"What? Levina, are you sure?" Nina, a rich heiress, gasped.
People sitting near them in the café turned to stare. Nina quickly covered her mouth, embarrassed.
Levina raised an eyebrow, sipping from her coffee cup.
"Is it really that shocking for you to gasp like that?"
Another heiress, Perry, laughed.
"Nina, you're so dramatic. What's so wrong about Levina becoming an actress? She's pretty and has some acting skills. Right, Levina?"
Perry turned to her with a teasing smile.
Levina smirked.
"Of course I'm gorgeous. Is that even a question?"
"B-But didn't you say a year ago that your father doesn't like his daughters working in the entertainment industry?" Nina raised a brow.
A year ago, Levina had asked her father what he'd think if she became an actress. He furrowed his brows and got angry just at the idea, so she dropped it immediately. Since then, she'd never brought it up again.
Levina furrowed her brows.
"Come on, it's been a year. Things change. Maybe my father will change his mind too if I ask him again."
Nina and Perry exchanged glances.
Perry leaned in, curiosity gleaming in her eyes.
"Levina… is this because of that scandalous CEO of OvalSky? Is he the reason you suddenly want to enter the entertainment industry?"
Levina pressed her lips together.
She had been watching Zane Ernesto from the sidelines for nearly three years—and not once had he noticed her. He hadn't even glanced her way at any of the high-end parties or exclusive clubs.
Surrounded by top celebrities and models, Zane Ernesto didn't care about rich heiresses or high-society women. He even forgot their names and faces within the hour. Levina wanted him to notice her—because she liked him. She wanted to be his girl. So she made a decision: she'd enter the entertainment industry. Maybe then… just maybe, he'd finally see her.
Levina lifted her chin defiantly.
"You two think so little of me? Of course not!"
Nina and Perry blinked, then exchanged awkward smiles.
"Oh… sorry," Perry said. "I just thought you liked him. But it's good if you don't. You know what they say in the tabloids—he's a total playboy."
Nina nodded.
"That's right, Levina. He's not a good choice. If you do have any ideas about him, you better drop them. Oh, by the way, have you seen today's viral video?"
Levina and Perry both frowned.
"No," they said in unison.
Nina laughed.
"Oh my god, you haven't seen your sister's video, Levina?"
Levina furrowed her brows.
"My sister?"
Nina leaned forward and pulled out her phone.
"Here. See for yourself."
The video played.
"Hahaha! Oops, sorry, Levina, but I can't help it—your sister's a total badass! Look at her beating them up!" Perry giggled, covering her mouth.
Levina sighed. Her little sister always did love playing the public hero.
"Forget it," she muttered, waving it off. "Anyway, are you guys interested in going to the sauna next weekend?"
"I'm in! I love hot baths," Perry replied cheerfully.
"Then count me in too," Nina agreed.
"Perfect." Levina smiled and glanced at her wristwatch.
"It's almost 9 a.m. I should head to the office. See you both later—bye!"
Nina and Perry waved.
"Alright, see you later! We're going shopping after this."
Levina got into her car and drove off. As she passed a tall glass building, she stopped briefly and looked up at the bold letters:
OvalSky Entertainment
A dreamy smile touched her lips as she imagined herself working there one day.
Then she drove away.
At OvalSky Entertainment -
The conference room buzzed with low whispers until the double glass doors swung open. Silence fell like a guillotine.
Zane Ernesto walked in, dressed in charcoal black, a storm brewing behind his eyes. He didn't sit. He didn't have to. The weight of his presence was enough to make every executive straighten in their chair.
He dropped a thick folder onto the table. The sound made everyone flinch.
"Care to explain," he said, voice flat, "why our lead actress was photographed stumbling out of a club at 3 a.m.—with a rival agency's producer?"
The silence was deafening.
He opened the folder, flipping through the damning tabloid clippings and leaked footage screenshots. The headlines screamed scandal. His jaw tightened.
"Two weeks ago, I instructed a full blackout on media access for our talents during filming. Two weeks ago, I told you to tighten security, control narratives, and keep distractions out."
His eyes scanned the room, sharp and merciless.
"Instead, our image is being dragged through the mud. Sponsors are already pulling out of the drama. The investors want answers."
One executive finally spoke up, voice trembling. "Mr. Ernesto, the PR team is drafting a response—"
"Fire them."
