Chapter 181

The private room buzzed with conversation, mostly between Gregory and Christina, punctuated by the Jackmans’ occasional interjections. Gregory, however, barely listened. His focus remained solely on extracting information about Paisley from the Sullivans.

Just as he raised his glass for another toast, Dominick’s hand clamped down on his own. "I wanted to ask you about—"

Brittany’s sharp voice cut him off. "Cary, aren't you going to raise a glass to Dominick?"

Dominick glared at her, displeasure etched on his face. Brittany, oblivious, fixed Cary with a haughty stare, intent on humiliating him.

Cary, summoned by Brittany’s public rebuke, felt a surge of anger, but Dominick’s presence silenced his resistance. Stiffly, he picked up his glass and approached the table, the weight of the situation heavy on him. He knew this was a deliberate attempt to embarrass him, but he had no choice but to comply.

He stood awkwardly behind Brittany, bowing slightly. "Dominick, I offer you this drink."

Dominick frowned, vaguely recognizing the middle-aged man. "Who is this?" he asked Brittany.

Brittany’s eyes sparkled. "Cary's the director of my next film. I have to thank you, Dominick. Without your help, I wouldn't have gotten the lead. You've been so good to me."

Dominick detected a hidden agenda in her words, a feeling of unease settling over him. He’d merely suggested to Julian that Brittany get the part—a minor detail hardly deserving of such gratitude. In fact, this entire Sullivan family gathering felt increasingly repulsive. He'd anticipated a simple dinner, not this parade of unfamiliar faces. He saw through their manipulations, yet endured it out of respect for Paisley's family.

He clinked glasses with Cary, but didn't drink, setting the glass down.

Brittany, misinterpreting his gesture as intimidation, became even more arrogant. "Gary, I hear you've been trying to kick me off the cast?"

Gary's back stiffened. He watched Dominick, who remained impassive—a silence far more chilling than any outburst. Dominick wondered if Paisley's sister was a bad actress. Why else would the director want to replace her?

Cary, sweating, stammered, "No, no, I'm still looking for actors. Once the cast is set, we can start filming."

Brittany sneered. "Oh, so you'll still be the director after filming starts?"

Gary’s cold sweat intensified. How did Brittany know he planned to quit?