CHAPTER 548: DAY ONE: PREVENT AFFAIR. DAY TWO: QUIT?

In the middle of the set, Micah stood between the two women, the director, Evelyn, and the famous manager, Patricia Mullins.

The room fell into silence the moment the manager dropped a bombshell out of the blue.

"I’m just concerned for my own artist," Patricia said coolly, glancing at Micah from the corner of her eye.

Evelyn was taken aback. "You mean, he is your artist?" she pointed at Micah in disbelief. "Him? Patricia, please. Your joke is not even funny. You are a top-tier manager; even superstars fight over you, trying to poach you. And you tell me you are here for him?"

Micah was also shocked. He stared at the woman. What was she even talking about? Who was she?

Then he recalled Clyde’s words... didn’t he say he would send a manager to his newly founded company? Was it her? No, wait... was this his idea of introducing? It was more like an ambush! He screamed internally.

Patricia smiled, cold and unfeeling. "What? Is that so hard to believe? Or would you prefer I consult you before accepting a new artist?"

Evelyn massaged her temple. "Micah, I am really disappointed. You should have told me she was your manager."

"Eh?" Micah looked at them, baffled. Who was he? Where was he? Why did they blame him all of a sudden?

Patricia Mullins scoffed. "Amazing. Not even a whole second passed before you started scolding him? Insulting him, even! Director Evelyn, your pettiness is showing."

Evelyn threw her hands up. "You are unbelievable. Fine. Have your way! Wait until I’ll tell Uncle!" she said and turned around, barking at the staff to get ready.

The production crew scattered like frightened pigeons.

Patricia turned her head toward Micah, and her expression shifted. "Hello, nice to meet you. I’m Patricia Mullins, a manager with La Riviere Media," she said, presenting a business card between two fingers. "From today onward, I’ll be in your care."

Micah’s lips twitched as onlookers gasped. What was this? Who would meet their manager like this?

That bastard! It was Clyde’s fault! Couldn’t he introduce her outside? Or tell her to handle it somewhere discreet? Now...he had surely become the talk of the whole crew!

His first day at the project and his manager had already clashed with the director.

Were all the La Riviere employees as eccentric as their boss?

****

Ilyas stepped out of the changing room, brushing the tight sleeve smooth as he took in the room. The air felt stiff. A strange hush hung over the people gathered there; they weren’t even subtle about where their attention went. Their gazes flicked back and forth between Micah and the woman standing beside him, whispering behind curled fingers and poorly hidden smirks.

He paused for half a heartbeat, then strode forward with calm, measured steps. His metallic grey boots made a soft click on the polished floor, quiet but firm enough to draw attention.

"Why are you standing here?" he asked, his voice smooth and low.

Micah jerked slightly, eyes lit up the moment he saw Ilyas, warming with unmistakable excitement.

Ilyas, in contrast to him, wore a light grey one-piece bodysuit that hugged his frame with seamless precision. The smooth synthetic fabric emphasised his tall, slender build. His dark obsidian-toned hair was combed back neatly and stylishly. His pale porcelain skin appeared even lighter under the lighting, making him look colder, sharper, and ethereal. He had an otherworldly beauty to him, the kind that made people unsure whether to stare or look away.

Micah didn’t bother hiding his admiration. His stare was too conspicuous; even Patricia noticed it.

Her eyelid twitched. She could practically feel a headache forming. This morning, she had simply been told to take on an artist, not even contracted by La Riviere! Then, when she had asked her boss for clarification of this bizarre request and nearly fainted at the answer, this nineteen-year-old was the partner of the big boss! The big boss! Clyde Du Pont. The terrifying one known as the demon king among the upper staff!

And now, right in front of her, the supposed "young partner" was staring at another man as if he had been bewitched!

What the hell? What was she supposed to do with this?

What was with this difficulty right from the start? Did the big boss hire her to spy on his young partner?

She had not signed up for this! She just wanted a normal job, not get tangled in lovers’ drama with a partner who might be cheating with a handsome co-actor.

Did this silver-haired young man even have the talent for acting? Her skills were being wasted on babysitting instead!

She silently cursed her boss a thousand times, dumping this hot potato on her.

Ilyas blinked, tilting his head slightly as Micah continued to stare. He waved his hand in front of Micah’s face. "Hey!"

Micah smiled, expression softening. "You look so cool!" he said, almost bouncing on his toes.

Patricia’s heart dropped into her stomach. No, no, no... This was not happening on her watch. Did they want her fired on her first day at work? What about her reputation? Her hard work all these years?

She hurried forward and inserted herself between them like a shield. "Hello," she said politely, extending a hand. "I am Patricia Mullins, nice to meet you."

Ilyas nodded and stepped in for the handshake with perfect etiquette. "Hello, I’m Ilyas, the other male lead."

His polite tone only made Patricia stand straighter, switching into full professional mode. He was dangerous. Charismatic and aloof.

She launched straight into business chatter, inquiring about his company, manager, skills, and past achievements, as if the more information she had, the safer her life would be.

Micah found himself shoved aside, left blinking as the two exchanged polite, roundabout pleasantries in front of him.

He scratched his cheek, watching the two.

Ahh... she seemed a difficult person to get along with. Just like her boss, she had the tendency to meddle in everything.

Micah sighed quietly.