**The City That Drowned in the Sound of Its Own Heartbeat by Erynd Cal DusK 127**
**Chapter 127**
**NATALIE.**
With a sense of urgency coursing through me, I typed out a quick message to Ross, asking him to meet me at Crown Entertainment. I promised to fill him in on everything once I arrived. For a fleeting moment, I considered reaching out to Yandel as well, but then my thoughts drifted back to that disastrous occasion when I had asked for his assistance. It had spiraled out of control, leaving me with a bitter taste in my mouth. So, I opted against that idea.
After all, Yandel is far more effective behind a desk than in the chaos of the field.
Arriving at Crown Entertainment, I parked my car and stepped out, the air thick with anticipation. As I entered the building, the whispers began to swirl around me like a familiar melody, a constant hum that had become mere background noise in my life.
I swiped my access card, and the elevator doors slid open with a soft chime. As I ascended to the executive level, I felt a mix of anxiety and determination. This was where Hans had secured an office for me, a temporary refuge amidst the storm brewing in my life.
Pushing open the door, I was surprised to find Ross already seated inside, his posture relaxed yet attentive.
“You’re here early,” I remarked, raising an eyebrow.
“I make it a point to arrive ten minutes ahead of schedule for all my meetings,” he replied with a hint of pride, and I nodded in appreciation.
“That’s a good habit to have,” I said, taking a seat across from him, the weight of my thoughts pressing heavily on my shoulders.
He looked at me, a mixture of curiosity and concern in his eyes. “I was startled to receive your call. I thought we had a bit more time before we kicked things into high gear.”
While Ross was privy to certain aspects of my life, he remained blissfully unaware of the full extent of my struggles. Now wasn’t the moment to delve into the depths of my turmoil.
“Well, circumstances have changed, and we need to accelerate our plans,” I explained, watching as he nodded slowly, his brow furrowing slightly. I could sense the questions bubbling beneath the surface, but thankfully, he held his tongue.
“Alright, what do you need from me?” he asked, his voice steady and professional.
“I’ve been mulling over two strategies, and I’d like to brainstorm with you to determine which one holds more promise,” I replied, my heart racing with the weight of what was to come.
“I’m all ears,” he said, leaning forward slightly, eager to engage.
“First, we have her contract, which has already been drafted. Yara is aware of its contents, but I believe we should add a clause stipulating that if her movie doesn’t reach a certain box office threshold, she won’t receive any payment. Alternatively, we could reduce the monetary offer significantly. She’s already locked in by her signature, so she wouldn’t be able to walk away,” I proposed, gauging his reaction. He nodded thoughtfully, taking in my words.
“And the second plan?” he inquired, his interest piqued.
“I like it. Let’s do it,” I affirmed, a wicked smile creeping onto my face.
In a different office, I found myself glued to the live feed from Ross’s office, anxiously awaiting Yara’s arrival. Part of me wanted to hide in the bathroom, avoiding the risk of her discovering my presence, but I steeled myself, knowing that I had to see this through.
The door swung open, and Yara stepped inside, her expression shifting from surprise to disbelief as she took in Ross.
“You’re not Eric,” she stated, her voice laced with irritation.
“No, I am not. My name is Ross, and I’m in charge now,” he replied calmly, maintaining his composure even as she appeared ready to explode.
“This isn’t right! Eric was the one handling my contract!” she protested, her voice rising.
“I understand, Ms. Nichols, and I want to assure you that your contract remains unchanged. In fact, that’s precisely why I invited you here today. We’re throwing a party to celebrate your joining our company. It’s going to be a grand affair, with everyone in attendance,” Ross informed her, and in an instant, a radiant smile lit up her face.
“Oh really? I’d love that very much,” Yara responded, fluttering her lashes, completely unaware of the storm brewing beneath her blissful exterior.
Let her enjoy this fleeting moment of happiness; in just a week, her world would come crashing down around her.

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