The moment the call connected, Lewi exploded.
"What the hell are you doing?! Are you trying to get everyone killed?!"
On the other end, he was stunned. He had no idea why the boss was suddenly furious, but he didn't dare show the slightest disrespect. He quickly forced a smile.
"Boss… what do you mean? Did something go wrong on our end?"
Lewi practically snarled, his voice sharp with panic and rage.
"You're driving people away. Driving them away for filming. Even if you want to clear the area, don't you know how to look at who you're dealing with? You dared to drive away someone you absolutely cannot touch. A god-tier tycoon—even I don't dare provoke him! And your bodyguards pointed at him and cursed him right to his face. If Jason hadn't given me face because he knows me, I wouldn't even know how I'd end up dead!"
Mr. Derick's face went pale.
He knew exactly what Lewi was talking about.
Earlier, Ash had been in a bad mood. He complained that the surrounding tourists were noisy and ruining his performance. The truth was, Ash had partied too hard the night before and his condition today was terrible—but no one dared to say that out loud.
When Ash lost his temper, Mr. Derick naturally couldn't talk back. Clearing out the passersby did make the area quieter, after all.
So not only did he fail to stop the bodyguards, he had silently approved of it.
But now…
Had they offended someone Lewi himself didn't dare to provoke?
Mr. Derick swallowed hard and hurriedly said, "Boss, this is my fault. I'll go apologize immediately."
"Not enough," Lewi snapped. "You, the director, and Ash all need to apologize. If Jason isn't appeased, we're all finished. Also, arrange a private room and treat him properly."
Mr. Derick hesitated. "I can apologize, and the director should be reasonable… but Ash doesn't listen to me."
"Then his apology can wait," Lewi said coldly. "Appease Jason first. I'll personally deal with Ash."
The line went dead.
Mr. Derick didn't dare waste a second. He rushed to the scene as fast as his legs could carry him.
When he arrived and saw Jason standing calmly there—while the two arrogant bodyguards were still restrained like criminals—his heart skipped a beat.
Without hesitation, Mr. Derick bent deeply at the waist.
"Jason, I sincerely apologize," he said, his smile stiff and humble. "We were blind and failed to recognize who we were dealing with. Since you're acquainted with Mr. Lewi, this was truly a misunderstanding."
He gestured quickly to the side.
"Please come this way. We've arranged a private room at Riverwatch Tower. From there, you'll have a perfect view of Moonwatch Terrace. If you'd like to visit the terrace later, the director, Mr. Lewi, and I will personally accompany you."
Jason didn't move immediately.
Instead, he looked at Mr. Derick calmly and asked, "What exactly did you rent? Does it include this road? Or does this road belong to you, and pedestrians aren't allowed to walk on it?"
Mr. Derick's smile stiffened. He answered awkwardly, "Strictly speaking… we didn't rent this area. We only obtained permission to film. This was our mistake. Sorry for affecting everyone's passage."
Jason nodded slightly.
"Good. Lead the way."
Only then did Mr. Derick let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. He bowed slightly as he walked ahead.
Behind him, Jason followed at an unhurried pace.
The two former forces soldiers still hadn't released the bodyguards.
They were dragged along like baggage.
Mr. Derick's hands trembled when he saw this.
Jason wasn't making a scene—but that didn't mean this was over.
This calm was simply him giving them a chance to prove whether they were worth sparing.
The surrounding passersby watched the scene with thinly veiled delight.
"Look at them now. Still arrogant?"
"Serves them right. Finally ran into someone they can't bully."
"Who is that guy, anyway? I thought he was just some influencer."
"Are you kidding? They are backed by Star Shine Entertainment, starring Ash. No streamer—no matter how famous—could force them to back down like this."
"So that means…"
"That guy isn't just anyone. Not even close."
As Jason walked forward with Sophia beside him, the murmurs behind them grew louder—filled with curiosity, awe, and a dawning realization.
Whoever he was, one thing was certain.
They had all just witnessed someone truly untouchable.
The group of traditional-style influencers who had also been stopped nearby couldn't help but steal a few curious glances at Jason when they saw how things unfolded.
