Chosen Mate Of The Beastmen Empire

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Nyx quietly looked away. The taunt didn't get the reaction she wanted, and Joanna got all huffy about it. The man next to her noticed something off and frowned, "What's up?"

"Terry." Joanna said, softening her tone and flashing a smile, “nothing much, just saw someone I can't stand."

She had plenty of people she didn't like, and Terry gave a vague chuckle, "Alright, got it. What's her name?"

Truth was, he wasn't clueless-his little starlet had a nasty temper, always starting trouble, looking down on this one, sneering at that one. Her reputation was trash.

But he didn't care who was right or wrong-he wasn't some judge. As long as she stayed pretty and kept him happy, he'd back her up, let her strut around the industry like she owned it.

Joanna leaned into his shoulder, pleased as punch. "Terry, you're so good to me."

She pointed at Nyx. "That's the one-Nyx. She stole the role I had my eye on!"

Someone nearby overheard, frowned, and looked like they wanted to say something but held back. Joanna didn't care who heard-she had her sugar daddy right there, so she glared at them one by one.

Terry followed her finger and caught just a glimpse of a figure from behind. That graceful silhouette looked like a one-in-a- million beauty. Dressed in a plain white skirt, she had an extra touch of innocence.

Terry lingered on that back view a little too long, suddenly recalling the "world's greatest beauty" role that got snatched-he started feeling a spark of interest.

Joanna didn't notice, still whispering in his ear, "She's basically done filming-just cut her scene today, that's all."

It wasn't out of kindness that she didn't want Nyx totally crushed-if she asked to chop all of Nyx's parts, the director, writer, and editor would flip, and it'd get messy.

Just axing today's scene would be easy enough and still kill Nyx's big moment. In the other scenes, she'd been swinging around in that ugly bronze mask-no way she'd blow up from that once the show aired.

"Please, Terry?" she cooed, nudging him.

Terry nodded absently, not bothering to head for the director. After a few more rounds of her wheedling, he yanked his arm free, annoyed, "Enough!"

Seeing her teary, panicked eyes, he softened a bit and said, "Hold on a sec. Let her shoot it first, then get the director to cut it."

Zachary was a professional-getting a scene perfect meant tons of retakes, and Nyx's bit involved wirework, falling from a tower. It wouldn't be a breeze,

Letting Nyx go through all that hassle, only to trash the footage later, would really twist the knife. Joanna thought it over, wiped her tears, and broke into a grin.

The crew had already set up the outdoor tower to look war-ravaged-charred beams, crumbling tiles hanging by a thread. When Nyx's turn came, it was dusk, the setting sun bleeding red across the tower's weathered bricks. Everything was ready, and the camera locked on Nyx.

The vermilion palace gates hung crooked and wide open, rare flowers trampled into the mud, screams and shout from every direction as servants grabbed gold, silver, jewels, and silks, fleeing with whatever they could carry.

oing

Nyx wore a lavish cloak, its hem dusted with dirt but still elegant, her hair neatly pinned, a floral mark glowing between her brows-she held onto the dignity of royalty.

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"Hurry, Princess! Get to the carriage!" a loyal guard urged, "The gates are breached-there's no time!"

The princess just stood there, gazing into the distance, her eyes drifting from the grand hall to the concubines' quarters, then she moved-not toward the carriage.

Escape was useless. She had nowhere to go. Her kingdom had fallen, her people scattered, her home gone, her parents and siblings all dead.

The princess pulled her gaze back and stepped toward the gate. She sped up, her hair ornaments jangling loose a guard lunged to grab her robe, but she unfastened it, flung the cloak off, and left their pleas behind with it.

At the tower's peak, she stood in plain white. A troop of cavalry with the rebel king's banners galloped through the streets, charging straight for the palace. From the tower, she could see them-maybe they saw her, too.

Capturing the former dynasty's "world's greatest beauty" alive for their king would be a hell of a prize. The riders whooped, spurring their horses harder.

Ten miles, five miles, one mile. Closing in. They could already make out her pale cheeks, her delicate skin-their eyes glued to that slender figure as she bent to adjust her skirt, then touched her hairpin.

A fierce wind whipped up, her hair flying like clouds or a waterfall-she yanked out

the pin and drove it into her throat! The pin shattered as it hit the ground.

Like a white crane with broken wings, she spun and plummeted from the tower, her robes fluttering in tragic red streaks.

"Good-cut!" Zachary called it, laughing and clapping, "Perfect!"

One take, no need for a redo. Nyx had pulled off something even he hadn't pictured.

"You've got this classical vibe, like you stepped right out of ancient times," he said, still buzzing, chasing after Nyx with praise, "That's rare."noveldrama

Nyx unhooked the wires, peeled off the busted fake blood pack, and gave him an awkward smile.

'Classical vibe, huh. Maybe because I actually lived in the past for a few years,' he thought.

The set was buzzing-tons of folks still caught up in Nyx's performance, gushing nonstop.

Every move she made felt so natural, even her fall from the tower flowed perfectly-no stiffness in her limbs or body. It pulled you right in, made you forget the wires were even there.

Outsiders might not get it, but most people there were industry pros-they knew how tough that was, how skilled she had to be.

Amid the praise, Joanna's face went pale. She clutched Terry's sleeve. "You don't want me anymore?"

In those few minutes, she'd watched him fall for someone else-his eyes on Nyx held an admiration and fascination he'd never shown her. Forget dealing with Nyx for her-he clearly wanted Nyx to take her place.

"It's not that I don't want you," Terry said, prying her hand off and smoothing his wrinkled sleeve, "You've been with me this long. Stay sensible, and I won't ditch you."

It's just that Nyx really hit his sweet spot-he wanted her in his pocket, too. Keeping two lovers at once was no big deal-with enough cash, he could handle a few more.

