Ella’s hands clenched under the table. Human greed really was sothing. Desapite everything, Sidney was willing to stoop to this level just for the sake of money. She sighed and took the tablet with the proposal from his hand, pretending to read it.
She kept her eyes on the tablet in front of her, scrolling once more through the list Sidney had shown her. The nas ant nothing to anyone outside certain circles. That was the point. They were clean on paper. Successful. Untouchable, at first glance.
But if Delaney had not shown her things these people had done behind closed doors, she would have really thought they were respectable people.
She scowled at that and of course this was noticed by Sidney. Of course she wanted him to see it. And worry that she might refuse his proposal. She pushed the tablet back towards him. "These investors. They’re not people I recognise." She said slowly.
"That’s because you’re not supposed to," Sidney replied smoothly. "New money."
She glanced up at him. "All of them?"
He nodded. "Most. So co from old families, but the real capital is recent. Technology, overseas ventures, acquisitions. People who prefer to work quietly."
Ella leaned back slightly in her chair. "Quiet people don’t usually step into entertainnt," she said. "It’s ssy. Public."
"That’s exactly why they need a front," Sidney said without hesitation. "And credibility."
Her gaze sharpened, just a fraction. "And you think that’s ."
Sidney smiled. "I think you’re visible. Even more so since you have co here."
"And yet, I am not from the entertainnt industry."
"But you are a celebrity. So, you venturing into this industry would not raise too many questions and still give the others an in."
"How? You don’t think directors and others are lining up for , do you? How will my investnt help open channels in the entertainnt industry? I am not so bigshot producer with endless supply of money either."
But even as she aksed the question, her eyes narrowed, " You are not here for or my investnt. All that about being blocked by Aiden and my trust fund being controlled by him were to soften for this. You want to use because of my brother."
He didn’t deny it. "That’s part of it."
Ella let out a short breath, neither amused nor offended. "You want to use his na more than mine."
"Not use," Sidney corrected gently. "Leverage. There’s a difference."
She looked down again, tapping one finger lightly against the table. "Actors from upper circles don’t join unknown agencies," she said. "Not unless they feel safer with them or get more benefits.
"Exactly," he said. "And they will, if they see you attached to it. If they see that soone like you believes in it."
Soone like you. A celebrity with more money than brains? That was the image she had created for herself..."And what do I get out of this?" Ella asked, finally eting his eyes again.
"Apart from money?" Sidney asked casually.
Ella raised an eyebrow and sighed," I know. I know. You get a lot of money, but you also get to be independent. Most of these people are powerful back ho also. Which ans, given a little bit of ti, you will be able to overco Aiden’s ’ban’ on you and return ho with your head raised high."
"Also, if this venture succeeds like we are planning, you might even surpass..."
"That is a very very la excuse, Sidney. Do you still think that after everything that has happened, I would still be easily manipulated with this?"
She watched the smile on his face disappear, but also the suspicion in his gaze lessened. She would have to be a fool to trust him again after repeated betrayals. So, if she’d easily accepted his proposal, he would have beco suspicious. But if she continued to doubt his motives, he would remain on the back foot... at least until he was sure that she had been lured in.
In the next minute he smiled and pushed the tablet back towards her, " Why not take your ti and think it over?"
And then, as her hand moved to take the tablet, his caught her wrist," Ella... I know, given our past, you have no reason to trust . But believe , I too have felt the sting of abandonnt and betrayal. Whether it was the Price family who used and discarded now that the real heir was ready to take over or it was the woman who claid to love but the mont I was penniless, she found another lover... I know the improtance of regrets as well as the burden of mistakes..."
"People like Aiden and Serena... they’ve been lucky to not have to face regrets. But people like us, who can only make mistakes, fall on our face and learn...we have to stick together in helping each other up, no?"
Ella nodded. What an impassioned speech. She was truly moved. Not. This man actually deserved an Oscar nomination! He was so convincing. She looked at her wrist that was still held by him and internally thanked her past stupi* self. Because she had been a gullible fool then, she could see through the facade now...
She pulled up an expression of extrem discomfort, and looked away," Sidney... let go of my hand."
He looked down then, as if surprised that he had caught on and Ella could not help but sigh in her heart. A real good actor. Even she, who knew he was putting up an act was definitely feeling moved at his sincere expressions.
"Look at ... I seem to even forget that I am holding your hand, it is so comforting to ..." Saying that, he didn’t let go. Instead, he brough her hand to his lips and kissed softly," Ella. Even if you decide to not accept my proposal, can you promise to keep in touch?"
Ella nodded. Of course she would need to keep in touch with him. How else would she find the truth.
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