Her Divorce, His Downfall (Sophia and Damian) novel Chapter 74

Chapter 74

This was the kind of thing Stella had to endure if she wanted to survive in this industry.

Forcing everything down, she picked up the glass and drained it in one go.

“Ms. Parker really can hold her liquor,” Paul Hoyles said loudly. “Mr. Russell, fill her glass again.”

Egbert Russell, the head of a film company, quickly poured her another drink. His eyes narrowed into greasy little slits.

“Ms. Parker, this one’s from me,” he said with a smile. “If we do a short drama project in the future, I’ll make sure the female lead is yours.”

A short drama?

Stella frowned slightly.

She had always worked in full-length productions. Even when she wasn’t the lead, supporting roles still gave her the chance to learn from experienced actors and improve her skills.

Short dramas, on the other hand… usually meant more intimate

scenes.

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She hesitated, saying nothing.

Seeing her stay quiet, Egbert suddenly slammed his glass onto the table.

The sharp crack instantly killed the noise in the room.

He rose to his feet, one elbow braced against the table, a half-smile tugging at his mouth.

“Ms. Parker… what, you think short dramas are beneath you?” he said lazily. “Don’t forget-you’re still a nobody in this

business.”

“That’s where the market is now. Fast, flashy, brainless… and insanely profitable. Those so-called serious actors who act like they’re above it all-how many of them really make it big?”

Then he lifted his eyes and looked straight at her, his gaze suddenly sharp.

“Or is it not the short dramas you look down on…”

“Is it me?”

Someone nearby immediately jumped in, his tone mocking.

“Do you have any idea how many people would kill for a drink from Mr. Russell?”

I

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“Do you know how many nobodies he’s turned into stars?”

“Ms. Parker, you really should show Mr. Russell some respect.”

Paul spoke up at just the right moment, his tone calm, almost reasonable–but laced with pressure.

“Ms. Parker, the more connections you have, the more doors open. If you want to make it in this industry, you need people. You need resources.”

He gave her a faint smile.

“Mr. Russell offering you a drink is a gesture of goodwill. Don’t take it the wrong way.”

Seizing the moment, Egbert grabbed the bottle and poured into her glass-again and again.

The liquid rose to the brim… then spilled over.

And still, he didn’t stop.

“Drink this,” Egbert said lightly. “Then we’ll talk business.”

He paused, letting the silence stretch.

“If you don’t…”

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A faint smile tugged at his lips.

“This industry’s smaller than you think. You get what I’m saying, right?”

“Mr. Russell, you’re too kind,” Stella said, forcing a polite smile. “Let me drink to your continued success.”

With all eyes on her and the pressure closing in from every side, her scalp prickling with every glance, she had no choice.

She lifted the glass and drained it again.

“That’s more like it.”

Egbert smiled, satisfied, and immediately poured her another.

“Then let’s toast in advance… to a successful collaboration.”

The alcohol was already starting to hit her.

A faint dizziness crept in, heat rising across her cheeks, making her look even more flushed-more striking.

She glanced around the table.

There were other women there too.

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They moved easily among the men-pouring drinks, placing food, smiling at the right moments.

Nothing seemed out of place.

For a second, Stella thought-

Maybe it wouldn’t go that far.

But in that brief moment of hesitation-

Egbert slipped a white pill into her glass.

“Ms. Parker, what are you thinking about?” Egbert said with a faint smile. “Don’t tell me you’re not interested in working with

me.”

When she didn’t respond, his tone softened, coaxing.

His gaze lingered on her-greedy, calculating-like a predator watching prey he already knew wouldn’t escape.

He could almost picture it-this delicate beauty beneath him, completely overwhelmed.

Stella glanced at him, unease flickering across her face.

“Mr. Russell… I’m feeling a little dizzy. I can’t drink anymore.

5ysorry.”

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