Chapter 227

Director Chen's face darkened instantly, his fingers tightening around the script's edge.

"The breach fee is clearly stated in black and white. What's there to question?"

Sophia Laurent didn't even spare him a glance, striding straight toward Adrian Valdemar.

Adrian instinctively took half a step back, his Adam's apple bobbing nervously.

"W-what do you want?"

Sophia arched an eyebrow at his cowardly display, a teasing smirk playing on her lips.

"So jumpy? Afraid I'll devour you?"

Adrian stiffened his neck in defiance. "Don't be ridiculous!"

He inched backward again as he spoke.

"Freeze."

Sophia's expression suddenly turned icy. "I'll count to three. Take one more step and see what happens."

Adrian immediately rooted to the spot.

"Good boy."

Sophia nodded approvingly. "Just answer me this—how much are they paying you for this role?"

Adrian scratched his head. "Uh... twenty-eight thousand?"

The set fell dead silent.

Sophia nearly laughed in disbelief.

A top-tier celebrity taking chump change for a gig?

Even with Adrian's tarnished reputation, his star power was undeniable. A single tweet from him could trend for days.

The "Love You Forever" crew was clearly taking him for a fool.

Crew members exchanged uneasy glances. Even the greenest newcomers earned more than Adrian.

Two million in breach fees?

This was outright robbery.

Sophia turned to Director Chen with a knowing smile.

"Quite the scheme you've got, Director Chen."

She delivered the final blow leisurely. "Scam a few more artists into breaching contracts, and you won't even need box office revenue, huh?"

Director Chen's face cycled through shades of green and white.

Adrian remained frozen in place, dumbfounded.

Sophia waved impatiently.

"What are you waiting for? Let's go."

Adrian hesitated, glancing at the cameras.

"Seriously? We can just leave?"

Sophia grabbed his wrist decisively.

"Follow me."

Director Chen stomped his foot in fury.

"Adrian! You haven't finished today's scenes!"

Sophia didn't bother turning around as she waved dismissively.

"Twenty-eight thousand isn't worthy of Mr. Valdemar's acting caliber."

Director Chen screeched after them, "I'll expose you both on social media!"

Adrian suddenly spun around.

"Be my guest."

He flashed a roguish grin. "Don't forget to tag me. I'll give you a like."