Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism

James said, "I thought you were going to negotiate with me."

Violeta said, "Your Highness, I'm not someone who bites the hand that feeds."

Why would she provoke the royal family's authority?

Negotiate?

Sure, James was being cordial now.

Don't forget, Violeta was standing while he was sitting.

From the start, James had made it clear who held the power here.

Violeta could ask him why, but trying to negotiate with him would be pushing her luck too far.

She would ultimately die without even understanding why.

If he wanted her gone for good, it was a minor inconvenience. Whether he wanted to look for trouble with her was entirely up to James.

Even if Violeta did disappear, how could her family back in Chesia seek justice?

Let's be real; this was the real world.

James laughed heartily. He looked at Violeta with a touch of admiration.

"Sit down. Why are you standing? I like smart people, and you're very smart."

Violeta forced a smile and sat down at the far end of the sofa, keeping her distance from James.

James continued, "I heard from Wendy that she's very satisfied with the script. Wendy is an excellent director. If she likes it, it means the script is top-notch. "How about this? Since you didn't accept the sponsorship I mentioned earlier, I have a private estate in Kligan. If you like it, you can use it as a filming location." Violeta froze at the offer.

James didn't give her a chance to refuse. He raised his glass to clink with hers.

"Cheers."

Before the sun set, James arranged for a driver to take Violeta and Aster back to their hotel.

Felix called to inform them that Eugene was fine after his hospital checkup, though his dislocated arm needed rest.

Relieved to hear Eugene was okay, they relaxed a bit.

Back at the hotel, Aster followed Violeta closely. She said, "Ms. White, I never thought this Glorian prince would be so kind. He even sent his men to personally send us back to the hotel."

Violeta shook her head helplessly

and said, "You're naive. He sent someone to bring us back to find out where we're staying, making it easier to keep tabs on us."

Aster's eyes widened and she exclaimed, "What? He's such a scheming man."

They entered the elevator together. Violeta watched the doors close with a sigh.

She said, "We've gotten ourselves mixed up with someone we shouldn't have. He also wants me to shoot in his territory in Kligan." James knew their hotel.

Before leaving the winery, Violeta

had

hermit him the address of the

hermitage. If James couldn't

t find the place, he would think she was playing him.

Fortunately, Violeta hadn't tried to deceive him. She had given the real address.

Aster gasped. "Oh my, it seems he never trusted us."

Violeta said, "Have you ever watched palace dramas?"

Aster nodded and said, "Of course I have."

Violeta patted her shoulder and said, "The power struggles between men are far scarier than the scheming of women in the harem." After a night's rest, filming continued the next day.

In the afternoon, Violeta and Wendy signed the contract, and she handed over the full script.

Wendy had her own independent filming team. Violeta could completely trust an internationally award-winning director with the filming. James didn't appear before her again.

Wendy told Violeta, "The prince is a sly fox. He only comes out to drink with people from the industry when he's in a bad mood. Boxing is just his way of venting. I originally thought your manager would be beaten to death."

Violeta said, "I wouldn't let that happen."

Wendy replied, "Your intervention surprised everyone. You really caught us off guard!"

Violeta smiled faintly and changed the subject.

"Director, did you cancel next week's auditions?"

Wendy admitted, "Yes, I've asked my staff to notify everyone, but there might be some disputes."

"Of course," Violeta said.

Cancelling auditions at the last minute was bound to cause trouble.

The actors scheduled to audition were top talents from all over the world. It would be strange if there were no disputes.

Wendy said, "By the way, one of the actresses scheduled for next week's auditions is from your country. You might know her."