Addiction to Temptation: His Mischievous Sweetheart Captivates Him-Chapter 191: Let Her Witness the Power of Capital
Serena Blackwood noticed something was off when the end-of-year magazine cover, which had already been discussed and agreed upon, suddenly fell through. This magazine symbolized the star’s fame, status, and commercial value.
The cover had been confirmed three months ago, and now, with the shoot approaching, the sudden cancellation left Serena Blackwood’s entire team baffled.
Then came the rumor that the cover had been given to Quinn Langley. Although both had outstanding charisma, they were on different paths and hadn’t competed much before. Upon hearing this news, Serena Blackwood’s agent slammed the table.
"Is Tina Dawson declaring war on me?"
Tina Dawson is Quinn Langley’s agent, and they have mutually benefited from each other. Without Tina, there wouldn’t be Quinn Langley, and vice versa.
Serena Blackwood, comparatively stable, viewed the magazine cover as important but not irreplaceable.
"Don’t lose your composure, let’s first ask around for the reason."
Half an hour later, they received a response from the other side.
"It’s rumored that there was direct intervention from high-level executives."
At this moment, Serena Blackwood’s expression turned entirely grim, with a cold laugh.
"Am I supposed to thank them for not canceling on me when I showed up for the shoot on the day?"
She had hurriedly wrapped up a gig and rushed back overnight for this shoot, and now she’s told someone else replaced her.
Serena Blackwood furrowed her brow in thought for a long time, reluctant to lean in one direction, but the ensuing events forced her to.
"Ms. Blackwood, C Brand’s fashion show suddenly sent an email saying they sent the wrong ticket."
"Ms. Blackwood, D Channel’s evening program got cut."
"Ms. Blackwood, our recent advertising collaboration has been declined."
"Ms. Blackwood, J Brand’s perfume endorsement expired, and the client didn’t renew."
"Ms. Blackwood, the global endorsement title was directly downgraded."
"Ms. Blackwood, the hotel’s image role also..."
"..."
Serena Blackwood listened as one piece of news after another came in, her face growing increasingly pale as many commercial endorsements were halted simultaneously. Apart from the ones related to The Blackwood Family that were unaffected, everything else, especially those related to The Langdon Group and The Vaughn Group, got canceled.
Had something been exposed? But Jasmine Blackwood hadn’t called her, and the money she gave should have been enough.
Serena Blackwood then remembered the Twitter post from the "Kingdom’s Rise" crew and that tweet from Natalie Vaughn; was the person caught Jasmine Blackwood? So why hadn’t she heard anything?
"How’s the negotiation with The Thorne Group going?"
A staff member checked.
"Meeting with their representative is scheduled for the day after tomorrow, and we haven’t received a rejection call."
Serena Blackwood took a deep breath; she still had a chance with The Thorne Group.
If she didn’t understand now, she’d be too foolish. Whether or not Natalie Vaughn knows she’s the person behind the scenes, Natalie is determined to strip her of all resources.
Zane Thorne, do you know your wife is such a vicious person?
"Any news from the ’Kingdom’s Rise’ camp?"
The agent didn’t quite understand why Serena Blackwood was so focused on "Kingdom’s Rise," even though it was Director Gable’s work, it wasn’t necessary to keep asking about their situation place.
"Filming is going as usual, what’s up?"
Hearing the words "going as usual," Serena Blackwood frowned.
"Filming as usual?"
"Yeah."
"Didn’t Natalie Vaughn take a fall?"
"It doesn’t seem too serious. She insisted on continuing to film, and she’s been praised online for her dedication. In the morning, it even trended a bit."
She was on a plane in the morning, no wonder she didn’t know.
Serena Blackwood knitted her brow tightly; if she remembered correctly, most of Natalie Vaughn’s scenes required wire work. Just the day after her fall, she was discharged and could shoot?
But Serena Blackwood had no mind to dwell on this; in one short day, so many of her endorsements were severed, undoubtedly a severe blow to her.
"Ms. Blackwood, what should we do?"
Serena Blackwood couldn’t think of a solution temporarily.
"Maintain contact with our collaborators for now, and prioritize preparing for the partnership with The Thorne Group."
"But Ms. Blackwood, we’ve been blacklisted by them."
"Then go meet them, go to their office and block the entrance, don’t you understand that?"
Serena Blackwood raised her voice, venting her anger. The staff looked at each other, confused about why their boss had suddenly changed demeanor.
The silence in the office pulled Serena Blackwood’s mind back, and she took a deep breath, suppressing her irritability.
"Everyone, work hard for the next couple of days. If we secure the deal with The Thorne Group the day after tomorrow, none of this will matter."
Hearing this, everyone returned to their work, understanding that encountering so many cancellations at once would anger anyone.
However, Serena Blackwood didn’t know that she still thought she could continue the partnership with The Thorne Group, but it was merely Natalie Vaughn’s directive.
Zane Thorne is in Altara, and such a small matter wouldn’t be reported to him. Furthermore, Serena Blackwood’s endorsement is too trivial for The Thorne Group. Even Seraphina Sutton didn’t think much of it.
It was only because Natalie Vaughn made a call that Ethan Sutton requested the documents from the executive office’s other secretaries.
Unfortunately, Serena Blackwood was still deluded, thinking perhaps out of old school ties, Zane Thorne still left open the possibility of collaboration.
Meanwhile, Natalie Vaughn had just finished a scene when she received a call from Seraphina Sutton.
"Ma’am, Serena Blackwood just called to confirm the meeting for the day after tomorrow."
Natalie Vaughn toyed with a prop in her hand, squinting at the faint sunlight.
"Seraphina, are you free the day after tomorrow?"
"At your service, Ma’am."
Natalie laughed softly, genuinely fond of the two assistants around Zane Thorne: Genevieve Joyce and Seraphina Sutton. They were both very perceptive, especially prioritizing her matters. Whether Zane instructed them or not, Natalie liked these two assistants very much, and she figured she’d find an opportunity to get Zane to reward them with some money.
Genevieve Joyce, who was suddenly sneezing in the chaos, probably never guessed that his year-end bonus, deducted for neglecting the Madam, would be reinstated because of one word from Natalie.
"Seraphina, I’ll trouble you to personally meet with them."
Seraphina agreed.
"Oh, and do me a favor, capture Actress Blackwood’s fascinating expression."
"Will do, Ma’am."
After hanging up, Seraphina tilted her head, puzzled why Natalie called over such a small matter, but she understood that the so-called Actress Blackwood seemed to have offended her Madam.
Offend her Madam, and it’s offending her Boss.
Tsk, she’s in for it now.
Natalie hung up the phone only to see Julian Sutton’s gossipy smile.
"Actor Sutton, does it make you happy to have someone deal with the woman you disdain?"
Julian Sutton: ...What’s with the ’having someone deal with’; it’s clearly yourself doing it.
But Actor Sutton merely raised the corner of his lips, smiling warmly.
"Indeed, the power of capital is formidable; I am impressed, really impressed."
