制霸好莱坞

"Happy New Year, dear." Lillian approached Jenny with a warm hug. "Don't be nervous. Just relax—my family is very welcoming."

Jenny smiled and handed over a gift. "Happy New Year, Lil."

She then turned to Cesare, extending a polite handshake. "Happy New Year, Cesare."

Surprisingly, Cesare wasn't cold or distant tonight. Instead, he maintained a composed and pleasant demeanor—similar to the way he had entertained Robert for dinner. He even offered a social smile in return. "Happy New Year. Enjoy yourself."

His gaze lingered on Jenny's ears. Jenny couldn't help but chuckle—she had chosen to wear the Chanel dress Cesare had given her, though she opted for simpler jewelry instead of the artificial pearl earrings. After Robert's Christmas party, she had taken a short break. Cesare had been preoccupied with "family affairs," delaying their contract signing, so Jenny spent most of her time practicing in the performing arts space until today's New Year's Eve party at Lillian's home.

Unlike Rob's single-family estate in Long Island, Lillian's party was hosted in an old apartment building on the Upper East Side—an area synonymous with "old money." Many of the city's elite resided here, with strict residency approvals ensuring a prestigious atmosphere. In her past life, Jenny—then Chen Zhen—had only lived on the Upper West Side among the "new rich." Though her husband's family had wealth, they hadn't yet broken into the traditional circles of the Upper East Side.

The party exuded the refinement typical of this neighborhood. At Robert's Christmas gathering, Jenny had dressed more casually. Tonight, however, she wore the Chanel dress she had brought to New York specifically for occasions like this. As she observed the room, she noticed most of the women donned elegant cocktail dresses and light, tasteful makeup. Their jewelry, though understated, sparkled with an undeniable richness.

After meeting Lillian's parents, Lillian led Jenny to the window, smiling. "You didn't have to bring a gift, you know."

"It's just a bottle of wine," Jenny replied with a shrug. "Did your family go on vacation over the holidays?"

"Yeah, we visited my grandparents' farm in Canada." Lillian's nonchalant tone suggested the "farm" was likely an estate, if not a full-fledged castle. "By the way, congratulations on your contract! I'll try to make it back to New York for the premiere."

She giggled. "Though it might be awkward if I show up with Cesare."

Despite her busy schedule, Jenny and Lillian had kept in touch through phone calls. When Jenny realized that Cesare hadn't told Lillian about the "Robert misunderstanding," she called Lillian herself, not wanting unnecessary drama to brew between them. Lillian had taken it lightly, even offering Jenny advice on handling workplace harassment. With many of her relatives in the entertainment industry, she was well aware of such issues.

At Jenny's current level, direct harassment was uncommon—most of the roles she auditioned for were determined by multiple decision-makers, making bribery or favoritism difficult. Besides, in Hollywood, powerful figures didn't need to mix business with pleasure when they had easier, risk-free options elsewhere. However, if someone in a position of power did take an interest, rejecting them required skill.

Take "Chicago," for example. The real decision-maker for the film was investor Harvey Weinstein. If Weinstein had developed a personal interest in Jenny and she offended him, even Rob wouldn't be able to save her. She would have to leave.

Cases like this were rare, though. Most industry veterans viewed relationships as business transactions rather than emotional entanglements. If a producer was interested in Jenny and she politely declined, the most likely outcome was indifference rather than retaliation. The bigger question always came down to: was losing goodwill worth losing an opportunity?

Jenny wasn't particularly conservative about relationships, but she also disliked forcing herself into them. Her previous strategy of allowing the Robert misunderstanding to persist had been a calculated move—being seen as Cesare's girlfriend provided a layer of protection. Most people wouldn't risk offending Cesare just to pursue her. But now, it seemed that Robert hadn't spread the rumor, or James simply didn't care.

She said, "I'll just explain to Robert when the time comes—say that it wasn't a serious relationship or that we broke up. He probably won't mind."

"Of course he won't. In Hollywood, relationships lasting more than three months are the real anomaly." Lillian quipped, then added seriously, "But are you sure about this? Not that I'm encouraging you to spread false rumors, but being seen as unavailable can be a form of protection."

"I'm not doing this just for you." Jenny took a sip of juice. "Besides, the misunderstanding didn't seem to deter James Schubert. He flirted with me at the Christmas party—he's the manager of the Schubert Theater."

Lillian's eyes widened. "Already? Did you tell him anything? Honey, if you're not interested, you should imply that you have a boyfriend rather than outright reject him. Let him figure it out."

It was a good strategy. James would likely ask Robert, who would confirm the "secret romance" with Cesare. Most people wouldn't risk crossing Cesare, and even if gossip reached the CAA executives, so what? Hollywood was full of messy relationships—rumors were meaningless.

Before Jenny could respond, Cesare's voice cut in from behind them. "What are you two talking about?"

In private, Cesare's social facade faded, revealing the coldness Jenny was more familiar with. Lillian turned and smiled. "We're discussing your secret third party."

Jenny laughed, but Cesare remained expressionless, raising an eyebrow as he waited for her to explain.

The lighthearted mood evaporated. Jenny sighed. "James Schubert flirted with me, but nothing serious happened. He saw I wasn't interested and backed off."

She briefly recounted their conversation and the two stolen kisses. "He's charming, but I won't mix business with personal matters, and neither will he. This shouldn't cause any problems."

Cesare's brow relaxed slightly. "Yes, James is a known womanizer. In six months, he'll have moved on."

Taking a sip of wine, he added, "But you should have told me immediately, Jefferson."

Lillian frowned. Jenny gave him a placating look. "So, should I report all my private encounters to you now?"

She tapped her chin playfully. "We'll need an afternoon—where should I start?"

"James is your theater manager." Cesare ignored her teasing. "That makes him important. You handled it well, but if I don't know about these things, problems could arise down the line."

Jenny sighed. "What exactly do you have planned for me in six months? Sending me to space to perform opera?"

Lillian stifled a laugh, but Cesare remained serious. "It's not good for you to know too much. But understand this—you agreed to let me oversee your personal affairs. I haven't exercised that authority much, but I will when necessary."

"So, you're managing my sex life now?" Jenny quipped.

Cesare didn't waver. "After June, your romantic life will be non-existent. If you have a lover, you must break up. Until then, keep things discreet—no drama, no scandals."

Jenny narrowed her eyes. Cesare had orchestrated everything, from her contract to her upcoming performances. Now, he was dictating her personal life. Whatever was coming after June, it was big.

She exhaled. "Alright. Don't worry—I'll behave."

Cesare gave a slight nod before walking away. Jenny watched him go, sipping her juice thoughtfully. Whatever his plan was, she would find out soon enough.