Perhaps fortune favored Abbie. In a laundry basket near a guest room, she found a suit jacket and a crumpled, light-colored tablecloth.

Her spirits soared as she surveyed her surroundings. Pristine Hall clearly lacked surveillance cameras; otherwise, accepting Laurence's invitation would have been impossible. Returning to her room, she fashioned the tablecloth into a simple, elegant dress and donned the jacket, ensuring a low profile. A hat and mask completed her disguise, and she cautiously made her way out.

As she neared the exit, a sigh of relief escaped her lips. But trained bodyguards intercepted her, their expressions frigid. "Mr. Russell wishes to see you," one announced.

"I—I don't know any Mr. Russell! Let me go!" she protested, panic rising. She was utterly bewildered by this turn of events.

She was quickly dragged into a room, falling to the floor, trembling with fear. She knew Laurence had a family, but to advance her career, she'd complied with his requests, facilitated by her manager, Jamie, to secure the role of the third female lead. Had she been exposed?

Cautiously raising her head, she froze in shock. A tall figure stood before her, backlit by a massive floor-to-ceiling window, radiating elegance and authority. His sharp brow and deep-set eyes were captivating; his handsome face striking even in the dim light. His presence seemed to dim the outside glow, rendering the surroundings muted. He was exceptionally handsome—truly unique.

Abbie gasped, her eyes wide with awe. Years in the entertainment industry had exposed her to many handsome men, but none compared to this one.

As the bodyguards bowed, they announced, "Mr. Russell, we've found her."

Abbie's pupils dilated. The shock was overwhelming when she realized the man was Stephan. "This man—this powerful presence... could it be… Stephan Russell, the influential figure of the Seldvale Russell family?" she thought, her heart pounding, her trembling intensifying.

The rumored "Mr. Russell" was known for his coldness, ruthlessness, and lack of empathy. Offending him could have dire consequences.

As she quivered, he said, "Look up."

She cautiously obeyed. The marks on her neck, clearly visible now, especially with the suit jacket, revealed her previous encounters.

Stephan's expression darkened, his voice chillingly cold. "Now tell me, what kind of compensation do you want?"

Abbie's mind raced. A realization struck her, her heart pounding wildly. The blood surged through her veins; a primal instinct screamed, "This is your chance—seize it!"

With a mixture of anxiety and caution, she replied, "If you truly wish to compensate me… then I want to establish myself in the entertainment industry and rise to fame."

To her surprise, though not entirely unexpected, Stephan responded with three words: "Consider it done."

Excitement surged, though she maintained a composed exterior. He waved a hand, and his subordinates lifted her, escorting her away.

Before leaving the room, however, he paused. "Was it really you who spent the night in my room?"

Abbie opened her mouth to answer, but his smile held a hint of menace, his casual tone sending chills down her spine. "I detest being lied to. Think carefully before you answer."

She bit her lip. "It was me."

Even after safely leaving Pristine Hall and arriving in the car with Jamie, the shock of the events hadn't fully registered.