The soundstage buzzed with quiet energy—assistants running cables, adjusting lights, and whispering into headsets. A steady hum of controlled chaos.
Lex leaned against the back wall, arms crossed, watching as the crew prepped the space. Across from him, Benny stood closer to the stage, clipboard in hand, ticking names off his list.
Lex tilted his head toward the empty stage. "I thought this was about locking in leads?"
Benny smirked, still scribbling. "It is. But Natalie's a wildcard. If she nails this, she'll elevate the whole thing. Besides, she asked for the chance. Figured, why not?"
Lex's smirk deepened. "Let me guess. You thought she'd flake."
"Didn't you?" Benny shot back, but before Lex could answer, the doors at the far end of the room creaked open.
Natalie Zhang stepped inside, her black top and dark jeans effortlessly understated. Her hair was pulled back into a high ponytail, a few soft strands escaping to frame her face.
She had this way of walking—unhurried but certain.
Her eyes scanned the room quickly, taking in everything in seconds, before landing squarely on Lex.
"Great," she said, dry but amused as she approached. "Now it feels rigged."
Lex flashed a slow, easy smile."Relax, Zhang. I'm just here to watch."
"Right." Natalie arched a delicate brow before shifting her attention to Benny. "So, what's the deal? Supporting role, I hear?"
Benny grinned, flipping a page on his clipboard. "You're reading for Mei, the strategist. Not the lead, but plenty of screen time. If you blow this out of the water, we'll talk bigger things later."
Natalie frowned slightly, flipping through the script in her hand. "Supporting. Interesting. I manage a tech startup with my dad full-time, but sure, I'll squeeze in a 'supporting' role for you."
Benny chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh, now you're giving me the startup spiel? I thought this was about chasing a passion."
Natalie rolled her eyes playfully. "Passion doesn't pay the bills, Benny."
Lex finally cut in, voice smooth. "You don't need to sell us on your work ethic, Nat. Just show us what you've got."
Natalie's lips twitched—half challenge, half amusement.
"Fine. But don't think I'm here to pad your project. If I'm in, I'm all in. I pull people's attention. That's what I do."
Lex held her gaze, steady.
"Prove it."
THE AUDITION
Natalie stepped onto the stage, rolling her shoulders back.
One of the assistants adjusted the camera, giving her a nod. Benny leaned against the rigging, gesturing for her to begin.
"Scene 12," Benny called out. "The confrontation with the General. Whenever you're ready."
Natalie took a slow breath, her lashes lowering for just a second.
When she opened her eyes—she wasn't Natalie anymore.
She was Mei.
"If we stay here, we die."
Her voice was low but commanding.Not loud, not desperate—measured.
Deliberate.
She took a step forward, every movement dripping with tension.
"You know that as well as I do. You can cling to honor, but honor won't protect them. I'm offering a path forward. If you can't see that—"
Her voice dropped, a blade cutting through the silence.
"—then step aside. I'll lead them myself."
The entire room went still.
Assistants stopped moving. The low hum of quiet conversation faded into complete silence.
Lex felt it—the shift in air. The moment she grabbed everyone's focus and refused to let go.
She let the words hang in the space for a beat longer, then exhaled slowly.
The tension melted.
She rolled her shoulders, stepped off the stage, and just like that—she was Natalie again.
Her lips quirked as she turned to Benny. "Happy?"
Benny grinned, setting down his clipboard. "Happy doesn't cover it. You nailed it. You're Mei."
Natalie arched a brow, crossing her arms. "That's it? One scene and you're convinced?"
Benny shrugged. "Look, I know talent when I see it. I'm not about to let you walk out of here without locking you down. You're exactly what this needs—controlled, charismatic, and intense. What's your dad's company again? Tech, right?"
"Data management," Natalie replied smoothly. "But this isn't about my dad's company. I'm here for me. This isn't a handout, Benny."
"Never said it was," Benny countered. "I said you're in because you're damn good. Take the compliment."
Lex chuckled, stepping closer. "He's right. You're good. But you already knew that."
Natalie smirked, tucking the script under her arm.
"You don't run a startup without knowing how to hold a room, Lex. You think investors don't need convincing? I've been pitching for years."
Benny shook his head, grinning. "Well, whatever your day job is, this feels like your second calling."
Natalie's voice softened, just slightly. "I'll take it seriously. If I'm in, I'll show up—every day, every take. But don't waste my time. I've already got a career that matters."
Lex's smirk widened, his voice dipping into something smoother, warmer. "Welcome to the team, Natalie. Hope you're ready for the spotlight."
Natalie arched a brow, slipping the script under her arm. "Oh, please. The spotlight's been waiting for me."
Lex chuckled, stepping closer—just enough to shrink the space between them."Is that right?"
She tilted her head slightly, half amused, half daring."You don't strike me as someone who doubts my abilities, Lex."
Lex leaned in just a fraction, his voice lower. "Never. But it's fun watching you prove me right."
Then, she took a small step back, breaking the moment with a teasing smile. "Save it for the premiere."
Lex's smirk didn't waver. "You'd look good in couture, Zhang."
Natalie rolled her eyes, but her lips twitched—just slightly.
As she turned toward the door, Benny let out a low whistle.
"You flirting or casting, Latham?"
Lex ran a hand through his hair, watching Natalie disappear into the hallway.
"Who says I can't do both?"
As she walked toward the door, Benny let out a low whistle.
"She's a heart breaker, isn't she?"
Lex's gaze lingered on her retreating form.
Barnie could have boardrooms.
Lex was building stars.