Chapter 186 Don't underestimate this man.
— President Wolf, we are honored to welcome you personally. It is a rare opportunity for Sedenho to collaborate with someone of your... lineage.
Initially, Sedenho did not have a very high opinion of this young heir who had just returned from abroad.
To him, Nicholas was just another “crown prince” who took over the family throne without ever getting his hands dirty. Sedenho expected to find an arrogant and inexperienced boy.
But that prejudice evaporated the second their eyes met.
The man in front of him was very different from what he had imagined.
He did not have the fragility of inexperience. On the contrary. His posture was rigid, his eyes were sharp as blades, and his aura... his aura was overwhelming. It was the presence of a predator at the top of the food chain.
Sedenho felt an involuntary shiver down his spine.
This was the first time in decades that a young man had taken him by surprise. The pressure emanating from Nicholas was palpable, making even a veteran like him feel suddenly cautious.
He realized immediately: Don't underestimate this man. He is dangerous.
Nicholas shook his hand briefly—a firm grip, but only lasting as long as necessary, establishing who held the power in the interaction.
“President Sedenho is very kind,” Nicholas replied, his voice calm and emotionless.
He did not thank him for the compliment about his “potential.” He didn't need to.
“Wolf Corporation chose to work with Sedenho Enterprises not out of favor, but because your company has proven itself competent enough to meet our standards.”
The response was direct, cutting through the false niceties. We chose you because you are useful.
Sedenho's smile faltered for a millisecond, but quickly turned into a smile of genuine respect.
“I see. Straight to the point. I like that.”
The two men exchanged a few more formal words, the tension of power hanging in the air, before being led by the caddies toward the emerald green golf course.
Across town.
Claire's face was so dark that it looked like a storm was about to break. She kept up the fake smile until the last second, but as soon as the metal elevator doors closed, isolating them from the world, the mask fell.
She exploded.
“That bitch... she really got through!” Claire screamed, her shrill voice echoing in the confined space. “Linda, did you hear that?! They said the character already has an owner!”
She turned to the agent, her nails digging into Linda's arm, her eyes wide with panic and hatred.
“What do I do now?”
What do I do?!
Claire began pacing back and forth in the small space.
“Help me think of something, quick! That's what you're paid for! I can't let that bitch have the chance to show her face to the world. Tell me how I can stop her!”
“How?! How did she get the third female role?!” Claire pulled at her hair, hysterical.
“If she gets that role, she'll have screen time. She'll have lines. What if she becomes famous? The audience will see her face!” “Claire, calm down!” Linda frowned, trying to free her arm from the other woman's painful grip. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “Yelling won't solve anything.”
It's not the end of the world, don't be so nervous. Let's think calmly.
“It's not the end of the world?” Claire laughed, a nervous, high-pitched laugh. “Do you have any idea what a catastrophe this is? Do you know the consequences of giving her a stage?”
“Of course I do.”
Linda replied dryly. Inside, she felt a wave of contempt for Claire.
She knew exactly what was terrifying Claire.
The plain truth was: Caroline was superior.
Caroline's appearance was exceptional, the kind that cameras loved. She had that natural glow, the “X factor.” If someone was willing to invest in her, she wouldn't just be an actress; she would be a superstar.
Caroline was the kind of person who would steal the show even if she were a silent extra in the background.
And to make Claire's nightmare worse, Caroline had talent. Raw, real talent.
Linda knew, deep down, that if Claire and her mother hadn't spent the last few years actively sabotaging Caroline, the girl would already be at the top, looking down on Claire.
In fact, when Linda first saw Caroline years ago, her agent's instinct screamed to sign her. Caroline was a gold mine. But Edward and the Ford family pushed her to manage Claire.
Linda sighed internally. What a waste. If Caroline had received 10% of the resources that were wasted on Claire, she would have already won awards.
Claire knew it. Her insecurity stemmed from the certainty that she was the “inferior version.”
“If you know that, then stop telling me to calm down and do something!” Claire stared at her with eyes injected with anger. “I don't care what it takes. Bribe, threaten, lie. We have to get that role out of Caroline's hands!”
Linda massaged her temples, feeling a headache coming on.
“Claire, listen to yourself.” Linda tried to be the voice of reason. “Let's say we manage to take the role away from her. What are you going to do? Are you going to take the role for yourself?”
Linda crossed her arms.
"Don't forget that you just signed the contract for the lead female role in ‘Imperial Palace’. It's a blockbuster.
If you back out now to take a supporting role in another series, just out of spite, you'll have to pay a million-dollar termination fee. Besides, you'll offend the director and producers of ‘Imperial Palace’.
Linda stared at her seriously.
“Claire, think about it. Do you want to commit professional suicide? Giving up a leading role to steal a supporting role from your sister is a stupid move. It's a transaction doomed to failure.
”Do you want to destroy her career or yours? Because that way, you'll end up destroying both.