Chapter 226

Director Chen's spittle sprayed across Adrian Valdemar's face.

"Your acting is worse than a block of wood!" she shrieked, veins bulging in her neck. "You're dragging down the entire production!"

Adrian clenched his fists. His nails dug crescent moons into his palms.

He bit down hard on his lower lip, swallowing every retort.

Sophia Laurent observed the spectacle from the sidelines, her expression glacial.

She saw right through Director Chen's ploy—using Adrian's scandal to promote this low-budget drama.

"Quite the performance, Director." Sophia's stilettos clicked against the floor as she strode forward. Every head turned.

Director Chen's face paled. "And you are—"

"Family." Sophia smiled sweetly. "I hear you've been bullying my boy?"

Adrian's head snapped up. His eyes widened in disbelief.

Had she lost her mind? Since when was he her boy?

The director recovered quickly. "I was merely providing professional guidance."

"Really?" Sophia surveyed the hushed set. "Funny. I heard you're exploiting Adrian's scandal for publicity."

The air turned leaden.

Crew members exchanged knowing glances. Puzzle pieces clicked into place.

Adrian's ears burned crimson. Their pitying stares pricked like needles.

"Preposterous!" Director Chen's voice cracked. "Leave the set immediately! You're disrupting—"

"Cancel the shoot." Sophia cut her off.

She turned to Adrian. "Pack your things. We're leaving."

Adrian stood frozen.

Hadn't this woman refused to pay his breach fee just yesterday?

Director Chen sneered. "Fine. But the two million penalty stands."

"Don't worry." Sophia pulled out her phone. "Valdemar's legal team will handle the paperwork."

Her eyes narrowed. "Though I wonder if that figure would hold up in court."

All color drained from Director Chen's face.

No low-budget contract could withstand that level of scrutiny.