C16 The Irritable Director!!

Chiang Yuan's language had turned venomous, escalating to personal attacks.

Yet the employees seemed unfazed by her behavior, scattering quickly to avoid becoming collateral damage.

Chiang Yuan was notorious for her poor reputation both inside and outside the industry circles. She was known for her diva behavior, verbally abusing staff, and leading a scandalous personal life that frequently landed her in negative press. Unfazed by the backlash, she seemed to thrive on adversity.

As she put it, who could expect to remain unsoiled in the murky waters of show business?

Su Mingyue was the rare exception. She had even managed to secure resources that were meant for Chiang Yuan.

That's why Chiang Yuan despised her, dreaming of bringing her down.

"I am not you," Su Mingyue stated coolly, shaking her head. "You may be shameless, but I have standards."

Having been in the company for six months, Su Mingyue had maintained a low profile. Apart from her work, she never got entangled in any office disputes. She even avoided confrontations with Chiang Yuan, who frequently targeted her.

But today, she allowed herself a moment of defiance.

Her silence over the past half-year was not out of fear but a sign of her refinement.

"Who would have thought the Su family's young miss could stoop to cursing?" Chiang Yuan mocked, her face twisted in a sneer.

Had Su Mingyue finally lost her job, her livelihood?

Could she no longer keep up her image of aloof dignity?

Su Mingyue remained silent, refusing to stoop to Chiang Yuan's level of vulgarity, well aware that Chiang Yuan was trying to provoke her.

Ignoring her, as always, was her most effective counterattack.

Seeing Su Mingyue's silence, Chiang Yuan braced herself for a showdown.

She had harbored this grudge for six months and was determined to reclaim her pride today.

But before she could speak, a trembling staff member approached and whispered, "Sister Jiang, Sister Mingyue, Director Xue has requested your presence in the artiste department."

Chiang Yuan's brow furrowed in displeasure. "What's the purpose of going to the artiste department?"

It made sense for her to be summoned; with Su Mingyue out of the picture, resources would naturally flow back to her. It was only proper to go through the motions of negotiation. But why was Su Mingyue also called in?

When Chiang Yuan questioned him, the employee felt the weight of pressure and shook his head, saying, "I'm not entirely sure. Director Xue just told me to do it."

With that, he quickly made his exit.

This unexpected turn of events left Chiang Yuan with no desire to cause a scene. When the boss speaks, you have to show respect. Besides, she figured that being sent to the artist department probably involved a transition of duties. Su Mingyue was on the verge of breaking a contract with a major production; surely they needed a replacement. And who better than Chiang Yuan herself?

They reached the artist department in quick succession. Without knocking, Chiang Yuan pushed the door open and walked in.

As soon as she entered, the man behind the desk said with a detached tone, "Get out."

Chiang Yuan was startled and took a moment to collect herself.

When had the artist department director been replaced? And by a young man of such unremarkable appearance?

The most outrageous part was his audacity to tell her to leave.

The entertainment industry is not like other businesses. The line between artists and company executives isn't so clearly defined. If you're famous enough to drive a significant fan economy, even the company president would treat you courteously.

The previous director, Xue Chaoqing's brother-in-law, had never been this bold. What gave this man the right?

Chiang Yuan's gaze darted around, and while she was seething inside, she understood the importance of the situation.

The artist department director wielded considerable power; it was a coveted position. Otherwise, she wouldn't have ingratiated herself with Xue Chaoqing's brother-in-law, even to the extent of sharing his bed.

Holding back her fury, Chiang Yuan stepped out of the room and knocked politely. "Director, may I come in?"

"Enter," the young man responded indifferently.

Chiang Yuan stepped in softly, her beautiful face breaking into a seductive smile, her eyes shimmering with a hint of allure.

Yet the young director remained focused on his documents, the picture of tranquility.

Su Mingyue walked in behind her, catching sight of the young director and freezing in place.

What was his purpose for being here? Moreover, he was seated in the director's office.

"Please, have a seat."

The young director set aside the paperwork and looked up slowly. Both Su Mingyue and the director were slightly taken aback. As they settled into their chairs, the young director spoke up, "Miss Jiang, would you mind making me a cup of coffee?"

"Not at all, Director." Chiang Yuan, who had just seated herself, rose again with a gracious smile.

The young director nodded in acknowledgment and waited in silence for his coffee. Yet, when he caught Su Mingyue's inquisitive look, he seemed to evade her gaze.

Chiang Yuan returned with a steaming cup of coffee, placing it gently on the young director's desk. As she leaned forward, the view of her chest was quite enticing.

The air was filled with a sweet fragrance, her pose was seductive, and her eyes flirtatious. Chiang Yuan had a knack for this, and she had never failed before.

The young director lifted the coffee to his lips and took a sip. Then, predictably, he spat out the coffee, dousing Chiang Yuan's face.

"Do you want to scald me to death?" he exclaimed, slamming the cup down on the desk, his brow furrowed in reprimand.

Chiang Yuan's makeup ran with the heat of the coffee, and her face stung painfully. What was once a chic and stylish woman now resembled a disheveled mess.

She felt both angry and aggrieved. What was he thinking? Freshly brewed coffee is obviously hot. And who drinks half a cup in one go? If it burns, it serves him right!

But she dared not lash out. When the young director had intimidated her and ordered her to leave, she chose to bide her time. Until she could ascertain his true intentions, she wouldn't make any hasty moves.

Suddenly replacing Xue Chaoqing's brother-in-law with no forewarning, and with such brazen audacity, Chiang Yuan was convinced that this unremarkable young director had to have powerful connections.

"Director, I apologize. It wasn't intentional," Chiang Yuan said, her face a picture of remorse, though internally she seethed with venomous curses.

"Do you mean to say you did it deliberately?" the young director shot back, his eyes fierce.

"I wouldn't dare—" Chiang Yuan found herself at a loss for words.

Ever since her rise to fame, she would fly into a rage at the slightest discomfort. Yet, even in her most arrogant and domineering moments, she had her reasons. For instance, if her tea was served too slowly or if the makeup artist accidentally hurt her. She had never once burned herself and taken her anger out on others.

This director was even more unreasonable than she was!

"You don't dare?" the young director said sternly. "Then to whom are you showing that defiant look?"

Chiang Yuan was stunned.

Do I have a defiant look? Despite my tarnished reputation, my acting skills are still up to par. Director, can you please not accuse me unjustly?

"I didn't—"

"You still dare to argue?" the young director snapped. "The moment you walked in, you were flirting with me, shamelessly batting your eyelashes! Are you upset because I didn't respond, so you intentionally burned me with coffee?"

"I—"

"Shut up!" the young director shouted, growing angrier by the second. "Go look in the mirror! With that pathetic look of yours, do you really think you stand a chance with me? Are you insulting my taste, or mocking my eyesight?"

Chiang Yuan, infamous in the industry, was on the verge of tears from the young director's tirade.

She was deeply wronged.

And she didn't dare fight back.

Like Su Mingyue, she had signed a long-term contract that was practically indentured servitude. The company had the right to terminate it, but she did not. If things went south, she'd either be frozen out or forced to pay an exorbitant breach of contract fee. Neither option was viable for her.

In that moment, she had no choice but to endure the director's irrational cursing.

"Get out!" the young director demanded for the second time, resolute. "You look like you're in a horror movie. Are you trying to scare me to death?"

Chiang Yuan ran for the door.

Meanwhile, Su Mingyue's lips curled into a smile, her features as exquisite as a painting, stunningly beautiful.

"After all this time, this is the first time I've seen you smile," the volatile director remarked with a smile. "You look lovely."