“Well, well, who’s trying to kick Quiana out?” A voice, lazy and haunting, filled th
room, making everyone turn around instinctively.
The man in the wheelchair radiated a dark allure, a face so striking that even a single glance felt like blasphemy. A small beauty mark under his eye only added to his magnetism,
His aura was cold and ominous, like a blade cloaked in frost. He exuded a chilling presence that made everyone’s skin crawl
John froze, dread creeping over him. He thought, ‘Why has this demon returned?”
Eliott stepped back, tugging at Winona’s sleeve and whispering “Winona, quick, ask Mr. Hawley to come
over!”
Winona’s fingers tightened. Quiana narrowed her eyes slightly.
Julius maneuvered his wheelchair, gliding forward with a steady precision, his piercing eyes locked onto John. The air around him felt oppressive, heavy with tension. “Did you just suggest that Quiana should leave the set?” His voice, though gentle, was as cutting a frost–sharpened icicle.
John’s legs began to shake. “Mr. Hawley, II had no choice”
Zack chuckled. “John, maybe you should check who’s funding this production now?
John paused, and then his phone rang. He answered it, and after a moment, his face went pale. “What… what did you just say?”
He turned sharply to Winona. “Why didn’t you tell me Keith has withdrawn his investment?”
na was stunned and speechless, and Elatt stammeted, “Director, Winona’s still here. Why would Mr. Keith Hawley pull out?”
John’s hand trembled as he gripped his phone, veins bulging “As of now, our primary investors are Mr. Julius Hayley and the Wilson family, each with a sixty–million–dollar stake.”
The Wilson family was one of the four elite families in Janivella. In the business world, they were only slightly below the Hawleys.
The switch had been done so quietly that even John hadn’t known until now. The phone call had been from the Wilson family, notifying him of the recent change.
hat?” Winona’s disbelief turned to panic as she grabbed her phone and dialed Keith’s number. It took six tries before he answered.
“Keith,” Winona’s heart was racing. “You didn’t pull your investment, did you?”
Keith sounded mildly annoyed. “The production? I withdrew a while back.”
The Wilson family had compensated him directly, asking him to step aside. Keith had agreed, knowing it was in his best interest not to go against them.
call it was true.
“I’m busy. Don’teall me over trivial matters,” he added, irritatedly ending the call it was
“You really thought Keith was still funding this production?” Quiana’s voice echoed in her ears as if haunting her thoughts, and Winona’s face went pale, a thunderous shock resonating through hoc.
“No way…” Elion’s face drained of color; she was in disbelief. “If Mr. Hawley withdrew, why didn’t he tell you?”
They’d spent days cozying up to Winona, encouraged by her connection to Keith, Now, they realized the real backers were supporting the very person they had been targeting–Quiana
Recalling how they’d treated Quiana, Jack looked ashen, rooted to the spot.
1/2
Everyone was shocked, staring at Quiana, unsure of what was happening.
John’s face turned ghostly white as he remembered the last time he’d tried to remove Quiana from the set, and funding had mysteriously vanished. The Wilson family indeed could do that.
Now, it all made sense. It was because of Quiana. He had offended the wrong person.
John’s voice was barely above a whisper, “Ms. Levine… Mr. Hawley,
“My sixty million? It’s staying, Julius said flatly.
- package.
John blinked, hope flaring briefly. But before he could express his relief, Julius continued, “Consider it the crew’s severance p
