THE BILLIONAIRE IS INFATUATED WITH HIS EX-LOVER
Chapter 30: Leon suspects Jee's identity

"She always claims ignorance of anyone named Sara, yet remarkably, her traits mirror his. To uncover the truth, one needs to investigate."

Having said this, Leon promptly picked up the phone and commanded the director of Jee's company.

"Now, I present you with two options: one, persuade her to join this film, or two, watch your company go bankrupt. I will count to three, and if you haven't decided by then, I will choose the second option for you." "You are her boyfriend, aren't you? Surely you know how to handle this better than I do," the director stammered.

"One... Two..." Leon counted decisively, indifferent to the director's protests.

"Alright, alright. I'll go see her now."

The director's familiar black car stopped beneath Jee's residence. He instructed his driver to wait below while he went upstairs.

Jee lived in a modest fourth-floor apartment. Though lower floors lacked a grand view, she preferred them due to her fear of heights.

There had been a time when she witnessed someone driven to desperation by failure, leading them to jump from a height. Since then, she felt uneasy and terrified whenever she looked down from any considerable height, fearing she might one day meet a similar fate.

Jee was startled as she looked at the screen by the door and recognized her boss. She tidied up the scattered cushions on the sofa, straightened her clothes, and opened the door.

"What took you so long? Is there a man in here?" The director entered, scanning the room suspiciously.

"There's no one. I live alone," Jee calmly responded.

He laid a film contract before her, signaling her to read it. Jee couldn't believe her eyes when she saw her signature on the contract. She confronted the director.

"What is this about? I clarified that I am not participating in this film."

"Don't be so stubborn," the director bellowed angrily, "I've signed for you. You must change your ways, or you won't last long in this industry."

"What if I still refuse?" Jee stood her ground, believing in her right to choose the roles and projects she wished to participate in. She understood that the arts were a means to make a living, but not at the cost of compromising her principles or being coerced into unwanted actions.

"How would you feel if I exposed your unsavory past? Then you wouldn't just be forced out of the entertainment industry and owe damages but also lose every shred of your reputation."

"You have no right to involve my family, or else..." Jee's eyes brimmed with tears, her voice choked with betrayal by someone she once trusted, who now used her family as a threat.

"If you still care about your family, live a life you won't regret. I'm not joking about anything I've said today. Think it over."

A soiled past? What sins had she committed-poverty, theft, murder-that she should be threatened thus? The past was gone, yet some insisted on reviving its embers, making them burn as though they never died out.

Was pursuing an acting career a mistake? Perhaps the only error was becoming entangled with the detestable Leon, which only compounded her difficulties.

Three days later, the film began shooting its first scene. In the movie, Jee plays a wealthy girl secretly in love with a poor boy, whom her family opposes.

During a heated argument, her father, in a fit of rage, slapped her across the face. Jee fell, clutching her bloodied face, sobbing uncontrollably. "Cut!"

The director approached, pained by the sight of her reddened cheeks. "You performed very well; I appreciate your professionalism," he said.

"Please touch up your makeup in preparation for the next scene."

Sitting in the vast, empty backstage, Jee gazed at her reflection in the mirror and couldn't hold back her tears. Her bright eyes shimmered with moisture; her slender hands hurriedly applied ice to a fresh bruise. She had never endured such oppression before, but now, no matter what, she had to endure, forced to do things against her conscience, an unbearable ordeal.

She wanted a peaceful life, but the world seemed oblivious to her plight. She was now living with a soul full of scars. Was her life destined to be a series of tragedies, both on-screen and off?

She despised her life and those who inflicted pain upon her.

Suddenly, the door burst open, and a loud slam echoed through the room, followed by the mocking laughter of a woman.

"You think you're so talented, refusing a major project only to make a spectacle of yourself. But I've prepared a birthday gift for you, hoping it won't disappoint."

"Leave, I don't want to talk to you."

"How dare you raise your voice at me. A broken phoenix is no better than a chick," Liz said, raising her hand as if to slap Jee's face.

"Stop talking nonsense and get out!" Jee pointed towards the door, signaling her to leave.

"You don't believe I can do it, do you? Just wait and see."

Jee watched Liz's angry departure with a sense of unease. Liz was the most selfish person she knew and would surely not let this go.

Lately, one misfortune after another seemed to besiege her, particularly involving the billionaire who appeared out of nowhere, causing her many sleepless nights. She wondered why he remained silent; perhaps he was toying with her.