At the office entrance, Victoria looks sincere and innocent.
Sebastian doesn't answer her question directly but instead poses his own, "If I had told you about the incident and then discussed an endorsement deal with you, would you refuse, Vicky?"
Victoria shakes her head. Had she known beforehand, she definitely would have agreed.
"What if I asked you to endorse something you didn't like?" Sebastian says with a light chuckle. "Would you still agree because you felt indebted?"
"As long as it's nothing unreasonable," Victoria responds after some thought, her eyes clear.
"That's exactly the point," Sebastian says warmly, yet with a firm smile. "If I can't persuade someone for a fair cooperation, that's my problem. So I came back to work harder to grow the business. But if I took advantage of gratitude, wouldn't that just prove that your previous aversion to me was the correct choice?"
"I actually…" Victoria begins, hesitating to speak.
"Wasn't I clear enough?" Sebastian interrupts with a smile, his voice gentle but resolute.
"You were very clear," Victoria nods.
"So what are you still doing here?" Sebastian's smile is radiant, yet it carries a touch of polite distance as he says, "The studio is quite busy and you don't have to feel indebted. I will let Patrick take you back."
"Why me?" Patrick interjects urgently, "I haven't even had lunch after running all this way."
"Well, this task just serves you right for bringing a stranger to the studio without my consent." Sebastian raises an eyebrow and teases, "It looks like we'll need to install an access control system at the entrance to prevent just anyone from entering. Our studio needs a sense of security."
"Of course, Victoria, don't misunderstand, I'm not referring to you."
"President Vanderbilt, there seems to be some misunderstanding here," Victoria says after glancing at Jessica. She turns to Sebastian and speaks softly, "I think it would be good to talk if possible?"
"Sorry, we're very busy here," Sebastian says somewhat apologetically.
"Excuse me, please make way." Secretary Chelsea rushes in carrying two large boxes, conscientiously placing the food on the coffee table and saying, "Mr. President and Miss Levandov, the food is fresh out of the kitchen. Please eat now, or it will lose its flavor as it cools."
The atmosphere turns a bit awkward. Patrick almost lets out a laugh. Secretary Chelsea's timing couldn't have been more coincidental.
Jessica's eyes sparkle with mischief as she stands up, pulling Victoria inside and over to the sofa, "Vicky, you must be starving from the set. Have some fried chicken to recharge."
"Ah, Jess! But…" Victoria hesitates, glancing at Sebastian.
"Why not clear up whatever is being misunderstood?" Jessica raises an eyebrow and quickly says, "Don't worry about a certain gentleman who lacks any semblance of it. Just speak your mind; I've got your back here."
"Cough, cough! As an endorser, I hope you realize your place or I might replace you with a responsible one!" Sebastian says discontentedly.
"Mr. President, have you read the terms of the endorsement contract? If you terminate it without cause, you owe me three times the penalty," Jessica counters.
Through their interactions over the past few days, she has gotten a good read on Sebastian's temperament. He might be tough-talking but has a soft heart. Unless his bottom line is touched, he is usually amenable.
And if not, just put your foot forward. What's the worst that could happen? A playful bite? After all, it wouldn't be the first time.
"It's my good fortune to have signed Miss Levandov as our branding ambassador," Sebastian says with a forced smile, though it is clear he isn't entirely pleased. Reluctantly as he is, he pulls up a chair and sits down.
"Is it? I think so too," Jessica's smile is radiant.
Sebastian is left speechless. Is she playing dumb or truly naive, not even picking up on the sarcasm? Patrick also pulls up a chair and starts eating without asking. He is genuinely hungry and needs to refuel.
"Victoria, please go ahead. Consider it compensation for the times I've bothered you," Sebastian says.
"You've bothered Victoria?" Jessica asks disapprovingly. "Explain yourself."
"It was just an invitation for Victoria to endorse a product," Sebastian explains. "So, if there's anything you wish to say, Victoria, go ahead."
Victoria glances at Jessica and Patrick, and with a wry smile, admits, "I was just saying that I planned to endorse a product for KG Studio..."
"No need, we've already found someone," Patrick interjects.
"I—"
"Weren't you supposed to get Victoria to endorse? Why give it to someone else when she already said yes?" Jessica joins in.
Sebastian is momentarily at a loss for words, realizing his authority as president might need reinforcement. He quickly says with a laugh, "Actually, we've already signed a tentative contract with a model."
"Is that so?" Victoria responds with a hint of apology. "That's a pity. I hope there will be another opportunity to collaborate."
"Why isn't it...?" Jessica can't finish her sentence before Sebastian stuffs a piece of fried chicken in her mouth to quiet her.
"Keep talking nonsense, and see if I don't really cancel your endorsement," Sebastian threatens half-jokingly.
"Then I'll step outside and start criticizing your company's products for their poor quality," Jessica raises her eyebrow in a challenging manner.
Sebastian falls silent. He knows it is unlikely, but given the substantial buzz from several recent news stories and Jessica's current fame, if she really did criticize KG Studio publicly, it could potentially tarnish their reputation.
"Anyway, don't interrupt our conversation again," Sebastian warns.
"Mr. President, Jessica didn't mean to. She just speaks her mind," Victoria says with a mix of laughter and helplessness. "I understand but with disappointment."
She soon stands up and bows sincerely, "Still, for the incident with the dog, I am very grateful."
"There's no need for that," Sebastian replies. "As I said, thanks is not a required responsibility."
After the meal, Patrick takes Victoria away.
"Aren't you leaving too?" Sebastian asks Jessica, who has just closed the door and taken a seat beside him, his face showing a half-amused expression.
Something is off with Jessica today. Even if she acted haughty in the past, she would never have done so many things to give him a headache. Sebastian feels there must be a reason, though he doesn't know it yet...
Jessica shrinks her neck and lets out an awkward laugh. "Don't think you can get by with just being cute," Sebastian grumbles, though it is more of a mutter. To him, Jessica's actions are still within an acceptable range.
As he is pondering... "Here." Sebastian looks at the foot extended towards him, momentarily confused as he turns to see Jessica pretending to look away nonchalantly.