After more than two months of shooting, City of Desire finally wrapped up. The director held a grand celebration banquet at a five-star hotel in Eastern City with over ten tables, making it quite lively.
Sophie Smith arrived early at the celebration venue. Looking at the dense crowd, her fear of crowded spaces instantly intensified the pressure on her.
Julia accompanied her in a rather inconspicuous little corner. Despite being the female lead of the film, the female third and fourth roles were more famous than her. Let alone Anna and Wyatt Sterling, who were prominent figures in the entertainment industry, so she stayed quiet.
However, Julia, sitting beside her, couldn’t hold back. Seeing Anna, Jessica Wood, and others chatting happily with the director, she wished she could push Sophie over — after all, she was the leading lady, how could she be ignored ?
Just as Julia was feeling upset for Sophie, a figure dressed in a white suit walked over and sat next to Sophie.
"Why not go over and chat?" Wyatt Sterling asked with his charming smile, causing the corners of Sophie’s mouth to rise slightly as well.
"I have a headache, so I found this quiet place." Anna and Jessica Wood’s group didn’t like her and even ostracized her. Communicating with them wouldn’t be enjoyable.
"I see." Wyatt Sterling responded lightly, stood up, and shortly returned with a glass of mint tea.
"I heard this helps with headaches. Want to try?"
Sophie’s lips maintained a subtle smile. She took the cup but didn’t bring it to her mouth. Her peripheral vision swept to the entrance, and the smile on her face suddenly froze.
Asher Land entered the banquet hall in a well-tailored black suit, appearing tall and regal, with striking eyebrows and eyes, subtly curving his attractive lips — a formidable presence indeed.
The previously noisy banquet hall suddenly became quiet.
After about three seconds, the director was the first to recover, holding a glass of wine, and briskly walked to the entrance.
"President Land, I didn’t expect you to come! You’re so busy, yet you made time for this little celebration. It’s such an honor!"
Sophie’s mouth twitched. She didn’t feel honored, but she was certainly startled.
"I called President Land; otherwise, how would he have come?" Anna twisted her graceful figure and walked up to Asher Land, her small hand hooking around his arm.
Sophie unconsciously straightened her body; it was him making her uncomfortable.
Asher Land’s gaze swept over Sophie, saw her holding a cup and taking a sip of mint tea, acting indifferent to his arrival.
His fist clenched a little tighter.
"President Land, shall we sit over there?" Anna pointed to the main table of the banquet hall, the most central, eye-catching spot.
Asher Land didn’t even lift an eyelid, steadily walking toward the inconspicuous spot in the corner.
Everyone’s gaze followed Asher Land as he reached Sophie’s table. He stood aloof beside her while Robert Williams swiftly pulled out a chair for him.
Now it was a spectacle; originally, the corner where Sophie sat was deserted with only her and Julia, but once Asher Land arrived, everyone flocked over.
"Sophie, aren’t you going to greet President Land?"
The director, seeing Sophie still sitting properly, hurried over and unexpectedly pulled her up from her seat.