"That was incredible!" Katherine Lee, the casting director, exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement. "Every single cast member delivered beyond expectations."
Michael Zhen, the stunt coordinator, joined in with a grin. "And those action sequences? Flawless! Hats off to the stunt team and the actors who made it look so natural."
Trish Watson, who played Alex, stood up, clapping enthusiastically. "It’s been such an honor to be part of this film. This isn’t just a project; it’s a masterpiece."
Ryan Kim, the seasoned actor playing Daniel, nodded. "I couldn’t have asked for a better team to work with. You all made this experience unforgettable."
Zinnia stepped forward, raising her hand slightly to address the group. The clapping gradually quieted as everyone turned their attention to her.
"I just want to say," she began, her voice steady but filled with emotion, "that this movie isn’t just a result of hard work—it’s a result of teamwork, passion, and resilience. Every single person here, from the crew to the cast, gave their all. And it shows in the final product."
A round of applause followed her words, but she wasn’t done. "This past month has been challenging for all of us. The tight schedules, long nights, and countless retakes—it wasn’t easy. But we did it. And I know my father, Ricardo, will be so proud when he watches this." Her voice faltered slightly, but she smiled, pushing through.
Sophie Tran, the producer, raised a glass of sparkling cider. "To Zinnia, to her father, our chairman, and to all of us—for making this movie a reality!"
"Cheers!" everyone called out, raising their glasses.
Samuel, who had attended to support Zinnia, watched her from the back of the room, his expression soft. He didn’t need to say much; the pride in his eyes was enough.
As the party continued, people mingled, congratulating one another. Julian Perez, who played Victor, the antagonist, approached Zinnia with a playful grin. "I have to admit, I wasn’t sure I could make people hate me on screen. But watching this—I think I did my job."
Zinnia laughed, shaking his hand. "You absolutely nailed it. I was genuinely scared of you during some of those scenes!"
Meanwhile, Tom Ellis, who portrayed Captain Harding, was chatting with Michael Zhen about how some of the stunts were coordinated. "I can’t believe we managed those sequences," he said, shaking his head. "It was brutal, but it looks amazing on screen."
The energy in the room was electric, filled with relief, pride, and excitement for what was to come. Zinnia stood back for a moment, watching everyone celebrate. Despite the sleepless nights and the stress of balancing her duties as Deputy CEO with the assistant director role, it was all worth it.
Marcos walked over, patting her on the shoulder. "You did good, Zinnia. Your leadership kept us all going."
"Thank you, Marcos," she said, her voice filled with gratitude. "But this was a team effort. I couldn’t have done it without all of you."
Marcos then excused himself to chat with the others.
Zinnia stood by the refreshments table, sipping on a glass of sparkling cider. She glanced around the room, watching as the cast and crew celebrated the successful wrap-up of Seas of Deception. The energy in the air was electric, with people laughing, chatting, and reliving moments from the intense month of filming.
"Zinnia," a familiar voice called out from behind her.
She turned to see Victoria, the branch CEO of Lily Oceanic Industries, approaching with a bright smile. Dressed in a navy blue pantsuit, Victoria exuded confidence yet carried an approachable warmth that put Zinnia at ease.
"Victoria," Zinnia greeted, setting her glass down and stepping forward. "I’m so glad you could make it."
"Well, I couldn’t miss this," Victoria said, extending her hand for a handshake. "After all, this project has been a significant collaboration for both our companies. And I have to say—congratulations. You and your team did an incredible job."
"Thank you," Zinnia said, her smile softening. "That means a lot coming from you. It’s been a challenging process, but seeing everyone’s reactions tonight makes it all worth it."
Victoria nodded, her expression thoughtful. "I can see that. The film is stunning, Zinnia. The visuals, the performances, the story—it all came together so beautifully. My team at Lily Oceanic is already excited about what’s next."
Zinnia tilted her head curiously. "Have they seen the final cut yet?"
"Not yet," Victoria admitted with a chuckle. "But based on what I saw tonight, I have no doubt they’ll be impressed. This film is going to set a high bar, not just for us but for the industry as a whole."
"That’s high praise," Zinnia said, a hint of pride in her tone.
"It’s well-deserved," Victoria replied. She glanced around the room, watching the cast and crew celebrate. "You can tell this project wasn’t just work for them. Everyone here clearly poured their hearts into this. It’s rare to see that kind of passion."
Zinnia nodded, her gaze following Victoria’s. "They’ve been amazing. I’m lucky to have such a dedicated team. And, of course, this wouldn’t have been possible without Lily Oceanic’s support."
Victoria smiled. "We’re proud to be part of it. Honestly, we’re already looking forward to the premiere. This movie has so much potential. I’m sure it’ll do incredibly well in theaters."
"I hope so," Zinnia said earnestly. "My father will be watching it too, and I want him to feel proud of what we’ve achieved."
"He will," Victoria said confidently. "This is a masterpiece. Trust me, Zinnia—when this hits the big screen, it’s going to make waves. You’ve created something truly special."
Zinnia felt a wave of gratitude and relief. "Thank you, Victoria. That means a lot."
Victoria gave her a reassuring smile. "Now, you should take a moment to celebrate. You’ve earned it. And don’t worry—Lily Oceanic will make sure this movie gets all the attention it deserves. We’ll make it a success together."
"I appreciate that," Zinnia said, her voice steady but filled with emotion.
Victoria gave her a quick pat on the shoulder before turning to join another group.