Love Across the Light Years -The Devil CEO Indulges My Lies.

Just as Polson had expected, the investors had come to persuade him to make Camden reconsider his choice.

By the time he finally asked them to leave, exhaustion had already settled deep into his bones.

But more than fatigue—

It was a concern weighing heavily on his mind that left a visible crease between his brows.

Pulling out his phone, he instructed his secretary to have the car ready as he made his way out of the building.

Soon after —

His car pulled up in front of a low-key house nestled within a prestigious residential colony.

Stepping out, he headed straight for the door and rang the bell.

It didn’t take long before someone opened it for him.

"Is Rhodes inside?" he asked.

The person nodded and, without another second, James walked in, heading straight towards the study.

As he pushed the door open —

He saw Camden sitting behind his desk, immersed in a pile of papers.

However, at the sound of the door opening, he looked up, and their eyes met briefly.

"What brings you here?" he asked.

Instead of answering, Polson walked straight in, pulled out a chair, and sat across from him.

"Since it’s not hard to guess," he said, leaning back slightly, "why don’t you try?"

Camden glanced at him for a second before returning his attention to the script in his hand.

He gathered the papers neatly and carefully placed them inside the folder —as though handling something really precious.

"If you’re here to persuade me on their behalf, don’t bother," he said calmly. "I have already made my stance very clear from the start. I won’t change my mind."

"You think I came to persuade you for them?" James asked, his brows furrowing.

When Camden simply looked at him as if that were an obvious assumption —

James pinched the bridge of his nose and leaned back in frustration.

"You really leave me speechless, Rhodes," he exhaled, shaking his head.

Then, leaning forward again, he continued,

"I’ve known you for years. We’ve worked together several times. I understand you better than most. I wouldn’t come here to pressure you into changing a decision you’re this firm about."

His tone steadied.

"Not just because you’re my friend —but because I trust your judgement more than my own analysis."

He paused briefly before adding, "If you’ve chosen Adelyn as the lead for The Empress’s Grief, then I trust that choice."

His gaze shifted to the folder lying on Camden’s desk before softening.

"And more importantly ... I trust your love for your wife."

His lips curled up slowly.

"It’s her last work. The investor might not know that —but I do. And knowing how much you loved her, I know you won’t let this project fail."

Camden’s expression softened at his words.

His gaze dropped to the folder as his fingers brushed lightly over its surface.

His wife was no longer by his side —

But he had always found ways to keep her presence alive.

This was one of them.

A faint smile curved his lips —the reason behind which he didn’t voice aloud.

Looking back, he asked, "If not persuasion, then what brings you here?"

Polson didn’t answer immediately. His expression turned serious. And after a brief pause, he spoke,

"Although a few investors relented last night, some are still opposed. They came to see me again —hoping I would convince you to reconsider your decision about casting Adelyn."

He paused briefly before continuing,

"They believe another actress could deliver an equally strong performance as the female lead —and that choosing her would help avoid complications during later stages of production."

Camden’s brows lifted slightly.

"And who did they suggest?"

Polson hesitated for a moment before answering, "Clara Scott."

He added, "They claim her performance was equally impressive. She even trained extensively for the role."

"Equally impressive?" Camden let out a soft, almost amused breath.

Polson hadn’t stayed for Clara’s audition, so he lacked the full perspective.

But given her rising reputation in the industry, he found the investors’ confidence somewhat believable.

"Was he not good enough?" he asked.

Camden shook his head.

"She was good," he admitted. "Better than the rest we auditioned. Choosing her really wouldn’t be a loss."

Polson’s interest piqued immediately.

He was about to suggest something when —

"But—" Camden continued.

"When compared to Adelyn, she doesn’t come close."

His tone was calm, but firm.

"The investors were able to make a comparison because they’re looking for someone to fill the role while protecting their interests. But in reality ... the two performances aren’t even on the same scale."

Polson’s gaze sharpened with curiosity.

"Was she really that exceptional?"

he had only seen a portion of Adelyn’s audition.

He knew she was good — 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

But hearing Camden speak like this made him reconsider just how good she truly was to leave such an impression on his friend.

Camden smiled faintly.

"Didn’t you just say you trust my judgement?"

"I still do," Polson nodded without any hesitation. "It’s just ... the way you said it made me curious."

Then, his expression turned serious again.

"Since you’re this firm about Adelyn, we need to prepare ourselves. We can’t rely entirely on the current investors anymore."

Camden’s gaze turned thoughtful.

He understood exactly what Polson meant.

After all, he knew how the industry worked.

Investors always held leverage —

And when they chose to use it, things could turn complicated very quickly.

"They might escalate things later," Polson continued. "Right now, they’re only trying to persuade us. But if that fails, they might resort to more aggressive tactics."

That was exactly why he had come.

To discuss and prepare —before things reached that point.

Camden fell silent for a moment, thinking. Then he looked up and asked, "What if we bring in another investor?"

Poslon paused.

"A new investor?" he repeated.

Camden nodded.

Polson considered it carefully before replying,

"It’s a good idea in theory. But the scale of this project is too large. No single investor handles it alone —that’s why I chose multiple parties on board from the start."

But Camden remained calm.

Too calm.

As if he already had someone in mind.

Polson noticed.

And his frown deepened.

"Do you already have someone in mind?" he asked slowly. If there was one — their problem would be nearly solved.

Camden didn’t answer.

He simply looked at him.

And in that silence, James understood. His expression darkened with nervousness.

"You’re not seriously thinking about him ... are you?"