A man in his late twenties stood in his expensive villa, gazing out and taking in the breathtaking view. He has a glass of whiskey in one hand while the other one in his pocket. His expression was stern. His black hair was impeccably styled perfectly, not a single strand out of place. His green eyes were devoid of emotion.
He was wearing a black suit. His pale skin glowing as traces of sunlight made his face look more devastatingly handsome. Light footsteps resonated through the villa's silence. A man in his thirties dressed in a navy blue suit entered the room. His hair combed back. His face framed with glasses. He was holding a tablet. He took a deep breath before addressing the man in front of him.
"President Zhou, Li Xuan did not secure the female lead role. It went to her friend." The man reported.
"Hmm. Who's this friend?" His deep voice responded. The man behind him felt shivers down his spine. His boss was so scary.
"Xu Baili. Daughter of Xu Holdings CEO, Mr Xu Bing." The assistant responded.
"Tell me Assistant Fang, how's Li Xuan taking it?" The man asked.
"Our sources indicate Li Xuan asked Xu Baili to give her the role, but she refused." Assistant Fang responded respectfully.
"What's this Xu Baili's secret? Why did she get role over Li Xuan?" The man asked.
Assistant Fang looked at his boss.
"President Zhou I,-" Before he could finish his boss cut him off.
"Assistant Fang. I'm Zhou Mo. My word is law. I want that role for Li Xuan." Zhou Mo said coldly.
Zhou Mo has been fixated Li Xuan for two years. He had seen her movie from two years ago 'Tears'. It was a masterpiece.
Xu Baili was originally cast, but she gave up the role for Li Xuan. Of course, Zhou Mo didn't know that.
The emotions and her softness attracted him. He became obsessed with Li Xuan. He didn't know if it was love or not but he was sure of one thing that he wanted Li Xuan in his life.
Being the CEO of the biggest company in China, Zhou Mo held great power. He didn't want Li Xuan to know him yet so he decided to help in the shadows. He wanted to get her this role because he knew how much she wanted it.
"President Zhou how can we do it? Miss Xu has refused. Director Cho is not easily persuaded. They have already announced about the cast. It would be impossible to get him to change his mind. The only way is to persuade Miss Xu Baili. " Assistant Fang responded.
"Li Xuan is too pure for such a role. Being a villainess that's a terrible stain in her name. Even if it's just acting." Zhou Mo responded.
Assistant Fang almost rolled his eyes. His boss is crushing on Li Xuan. It's so funny. Xu Baili is much better than Li Xuan but this man is focusing on Li Xuan who cannot even get a single role on her own.
"Set a meeting with Miss Xu Baili. I will convince her. Let's see if she refuses me." Zhou Mo said coldly.
"Okay President Zhou. I will contact Miss Xu." Assistant Fang responded. Zhou Mo signaled for him to leave. Assistant Fang bowed and left.
Zhou Mo lit a cigarette thinking of how Li Xuan will be happy after she got the role.
..
Xu Baili looked at the gate as Li Xuan left the mansion. She had a smirk on her face. Baili returned inside the house.
"Hope you did not give up the role for her again." Master Xu said softly. Xu Baili smiled.
"Of course not. I have realized that I'm becoming a shadow. I will not sacrifice my happiness." Xu Baili responded. Her parents looked satisfied.
They had their dinner. Baili returned to her room as she received a call from Shi Yifei.
"Sister Baili, guess what?" She asked.
"What?" Baili responded making Yifei scream. "President Zhou Mo of Zhou Groups. His assistant contacted me since our manager is on vacation. They want to meet you. President Zhou himself." Yifei squealed.
Xu Baili's smile fall. She knew it's about Li Xuan and she hated it.
"Oh when?" She asked.
"Tomorrow. You have to go his company." Yifei responded. Xu Baili know this scene wouldn't have happened if she had given the role to Li Xuan.
"Reject it." Xu Baili said. Yifei was silent for a moment.
"Reject? Why?!" Yifei asked more like screamed.
"Nothing. I just don't want to." Baili responded.
"Sister Bai, it's President Zhou Mo we are talking about. The richest man in all of China. You cannot dare to offend him." Yifei said.
"I don't care. Yifei good night. Tell him that I refused his invitation." Xu Baili said and cut the call.
"Zhou Mo my madness, my love already looking for me so I can make Li Xuan yours." Xu Baili thought and laughed.
"Not this time. Even if I had to be a villain to get him then so be it." Xu Baili thought with a serious expression.
Meanwhile Assistant Fang felt nervous while standing in front of Zhou Mo's office. He took a deep breath and knocked. He heard Zhou Mo's cold voice allowing him to enter.
He took a deep breath and got inside the office.
"President Zhou, umm Miss Xu refused to meet you." Assistant Fang reported professionally but he was shaking inside.
The temperature seemed to drop. Zhou Mo's face was cold as ice. No one has ever dared to refuse him. No one has ever dared to say no to him but Xu Baili dared.
Just a simple actress with a rich father dared to refuse him. His fists clenched. He has to get this role for Li Xuan no matter what.
"Who does she think she is? Use other means Assistant Fang. Threaten her if you must." Zhou Mo responded codly.
Assistant Fang bowed and left. He send another message to Shi Yifei as she is the assistant.
...
Shi Yifei's eyes widened while looking at the message she received from Assistant Fang.
"What the heck!!" She yelled. She quickly forwarded the message to Xu Baili.
Xu Baili received the message and read it.
"Meet me tomorrow or your father's legacy gets destroyed Miss Xu Baili."
Xu Baili's eyes were cold as ice. She clenched her jaw so hard that it hurts.
"Zhou Mo for someone who will ruin you and never look your way, you are willing to destroy others." Xu Baili said coldly.
She immediately called Shi Yifei and agreed to the meeting. She knows Zhou Mo can do it. He is a heartless bastard. He can do whatever he wants.
"Okay Zhou Mo let's see what you got." Xu Baili said coldly.
If she was the previous Baili then she wouldn't have met Zhou Mo this early. If she remembers clearly from the novel.
She was at an award ceremony where Li Xuan won the best actress award after the release of Emperor's Treasure. She was happy for her friend. When she was leaving the building a sedan stopped in front of her.
The door opened as Assistant Fang got out of the car.
"Miss Xu, I'm Fang Wenzhao the assistant of President Zhou Mo. He requires your presence." Assistant Fang said.
Xu Baili already loved Zhao Mo from the news , magazines and even newspapers. She was happy and couldn't refuse the offer.
'Has he finally noticed me?' Previous Xu Baili thought happily. The drive to Zhou Mo's villa was long.
They arrived and got inside. Xu Baili was admiring the place. At the couch sat the Zhou Mo. Xu Baili's heartbeat quickened as she looked at him. This was the man she has been loving for years. She fall in love all over again.
"President Zhou, she is here." Assistant Fang announced as Zhou Mo dismissed him.
"Sit." He said coldy as Xu Baili sat in front of him. She looked at him and she fall in love all over again.
"Miss Xu, I'm not going to beat around the bush. I want your friend Li Xuan. She has captured me in a way I can't explain. I need you to help me get her to be my woman." Zhou Mo said.
The moment those words left Zhou Mo's lips, Xu Baili was crushed. Her heart broke a million times but she masked it.
Now remembering the scene Xu Baili laughed.
"Oh boy. She was too naive. Now I will take everything that belongs to me."
🤍...tbc...✨