The words dropped like ice. Everyone froze.
"No one drafts responses to failure. We prevent it. Damage control is for amateurs. And I don't run a company of amateurs."
He paused, letting the silence cut deep. Then he spoke slower, darker.
"Find out who leaked the schedules. Pull the actress from the shoot. And if one more headline like this hits the press—someone's head won't just roll. It'll make the cover."
He turned to leave but glanced over his shoulder.
"Fix it. Or don't bother showing up on Monday."
The door slammed behind him, leaving a conference room full of stunned, sweating executives.
As Zane stormed down the hallway, his long strides echoing with frustration, his secretary, Edvin Kim, followed close behind, tablet in hand and sweat on his brow.
"Secretary Kim," Zane said sharply, pushing open the door to his office.
"Yes, boss?"
"Did you find what I asked for?" he asked, already loosening his tie as he sat down behind his sleek black desk. His brow was still furrowed, the irritation from the earlier meeting lingering like a headache.
Edvin nodded and stepped forward. "Yes, sir. Everything I could find on Miss Lannister is right here."
He placed a sealed envelope on the desk.
Zane gave him a sideways glance before picking it up.
Last night he couldn't contain his curiosity and gave order to his secretary to gather some information on this Lannister girl.
He opened the envelope and scanned the first page.
[Name: Levina Lannister | Age: 27 | Education: Bachelor's in Business – Hans School of Economics]
So far, so decent.
[Occupation: Occasional investor in luxury fashion startups. Philanthropy: Organizer of the annual Diamond Hearts Charity Gala.]
He paused, unimpressed.
"Typical heiress resume," he muttered.
But then he turned the page, and his brow raised ever so slightly.
[Miscellaneous:]
Once bought an island because she "liked the shade of sand"—sold it a week later after discovering no cell service.
Attempted to adopt a tiger while vacationing in Country S. Was politely rejected by both the zoo and the royal family.
Hosted a "breakup party" for a friend that included skywriting and a live orchestra playing sad movie themes.
Got banned from an exclusive Envis art gallery for arguing that one of the paintings looked like "a sad omelet."
Briefly went viral for tossing champagne on a paparazzo who stepped on her Pomeranian's tail.
Has a popular but anonymous blog titled Heiress Anonymous where she reviews overpriced spa treatments and subtly complains about her blind dates.
Zane stared at the page for a beat. Then looked up at Edvin.
"She tried to adopt a tiger?"
Edvin blinked. "Yes, sir. She even named it Charles in advance."
Zane sighed and tossed the file on the desk, leaning back in his chair.
"Great," he muttered. "A spoiled drama queen with a flair for chaos."
Edvin hesitated. "But… no scandals. No criminal records. Just… eccentric choices."
Zane exhaled sharply through his nose, not quite a laugh, not quite a scoff.
"Keep an eye on her. If she sneezes in the wrong direction, I want to know about it."
"Yes, boss."
As Edvin bowed slightly and turned to leave, Zane stared at the dossier again.
Levina Lannister.
What on earth was his father thinking?
"Brother!"
The door swung open and in came Zara, beaming brightly.
Zane's eyes narrowed. "Don't you know how to knock?"
"Oh, come on, forget that and look at this! I think you'll like it."
Zara worked at Zane's company as an assistant director—and clearly had no concept of boundaries.
"What now?" Zane muttered.
Zara played a video on her phone—the viral clip from yesterday.
"Why are you showing me this nonsense?" he asked, his brows furrowing again.
Zara looked at him, speechless.
"Brother… don't you know who she is?"
"And why would I care who she is?" he replied, clearly uninterested.
Zara pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to contain her frustration.
"Oh, dear brother. That's your future wife—the one Dad picked for you."
"What?" Zane snatched the phone and stared more closely at the screen.
Upon closer inspection, he finally recognized her face.
"So… she's not just a spoiled brat. She also likes kicking gangsters. Huh. Interesting."
Zara grinned. "Brother, it'd be awesome if she became my sister-in-law. I wouldn't have to be scared walking around at nightclubs anymore!"
She laughed.
Zane gave her a sharp glare. "I see you're very free. Maybe I should tell Edvin to bring you more wor—"
"Oh no, I just remembered I have some work left!" she yelped, snatching her phone back and dashing out of the room.
Zane shook his head, a small amused smirk flickering at the corner of his lips.