"Just get along with her from now on, don't make trouble for me, got it?" he warned, patting Joanna's cheek.

She could mess with outsiders all she wanted, but not on his turf. He wasn't about

to let his backyard catch fire and spend his days playing referee for his girlfriends.

12:34 Tue, 18 Mar w

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11

Joanna's vision went dark. Men always chased the new and tossed the old-Nyx was younger, prettier. She had no chance down the line.

She'd just made an enemy of Nyx. Even if she swallowed it and stopped stirring the pot, if Nyx hooked up with Terry, she probably wouldn't let her off easy. "Terry!" she cried, grabbing his arm, "You can't go after Nyx-Zachary and the writer really like her."

Besides the obvious attention she got at auditions, during filming, Zachary seemed extra fond of Nyx, looking out for her a lot.

"Like her?" Terry snorted, "How much can they like her? She's still just a no-name sidekick, isn't she? Besides, who I sleep with isn't their business."

Zachary had some clout, sure, but at best they were equals-no way he'd stick his neck out for some random little actress and cross him.

"When you told me to mess with Nyx, why didn't you say the director might protect her?" Terry sneered, shaking her off. A lover could have some schemes, but she'd better not play him for a fool.

If Nyx had real backing, this chick wouldn't dare poke at her so boldly. Dragging out the director and writer now was just a bluff to scare him off from chasing Nyx.

"While I've still got some patience for you, get lost-don't ruin my plans." With that warning, Terry strode through the crowd toward the studio.

Nyx was in the makeup room, taking off her hairpieces. The artist who'd done her look had gone out to watch her shoot, too, and now her already chatty mouth was in overdrive, rapid-firing praise until Nyx's ears ached and her head buzzed.

Then came a knock-some middle-aged guy walked in, and the whole room went quiet. The chatter cut off like someone hit pause on a speaker. Gossip spread fast on set, and Joanna wasn't exactly subtle-word of her sugar daddy Terry visiting had been everywhere. His face was no secret. Everyone even knew he was a big shareholder in JoyTV, a top video platform. 'Wasn't he there for Joanna? Why'd he show up here all of a sudden?' she thought. The makeup artist remembered Joanna's blatant hostility toward Nyx and held her breath, nervous.

Nyx's smile faded, but she stayed put, expression blank. She hadn't clashed with Joanna herself—if that girl wanted to stir up nonsense anyway, she'd have to fight

back.

"You're Nyx, right?" the man said, adjusting his tie and holding out a hand, "I'm Terry Blanchet from JoyTV."

His hand hung there forever-Nyx didn't take it. Terry pulled it back, not showing his irritation just yet. He sized her up, grinning. "Relax, I don't mean any harm."

"I've spoiled my girl a bit-she's got a temper, might've been rude to you. But I really admire you.

"You're gorgeous, talented-with the right script, you could snag some awards, maybe even become a best actress," he said, raising a brow, hinting, "I've been in this game a while, got some connections, resources. I could help you out."

"Let's grab dinner later, talk it over privately," he added, handing her a business card.

The room was dead silent-everyone was stunned.

Nyx's makeup artist's jaw dropped-she hadn't seen this coming at all. She'd thought he was there to hassle Nyx not hit on her and try to scoop her up.

It was not exactly good news, though-if Nyx didn't play the casting couch game.

The artist glanced at Nyx, worried.

anna,

12:35 Tue, 18 Mar

"No need," Nyx said, not even glancing at the card, let alone reaching for it.

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Twice now she'd brushed him off-Terry's face darkened. "You get what I'm saying. Don't be dense." He didn't like forcing things, but if Nyx wouldn't take the easy way, she couldn't blame him for getting rough.

A nobody like her with no backing-he wanted her, and there was no way he wouldn't get her. After two minutes of her ignoring his threats, Terry's temper flared-he tossed the card aside and reached for her face.

Right before he got close, Nyx dodged, leaving him grabbing air. That was more humiliating than the last two snubs. His face turned purple with rage-he sucked in a breath and raised a hand to strike.

Seeing trouble, a few people slipped out to fetch the crew agent. Others rushed

in, holding him back.

"Hey, let's talk this out!"

"You can't hit her!"

"We're a civilized society!"

Everyone piled on, pinning the guy down tight.

Nyx quietly pulled back her fist-she'd been ready to swing but decided to stay civilized, too. She grabbed her phone and tattled to her partner.

In a meeting room, a big screen showed the latest market expansion plan. The

vibe was serious-everyone listened quietly to Seafarion speak.

Then a special ringtone cut through, jarring in the silence-someone sharp-eyed

spotted a chat app icon flashing in the

screen's corner.

'Who was messaging now?' People swapped looks, thinking.

That tone was Nyx's alone-Seafarion didn't even think, just wanted to reply fast,

and with a shaky hand, he popped open the chat on his computer.

The execs and board looked up as Seafarion's stern social profile filled the

screen.

Amid a sea of business contacts, a fluffy bunny avatar sat pinned at the top. The

latest message was from that bunny-Nyx. A few older chats scrolled into view. Nyx: [How'd one of my shirts go missing?]

Seafarion: [I accidentally ruined it washing it-bought you a new one, try it when you're back.]

Nyx: [This scene's done today, then I'm home!]

Nyx: [Should wrap up before six tonight.]

Nyx: [Little bunny tossing flowers emoji]

Seafarion: [I'll pick you up.]

Juicy gossip alert. The room filled with hushed gasps. Those few lines packed a

punch-some execs who'd secretly wondered if Seafarion was dating lit up, dying

to dig into who this Nyx really was.

Then they saw her newest message, and their faces dropped.

Nyx: [Some guy tried to touch my face.]

The people in the room were shocked, thinking, Who would be so dumb? Is he

tired of living?