At this stage, Jessica Levandov still has a lot of questions about both the show and the unexpected switch.
"Turn your back to the crowd!" Although Charlotte doesn't understand, she makes a mental note to discuss it later with Vicky.
Hmm. And then there's the thing about not having the figure for it. Charlotte can't help but snicker. Who would've thought that one day even the celebrities in show business would face rejection based on looks? She can already imagine Vicky's reaction upon hearing this news. Definitely going to be interesting...
Soon after, there comes a knock at the door. Sebastian Vanderbilt looks up.
And then... He turns his head and gave a look at Patrick Anchor who is grinning foolishly beside him; it is a look that screams 'I might actually kick your ass.'
"So S Entertainment has no other female artists besides Pretty Generation? I get rid of Vicky and you get me Jessica?"
He knows her, of course. Before he rebirths, Charlotte Winston's closest confidante and had an online nickname known as 'The Strategist' in her fans' eyes. That is her!
All sorts of bizarre thoughts keep popping up in his mind. Sebastian once suspects that this woman plans to win over Charlotte's attention from him. Why else would their animosity run so deep?
"Hi, I'm Jessica from Pretty Generation!" As soon as Jessica steps through the door, she catches Sebastian's odd gaze—mixed with recognition, resentment...and faint hostility?
What does this come from?
Jessica is positive she'd never met him before.
But Patrick Anchor ignores Sebastian's expressions completely, keeping his amused smile fixed as he observes Jessica walk in. She really is stunning! He secretly admires her beauty which outshines how she appears on screen by miles.
"I'm the president of King Game—Sebastian Vanderbilt!" Sebastian nods slightly and tentatively asks: "Your familiarity with King Game..." He quickly dismisses whatever he had been pondering. Whoever they are, it doesn't matter anymore. The past life is over; now all he needs is to ensure King Game thrives.
"My manager filled me in on everything during our ride here." Jessica glances quickly at Sebastian's youthful face and says softly: "He assured me there wouldn't be any performances too exposed..."
"Well, since you're already briefed on the situation—that makes things easier." Sebastian agrees and promptly requests: "Now I need you to show me what you've got onstage."
"Here?" Jessica blinks in surprise.
"A good performer should treat anywhere as their stage," says Sebastian firmly. "Do you see an issue with that?"
"Nope, no problem." Her chestnut curls sway gently on her shoulders. In the embrace of a red, figure-hugging cartoon T-shirt, her confident posture is unmistakable, along with her blue jeans that showcase long and shapely legs.
Sebastian Vanderbilt nods slightly; compared to the youthful exuberance of Vicky, Jessica's mature vibe after pulling a straight face – those cool eyes – seems perfect for the upcoming role.
Then suddenly, as his eyes accidentally meet with the wide-eyed Pikachu emblazoned on her shirt, Sebastian feels a hint of heat creeping onto his face.
After knowing each other in their past lives for so long, this is the first time he considers that maybe there is some truth to rumors about Jessica's generous figure.
Quickly shifting in his chair and taking a sip of iced Americano to quell any internal turmoil, he scoffs internally at his own naivety.
"This is how young body reacts?" After all, it's just teenage hormones acting up.
Beside him stands Patrick Anchor, utterly stunned – what fresh-out-of-high-school kid has ever witnessed such a spectacle?
"Is... is this okay?" asks Jessica uncertainly while watching Sebastian calmly sipping his coffee.
"Yeah... It's fine!" Sebastian now acknowledges her performance; then an idea seems to strike him: "There are still some minor flaws but overall you've made it through. Once we've signed the contract, come by the studio when you can and we'll work on those details."
He rises and extends his hand with a welcoming smile: "Looking forward to our collaboration!"
"It's my pleasure!" Jessica replies politely as she shakes his hand. Yet inwardly she notes down Sebastian's comments about imperfections for future reference.
"If there aren't any conditions or concerns from your side," Sebastian says with an easy smile while maintaining eye contact. "Let's get ready to sign." The corners of Sebastian's mouth twitch involuntarily when he nudges Patrick Anchor, who appears still dazed.
"Ah... Right, sign... Let's sign." As if waking from a trance, Patrick scrambles to extract the prepared contract from his bag.
These recent activities make one thing clear to Sebastian – perhaps it is high time they actually hire a secretary rather than having Anchor pretend to be one any longer.
