Chapter 209

Julian Chase had just stepped out of the restroom when a woman with tear-streaked makeup crashed into him.

"Mr. Chase..." Lily Green sniffled, lifting her head. Her carefully drawn eyeliner had smudged into raccoon circles, and her false lashes dangled precariously from her eyelids.

Julian instinctively took half a step back, his brow furrowing slightly.

This woman was a mess.

"Can I help you?" he asked coolly, drying his hands with a paper towel.

Seeing his response, Lily immediately straightened, summoning her most pitiful expression. "I'm so embarrassed, I just—"

"I suggest you fix your makeup first," Julian cut her off, tossing the towel into the trash. "This is hardly a pleasant sight."

Without another glance, he walked away.

Lily froze, only snapping out of it moments later when she rushed to the mirror—

"Ah!" Her shriek echoed through the restroom.

She stomped her foot in frustration. Her carefully planned "chance encounter" had been completely ruined.

On the other side of the set, Lucy White was engrossed in her script.

"Miss White takes her work very seriously," Julian remarked, appearing beside her with an amused smile.

Lucy closed the script and looked up. "Something you need, Mr. Chase?"

This man's sudden approach was undoubtedly about Jessica Chase.

She remained guarded.

"Just passing by to say hello." Julian sat beside her, his gaze intense. "You're even more striking in person than on screen."

Lucy studied his face for a few seconds.

"What? Captivated by me?" Julian smirked.

"Mr. Chase," Lucy said bluntly, "your aura is dark. You'll face a blood calamity tonight."

Julian's smile faltered. "...Excuse me?"

"Since you're the investor, I'll give you a protective talisman." Lucy pulled out a yellow charm from her bag. "But it's not free."

Julian nearly laughed.

Was she really playing the mystic to get his attention?

"How much?" he asked, intrigued.

"Five million."

"..." Julian's expression froze. "Are you joking?"

"Fine, forget it." Lucy moved to take it back.

"Wait!" Julian snatched the talisman, barely suppressing his amusement. "I'll take it."

He was curious to see what game she was playing.

Lucy recited her bank details. "Keep it on you at all times."

"Absolutely." Julian tucked it into his shirt pocket, lowering his voice deliberately. "Miss White cares about me that much?"

Lucy ignored him and stood to return to filming.

Julian watched her walk away, his lips curving into a smirk.

This game was getting more interesting by the minute.