Part 52：Zoe and Lan had never fought like this before.

Zoe and Lan had never fought like this before.

In the past, even when they disagreed, one of them would always compromise after a conversation. But this time, neither made any effort to keep things civil. Their disagreement erupted into a full-blown argument, and Zoe couldn't help but feel like she was facing a stranger.

Why had it come to this?

That evening, Zoe received a call from Song.

"You're backing out of Questioning the Heart?" Song's voice carried a hint of displeasure.

Zoe let out a sigh. "No, I really want to do it. But my company won't let me. My agent told me today that the company already signed me up for another project, also with Yuehai Media."

"What?" Song's tone turned cold. "How did that happen?"

Zoe hesitated. She wanted to explain, but the words stuck in her throat. No matter how she framed it, it would sound like she was making excuses. She sighed again. "I'm sorry, Song. I might have to bail on you."

The line went silent for a few seconds before Song abruptly hung up.

Hearing the disconnection tone, Zoe felt her eyes sting. She threw her phone onto the bed and locked herself in the bathroom.

When she was upset, she liked to hide in the small, enclosed space. It gave her a sense of security.

Before bed, Zoe sent Song a message: "I'm sorry."

He didn't reply.

In the days that followed, Zoe immersed herself in her work. Her schedule was packed, and she maintained a professional demeanor on set. But each time she got into her car after wrapping up, her face was clouded with a heaviness that felt almost palpable.

Lan's attitude softened after Zoe declined Song's project. She returned to her usual, warm self, checking in on Zoe and offering support. But the damage had been done.

Zoe couldn't bring herself to rely on or trust Lan as she once had.

Lan noticed the change. After a few cold interactions, she stopped trying as hard, and the warmth between them faded into a strictly professional relationship.

Their bond had hit its lowest point since they had met.

At the end of the month, Zoe found herself sitting across from Liu Pinran again.

This time, it was to sign the contract.

The sweet romantic drama Eighth Crush, an A-grade Yuehai Media production, had Zoe as its female lead. The paycheck was 8 million yuan, of which the company would take 70%, leaving Zoe with just 30%. And that amount was before taxes.

Even so, it was still more than what most people earned. In addition, the company secured supporting roles for two of its newer talents, who would play the third and fourth female leads.

Throughout the meeting, Liu Pinran and He Yong were all smiles.

He Yong, the deputy general manager of Chengqian Entertainment, normally wouldn't attend such a routine signing. But for reasons unknown, he was here today, chatting cheerfully with Liu Pinran for most of the meeting.

It wasn't until the final signing moment that Liu turned his attention to Zoe, his smile taking on a sly edge.

"Miss Zoe, it seems you have a rather close relationship with Song. I heard he personally invited you to join his new project."

Zoe remained seated, silent, her expression calm. She neither acknowledged nor reacted to anything that had been said before.

She glanced at Liu briefly, her lips curving into a faint, indifferent smile. She said nothing.

Lan quickly stepped in to smooth things over, laughing politely. "Oh, that's on me, Liu. I failed to inform Zoe in time about our prior agreement to star in Eighth Crush. That's why she ended up considering Song's project. But, as you can see, we're fully committed to your drama in the end."

Her words dripped with deference, a clear attempt to keep Liu Pinran appeased.