CHAPTER 68: CHAPTER 68: DIVORCE AND BREAKING FREE

After a moment, the sound of pages turning came from Jenson’s end of the line, followed by his casual voice.

"Zinnia, you’re going to regret this. If you move back to Sovereign Court now and apologize properly, I’ll pretend we never signed that divorce agreement. There’s no need to keep calling and saying such strange things."

Hearing him say this, Zinnia felt relieved.

It seemed Jenson wasn’t the one behind it. She let out a soft breath and said, "Regret? That’s not going to happen. You’re overthinking it, President Forrest. I’ll gather the thirty million as quickly as possible, so I won’t disturb you again."

After saying that, she hung up.

「Stellar CEO’s Office」

Jenson tossed his phone onto the desk and tugged at his tie.

That woman said she’d quickly gather thirty million. She’s really determined to divorce me. But she’s been completely spoiled by me. Does she honestly think thirty million is some small sum? Hah, I don’t believe for a second that Zinnia can come up with that much money so quickly. Let her try. In the end, this divorce still isn’t happening.

At this thought, Jenson’s expression softened slightly. He picked up his phone and called Ryder Reynolds.

"What did you find?"

Ryder Reynolds was in an abandoned factory. A short distance behind him, a tear-streaked woman was tied to a chair.

It was Una Tate.

"Just as you suspected, Una Tate was used as a pawn. She said a middle-aged man dining at a restaurant told her your wife’s address and claimed your wife often entertained various wealthy patrons there. Out of jealousy that Kane Donovan was showing your wife favor, she went and told him those things. However, when we tried to retrieve the restaurant’s surveillance, we found the footage from that day was corrupted. We haven’t been able to track down the middle-aged man yet."

"Dig him up!" Jenson’s eyes grew cold as he commanded in a low voice.

「Tea House」

Zinnia ended the call and was about to head back to the private room when she looked up and saw Nathan Nash approaching with a smartly dressed woman.

Zinnia had met the woman before. It was Jean Chase, the agent who had handed her a business card on set.

"Jane, this is Adverse. Her real name is Zinnia Lawrence," Nathan Nash said as he and Jean approached, introducing them directly.

"I never expected you to be Adverse. This is a wonderful surprise," Jean said with a smile, extending her hand.

Zinnia shook it. "Let’s go inside and talk."

Nathan raised an eyebrow. "You two knew each other?"

Jean explained, "We had a brief encounter before. Miss Lawrence was working as a dance double on a set, and I was interested in signing her as an artist. I had no idea she was also the composer and choreographer who’s been causing such a buzz lately. That just makes me even more determined not to let such a talent slip away."

With that face, that figure, and all this talent, she was practically born to be in the entertainment industry.

Jean had been recommended by Nathan, and Zinnia’s prior impression of her had been good. They had an animated discussion. It was nearly noon and they still hadn’t finished, so the four of them found a private kitchen for lunch.

The negotiation went smoothly, and they signed the contract right after the meal. For a price of eighteen million, Zinnia signed over all the works she had created over the past few years to Jean’s agency. Jean would be responsible for arranging the future use of these songs and choreographies, and Zinnia would receive the payment soon.

As they were leaving, Jean was still reluctant and tried to persuade Zinnia again.

"Are you sure you don’t want to sign on as an artist? If you do, I’ll fight for an A-level contract for you, guaranteeing the best treatment and resources from the company. We can put all of that in the agreement upfront."

Zinnia shook her head with a smile. "It’s not that I don’t trust you, Jane. I just truly have no intention of doing that."

Jean still looked disappointed. "But don’t you urgently need money? If you sign as an artist, the company can give you a large advance."

Zinnia simply shook her head again. After Jean left, Zinnia turned to thank Nathan.

Nathan crossed his arms and leaned against the tour van. "How much more do you need? I could lend it to you."

Zinnia wasn’t close with him, and it was a lot of money. Of course, she couldn’t borrow it from him. But she was still short over ten million, an amount she definitely couldn’t earn by just working odd jobs.

