Forty minutes later, the big meeting ended. Lilia stretched her stiff body as she got up from her chair. She was relieved when the long, boring meeting was finally over. Lilia and Dina headed towards the door when a familiar voice called out to her loudly.
"Lilia Pangestu!"
Lilia closed her mouth tightly and swallowed her expletive again. She wasn't in the mood to deal with the Hiroshi Family's daughter tonight. If possible, Lilia wanted to ignore Sasha and leave right away, but that woman had the status of an investor here. So she couldn't be rude for no apparent reason!
Even though several people had left the room as soon as Louis dismissed them, there were still many actors and film crews who stayed. They all turned their heads towards Sasha, who was walking towards Lilia. Their minds were filled with various possibilities regarding the relationship between the two women.
The main actors also stopped walking and observed their interactions.
Edward shot Lilia a surprised look. Did the model know the investors for this film? Was that the reason why the newcomer was able to land a role in a film directed by Louis Septian?
Meanwhile, Shirley took turns looking at Lilia and Sasha with probing glances. She inched closer so that she didn't miss a word from their conversation.
William, who had just crossed the threshold, turned around and walked back into the meeting room. He leaned against the wall while observing the two women. William had heard from Shirley that Lilia had close relationships with several large families in Surabaya. No wonder the model was approached by Sasha Hiroshi, the daughter of one of the big families.
Lilia turned around and looked at Sasha with a flat expression, "Good evening, Miss Sasha." She greeted in a light tone. She hid her irritation and maintained her calm demeanor.
The knocking sound of Sasha's high heels sounded so loud in the big room. She nodded politely at the film crew she was passing by, making them smile back at her.
Lilia was watching Sasha's hypocrisy with a cold expression that earned her the nickname 'Snow White'. If the film crew had seen how Sasha would look when they competed at the auction back in the day, they would have lost their respect for her. Sasha might seem friendly and humble, but she couldn't hide the pride that was so ingrained in her.
But Lilia felt that Sasha's acting deserved an award. The woman could present herself as an elegant and kind young lady very well. Maybe Sasha would be more suitable for a role in the film than Lilia!
While Lilia was thinking about that, Sasha stopped in front of her. Even though the Hiroshi Family's daughter was wearing high heels, she still had to look up to meet Lilia's eyes.
Sasha realized that she was still not tall enough to match Lilia. With natural movements, she stepped back to cover their height difference. Sasha smiled broadly and said in a familiar tone, "It's been quite a while since we last met! How about we chat over dinner?"
Hearing the invitation for dinner that evening, Lilia raised her guard. She thought back to dinner at the Hiroshi Family's house. At that time, Sasha deliberately complicated the situation and tried to slander Lilia in front of Samuel. Lilia didn't know what that woman was planning this time, but she wasn't that stupid. Dinner with Sasha always ended in trouble!
"Thank you for the invitation, Miss Sasha." Lilia answered flexibly while putting on a warm smile, "But I have a shooting schedule tomorrow morning, so I'm afraid I won't be able to accompany you to dinner."
The existence of other people around them made Lilia have to maintain her attitude. If they saw Lilia being rude to Sasha, it would risk her own position.
"Is it true?" Sasha touched her cheek, wearing a disappointed face that was clearly fake, "Even though Mr. Louis and Mr. Sonny are waiting for your presence! This is a great opportunity for you, isn't that so?"
At the end of her sentence, Sasha deliberately lowered her voice while leaning towards Lilia. Her suspicious movements immediately sparked various gossip and whispers among the audience.
"So Lilia is familiar with that investor?"
"Of course they are! How could that investor invite her to dinner with important people if they are not close?!"
"Hey, maybe that's the reason why the newcomer seems to be able to become a female side character in this film!"
Lilia stared coldly at Sasha who smiled triumphantly at the whispers. The Hiroshi Family's daughter purposely made everyone think that Lilia got her role through connections. No one could be hated more than those who used their connections to gain something.
Even so, Lilia maintained her composure. She just raised her eyebrows and laughed casually, "What does Miss Sasha mean by chance, hmm?"
Sasha crossed her arms with a triumphant expression, "You know what I mean." She was adamant.
"Are you saying that if I go out to dinner with you, I can get a boost for my career?" Lilia asked bluntly, ignoring Sasha's face that was turning pale.
"Don't be stupid, that's not what I mean ...!" Sasha frantically tried to correct Lilia. She secretly cursed her own stupidity for forgetting that this woman would not hesitate to say things others might have avoided.
However, Lilia continued speaking as if Sasha didn't say anything, "Then I suggest that Miss Sasha give that opportunity to someone else. To be more precise, to people who need it."
Lilia's gaze was fixed on William when she said that. The actor had stopped leaning against the wall and was now listening to their conversation with great interest.
"However, I don't feel like I am short on opportunity." Lilia suddenly took a step forward, closing the distance between herself and Sasha. She took the opportunity when the woman was still surprised to whisper in her ear, "I'm sure you know that Jean can give me everything I want."
Sasha's face turned bright red in an instant. Her expression was filled with intense jealousy and hatred. Did she think she would be okay as long as Jean was around?! Sasha might not be able to do anything to Lilia in Jakarta, but it was different in Magetan!
A second later, Sasha realized that everyone was still watching them. She stepped backwards while giving Lilia a poisonous gaze one last time. Then she neutralized her expression with difficulty before forcing herself to laugh.
"If that's your answer, I won't force you to do something you don't want." Sasha replied stiffly.
Lilia nodded with a satisfied expression, like a mother who managed to make her child learn something, "Forcing others is not a good habit, Miss Sasha. Besides, even if someone needs to accompany Mr. Sonny, I am not the right person! The female lead in this film is not me, but Shirley Pierre!"
Shirley jumped at the sudden mention of her name. Everyone immediately turned to look at the woman. They knew that Shirley's reputation had been falling for a while. Would Shirley take this opportunity to regain her glory?
"I hope you will give this opportunity to someone more suitable, Miss Sasha. See you later!" Lilia nodded at the woman before leaving the room without looking back.
Sasha watched the model's figure until it disappeared from sight.. Her eyes flashed with vengeance and her expression turned darker. She was determined to make Lilia regret that she embarrassed her all this time!
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