Chapter 14

Henry's eyes went dark as he remembered Zoey's cold, unresponsive look from earlier. He twisted her nipple, applying pressure deliberately.

Her nipple stood erect, rubbing against her shirt, sending tingles through her.

The unfamiliar pleasure washed over Zoey, and she frantically tried to push Henry's hand away, wanting to regain control of her body.

But Henry didn't let her. His arm tightened around her waist, pressing her back firmly against his chest. His lips moved down and he bit her neck hard.

Zoey could clearly feel something hard and hot pressing against her tailbone.

Getting more physical might take her where she doesn't want to go. She forced herself to stay sensible, but Henry swept her back into a sea of desire the moment after.

Henry's hot breath hit Zoey's body. At some point, her buttons had been completely undone, and her delicate skin was flushed red from the heat, her chest rising and falling with her rapid breaths.

Henry's throat tightened, and his other hand slipped into her waistband.

The sudden ringing of a phone startled both of them.

Without thinking, Henry grabbed her phone, ready to toss it aside.

Zoey clutched it tightly. Seeing the caller ID "Claire," she snapped back to reality and hurriedly got off Henry, one hand fumbling to button up while the other answered the call.

Claire's puzzled voice came through. "Where are you? Didn't you say you were driving over?"

She had completely forgotten about her task.

"I'll be right there." Zoey hung up, quickly buttoned her shirt, and tucked it back into her waistband, still feeling Henry's scorching touch on her waist.

She hastily tidied herself up, not even speaking to Henry, and pushed the door open to get out of the car.

Henry kindly reminded her, "Your shirt isn't buttoned right."

Then he reached over, unbuttoned her shirt one by one, and buttoned it back up, his knuckles brushing against her skin, making her instinctively shrink back.

After buttoning her up, Henry adjusted her cuffs and said in a hoarse voice, "Go ahead."

Zoey got out of the car in a daze.

Carol came over, looking worried. "Did you get into a fight with someone?"

Thinking about the heat in the car, Zoey guiltily covered up. "No, I just took a moment to clear my head."

Just then, the director waved them over. "Where are you two going? Get over here!"

He exhibited an air of imperious command.

Carol snorted, "This director really knows how to switch attitudes. As soon as he found out Natalie might have connections with Mr. Windsor, he started sucking up to her. If you ask me, Natalie might not be as close to Mr. Windsor as you are."

They had been too close, in fact.

But then again, if Natalie someone Henry traded resources for sex, what did that make her? Just a distraction in Henry's boring life?

Even though she had enjoyed her intimate moments with Henry, she couldn't accept his promiscuous relationships with other women.

She decided to avoid him in the future; though she cannot confront him, she can certainly evade him.

Zoey and Carol returned to the set, where the director, acting all magnanimous, said, "Originally, you were just supposed to do post-production music, but Miss Davis thinks you're very professional, so we're keeping you here."

It was mind-boggling to see such a drastic change in someone after only a day.

Zoey chuckled, not taking it seriously. "Since it's post-production, why should I waste my time here?"

Before the director could respond, Natalie chimed in with a smile, "Your guidance yesterday was really enlightening. You've worked with Hollywood crews, so you're definitely more professional than us. It's a great learning opportunity for everyone."

Her remarks appeared to be in praise of Zoey, but they kind of put the rest of the crew in a position where they felt subordinate, which didn't exactly endear her to them.

The director's face immediately darkened, looking at Zoey with disdain.

Having dealt with Catherine for so long, Zoey was used to this kind of situation. She shot back, "I never said that. Is Miss Davis implying this crew isn't up to par?"

Zoey's straightforward question caught Natalie off guard.

In the entertainment industry, everyone usually kept up friendly appearances for future interactions.

The head director quickly jumped to Natalie's defense. "Ms. Cavendish, what do you mean by that? Miss Davis was just kindly giving you a chance to stay on set. There's no need to be so malicious."

After all, it was a Chase Corporation-funded film. Many investors were eager to join after hearing about the additional investment of the Chase Corporation, hoping for future opportunities.

How could this Aurora be so ungrateful?

Natalie quickly recovered and asked, "Ms. Cavendish, are you worried that the online rumors about you trying to seduce Mr. Windsor will affect the crew? Don't worry, I believe in your character. If you need, I can help clarify."

The online rumors attributed to the video Layla posted yesterday, which had indeed caused a stir, but Zoey had her lawyer friend handle it.

If Natalie hadn't brought it up, few would have known.

Claire immediately stood up for Zoey. "Didn't you see Mr. Windsor personally deny that video? Why focus on the rumors? Do you just want to see her misunderstood and disliked? How malicious!"

Zoey didn't hold back, chuckling. "Miss Davis, you seem to have a lot of time to follow fleeting online rumors. You must be very interested in me."

After guiding the opening scene yesterday, Zoey had felt an uncomfortable gaze. Now, she understood where that feeling came from.

Natalie had disliked her since yesterday, holding it in until today.

Zoey looked at Natalie mockingly and said, "Miss Davis, don't bother. Focus on not wasting Mr. Windsor's ten million dollars and make a good film."

Natalie's eyes flashed with resentment at Zoey's boldness.

The head director, always quick to read the room, noticed Natalie's displeasure and immediately tried to appease her by criticizing Zoey, "Mr. Windsor invested because of Miss Davis. Miss Davis is graciously letting you stay here, and you should be grateful."

Hearing him repeatedly say Henry invested because of Natalie, Zoey thought of Henry's chiseled face and felt surging irritation. She stared at the head director. "I quit this music production. I'll pay the breach of contract fee in full."

Quitting on set was a big deal.

The crew gathered around, some trying to mediate. "Ms. Cavendish, please don't be angry."

"Don't address her with such respect!" the head director snapped.

The person fell silent.

The head director, full of pride, told Zoey, "Then leave. I don't believe we can't find a better producer!"

"Who's leaving?" A cold voice questioned.

John walked in with a bag, followed by three others carrying more bags.

The bag John held was the most significant.

"Mr. Windsor sent morning tea." He handed a bag to Zoey.

Natalie, standing on the opposite side of John, missed out on the bag and was anxious. 

Natalie smiled and walked over to Zoey, saying, "Mr. Windsor is so generous."

She casually took the bag from Zoey's hand.