Mr Jones hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back, before finally deciding to be clearer.

  "It's like this, Miss Dorothy. The twenty-thousand-dollar budget we advitised is the minimum, a conservative estimate. The actual cost will definitely be more than that. After all, the lead actors' salaries alone will cost nearly 5,000 dollars. As you just said, you want to help me cover the remaining shortfall, so I still feel I need to make these actual circumstances clear to you."

  Grace understood. Mr Jones was clearly hinting that the funding gap was still substantial, afraid the number he was about to state might scare her off.

  She smiled faintly. "Just give me the figure, Mr Jones."

  Mr. Jones's throat moved slightly, as if weighing in his mind how much to quote. He was truly afraid of scaring Grace away.

  But for the sake of the project, he gritted his teeth and stated the number in his mind: "Ten thousand Dollars!"

  As if afraid Grace would change her mind, he quickly added, "Miss Dorothy, the more you invest, the greater the potential return later. We have great confidence in this project. You must believe in us."

  Seeing his anxious and apprehensive appearance, the smile on Grace's face widened.

  She simply gave a slight nod and said, "No problem. As long as my sister gets the role, my ten-thousand-dollar investment will be transferred to you immediately."

  No one expected Grace to agree so readily. Mr Jones, Paulina, and Adam were all stunned into silence.

  Finally, Paulina was the first to regain her composure. She promptly instructed Adam, "Adam, secure this role immediately. You're familiar with the school, so you handle the communication. But our main cast lineup won't be announced until the press conference. Remember to maintain confidentiality."

  "Understood, understood. I'll contact their teacher right now." Adam nodded repeatedly, unconsciously stealing a few more glances at Grace.

  He had never seen someone so young yet with such a powerful presence. Ten thousand Dollars seemed like just one Dollar in her eyes.

  Seeing this, Grace spoke up. "Mr Jones, our cooperation should also remain confidential. I prefer to make a fortune quietly, so don't let others know, including my sister."

  Chloe was naturally sensitive and prone to insecurity. Knowing these things might not truly make her happy.

  Mr. Jones understood Grace's meaning. He gave Adam a look, and Adam knew what to do.

  Just then, a commotion suddenly arose at the main entrance of the banquet hall, as if someone was arguing at the door.

  Guests instinctively looked over curiously. Unfortunately, the main door was closed; they could only faintly hear some arguing but couldn't make out what was happening.

  Seeing this, Mr Jones stood up. "Miss Dorothy, please wait here a moment. I'll see what's going on."

  Outside the banquet hall entrance, Eric, shrouded in anger, was being blocked by two security guards.

  "Sir, this is a private function. You cannot enter without an invitation."

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  "Sir, you cannot force your way in, otherwise, we will have to resort to forcibly removing you. Please understand!"

  Eric's eyes were red, a fire seeming to burn behind him. He suppressed his rage and said in a low voice, "I just need to find one person inside! I'll come right out!"

  At that moment, Clara, who had been waiting, appeared quickly in her small heels. Running to Eric's side, she deliberately tugged at him. "Eric, it's no use. These high-end cocktail parties require invitations. Your ex-girlfriend is quite something; the person she's latched onto is obviously a big shot."

  As soon as she finished speaking, Mr. Jones happened to walk out from inside.

  Clara immediately recognised him as the man who was with Grace earlier. Excitedly, she pointed at him and exclaimed, "Eric, it's him!"

  Before Mr. Jones could even ask what was happening, the frenzied man before him rushed forward and grabbed him by the collar.

  The image of Grace's sexy back in the photo flashed through Eric's mind, jealousy instantly driving him mad. "How dare you touch my woman!"

  With a low roar, he raised his fist and landed a heavy punch.

  The punch was sudden and fierce. Mr Jones didn't even have time to react before taking a hard blow to the cheek. He stumbled sideways, fortunately caught by the quick-reacting security guard.

  The other guard, snapping back to reality, pounced on Eric. However, his build was far less imposing than Eric's. He tried to take him down, but found it useless.

  Through the door Mr Jones had just opened, the irrational Eric shouted loudly inside, "Grace! Grace, come out here!"

  Mr Jones saw stars, the left side of his face instantly swelling up high.

  Watching Eric's current frenzied state, a triumphant smile flashed in Clara's eyes.

  What out of reach!

  She'd soon make her lose all face in front of everyone.

  The sudden chaos at the entrance also attracted the attention of those inside. Especially Grace, who heard someone shouting her name, hurried to the entrance with Paulina.

  "Eric?"

  Seeing Eric here was also a surprise to Grace. But when she saw Mr. Jones's badly swollen cheek, her face instantly darkened.

  Eric looked at Grace. She was indescribably beautiful, but it was for someone else, which only felt piercing to him.

  His eyes bloodshot, he was about to charge forward when Paulina's scream made him jolt.

  "Honey!"

  Seeing Mr Jones's dishevelled state, Paulina ran over in horror. "Oh my god! How did this happen? Are you okay?"

  Someone behind them, reacting quickly, spoke to a staff member. "Hurry, get some ice to reduce the swelling for President Jones."

  Honey?

  This man's wife is here, too?

  Then what about that photo?

  If it were an improper relationship, having Grace appear at an event where the wife was also present would be far too brazen.

  Eric wasn't stupid. Paulina's appearance made him wake up gradually. His belated realisation made for a wonderful expression, particularly.

  The anger hadn't completely faded from his face, first replaced by confusion, then showing signs of unease.

  Clara was also dumbfounded. What was going on? Why was this man's wife here, too?

  Noticing Eric's expression, she knew she had probably made a mistake.

  Damn it, she'd messed up!

  But there was no turning back now. Gritting her teeth, she decided to go all the way, pointing at Grace and loudly accusing, "Grace, you're so shameless! Sneaking around with another man behind Eric's back!"

  "Shut up!"

  If Clara had kept quiet, Eric's rising anger might have dissipated. But her words made his fury surge again. He immediately yelled at her.

  Clara shuddered from the scare and immediately fell silent.

  Grace withdrew her gloomy gaze and walked over to Mr Jones with an apologetic expression. "Mr Jones, I'm truly sorry. Please call the police!"

  Being punched for no reason, especially such a solid blow to the face, wouldn't sit well with anyone.

  But since it was someone Grace knew, and Mr Jones had just secured a ten-thousand-dollar investment, he didn't want anything to affect the outcome.

  So, although his expression was extremely unpleasant, he still said, "That's not necessary, Miss Dorothy. There seems to be a misunderstanding here."

  A misunderstanding?

  It's a huge misunderstanding!

  But this punch couldn't be settled with just the word 'misunderstanding.'

  Grace expressionlessly pulled out her phone. "I'll call the police for you!"