Chapter 1: The Conquered

"Knock, knock, knock!" The crisp sound of knocking echoed.

"Come in," Bruce said, setting aside the development progress reports from various labs. He swiveled his chair around from facing the door and looked up.

"We meet again, Mr. Lee," Nancy Jacobs announced as she pushed open the door to the office. Dressed in an emerald green dress, she walked in with a graceful and seductive stride.

"Nancy, what an unexpected pleasure," Bruce remarked, a slight curve forming at the corners of his mouth. He gently closed the gold pen in his hand, his eyes appreciatively taking in the sight of the agent.

Her shapely figure was fully revealed under the dress, the challenging emerald green hue looking effortlessly natural on her, enhancing her exceptionally fair skin. It was hard to see any signs of aging on this woman. "It's a loss for many that you're just an agent," he commented.

"I'll take that as a compliment," Nancy Jacobs replied with a faint smile. She didn't rush to sit down but elegantly carried her bag on her arm, wandering around the spacious office. Finally, she stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows that covered an entire wall, gazing at the beach and waves below. "A splendid office, Mr. Lee. You seem to be a man who knows how to enjoy life."

"Call me Bruce. Beautiful women should always have some privileges," he responded.

Bruce's unabashed gaze landed on her pronounced curves. Sensing his burning stare, she pressed her legs tightly together, which ironically accentuated her shapely rear even more. The fabric of her dress outlined perfect curves, showing no signs of constraint. If she wore anything underneath, it could only be the minimalist T-back.

Nancy Jacobs was a proud and picky person, which was why she remained single. However, she couldn't understand why she had felt compelled to dress up so meticulously before meeting Bruce. Unbeknownst to her, she harbored an inexplicable interest in this young, assertive man. Every time Bruce looked at her with his aggressive, almost tangible gaze, she felt something stirring deep inside her.

This feeling was involuntary and uncontrollable, making Nancy feel as if she were standing naked before him. But she refused to turn around, as that, in her mind, would signify weakness and concession. So she endured Bruce's invasive gaze, maintaining her position with her back to him. "I've brought news that might interest you, Mr. Lee."

"Call me Bruce," he reminded her again, his tone casual, seemingly uninterested in the news she brought. He stood up from his chair and positioned himself about half a step behind and to the side of her. This was a subtle distance, close enough to make her feel his presence without feeling invaded.

"I prefer a more formal approach when it comes to business," Nancy finally gave in, turning around and stepping back, almost pressing against the window. She glared at Bruce, a hint of irritation hidden in her eyes, feeling like she had lost in this silent confrontation.

"You didn't seem to think so last time," Bruce said, his eyes twinkling with a hint of amusement. As Nancy seemed about to lose control and become angry, he suddenly retreated and sat back down. "No need to be so tense. You seem a bit scared of me? I hope you can relax, Nancy. Wasn't our last conversation quite pleasant?"

As Bruce relaxed his pressure, Nancy involuntarily sighed in relief, yet felt a tinge of disappointment, jolting her back to reality. What was wrong with her? Usually, she was calm and rational at work, but today, in front of Bruce, she behaved very unusually. As a devil who enjoyed playing with people's hearts, Bruce was adept at capturing subtle emotions in his opponents, turning them into weaknesses he could exploit. Nancy couldn't understand why she was acting this way and chalked it up to a lapse in her demeanor.

In fact, this was what Bruce found most interesting. Human emotions were the most complex he had ever encountered, with many thought patterns he still couldn't comprehend, like sacrificing oneself for others or placing emotions above life.

So, he observed carefully, especially with those like Rachel and Lisa, who were more emotionally driven, handling them with caution. And Nancy Jacobs—this outwardly strong woman—was actually filled with a desire for and awe of power, needing a stronger, more dominant person to take control. In essence, she longed to be conquered, but her standards were much higher than most.

"I've received word that Miramax Films is looking for investors for a new movie. I thought you might be interested," Nancy said, regaining her composure and getting straight to the point.

