Aurelia trailed off.

"I'll talk to them, see if we can make some slight adjustments and possibly use additional props. Aurelia, you'll need to keep an eye on the post-production. I've got a rough idea now, and I'll send you a sample image tonight." I explained.

"Alright," Aurelia replied.

I went back to the makeup room to go over the details with Isolde's team, making small adjustments to the current look.

I was starting to feel impatient, but as V&R's head, I had to take responsibility for my work.

If the endorsement didn't go well, it would reflect poorly on me as V&R's director.

After a long, busy day, the shooting finally ended.

I looked out the window and saw that it had already grown dark.

Stretching, I grabbed my car keys and headed for the parking lot.

"Seraphina."

Just as I reached the open parking lot, I suddenly heard someone call my name.

I turned around, surprised, and smiled. "Lucian, the big star! Long time no see! What are you doing here? Didn't you move to the Obsidian Rose Pack?"

Lucian grinned and walked toward me. "I thought I was seeing things for a second. It really is you. I'm actually shooting a magazine cover these days. Are you just finishing work this late?"

"Yeah, work's been a bit hectic."

"Is this for the V&R endorsement? I saw it in the news."

"Yep, that's right. What about you? After your cover shoot, do you have more work lined up?"

"No, I'm taking a break. I've been working nonstop lately, so now's the perfect time to rest. Come on, I'm free tonight-let me treat you to dinner. Since I moved closer to my parents, we haven't had a chance to catch up."

I thought for a moment before replying, "Sure, that sounds good. I've been meaning to ask how Uncle and Aunt are doing these days."

Lucian stepped forward and gently removed a dry leaf that had gotten caught in my hair. His gaze softened as he spoke. "My parents are doing well, as always. We moved a few years ago. When you have time, come visit us at the Obsidian Rose Pack. They miss you."

"Alright, once I finish up this busy period, I'll definitely come by and visit them," I said, smiling.

As we waited for the driver, I chatted with Lucian a little more, asking if he had any new acting projects.

Lucian Thornhart and I go way back to our childhood. I was 7, he was 9.

At that time, my parents were still alive, and he was my neighbor. I used to follow him around like a shadow-we'd climb trees, go on adventures in the mountains, watch the stars and the moon together. He used to say that when he grew up, he wanted to be a big star.

Thinking back on those days with Lucian felt like it was just yesterday.

When I was 13, Lucian's grandfather passed on the Obsidian Rose Pack business to his parents, and they moved there. Over the next few years, I didn't see Lucian again, until he became a rising star in the entertainment industry. I recognized him immediately when I saw him on TV. Last year, we officially reunited during a project we worked on together.

When we learned that both our parents had passed away on that fateful night, Lucian was deeply saddened and even visited their graves to pay his respects.

But both of our careers kept us busy, and the last time we saw each other was about a year ago.

Across the street, inside a black Porsche, Nathaniel casually glanced over at the two figures in the open-air parking lot, narrowing his eyes as he focused on them.

That must be the person Seraphina likes, he thought.

Even from this distance, he could see the smile that spread across Seraphina's face.

The atmosphere inside the car grew strangely quiet.

Rowan glanced at Nathaniel through the rearview mirror and followed his gaze toward the window. His eyes widened. Wasn't that Luna Seraphina?

Who was the man beside her?

The man wore a baseball cap and a mask, and he was inside a studio. He must be some kind of celebrity, right?

It seemed like Luna and the man were close.

Rowan spoke softly, "Alpha, should we go over?"

Nathaniel didn't respond, but gave a slight nod.

Rowan couldn't quite figure out what he meant.

"Drive to the studio entrance," Nathaniel ordered.

If they drove to the studio entrance, wouldn't Luna see them?

Rowan hesitated, but Nathaniel's word was law, so he drove toward the entrance.

Just then, Lucian lifted his chin and asked, "Isn't that your mate, Alpha Nathaniel?"

I followed his gaze and saw a black Cayenne parked outside the studio. The license plate number matched Nathaniel's regular car.

But standing in front of it was Isolde.

Nathaniel had stepped out of the car, and after exchanging a few words with Isolde, she beamed with a bright smile.

Then Nathaniel moved to the other side of the car, opening the door for Isolde. With a gentlemanly gesture, he shielded the roof with his palm as she climbed in, before making his way around to the back seat.

The car drove off.

He had come specifically to pick up Isolde.

A bitter ache twisted in my chest.

Lucian, looking slightly confused, turned to me. "What's going on? Did you two have a fight? I swear that woman looked like Isolde. Didn't she go to the Golden Crescent Pack? Our company just partnered with Silvermoon Corp. and its subsidiary, Starfield Studios, on a film project. I heard the female lead is Isolde. Looks like she's rejoined the Silvermoon Crest Pack, huh?"

I forced a smile, but my fist, hidden in my sleeve, was already clenched tightly, the nails digging into my palm, leaving crescent-shaped indentations in my skin.

The weight in my chest felt suffocating. I hadn't known, but Nathaniel had already done so much for Isolde without my knowledge.

"We should eat. I'm starving," I said, quickly changing the subject.

"Well then, let's get in the car," Lucian replied.

At the restaurant Lucian had chosen, he'd booked a private room.

He opened the menu and placed it in front of me. "Order whatever you like. It's on me."

Seraphina grabbed the menu too and ordered a few of her favorite dishes.

Lucian glanced at my order and then looked up at me. "I remember you love their croissants. Why didn't you order any?"

Without missing a beat, Lucian added croissants to the list.

The dishes were brought to the table in succession.

During the meal, I excused myself to use the restroom. On my way back down the hallway, I suddenly heard someone call my name.

"Seraphina?"

I turned to see a man smiling faintly at me. He was one of our werewolf allies, the son of the old Beta. After my father passed, his father had taken over the position. We grew up together, but I didn't like him. He had never supported me and Nathaniel becoming mates, and his relationship with Isolde was far closer than with me. He was more supportive of Isolde than me.

"Griffin Steelhart," I said coldly.

"Luna Seraphina! It's really you! Fancy seeing you here. Alpha Nathaniel is in the room over there. Want to stop by and say hello?" Griffin gestured toward the nearby private room.

I glanced over, my mind drifting back to the scene at the studio entrance.

If Nathaniel was there... did that mean Isolde was too?

As I hesitated, Griffin had already started walking toward the room.

I had no choice but to follow.

I took a deep breath, trying to stay composed.

Griffin pushed open the door to the private room, where the conversation inside was lively.

I stood at the door, casually scanning the room, and immediately spotted Nathaniel sitting in the middle of the sofa with Isolde beside him.

Nathaniel had slightly tilted his head toward Isolde, listening to whatever she was whispering in his ear. A faint, gentle smile played on his lips.

Isolde had linked her arm through his, her posture intimate, and then suddenly kissed him on the cheek.

Nathaniel froze, clearly startled.

Just then, I heard Griffin's voice from the door. "Alpha Nathaniel. Look who's here!"