The Stand-In Who Burned the Script novel Chapter 213

Chapter 213

“You’re putting me in a very difficult position.”

“How is it difficult?”

Vivian wrinkled her nose in playful disagreement. “Look, I invited you to lunch fair and square, and I’m asking for the results fair and square. Of course, if you decide to award the project to me out of friendship, I’d be absolutely thrilled. I’d buy you as many dinners as you want to say thank you.”

“Are you trying to bribe me?”

“No, I’m trying to show my gratitude.”

Charlie didn’t respond immediately. His long fingers tapped a slow, rhythmic beat against the table. A beam of sunlight angled through the glass, illuminating the fine golden hairs on his

hand.

Vivian didn’t interrupt his thought process. She was an expert at playing the waiting game.

After a long silence.

Charlie stopped tapping.

“I’ve been thinking about it. The strengths Astra Media brings to the table can easily be matched by other agencies. But the advantages those agencies hold… Astra lacks. Have you considered that?”

Of course she had considered it.

In terms of sheer corporate scale, Astra was vastly overshadowed by Insignia.

If the director were rigidly pragmatic, they might even argue that partnering with Astra would cheapen their own brand prestige.

Vivian held his gaze. “I don’t believe Astra’s unique strengths can be replicated. Even if two companies use the exact same technology and the same core concepts, what someone else produces and what Vivian Fairchild produces will be entirely different.”

It might have sounded incredibly arrogant.

But delivered with her flawless tone, it was pure, unadulterated confidence.

She had absolute certainty that she could outdo the competition.

“To tell you the truth, this company belonged to my mother. My drive to scale it and make it the best in the industry is to fulfill her dying wish.”

“If you’ve looked into our background, Mr. Beck, you’d know my mother spearheaded massive

campaigns through this very agency. Even your Chairman… crossed paths with her back in

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Chapter 213

the day. Given that history, partnering with Insignia isn’t exactly us punching above our weight class.”

Dressed in her stunning black gown, with immaculate makeup highlighting her exquisite features, she sat there looking like a queen presiding over her court, commanding absolute loyalty.

Bringing up her mother wasn’t just to leverage old connections; it was a calculated test.

If Charlie knew the internal politics, he would react.

Bingo.

The man across from her froze, a subtle shift in his eyes.

Attempting to mask the slip in emotion, he lowered his gaze and chuckled softly. “Put that way, if I don’t give the project to Astra, I’d be missing out on an exceptional agency and a flawless executive.”

“Exactly.”

She didn’t feign humility for a second.

Combining hard facts with emotional leverage was a standard corporate tactic. No one ever said business had to be played by one strict set of rules.

“Alright then.” Charlie rubbed his fingertips together. “Let’s just say I’m indulging a little selfish preference of mine. The project goes to Astra.”

“I promise, you won’t be disappointed.”

Vivian flashed a dazzling smile and immediately shot Zoe a look.

“It just so happens we brought the contracts with us today. You can review the terms, and if everything looks good, we can sign right now so we don’t waste any more of your valuable

time.”

Charlie raised an eyebrow in genuine surprise. “You really did come prepared, Vivian.”

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