Almost immediately, the familiar system notifications chimed softly in his mind.
Sophia's clear, elegant eyes drifted toward Jason again.
Sophia: Favorability +3.
The sudden confrontation earlier had made her tense without her realizing it. But now, walking beside Jason, that tension melted away. There was a strange sense of security—calm, steady, and effortless. As long as he was there, she felt no need to worry about anything.
The moment Jason and Sophia saw what was happening inside, both of them frowned.
To create an "ethereal" effect for filming, crew members had hammered nails directly into the wooden pillars of the old pavilion to hang sheer drapes. Water was being sprayed nonstop to simulate "mist and clouds," soaking the stone. Worse still, they were actually spraying paint onto the original bluestone ground.
It was vandalism—plain and simple.
There was no respect for history. No awareness of preservation.
For anyone who understood the value of cultural heritage, the sight was unbearable. To Sophia, it felt like watching someone abuse a defenseless kitten right in front of her.
This was one of the reasons she rarely went out.
There were too many ordinary people in the world—and "ordinary" didn't mean harmless. Often, it meant crude, short-sighted, and reckless.
Argue with them, and you wouldn't win. Worse, you might even get dragged into trouble.
Deep down, Sophia was a little world-weary.
She said nothing.
She followed Jason, entered the private room, and sat down quietly.
In her mind, she was already planning ahead: help Jason promote the clothing as agreed, return the favors she owed, then go back to campus.
Attend classes. Study. Read ancient texts in the evenings. Occasionally help promote her grandfather's antique shop through livestreams.
Her life was already full. She didn't want complications.
Not long after, the director arrived.
He was clearly experienced in social situations—smiling, apologizing repeatedly, personally pouring drinks for Jason. Yet Jason remained indifferent. His expression didn't change, and the two former special forces soldiers still held onto Ash's bodyguards without the slightest intention of releasing them.
Mr. Derick stood nearby, sweating. Seeing no progress, he secretly called Lewi again.
"Boss," he whispered urgently, "Jason still hasn't let it go. His people are still holding Ash's bodyguards like they're nothing."
Lewi's voice was low and tense."The fact that Jason even let his secretary contact me already means he's giving me enormous face. Otherwise, he could crush me without a word. I'm not there yet, and Ash hasn't apologized—how could he forgive so easily?"
He paused, then added grimly,"Serve them the best food and wine. I'm on my way as fast as I can. You must entertain them properly. If Jason really decides to act, we'll all die ugly deaths."
Lewi was painfully clear-headed.
Jason allowing Olivia to call him was already a huge concession. Thankfully, they were both members of the same club, and Lewi had even provided a luxury car for Jason's private showcase in the past.
Otherwise, Jason wouldn't have acknowledged him at all.
And if Jason had acted directly, it would've been far too late for regret.
Half an hour later, Lewi finally arrived.
He didn't come alone.
He dragged Ash along with him, followed by Ash's agent, and hurried into the private room at Riverwatch Tower.
The moment he saw Jason, Lewi bowed deeply.
"Jason, I sincerely apologize," he said respectfully. "This is my failure in managing my people. You can scold me, hit me—anything, as long as it helps vent your anger."
He turned sharply toward Ash."Ash, apologize. Now."
Ash was the typical young idol—thin frame, pale complexion, an earring glinting at his ear, dressed fashionably. His expression was clearly unwilling. He pouted and muttered, barely audible:
"…Sorry, okay?"
Lewi's face instantly darkened.
"Ash," he snapped, "what did we discuss earlier? Your bodyguards caused trouble—what's wrong with apologizing properly? Fix your attitude. I'm warning you, this is for your own good."
Ash's face flushed. The sense of humiliation made his irritation obvious.
"I already agreed to apologize," he shot back. "That's more than enough respect. Are you done yet? I'm only cooperating with you—I'm not your employee. Don't act like you own me."
His agent, a slightly plump woman with an equally arrogant expression, folded her arms.
"Exactly," she said coldly. "He already apologized. What more do you want? If there's nothing else, we need to continue filming. You're wasting our time."
She scoffed.
"Time is money. Don't you understand that?"
The private room fell silent.
Jason finally raised his eyes.
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