The private jet sliced through the clouds, a shadow of its owner's cold fury. Inside, Lex sat motionless, his mind a steel trap, running through every possible scenario. He had been a fool to leave Anya alone, to underestimate the depths of Eva's jealousy and the cruelty of his enemies. He texted Dimitri, his face as still as ever.
"What's the status on the stepsisters?" Lex's voice was a low growl.
"They have been in contact with Sergei," Dimitri replied. "They are acting as his eyes and ears. They are telling him everything they can. But they don't know anything of substance. They are just a distraction."
"Let them be," Lex said, his voice cold. "I have no time for small games. We are going to hit Damian where it hurts. We're going to show him what happens when you try to use people I care about to get to me."
He looked out the window at the dark sky, a new fire in his eyes. He had left Oakhaven with a business war on his mind. He was returning with a personal one.
Meanwhile, on the set of the new movie, the atmosphere was a mix of controlled chaos and simmering tension. Zara was back at work, but the joy she had felt before was gone. She was a different person now, with a new awareness of the danger she was in. She was no longer just a young actress. She was a pawn in a game she didn't understand.
Her new assistant, Emily, was a constant, calming presence. She was more than an assistant; she was a shield. She made sure Zara had her lines, her water, and her space. She knew a silent war was being waged, and she was on Zara's side.
During a break, Zara watched from a distance as Isabella, looking flawless, talked to a man in an expensive suit. He was the executive producer of the film, a powerful man who could make or break a career. Isabella was laughing, her voice a tinkling melody. She was a master of her craft, both on and off screen.
As the executive producer walked away, a production assistant approached Zara. "Zara, your call time for tomorrow has been moved. You're needed on set an hour earlier."
"But my contract says..." Zara began.
"It's a last-minute change," the assistant said, his voice flat. "The director needs to reshoot a scene with Isabella."
Zara felt a knot of dread tighten in her stomach. This was it. Isabella was already making her move.
A few feet away, Mark, the male lead, was talking to his assistant, James. He had a look of calm focus on his face, but his eyes were sharp and observant. He had seen the subtle change in Zara's schedule. He had seen Isabella's conversation with the executive producer. He knew exactly what was happening.
He walked over to the executive producer, a man he had known for years. "Paul, I just heard about the schedule change for tomorrow. Why is Zara's call time moved up?"
"It's a reshoot, Mark. Nothing to worry about," the executive producer said, his voice a little strained.
"It sounds like a way to make Zara's life more difficult," Mark replied, his voice a low, dangerous growl. "You know how this goes, Paul. Isabella has a reputation. She's not going to get her way here. She's not going to bully a talented newcomer off my film. I have a lot of sway on this set. And I will not tolerate this. Fix it."
The executive producer's face went white. He knew that Mark wasn't just talking. He was one of the most powerful and influential men in Hollywood. He could shut down a movie with a single phone call. He was a man you did not cross.
"I'll handle it, Mark," the executive producer said, his voice filled with a desperate need to please. "It won't happen again. I promise."
Later that day, Zara was called to her dressing room. The director, looking nervous, explained that the schedule change was a mistake. Zara's heart pounded with relief. She knew what had happened. Mark had saved her.
She had to thank him. She walked over to his dressing room and knocked on the door. "Mark? It's Zara. I just wanted to thank you for what you did."
Mark opened the door, his face a mask of cold calm. "It's nothing," he said, his voice low. "It's what's right. But you need to be careful. This is just the beginning. She's not going to stop. She's a powerful and dangerous woman. But you're a good actress. And she's a very bad person."
He was a man who understood the game, and Zara was grateful for his help. She knew she was not alone in this fight.
Back at the Volkov estate, Anya was restless. She had talked to Lex, and he had reassured her that he was on his way back. But Eva's words still echoed in her mind. Was she just a beautiful distraction for a powerful man?
She was in her room, a book in her hand, when her phone rang. It was Zara.
"Anya," Zara's voice was filled with a mix of relief and fear. "Something just happened. Mark... he saved me. He confronted the director. He told them that he wouldn't tolerate Isabella's bullying. He's an incredible man. But... I'm still scared, Anya. I don't know what's going to happen next. Isabella's family has a lot of power. And I'm just an actress."
Anya felt a surge of cold fury. Her cousin was tormenting her best friend. And she was a Zhenya. The connection was too close, too personal.
"It's going to be okay, Zara," Anya said, her voice filled with a determination she didn't know she had. "I'm not going to let her hurt you. I'll talk to Lex. He'll help us."
Anya hung up the phone and walked to the window. She looked out at the sprawling grounds of the estate, a symbol of power and wealth. She was in a world of a man who could command armies, a man who had his own rules, his enemies. She was a part of his world now, whether she liked it or not.
She felt a new kind of strength. She was no longer just a victim. She was a woman who was fighting for her love, for her family, and her friends. And she was not going to let anyone win. Not Eva. Not Damian. Not her cousin.
The private jet landed on the runway, a sleek shadow against the bright lights of Oakhaven. Lex walked down the steps, his face a mask of cold fury. He was home. Dimitri was waiting for him, his face as still as ever.
"Anya is at the estate," Dimitri said, his voice low. "Eva's visit... it hurt her. But she's a strong woman. She's with the grandmother."
Lex's jaw tightened. "Good. I want to see her first. Then I'm going to find Eva. And then I'm going to make sure that everyone who has ever tried to hurt her will regret the day they were born."
He got into the waiting car, a black, armoured sedan that was a fortress on wheels. He was ready.