Chapter 189 She's Captivating
Lyle obediently took a seat next to Juniper, then raised his glass and began to toast everyone.
"Sorry for being late, I'll drink first as an apology."
After downing three glasses, he continued to toast with a smile.
The main character today was the middle-aged man sitting at the head of the table, Conrad Wall, the owner of NexusFusion Entertainment and a well-known big shot in the entertainment industry.
Conrad's gaze fell on Juniper, and he smiled, "Juniper, when did you become interested in the entertainment business?"
"Not interested, just messing around."
"Messing around is fine too, as long as you're happy. Need any help?" Conrad ignored Lyle's toast and continued chatting with Juniper.
"Thanks, but I don't know much about your industry, so don't make fun of me."
Conrad was good friends with Juniper's father, Rupert, so she was quite familiar with him.
Lyle's expression changed several times.
From surprise to understanding, all in the blink of an eye.
No wonder his agent had repeatedly told him to bring Juniper tonight; there was more to it than he had thought.
Lyle said, "Mr. Wall, Juniper really doesn't like the entertainment industry. She once said that it's better to keep a distance; getting too close ruins the fun."
"Haha, that does sound like something Juniper would say. But, who are you?"
Only then did Conrad look at him directly.
Lyle smiled and bowed lower, "My name is Lyle Warner. I'm currently signed with Blue Maple Entertainment. I've been in the industry for two years but don't have any notable works yet."
"At least you're honest, I'll give you that."
Lyle quickly waved his hand, "In front of you, how could I dare to be otherwise?"
Watching the two of them go back and forth, toasting and chatting, Juniper suddenly felt quite bored.
She wasn't one to put herself out, so she stood up directly. "Sorry, I just remembered something I need to do. I'll be leaving now."
Conrad didn't seem disappointed at all; instead, he indulged her, "No problem, you go ahead. I'll arrange to have tea with your dad another day."
"Okay."
Lyle's face changed dramatically, and he excused himself to the restroom to follow her out. "Juniper!"
Juniper paused and turned around, speaking calmly, "What's the matter?"
"Juniper, why are you so cold to me?"
His eyes turned red instantly, and tears welled up just as quickly.
But this time, Juniper felt nothing, "Don't you know why?"
"Did I do something wrong?" Lyle looked innocent, his eyes even showing a hint of hurt.
Juniper thought, 'Who says only women can act? Male actors are even better at it.'
Juniper sneered and suddenly started to scrutinize him from head to toe.
Lyle felt a chill under her gaze, but subconsciously, he still saw Juniper as the soft-hearted, indulgent sugar mama who would spend money on him.
He shouldn't be afraid.
There was no need to be afraid.
"Lyle Warner," Juniper suddenly called his name, "Do you understand the rules?"
"What?"
"I support you, give you money, and almost always meet your demands. In return, you should be loyal, honest, and sensible."
"Juniper..."
"If you want resources or connections from me, you can say so. If I'm happy, I'll give them to you; if not, I might not."
Juniper raised her chin slightly, her eyes cold, and her words even colder, "But you can't scheme against me, understand? Just like a dog I keep, if it's hungry and wags its tail, I know to feed it. But if this dog gets unruly and tries to snatch food from me, do you think it's still a good dog?"
Lyle staggered, "Juniper, I didn't, it was my agent who said you..."
"What he said doesn't matter. The point is, you brought me to this dinner, and you used me to talk to Conrad, didn't you? Did your agent teach you that too? If so, he's really dedicated!"
"Juniper, let me explain. I didn't scheme against you or use you. I was genuinely scared to come to this dinner, so I asked you to accompany me."
"Scared? I saw you mingling and enjoying yourself at the table. Is that what you call scared?"
Lyle had nothing to say.
"We're done here. From now on, we don't know each other." Juniper finished speaking and turned to leave.
"Trying to get rid of me?" Lyle's voice turned cold and deep, as if coming from hell, "Do you think it's that easy?"
Juniper turned back to see the once sunny and straightforward Lyle now looking sinister, his greed no longer hidden.
"Two million dollars, plus the lead role in this show, and we're even."
Juniper laughed, then walked back, step by step, closing in on him, "Are you negotiating with me?"
Lyle gritted his teeth, "You could say that."
"Do you deserve it? What gives you the right to negotiate with me?"
"Our intimate photos, are they enough?"
Juniper didn't show any fear; instead, her smile grew even brighter. "If I don't agree, what will you do? Make the photos public?"
"That's right."
"Fine, go ahead."
Lyle was shocked.
Juniper continued, "I have a good figure and face; there's nothing I'm ashamed of. But you, once the photos are out, can you still hide the fact that you're being kept? I don't care. I'm not in the entertainment industry, nor do I want to be a big star. But what about you? Don't you care?"
She easily hit Lyle's weak spot.
Lyle's expression changed several times, finally reverting to a pitiful, puppy-like look. "Juniper, I'm sorry, I was wrong. Please don't leave me."
Juniper, however, curled her lips, raised her hand, and patted his face, her gaze cruel and heartless.
"When I like you, I can pamper you, love you, and indulge you. But once I don't like you, I can discard you like trash, hate you, and abandon you. That's the rule, got it? If you want to survive in this circle, know your place and don't take yourself too seriously."
She paused, then said, "To put it bluntly, you're just a dog I keep. If a dog dares to bite its owner, do you know what happens?" She enunciated each word, "A horrible death."
With every word Juniper spoke, Lyle's face turned a shade paler.
By the end, he was trembling all over, sweating profusely.
It turned out that no one in the upper circles was a fool. How laughable that he had foolishly thought he could control Juniper.
Juniper was very satisfied with his reaction.
She smiled lightly and walked away.
Just after Juniper left, a figure emerged from the corner, a cigarette burned to its end between his fingers.
He threw it on the ground and crushed it with his foot.
Simon watched the direction Juniper had left, his gaze deep and unfathomable.
So ruthless.
Even more decisive than when he dumped women.
He thought, 'But damn, she's captivating!'
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