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Chapter 20 - Chapter 20 Choices

The city lights twinkled against the glass of Zamiel's suite, casting a warm glow in the otherwise quiet room. As he stared out at the skyline, his mind wandered to Hazel. The way she had carried herself, poised yet with that same hint of vulnerability he remembered from high school, had caught him off guard. She was no longer the shy girl who used to fidget with her notebooks mmduring class. She had grown into a confident, capable woman—one who now stood before him with no hint of the past they had shared.

But did she remember?

Zamiel ran a hand through his hair, frustrated by his own hesitation. He had always been direct, yet something about Hazel made him tread carefully. Perhaps it was the memory of that park bench, her quiet voice asking him not to forget her. He hadn't forgotten—not even for a day.

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The luxurious set of Shadow Hunters buzzed with activity as Amanda delivered her final scene of the day. Her golden locks gleamed under the harsh studio lights, and her commanding presence filled the room. She had perfected every line, every movement, ensuring that no one could ignore her talent.

"Cut! That's a wrap!" the director called out.

The crew clapped, some offering compliments as Amanda stepped off the set. She accepted the praise with a graceful smile, but her mind was already elsewhere.

She walked briskly to her trailer, where her mother sat waiting with a glass of champagne in hand. "Magnificent, darling," her mother gushed. "You've outdone yourself."

Amanda offered a cool smile, removing her gloves. "Thank you. But you know this is only the beginning."

Her mother leaned forward, her expression conspiratorial. "Indeed. I did a little digging, as we discussed."

Amanda arched a brow. "And?"

Her mother set the glass down with a triumphant smile. "Zamiel Blake is back in the city."

Amanda froze for a moment, her interest piqued. "Zamiel? The Blake heir?"

"The very one," her mother confirmed. "He's not just an heir anymore, Amanda. He's the CEO of Star Entertainment. The company is set to produce one of the most anticipated films of the year."

A sly smile curled on Amanda's lips. "Interesting. And Hazel?"

Her mother's gaze darkened slightly. "Hazel is a director in that very company."

Amanda's smile faltered, but she quickly masked her irritation. "Of course she is."

Her mother continued, her voice full of venomous determination. "But don't worry. I have a plan. I'll arrange a meeting with Zamiel's parents. If his mother likes you, she'll influence him to consider you as his bride. You know how traditional these families can be."

Amanda leaned back in her chair, letting the idea sink in. "That would certainly seal my place. And the lead role in their upcoming film?"

Her mother smirked. "Consider it yours. I'll make sure of it. You just need to charm Zamiel's parents—and perhaps Zamiel himself."

Amanda's confidence surged. "Perfect. I'll handle this."

---

Later that evening, Amanda arrived at the penthouse suite of a luxury hotel. She smoothed her dress and checked her reflection in the elevator mirror. Her meeting with Charles Winslow, the influential producer who had secured her role in Shadow Hunters, was already planned for this night.

When the elevator doors opened, Charles was there to greet her, his sharp suit and watch radiating wealth and power. "Amanda," he said, his voice low and velvety. "You're right on time."

Amanda stepped forward with a coy smile. "I wouldn't miss it."

Charles closed the door behind her, but before either of them could exchange further pleasantries, the tension between them erupted. He pulled her close, their lips meeting in a fiery kiss.

Amanda leaned into him, her hands sliding up his chest as he guided her toward the plush seating area. His touch was firm, possessive, and it only fueled her ambition further.

"You've proven yourself on set," Charles murmured against her lips. "And I see no reason why you shouldn't be the lead in Star Entertainment's next project."

Amanda's lips curved into a satisfied smile. "I knew you'd see things my way."

Their conversation dissolved into a tangle of whispered promises and shared ambition, the night becoming a stepping stone for Amanda's next big move.

---

Back at her apartment, Hazel sat on her couch, completely unaware of Amanda's plans. Her mind was preoccupied with the events of the day—Zamiel's sudden reappearance, their charged dinner, and the cryptic request for a private meeting the next day.

She hadn't seen Amanda in weeks, their strained relationship as step-sisters making it easy to avoid each other. Amanda had always been ambitious, fiercely competitive, and her stepmother's clear favoritism only fueled the divide between them.

Hazel sighed and turned her attention back to Zamiel's itinerary, trying to focus. But her thoughts kept drifting to the past, to the promises they had made and the distance that now seemed impossible to bridge.

Meanwhile, Amanda's mother sat in her lavish living room, penning the letter she would send to the Blake family. She intended to secure her daughter's future at any cost, and she knew exactly how to play the game.

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As the city's lights dimmed, Amanda and Hazel moved along their separate paths, both unknowingly tied to the same man and the same company. Ambition, secrets, and old connections swirled in the air, setting the stage for a clash neither of them could see coming.

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