"Is she aware of what we're trying to do?" Wang Jiahui asked, his gaze fixed grimly on the computer screen.
The last time he had brought Fang Miaomiao to a banquet, his intention was to push her into CEO Li's bed. Instead, he had ended up in trouble himself, even trending on hot search. If he and CEO Li hadn't collaborated to suppress the news, he would have been a laughingstock.
He wanted revenge on Fang Miaomiao, but she had been evading him like a rabbit, constantly dodging him and refusing to return to the company. Hesitant due to her connection with the Wen family, he'd had to swallow his pride.
Unexpectedly, Fang Miaomiao had shown up at his company today, loudly demanding to terminate her contract.
Would he agree? Of course not. He planned to use the excuse of being out of town for business to avoid her, believing the contract would automatically renew once the stipulated time passed. However, Zhou Li had insisted on handling it, claiming she could resolve it perfectly.
Because he had a soft spot for Yan Huan, he had delegated the matter to Zhou Li, intending to just listen in.
When he heard the proposal to trade a supporting female role for a contract termination, he already felt it was unfair. Yet, Fang Miaomiao still refused. Giving up a supporting role for her freedom? Did this person have a screw loose?
He had been contemplating going directly to Zhou Li's office when Fang Miaomiao suddenly looked up, her gaze fixed on the camera.
Her cold stare almost made him jump.
"I don't understand what you mean."
"You don't need to. In short, I'm terminating this contract. The role of the supporting female lead is Director Chen Tianming's decision."
"Fang Miaomiao, do you really think you can do whatever you want just because the Wen family is behind you?"
"Mhm," Fang Miaomiao nodded earnestly. "What can I say? My luck is just that good. Not only did I marry into the Wen family and gain a backer, but I also have the right to speak up within the family. Like watching surveillance footage."
As she spoke, Fang Miaomiao raised her phone towards the camera. "What do you think will happen if word gets out that the company is forcing its female artists to solicit business?"
"Fang Miaomiao!" Zhou Li's face turned completely grim. "Do you know what you're talking about?"
"Manager Wang, what do you think? Remember what happened at the banquet last time?"
"Scoundrel."
Wang Jiahui, in the adjacent office, couldn't hold back any longer and burst in. "Fang Miaomiao, you really are something."
"Manager Wang."
"Oh, isn't this Manager Wang who was supposed to be on a business trip? What brings you here?"
"Fang Miaomiao, stop being so passive-aggressive. I never realized you had such a silver tongue before."
"Thank you for the compliment," Fang Miaomiao retracted her phone, her tone even. "But it's not too late to know now."
"Do you know who I am to dare threaten me?" Wang Jiahui interrupted Zhou Li, his face a dark scowl as he stared at Fang Miaomiao.
"I don't," Fang Miaomiao smiled, meeting Wang Jiahui's displeased gaze. "Besides, does it matter? Once we terminate the contract, we'll go our separate ways. I'll have no reason to threaten Manager Wang, will I?"
Wang Jiahui almost burst out laughing at her words. "If you want to stay in the entertainment industry, how can you possibly go your separate ways?"
"That's your concern then."
"Fang Miaomiao."
"Don't threaten me. There's surveillance here, and my driver is waiting downstairs. If I don't show up, it can only mean something has happened to me," Fang Miaomiao said softly.
"Well said. You're truly remarkable, playing the role of a 'fox borrowing the tiger's might' to perfection."
"It's just good fortune, nothing I can do about it."
Seeing Wang Jiahui's hesitant expression, Zhou Li quickly chimed in.
"Shut up. I'll settle this with you later. Now get out."
Zhou Li glared fiercely at Fang Miaomiao, who waved at her, and suppressed her anger as she walked out of the office.
Wang Jiahui took a deep breath and relented. "You want to terminate the contract? Fine. But I want a video."
He didn't want to see those trending topics he had worked so hard to suppress reappear online.
"Sure," Fang Miaomiao readily agreed.
"Aren't you afraid I'll release this information and tarnish your Wen family's reputation? After all, no one wants their business dealings to be under surveillance."
"What are you talking about?" Fang Miaomiao looked at Wang Jiahui in surprise. "What does the video I bought from the paparazzi at a high price have to do with the hotel?"
Wang Jiahui blurted out, "How is that possible? We bought all the paparazzi videos."
"Who knows," Fang Miaomiao shrugged. "Why bother? We both dislike each other now, and I'm just coasting along, not earning much for your company. Why should we torment each other like this, right?"
"If you agree to terminate the contract, we won't have to see each other constantly. It's much better, isn't it? I'll hand over all remaining assets, and you won't have any worries. Besides," Fang Miaomiao clicked her tongue, "more importantly, am I your focus right now? Definitely not. You must have noticed Zhou Li's expression just now."
Wang Jiahui fell into thought.
"Her expression clearly showed guilt and deceit. Think about it. You've invested a lot in Fang Yan Huan, pouring resources into her to get her to where she is. If she suddenly terminates her contract and leaves, what will you gain? Fang Miaomiao said, looking at Wang Jiahui with an air of concern.
"Instead of fighting me, you should focus on how to keep Fang Yan Huan, your cash cow, with your company. You've seen my market value. You won't profit from me; you'll only get more frustrated the more you look at me."
"If I were you, I'd sign the termination contract now and shift my focus to Fang Yan Huan."
Wang Jiahui looked at Fang Miaomiao meaningfully, then glanced at Wen An'an, who was sitting obediently outside. "I didn't realize your mouth was so nimble now."
"I'm just stating facts. I know what you want to do, to tie me down and leave me with no future. But I'm not short of money now. Did you see what happened when I arrived? If that surveillance video gets out, I'll be slandered again."
"Then, as your artist, I'll be forced to take the blame again. What, do you really think netizens are idiots? Can't they see I'm being framed? I also saw that you're unwilling to speak up for me. Then, won't netizens assume you're doing this intentionally? At that point, won't your reputation be ruined just like mine?"
"Then Fang Yan Huan will have a reason to terminate her contract? Ah, talking this much has made me a bit thirsty."
Wang Jiahui instinctively signaled for his secretary to bring water and winked at Fang Miaomiao.
Fang Miaomiao: "..."
She was starting to struggle to continue; it was too mentally taxing and draining.
"In conclusion, we've both been played."