The representative for S Entertainment is a business staff who is an acquaintance of Patrick Anchor's uncle—which would make things easier if both sides agree on major clauses.
The contract signing goes off without a hitch, except for the final price.
"Five million..." Sebastian Vanderbilt glances with a half-smile toward Patrick Anchor, who looks like he wishes he could sink into the floor as the original budget of this deal was ten million. Sebastian knows this guy would make a killing on his cut. He hadn't expected him to take such a large share, but as long as he can deliver the talent, it is considered part of his skill set. Without further comment, Sebastian quickly signs his name on the dotted line.
Soon after they step out, Patrick begins speaking after glancing at Sebastian for what must have been the thirty-fifth time and swiftly tries to change the subject. "With all these arrangements you've made, did you secure a factory in the business to manufacture our designs?"
"Secured," Sebastian nods; in the vast network of the Vanderbilt family, finding a manufacturing plant willing to take on work is relatively simple – one of the perks of being part of such an influential clan.
"When will our studio be ready after renovation?"
"About six months?" responds Sebastian: "But since we're repurposing offices upstairs, we could be operational there in two weeks."
"Oh really..." After testing his temper several times and realizing that Sebastian isn't upset, Patrick lets out an ingenuous laugh and says: "I heard Jessica might need some coaching? She looked pretty flawless to me though!"
"You wouldn't know the top-notch style until you see one in person!" Sebastian recalls Patrick's reaction back in the studio but nonetheless explains patiently: "Taste in men is hierarchical; low-tier are all about ass and boobs, mid-tier fixate on legs; high-tier appreciate waists while top-shelf...they focus on necklines."
He adds: "Only those at the pinnacle of taste truly understand that demeanor is key."
"Why's that?" Patrick asks curiously. "What's so great about demeanor?"
"You'll get it once you reach a certain level," explains Sebastian with confidence as he rolls down his car window and lets the wind tousle his hair—a picture of youthful bravado. "There are tons of beautiful women in this world—if looks are just an entry ticket then demeanor is like fatal attraction."
"I still don't get it," mutters Patrick under his breath.
"Imagine this." Sebastian sighs slightly at his naivety before continuing: "In a dimly lit room late at night shared by just two people…"
"A—a stunning face like Sienna Miller."
"B—Scarlet Johannson coming towards you in that white blouse looking all scornful."
"Squeak..." The car screeches abruptly to a halt.
"What's your problem this time?" complains Sebastian irritably.
"Just wait here; got to use the restroom," says Patrick as he dashes out towards a gas station restroom nearby.
"This kid..." mumbles an exasperated Sebastian.
Meanwhile... Back in her rehearsal space, Jessica explains what she has overheard to Vicky.
"Turning your back to the crowd?" As soon as she speaks those words, tension briefly freezes everyone in place before they burst into laughter loud enough to shake rooftops—all except Vicky whose bright eyes flash anger.
Sebastian Vanderbilt! She etches that name firmly into her memory.
Two weeks later…
Jessica arrives via limousine onto Times Boulevard where King Game Studio's facade stands newly finished. The giant windows shed ambivalent light inside; however, few items adorn those empty shelves within.
Upon entering inside, Jessica encounters a wafting scent suggesting fresh construction material—evidently renovations are ongoing or recent—and climbs up using stairs since elevators aren't functioning yet. Each ascending floor grows less refined until reaching quite barren third floor—contrastingly, the fourth floor is a well-kept computer office area bustling with designers and staff workers.
Before Jessica even settles herself properly, an assistant escort her across all these sections and dimly lit staircases, where she stumbles upon some misplaced objects during passage leading to a secluded room deep within the building's confines.
"Miss Levandov, please enter the studio. Mr. President will join shortly." The assistant informs her, leaving with an apologetic expression, hinting that some aspects of the shoot might delve into personal areas. Thereafter, she departs promptly, leaving Jessica to push open the door herself.
Uncertainly stepping through the threshold, she finds a state-of-art camera setup pointing toward a rather makeshift studio with dark red lighting, casting an unusual atmosphere around neat rows of uniforms, handcuffs, and whips... Wait a second—is there a bed in the corner?
Eyes widening in shock, she is swiftly followed by the entrance of none other than the President himself. He is unbuttoning the top two buttons of a grey shirt and confidently lifts a camera, stating sincerely and solemnly:
"Give me your best shot!"