She didn’t stand on ceremony. "A loan isn’t necessary, but there might be a favor I need to ask of you."

Nathan raised an eyebrow. "You’re my idol. It would be my honor to do something for you, so don’t call it a favor."

Zinnia stated her request plainly. "I saw on your company’s official website that you’re recruiting a dance director. I was hoping you could give me a recommendation."

Others might not know the details, but as the leader of the boy band SV Heat, Nathan knew this position was specifically for them. SV Heat was the hottest boy band of the last two years. The company was hiring a special dance director to create their debut album, which needed to launch next month to capitalize on their popularity. The original dance teacher had canceled the contract due to an accident, so the company was urgently looking for a replacement.

If Zinnia became their dance director, she would be working closely with them day in and day out. Nathan was thrilled by the prospect.

He immediately snapped his fingers. "I’ll arrange it! Should I give you two a ride back?"

Zinnia shook her head. "No need, we drove."

"Alright, let’s stay in touch then."

Nathan made a calling gesture with his hand, waved to Yara Fairchild behind Zinnia, and bent down to get into his car.

As his van drove away, Yara came up and draped an arm over Zinnia’s shoulder. "That puppy is so sweet and cute. And so considerate! That little goodbye wave he gave me nearly stole my heart."

Zinnia raised an eyebrow. "I’ll send you his WeChat."

Yara immediately waved her hands dismissively. "No, thanks. I’d rather watch you build your collection of admirers. Get a whole pond full of them and make that dog Forrest die of anger."

Zinnia was speechless.

She planned to take on a few advertising jobs. Her previous collaboration with a gaming company had also been very successful. Gigatrend Games was planning to create a new Xianxia-themed mobile game this year and had already sent her a letter of intent with a very attractive offer. If the deal with the game company went through, along with everything else, she should be very close to the thirty million.

"Let’s go. We’re heading to Gigatrend Games," Zinnia said, ignoring Yara’s wild ideas as she pulled her toward the car.

Right now, all I want is to make money quickly, get divorced, and disappear!

When they arrived at Gigatrend Games and gave their names, the receptionist smiled. "Please follow me. We’ll go directly to the motion capture room. Everything has been arranged, so Miss Lawrence can try out the dance movements right away."

Zinnia thanked her and followed, not noticing Crystal Sutton and Rose Lowell stepping out of an elevator behind them.

Crystal frowned as she watched Zinnia and Yara’s departing backs. "Why is she here?"

"I’ll go find out," Rose said, quickly walking off.

Five minutes later, Rose returned and whispered to Crystal, "It’s for a major mobile game Gigatrend is developing. They hired Zinnia as the motion capture dancer. She’s in the capture room trying out the choreography right now."

Hearing the words "major mobile game," a flash of jealousy crossed Crystal’s eyes. The game she was endorsing was just a small project. She couldn’t tolerate Zinnia overshadowing her again.

I have to snatch this opportunity from her.

Just then, a group of men in sharp suits walked past, escorting a tall figure. The man had a reserved demeanor but a powerful aura that silenced the surrounding area.

An idea sparked in Crystal’s mind, and she walked over with a cheerful bounce in her step. "Jenson, I was just about to head to the studio for the photoshoot. Would you like to come and watch?"

Jenson nodded. "Let’s go."

Crystal’s eyes curved into a smile as she walked by his side, making small talk now and then. In the eyes of his entourage, their relationship appeared incredibly intimate.

Jenson wasn’t actually present for Crystal’s photoshoot. He only made a brief appearance at the studio before leaving with his people. But Crystal had already achieved the effect she wanted. During a break in the shoot, she summoned the director of the game development department. Rose Lowell served him coffee.

Rose began, "Director Liu, we heard that Gigatrend’s major new mobile game is looking for a motion capture dancer? Our Crystal is also a trained dancer. Is there any chance this opportunity could be given to her? We’re all on the same side here; it’s best to keep good things in the family. I’m sure President Forrest would be pleased as well."