Chapter 357
Hearing Zachary Bennett finish on the other end of the call, Lisette Cavendish blinked and asked, “You’re sure they want me p>
“Yes p>
Zachary added, “Eighty million for the appearance fee p>
“The shooting schedule can be set entirely around your availability within the next two months p>
“And the director said repeatedly that if the fee doesn’t feel right, they can bump it up p>
Three conditions in a row—this was full-on top-tier treatment.
After listening quietly, Lisette summed it up, her tone dry: “So they don’t mind burning money, they’ll bend their schedule for me, and they want me to bring my own artists onto a variety show to compete with two other managers. Yep, pretty sure this production team is itching for drama. Big drama p>
Zachary asked, “So… are you planning to accept p>
Ever since her identity as the richest man’s wife had gone public, anyone who spent even ten minutes online knew that Lisette, the legendary VistaSphere manager, was basically a walking gold mine. Not only born into privilege—she also had a billionaire husband.
You don’t invite someone like her with a casual ‘couple dozen million p>
And yet this show picked such a tricky angle—letting managers lead their artists into a performance battle.
Smart. Painfully smart.
Zachary continued, “For them to throw this much money at you right now, practically dumping their whole budget on you alone—Madam, they’re absolutely banking on your status, your traffic, and the drama you bring. They want to make you the centerpiece p>
Ever the worrier, Zachary started fretting before she even answered. “I’m concerned they’ll try to recover the cost by boosting ratings. If the show doesn’t naturally explode, there’s a big chance they’ll pull something sneaky in the edit to stir controversy p>
“Madam, that could blow back on you p>
What Zachary knew, Lisette—who had survived two lifetimes mixing in the entertainment industry—understood even more clearly.
But still, she felt confident.
Lisette Cavendish told Zachary Bennett, “I already agreed to it. Give them a clear answer about the filming date in three days p>
“You’re actually going p>
Zachary sounded stunned.
He honestly thought he’d made his point—this whole thing was obviously the show trying to use Lisette as a walking headline. Why would she still go?
Lisette let out a casual “Yeah. Why not p>
She had her own plan. “Battle Hymn won’t hit theaters until the end of the year, and right now there isn’t any decent script that fits Owen Scott or Gabriel Knight. A variety show is actually perfect to boost their exposure and pick up some new fans p>
“Justin Brooks’s dramas and variety shows have been getting solid feedback too. Going on the show will help cement his popularity p>
“Send me the files p>
“Got it p>
Not long after he hung up, the program info landed on Lisette’s phone.
She read through everything carefully, then handed the tablet over to Tobias Hastings. Leaning back lazily against the sofa, she said, “They invited three managers in total. Each of us will take our artists and run a pet shop, a flower shop, and a dessert shop p>
“In the end, whoever earns the most wins p>
“The winning team gets a reward. The losers get punished p>
“So when the time comes, for the sake of winning—and for the show’s drama—everyone’s definitely going to pull some tricks p>
Tobias flipped through the documents and asked, “You’ve got five artists. Who are you planning to bring p>
Lisette replied, “We enter the new crew at the end of July. Justin’s drama wraps right around then, and Owen and Gabriel should also finish their scenes. Those three are definitely going p>
“And the other two p>
Even though he asked, Tobias already had a good guess.
Dominic Hamilton and Victoria Cooper.
The couple shared the same wavelength. Lisette smiled, confirming his thoughts. “Yeah, them p>
“Think you can actually sign her p>
His tone sounded like a question, but his expression was all certainty.
Lisette Cavendish pictured Victoria Cooper’s icy aura and shrugged. “I’ll give it my best shot p>
While Lisette was being fully shielded by Tobias Hastings and Wade, on the other side, Scarlett Graham’s presence dropped to sub?zero.
“I’m not marrying you p>
That was the very first thing she said to Bryce Cavendish.
As if he’d seen this coming a mile away, Bryce didn’t so much as blink. His left hand rested lightly on the button of his suit, his right hand hanging at his side, posture relaxed and gentlemanly. “I know p>
A sharp chill flashed through Scarlett’s eyes. “So all that nonsense you said—just to embarrass Noah p>
Bryce lowered the hand that had been on his button. The casual vibe faded, replaced by something steadier, clearer.
“No. Noah was just an excuse p>
He took a single step forward, closing the distance between them until only about thirty centimeters remained.
Being that close made Scarlett instinctively uncomfortable.
She took a step back.
Bryce followed, closing in again.
Scarlett: p>
For someone as naturally imposing as her, retreating twice was already pushing it. She stopped, lifted her chin, and glared at Bryce, who was looking down at her with half?lidded eyes. “Two more steps and I’ll be against the wall. Bryce, don’t tell me you randomly got the urge to try a wall?pin maneuver p>
Bryce glanced briefly at the wall, then looked back at her. A hint of amusement flickered in his eyes. “Miss Graham… is that a reminder p>
Scarlett froze for a second.
Bryce Cavendish had always been the calm, gentlemanly type, yet now he was… bantering with her like some smooth-talking rogue?
Maybe it was the sunlight hitting too hard, or maybe the jeweled décor around them was just too dazzling. Through her lenses, she caught a flicker in his eyes—something warm, something dangerous.
She looked away.
Then she leaned back against the railing, lazy and stunning all at once. “I’m just reminding you,” she said, her tone slow and velvety, “don’t do things that clash with your… ‘gentleman’ vibe p>
She lifted a finger. “Got a cigarette p>
She was wrapped in a black silk gown, the fabric smooth and cool, hugging her curves just enough to make the whole look effortlessly seductive. Her short hair brushed her cheek, adding to that slightly wild charm.
She glowed—literally.
Even the diamond necklace at her throat couldn’t steal the spotlight from her.
Sion’s so?called number?one beauty never needed flashy jewelry to turn heads. Her existence alone was enough.
Bryce picked up a glass of red wine, swirled it, then held it out toward her fingers.
His dark eyes stayed fixed on her, like she was some masterpiece he couldn’t look away from.
“Got wine p>
Scarlett paused for a beat, then took the glass. Her lips brushed the rim as she tasted it lightly. “Too weak p>
She pushed the glass back to him.
Bryce accepted it, lowered his eyes to the lip print on the crystal, and took a sip right from the same spot. “Mm. Yeah. Too weak p>
When he noticed her gaze resting on the glass, he handed it back and said, “Weak as it is, having a little now and then is good for you. Better than smoking. That stuff—let it go p>
Scarlett didn’t take it, just rested her elbow loosely on the railing, looking like she had all the time in the world.
Bryce set the glass down, his gaze steady and intent on her. “What I said just now… it wasn’t only because of Noah p>
“Scarlett, I’ve been wanting to tell you this for a long time. Every word I said… I meant it p>
Scarlett Graham stared at him, completely thrown off, her gaze lingering on him for a long, long moment.
A short, cool laugh slipped from her lips.
In that instant, the seductive charm she always carried seemed to fade. She straightened up, her posture suddenly distant and sharp.
“Bryce Cavendish,” she said slowly, her voice calm but edged, “did you already forget what you told Lise on her eighteenth birthday p>