Chapter 279

"You want me to issue a public apology and declare the previous contract invalid?" Director Chen arched her eyebrows dramatically. "How absurd!"

Adrian Valdemar studied her twisted expression before chuckling.

"Indeed absurd."

The Valdemar Group's legal department had never lost a case since its establishment. He wondered what lawyer this washed-up director had hired to make such outrageous demands.

A faint smirk played on Adrian's lips, his striking features illuminated under the studio lights. Director Chen's eyes gleamed with undisguised lust as her gaze roamed over him.

"Actually..." She lowered her voice suggestively. "The compensation could be waived. If you'd just... keep me company for a while..."

Though well-preserved for her forties, the crow's feet around her eyes betrayed her age. Her attempt at coquettishness turned Adrian's stomach.

"Granny, is your house missing mirrors or toilets?"

His expression darkened. "At your age, you should spare people this secondhand embarrassment. Is your face made of reinforced concrete?"

The verbal dagger struck true. Director Chen's face purpled with rage. "You insignificant brat! Crushing you would be easier than squashing an ant!"

"Spare me!"

Adrian unleashed his full disdain. "You think you can sexually harass me? You only bully newcomers on set while groveling before investors. If your face could generate electricity, we could shut down every nuclear plant in the country!"

His notorious temper wasn't unfounded, but he never picked fights without cause.

"Tell me, are you hormonally imbalanced or just pathologically desperate?"

Director Chen trembled with fury. "You—you'll regret this! Not a penny less than two million! Don't come crawling back to me later!"

"Get psychiatric help."

Adrian turned on his heel and strode away without a backward glance.

Her shrill scream followed him: "Adrian Valdemar! You'll pay for this!"

Crew members exchanged bewildered looks as they passed by. Another meltdown from the director?

Adrian headed straight to the "Empress" set afterward. Director Chen's tantrum had unexpectedly eased his nerves.

After exchanging pleasantries with director Lucas Sheridan, he took his position before the camera.

Today's audition involved the Young Marquis' pivotal breakdown scene upon learning of his father's death—requiring seamless transitions from aristocratic charm to stunned disbelief, then utter devastation.

The challenging sequence had stumped every previous auditioning actor, leaving Lucas unsatisfied.