2 Two Disasters Collide

The latter half of her utterance shattered the beaming face he had; he held a neutral look that accentuated his cheekbone and jawline. "A villainess perspective?" A deep hum came out from it as he rubbed his chin.

This was the moment, a critical point, a point with no return. It has been her dream to establish this for a long time. Now that the opportunity was there, she didn't hesitate to grab it.

Although there were still other factors that needed to consider, factors that would never be in her favor, she could only hope for the best.

Tyler had slick brunette hair, keeping his fringes and bangs in place. With this, his forehead was all for her to see. Even with his narrow forehead, more and the more crease lines formed, the longer he pondered in his thoughts.

A slight chill foreboded her heart.

"I don't think that would be a great idea, Ms. Quinn."

Alas, her worst nightmare happened. It was there as if the floor crumbled, and all she could ask was to swallow her whole.

This was within her expectations, but the burning passion within her that lit was stronger than ever.

"Why not?"

"If you can see the reader's demographics." He picked up a remote control, clicking it, and pointed to the side. There was a projection that showed various statistical data: from graphs down to descriptive details. "They are pretty much interested in the aftermath of the book."

Nathalie took her time analyzing the data gathered; as an engineering graduate, she was more than capable of interpreting all of this. These numbers don't lie, which shattered her heart, knowing how much and what was demanded from the book she truly loved to craft.

As Natalie was stubborn, she still believed in her capabilities, like the first book. No one believed in her after going to several publishing companies and only to land in a inferior company such as the Phoenix Publishers.

In one year, the company had a significant leap, contending to the top publishers nationwide.

Her book brought massive fortune; as such, she was treated no different from an editor-in-chief, although one before her hold publisher position, which held the final decision, including the fate of her book.

"But I think the villainess has so much to offer—"

"So?" Thereon, he crossed his arm. His gaze was firm, and in no way could she take it down so easily. "Leave the villainess in mystery if you think it has so much to offer. Moreover, you saw the graphs. I'm sure it's in your head how our large audiences got curious about the continuation of the story."

"You don't understand," Nathalie refuted. "The villainess would play a vital role—"

"I hope you don't mean to outsmart me, Ms. Quinn." His voice was even colder than before, and his stare pierced her relentlessly. "If you would like, push it to the latter."

She creased her eyebrows, lips parted with a tremble. "Excuse me?"

"Make it a trilogy."

More than anything, Nathalie had electrocutions sent all over her body from the piece of news she received. To think that he would decide as such. After all the blood, sweat, and tears, she poured for the love of her book.

He then sent his words, avowing, for her to know the truth before she could speak.

It stunned her.

"The sneak peek was about the Prince on his road to a deep, romantic level and his ascension to the throne. While serving the villainess, its ultimate tragedy for the sequel."

"What?!" she breathed.

It was insane.

Although Nathalie had the idea cross her mind she never intended to pursue it. Aside from the market that now seemed to have been saturated with the usual use of tropes in a sequel, she wanted to show the other sides of the characters.

Believe it or not, she thought that it would be unfair not to show the other ensemble cast with their quirks and quips through the dynamics of the novel she wrote.

WhiteOppulence, as her pen name, had been very vocal about every character she crafted but never in the wildest dreams of her fanbase would focus on villainess.

Withal, Nathalie just nibbled her lip as she glared at the floor.

'I mean, who would want to like a villain? No one likes a bad person, in general. But it's so unfair that traditional novels opt for shorter narratives that I couldn't even spare the side of the villain.'

Nathalie, as much as she enjoyed every character, had a pang of guilt that the majority of them had yet to see what all of it had to offer.

Without giving more time for her to ponder, Tyler stretched his shoulders, cracking his neck from stiffness waiting for her, and leaned to the desk and said, "I hope you'd be able to bring the manuscript for it, Ms. Quinn."

The mocking smile together with his condescending approach was fairly common, and she was immune to say the least.

This prompted her to do what she ought to do.

She huffed out from his countenance. "Our conversation is not yet over, Tyler." Then she walked her way out of his office.

After a thousand steps, she reached the reception area. Its beige marble floor sprawled out, unrestrained, reflecting off a glint of golden light that came from the chandeliers above. From the set of gold cashmere couches with tables there for guests to lounge, she got tempted to take a rest, even if it was just for a little while.

But this building called out the bad juju, and she wanted none of that energy lingered around her.

Thinking about it, she kneaded her temples from the sudden mind wrack. Upon reaching the large glass door, the guards gestured a graceful bow. In return, she gave a curt nod with a pleasant smile.

Now that she was out of the building, she couldn't help but had her hands slam on her ankles and legs.

A series of grumbles escaped her lips, incredibly disdained from everything that happened to her.

'Earlier, looking at him, acting all high and mighty as he tugged the lapels of his black coat while harrumphing.' A click of her tongue was her cue to end her endless rants.

'I sure will bring that 'manuscript' for you to read.'