The soundstage buzzed with quiet activity—assistants running cables, adjusting lights, and shuffling clipboards. Lex leaned against the back wall, his arms crossed as he watched the setup. Benny stood closer to the stage, his clipboard in hand, glancing between the camera and his list of names.
"I thought this was about locking in leads," Lex said, nodding toward the empty stage.
Benny looked over his shoulder, smirking. "It is. But Natalie's a wildcard. If she nails this, she'll elevate the whole thing. Besides, she asked for the chance. I figured, why not?"
Lex's smirk deepened. "Let me guess. You thought she'd flake."
"Didn't you?" Benny quipped, but the sound of the doors creaking open at the far end of the room interrupted him.
Natalie Zhang stepped inside, her black top and dark jeans giving her a casual, no-nonsense appearance. Her hair was tied back, a few loose strands framing her sharp, focused face. She scanned the room quickly, spotting Lex almost immediately.
"Great," she said, her voice dry but tinged with amusement as she approached. "Now it feels rigged."
"Relax," Lex replied, his tone teasing. "I'm just here to watch."
"Right." Natalie arched a brow, shifting her attention to Benny. "So, what's the deal? Supporting role, I hear?"
Benny grinned, gesturing toward the stage. "You're reading for Mei, the strategist. Not the lead, but plenty of screen time. And if you blow this out of the water, we'll talk bigger things later."
Natalie glanced at the script in her hand, her brow furrowing slightly. "Supporting. Interesting. I manage a tech startup with my dad full-time, but sure, I'll squeeze in a 'supporting' role for you."
Benny chuckled, his grin widening. "Oh, you're giving me the startup spiel now? I thought this was about chasing a passion."
"Passion doesn't pay the bills," Natalie shot back. "But I'm not here for charity. If I'm going to do this, I'm going to earn it."
Lex smirked, stepping in. "You don't need to sell us on your work ethic, Natalie. Just show us what you've got."
Natalie's lips twitched, her confidence peeking through. "Fine. But don't think I'm here to pad your project. If I'm in, I'm all in. I pull people's attention. That's what I do."
"Prove it," Lex said simply, his gaze steady.
Natalie stepped onto the stage, rolling her shoulders back as she prepared. One of the assistants adjusted the camera, giving her a nod. Benny leaned against the rigging, gesturing for her to begin.
"Scene 12," Benny called out. "The confrontation with the General. Whenever you're ready."
Natalie closed her eyes for a brief moment, her entire demeanor shifting as she exhaled. When she opened them, she was someone else entirely. The calm, sharp manager was gone, replaced by a woman on the battlefield—calculated, intense, ready to lead.
"If we stay here, we die," Natalie said, her voice low but commanding. Her words carried weight, each syllable deliberate.
She took a step forward, the tension in her movements rippling like a live wire.
"You know that as well as I do. You can cling to honor, but honor won't protect them. I'm offering a path forward. If you can't see that—" her voice dropped, a blade cutting through the silence, "—then step aside. I'll lead them myself."
Her gaze locked on an invisible adversary, her intensity filling the room. The assistants stopped moving, the quiet buzz of activity fading into complete stillness.
Natalie held the moment for a beat longer, then released it with a slow exhale. She relaxed her shoulders and stepped off the stage, the transformation melting away as quickly as it had come.
"Happy?" she asked, her tone dry but her eyes daring them to challenge her.
Benny grinned, setting down his clipboard. "Happy doesn't cover it. You nailed it. You're Mei."
Natalie arched a brow, crossing her arms. "That's it? One scene and you're convinced?"
Benny shrugged. "Look, I know talent when I see it, and I'm not about to let you walk out of here without locking you down. You're exactly what this needs—controlled, charismatic, and intense. What's your dad's company again? Tech, right?"
"Data management," Natalie replied. "But this isn't about my dad's company. I'm here for me. This isn't a handout, Benny."
"Never said it was," Benny replied smoothly. "I said you're in because you're damn good. Take the compliment."
Lex chuckled, stepping closer. "He's right. You're good. But you already knew that."
Natalie smirked, tucking the script under her arm. "You don't run a startup without knowing how to hold a room, Lex. You think investors don't need convincing? I've been pitching for years."
Benny shook his head, grinning. "Well, whatever your day job is, this feels like your second calling."
"I'll take it seriously," Natalie replied, her voice softening slightly. "If I'm in, I'll show up—every day, every take. But don't waste my time. I've already got a career that matters."
Lex's smirk widened. "Welcome to the team, Natalie."
As she walked toward the door, Benny let out a low whistle. "She's going to steal scenes, isn't she?"
"That's the idea," Lex said, his tone low but certain.
Barnie could have boardrooms. Lex was building stars.