Chapter 138

Vivian took charge immediately, collecting her belongings with effortless grace. Penelope, eager to impress her celebrity crush Sebastian, tugged at her father's sleeve with starry-eyed enthusiasm. "Papa, our guesthouse has plenty of rooms available. We could host the entire film crew."

Walter hesitated, his businessman's mind calculating risks. Though their establishment wasn't officially open for business, housing a production team wasn't illegal. Yet Walter, ever the pragmatist, doubted entertainment industry connections would benefit their small-town enterprise.

Noticing her father's reluctance, Penelope leaned in conspiratorially. "They're shooting a major production here. Sebastian is Hollywood royalty - everything he touches turns to gold. Imagine the tourism boost if we get featured! This could be our golden ticket to becoming their official hospitality partners."

Walter's eyes gleamed with sudden interest. Just as he prepared to agree, he caught Adrian's imposing figure nearby, his expression unreadable. Walter approached cautiously. "Mr. Blackwood, would it inconvenience you if we accommodated the film crew here?"

Adrian's response came clipped and indifferent. "Do what you want. Just keep them away from my space. I detest disturbances."

Relieved by the lack of objection, Walter beamed. "Naturally, Mr. Blackwood. Your suite is already prepared separately."

Emboldened, Penelope practically skipped to Sebastian. "Mr. Hartwell! We'd be honored to host your team. Our guesthouse has county government backing and all the amenities you'll need."

Sebastian set down his luggage with a charming smile. "That's incredibly generous. Let me inform the director immediately." As he turned, he spotted Vivian exiting with an armful of prop boxes. Without hesitation, he rushed to her side. "You shouldn't be carrying all that alone. Here, let me help."

Vivian's cream dress bore smudges from the day's work, yet she carried herself with unshaken dignity. From his vantage point, Adrian's gaze turned glacial. Vivian felt the weight of his stare and glanced up, their eyes locking momentarily. A strange current passed between them before Ethan smoothly intervened. "Ms. Hartley, allow me. Those boxes are too cumbersome in your dress."

After a brief hesitation, Vivian relinquished the items. "Sebastian," she said evenly, "you should go finalize the lodging arrangements with the director first."

With an obedient nod, Sebastian departed. Penelope observed the exchange, noting Adrian's intense scrutiny. Her pulse quickened - was that jealousy she detected in his piercing gaze?

Thirty minutes later, the crew assembled at the guesthouse, expecting rustic accommodations. Instead, they discovered a meticulously preserved historical estate featuring landscaped gardens and winding corridors that housed both guest rooms and a full-service restaurant - where dinner would be served.

The large group dispersed across three tables. Adrian's table included construction firm representatives and material suppliers who'd discreetly leveraged connections to meet the elusive billionaire.

After introducing these newcomers, Walter proudly presented the film crew to his business associates. "Our distinguished guests from Ivory Phoenix Productions!" In the world of commerce, one never knew when such connections might prove valuable.