Chapter 75: Production Crew

The auditions ended with a flurry of activity as actors gathered their belongings. Some chatted excitedly, while others left quietly, lost in their thoughts. Marcos, Ricardo’s sharp and efficient secretary, oversaw everything, keeping a careful eye on each performance. He held a clipboard, making notes after every audition, his expression serious and focused.

"Some good talent today," Katherine Lee, the casting director, said, stretching her shoulders to relieve the tension. She glanced at Marcos as she flipped through her notes. "A few surprises too. What do you think?"

Marcos nodded briefly, barely looking up. "Agreed. Some showed promise, especially for the lead roles."

Michael Zhen, the stunt coordinator, who had been watching the auditions critically, added, "Not just promise. I need to see if they can move, really handle the physical stuff. Acting’s one thing, but if they can’t keep up with the stunts, it’s a waste of time."

"True," Katherine replied thoughtfully. "I noticed a few who looked stiff during the action scenes. We’ll have to test them more."

At the end of the table, Sophie Tran, the producer, clasped her hands together. She had remained silent for most of the auditions, her expression cool and unreadable. When the last actor left, she leaned back in her chair. "We’ve got a lot to discuss," she said, her tone firm. "But first, it looks like we’re heading upstairs. Marcos?"

"Yes, if you’ll follow me," Marcos said, gathering his papers. "The chairman has requested to see all of you on the top floor."

Katherine raised an eyebrow. "Top floor? We never have meetings there." She exchanged a curious look with Michael. "What’s going on?"

Michael shrugged. "No idea, but it must be something big if the chairman wants us there."

As they followed Marcos out of the room and into the elevator, the silence was thick with anticipation. Sophie glanced at her reflection in the elevator doors, adjusting her jacket slightly. "Only the chairman and his secretary are usually allowed up there," she muttered, almost to herself. "This better be worth it."

When the elevator doors opened, they stepped out onto the top floor. It was a different world up here—quieter, more refined, with plush carpets and soft lighting. Marcos led them down a short hallway to a door. He paused, then knocked.

"Come in," came Ricardo’s voice from inside.

Marcos pushed the door open, and the production crew stepped in, their eyes widening in surprise. Ricardo Lopez, the chairman, was seated at a desk, but he wasn’t alone. Beside him was a young woman they recognized from a few days ago—Zinnia. She had been with Ricardo at an earlier meeting, but they hadn’t thought much of it then.

The surprise deepened when they noticed the screen in front of the chairman, showing footage from the auditions. "They’ve been watching us," Katherine thought, trying to piece together why.

Michael’s eyes narrowed as he scanned the room. "What’s she doing here?" he wondered. "And why is the chairman so involved all of a sudden?"

Sophie was the first to break the silence. "Chairman," she said with a respectful nod. "I didn’t realize we’d be getting direct feedback today."

Ricardo smiled, gesturing for them to sit. "Please, make yourselves comfortable. I wanted to see how things were going, and I thought it’d be best to discuss this project in person."

Katherine, still curious, glanced at Zinnia. "And you?" she asked, trying to sound casual. "Are you part of this discussion?"

Marcos stepped forward before Zinnia could reply. "Allow me to introduce Ms. Zinnia Lopez," he said, his tone professional. "She is the new Deputy CEO and will be involved in this project moving forward."

The room went silent, each member of the production crew processing the information in their own way. Katherine’s mouth opened slightly, a look of surprise crossing her face. "Deputy CEO?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn’t expect that."

Michael, trying to mask his surprise, cleared his throat. "I, uh... didn’t know we’d be working with someone new at this level," he said, glancing between the chairman and Zinnia. "I mean, welcome, of course."

Sophie remained calm, but a sharp glint appeared in her eyes. "So, that’s why we’re here," she thought. She nodded at Zinnia. "Nice to meet you, Ms. Lopez. I’m looking forward to seeing how you contribute."

Zinnia smiled politely. "Thank you, all of you. I’m glad to finally have the chance to meet you in person." Her voice was steady, with a hint of warmth that helped ease the tension in the room. "I’ve been following the progress of this project closely, and I believe it has a lot of potential. I’m excited to see how we can take it forward together."

Ricardo nodded, his eyes shining with pride. "Zinnia brings a fresh perspective, and she’s very passionate about this project," he said. "She’ll be directly involved, especially in the decision-making. I trust you’ll find her insights helpful."

Katherine, still curious, asked, "So, what’s your role going to be, exactly?" She wasn’t trying to be rude, but she needed to understand how this new dynamic would work.

Zinnia took a breath. "I’ll be overseeing several aspects, but mostly I’ll be focusing on how we can bring out the best in this film," she explained. "However, I’d like to request something." She hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "I want to keep my position as Deputy CEO under wraps for now."

That caught everyone’s attention. "Why?" Sophie asked, her tone direct but not harsh. "Why keep it a secret?"

"I want to learn more about the industry and gain experience without the pressure of my title hanging over me," Zinnia replied, her gaze steady. "As an assistant director, I can be involved in the creative process without drawing too much attention to myself. I want to understand the challenges you all face without being seen as the chairman’s daughter."

Marcos nodded, impressed by her thoughtfulness. "That makes sense. It’s a tough industry, and having the right experience can help you navigate it better."

Sophie looked thoughtful, glancing at Ricardo. "If we keep your role under wraps, how will we manage that? We can’t have you making decisions without anyone knowing who you are."

"I can work behind the scenes," Zinnia suggested. "I can help coordinate things, but I don’t need to be in the spotlight. I want to earn my place here, not just be handed a title."

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read