Chapter 289: Where’s that brat?
Still, the thought of having Dylan as one of the major investors felt unbelievable.
James could still remember the day they met to sign the investment agreement. Even now, the memory gave him goosebumps.
It had been his first time meeting Dylan Warren in person, yet the overwhelming aura the man carried had been impossible to ignore.
Until then, James had only heard stories from others and read countless tabloid reports about how intimidatingly impressive CEO Warren’s presence was.
But the moment he experienced it firsthand, he realized every single word had been true.
Such an influential ...
Such an intimidating man ...
... had actually chosen to stand behind their production.
Even now, James found it difficult to believe.
So how could he possibly expect anyone else to believe it?
Besides ...
He had been specifically instructed to keep Dylan’s identity and involvement confidential.
Apart from that one meeting, Dylan would most likely never appear again. Everything that followed would be handled by Jasper Warren.
Keeping Dylan anonymous was undoubtedly the better choice.
"Anonymous?" Liam repeated.
His voice pulled James back from his thoughts. Blinking once, James looked at him before smiling politely.
"Is there anything else you’d like to ask, CEO Scott?"
Liam immediately understood the meaning behind those courteous words.
James wasn’t going to reveal anything further. So, instead of pressing the matter, he simply smiled and shook his head.
"That’s all, Producer Polson. I’ll take my leave now."
James smiled back and nodded. "Let me walk you out."
Just as he was about to step forward, Liam raised a hand to stop him.
"It’s alright." He smiled politely. "I can find my way out. Please don’t trouble yourself."
With that, he turned and walked toward the door. However, just as he stepped outside the room, he paused in his steps.
Looking back thoughtfully, Liam’s gaze slowly deepened.
Fusion Entertainment had already allocated this quarter’s investment budget.
Even if they had decided to invest, the amount they could contribute wouldn’t have been enough to become the largest investor.
As for the anonymous investor, what kind of identity could he even have? There’s no way he would be someone to produce anything more than a few millions.
Which meant ...
In the end of the day, his investment of a hundred million must be the largest contributor, making him the key investor of the entire production.
And somehow ...
That reassured him.
With him being the influential backing of The Empress’s Grief, Adelyn would no longer have to worry about her position in the casting crew and unnecessary trouble from those investors.
The thought finally eased the tension lingering in Liam’s heart.
Taking a slow breath, he turned and quietly left.
Meanwhile ...
James seized the opportunity to call Camden Rhodes and update him on everything that had happened.
From the investors withdrawing ...
To Liam Scott becoming the third major investor ...
And finally, Liam’s request regarding Clara Scott taking the second female lead role — he told him all.
Initially, Director Rhodes rejected the suggestion outright. However, James patiently explained his reasoning.
"She actually wouldn’t be a bad choice," he said. "After all, during the auditions, she was one of the strongest candidates for the female lead."
"If she could portray the female lead that well, then how difficult could the second female lead really be for her?"
——————————————————
Meanwhile—
Adelyn finally arrived at the location Karl had sent her earlier.
However, the moment she looked around, her brows knitted together.
Although the place was relatively close to the university, the exact location felt strangely deserted.
Especially now that night was gradually settling in, the surroundings looked increasingly shady.
It looked exactly like the sort of place where underground businesses operated.
What was that brat doing somewhere like this?
She thought to herself, and a faint frown tugged at her brows as Karl’s words from the phone call echoed inside her mind.
"Sister-in-law, come quickly ... or they might sell off my organs."
At the time, she had dismissed it as another one of his dramatic exaggerations.
But now ...
Could he actually have been serious?
The thought immediately darkened her expression.
Her fingers curled tightly into her palms as she let out a quiet sigh.
"This kid is nothing but trouble ..."
Without wasting another second, she quickly began searching for Karl’s exact location.
It didn’t take long before she spotted a small, single-story building at a distance.
Although the building itself looked old ... and poorly maintained, it somehow fit perfectly with the atmosphere surrounding the place.
It practically screamed that something illegal was happening inside ...
Walking in cautiously, Adelyn scanned the surroundings.
Just as she had expected, the place was far from ordinary. There was a narrow passage leading to something deeper underground.
Following it as she walked, she realized that it wasn’t simply an abandoned building. It was an underground den for young people .
The place buzzed with excitement.
Cheers ...
Shouts ...
And loud noises echoed throughout the hidden venue.
Out of habit, Adelyn’s sharp eyes swept across the crowd, carefully observing every face before finally catching sight of someone familiar.
Not too far away, standing among the crowd —was Pier.
"So this kid’s here too ..." she muttered under her breath before walking over.
Weaving through the packed crowd, she finally reached him and lightly tapped his shoulder.
Pier was far too focused on whatever was happening ahead. Without even looking back, he shrugged off her hand.
"Don’t disturb me." His eyes never left the arena. "It’s already at the crucial moment. I can’t afford to look away."
Adelyn simply tapped his shoulder again. This time she asked, "Where’s that brat?"
"Brat?" Pier muttered with a frown. Clearly annoyed, he turned around, ready to snap. "If you’re looking for some spoiled kid, then go find his da—"
His words stopped abruptly, and his eyes widened. Then his entire expression lit up.
"Goddess! You’re here!"
Adelyn merely looked at him before pressing her lips into a thin line.
"Since you can clearly see me standing in front of you, of course I’m here."
She folded her arms.
"Now tell me. Where’s that brat?" she tried to look behind, hoping to see Karl. But the kiddo was nowhere.
"I need to teach him a proper lesson."
Her words left Pier confused for a brief moment.
"Brat?" he repeated, genuine confusion crossing his face.
But the moment Adelyn silently fixed him with a stare, understanding immediately dawned on him.
"Oh ... you mean Brother Karl."
Adelyn didn’t answer. The way she simply stood there with her arms folded was answer enough.
Pier scratched the back of his neck, preparing to explain.
Then suddenly—
His expression changed.
"Oh no!" He exclaimed before hurriedly turning back toward the place he had been watching.
But ...
He was already too late.
Thud!
A heavy crash echoed through the underground arena.
Immediately afterward—
Pier cried out in alarm.
"Brother Karl!"