Chapter 148

Jeremy’s small hands clung to Stacey’s neck like a treasure. Hayden watched them, then said, "Let's go to the office."

They hurried into the minimalist office, its starkness mirroring Hayden’s demeanor. “Put him down if you get tired,” Hayden told Stacey. “Let him play.”

Stacey smiled. “Okay.” Jeremy’s presence eased her nerves. His sparkling eyes never left her.

Lynn chuckled, eyeing Jeremy and Becky. “Is this kid a Becky fan?”

All eyes turned to Lynn. She froze, a prickle crawling up her neck. Stacey’s mind clicked. My tan? Does he think I'm Becky? she thought, remembering the online fandom, the celebrity children… Smiling, she asked Jeremy, “Are you my fan?”

He nodded, then vigorously shook his head. Confused, Stacey glanced at Hayden’s frown, but he remained silent. “There’s a lounge,” he said. “Rest there. Find Samuel if you need anything. Then, shoot the endorsement.”

“Okay, thanks,” Stacey replied.

Hayden returned to his work. Stacey and Lynn exchanged uneasy glances.

“Ms. Carter, Ms. Fox, this way,” Samuel ushered them to the lounge, offering drinks and snacks. Jeremy slid from Stacey’s arms, but stayed close. Samuel produced Legos. Jeremy pushed the box toward Stacey. She laughed, joining him.

Time flew. An hour later, Lynn reminded Stacey of the shoot. Finishing the Lego structure, Stacey said, “Okay, it’s done!”

Hesitantly, she added, “Jeremy, I’m going to shoot an endorsement. Can we play again later?”

He didn’t answer. Stacey went to Hayden. “Mr. Hoggard, I’m rested. Can I shoot now?”

He nodded, shutting down his computer. Lynn’s jaw dropped. He’s watching the endorsement? she thought. At Hoggard Technologies, a simple endorsement usually didn’t warrant the CEO's presence. Yet, Hayden followed them downstairs.

On the fifteenth floor, Daniel, from the planning department, received Samuel’s message and paled. He frantically halted work, ordering everyone to the elevator to greet the CEO and Jeremy. A hush fell over the hundreds of employees. Desks were cleared in seconds, snacks hastily stashed.

The elevator doors opened. Hayden emerged, followed by Stacey, Jeremy, Samuel, and Lynn.

Daniel stammered, “Mr. Hoggard, the studio’s ready.”

Hayden nodded. “Where’s the script?” he asked Daniel.

Daniel’s face crumbled. The secretary rushed to deliver the script, but Hayden closed it with a disgusted expression. “It’s too fake!” he declared.

Panic seized Daniel. What do I do? he thought. Jeremy, meanwhile, pulled out his tablet and wrote: [Go home for the shoot!]

Stacey stared, a revelation dawning. Whose home? Then she understood, shocked. He can read!