"Hold on," Bruce interrupted, raising his hand and pressing the intercom on his desk. "Have Isaiah come to my office immediately." The film industry was uncharted territory for him, so he preferred to seek advice from professionals in unfamiliar fields.

Within five minutes, Isaiah appeared in the office. After hearing Nancy repeat her statement, he immediately asked, "A new Miramax film? Why are they seeking outside investors? Their parent company, Walt Disney, isn't exactly short on cash."

Isaiah was adept at understanding his place. Although he didn't fully grasp why his boss suddenly wanted him to delve into the movie business, he carried out the task efficiently.

"It's simple," Nancy explained, fully composed and back in her role as a shrewd agent. "Disney is uncertain about the new film's prospects, and Miramax has been stretching its budget with several new projects, so they're considering outside investors."

"So, this is a film that isn't expected to do well?" Isaiah concluded bluntly.

"It's an art film! Miramax isn't known for its commercial appeal, but I have reliable information that the script is exceptional. If Rachel gets a chance to star in it, it's an opportunity not to be missed. For newcomers like her, it's a fantastic choice. In fact, two other actresses are eyeing this film. Without your support, I don't think Rachel stands a chance," Nancy spoke candidly, a plan she wouldn't have considered without Bruce's backing, as Rachel had little chance on her own.

"Miramax does primarily focus on distributing more artistic or niche films, but they've started moving towards mainstream cinema in recent years," Isaiah said thoughtfully, nodding in agreement.

"Mr. Lee, let's be clear about something. You asked for my help. If you don't trust me, then there's no point in wasting any more time," Nancy said coldly to Bruce, seemingly annoyed by Isaiah's interrogative attitude, but without even glancing at him.

Bruce chuckled lightly and gestured for Isaiah to leave. "You're mistaken, Nancy. This is a mutual goal, not just mine. I think it's normal to consult professionals about industries I'm not familiar with. You should understand that."

"Then let me tell you, the film is indeed artsy, but that doesn't mean it'll flop at the box office. Even if it does, it can still win critical acclaim, maybe even an award or two. It's a good fit for Rachel, it just depends on whether you're willing to fund it," Nancy said, accepting his explanation and then throwing a challenge his way – a potentially unprofitable venture, was he really up for it?

"So, how much do I need to invest in Miramax?" Bruce asked, finding Nancy's attitude intriguing, noting a subtle shift in her demeanor.

"The total budget for the film is about thirty million dollars, and Miramax hopes to secure an investment of fifteen million," Nancy replied without hesitation, her familiarity with these details evident. She was more curious to see if this young man would actually follow through as he claimed, willing to invest fifteen million dollars in a film that could likely incur significant losses.

"And if I invest this amount, will Rachel secure the lead role?" Bruce inquired, his tone steady.

"I'm eighty percent sure. This film seems tailor-made for Rachel; it couldn't be more suitable. With the investor's influence, I'm confident Miramax will agree. I've already been working on the director, so there won't be any issues there," Nancy stated, appearing to have done her homework, everything set except for Bruce's financial backing.

"Alright, I agree. My finance officer will contact you. Any future PR expenses, you can go directly to him. I hope this is a good start, Nancy," Bruce said, cracking his knuckles and tapping the desk decisively.

Nancy had expected Bruce to ask for time to consider, at least to see the script first. His straightforward agreement caught her off guard.

"Don't you want to think it over, Mr. Lee?"

"No need. I chose you because I trust your ability. Frankly, I can afford to lose this money," Bruce spoke the truth. He was financially backing Rachel, with Nancy handling selection and PR, and Isaiah managing returns. Why worry?

"You're quite unique, Mr. Lee. You don't seem afraid that I might deceive you," Nancy remarked with a hint of disbelief as she walked to the door. After a moment's thought, she turned back to add, "Isaiah's questions were just formalities. I'm curious, aren't you worried at all?"

"Trust me, Nancy, no one can afford the cost of deceiving me," Bruce replied, his smile fading, his eyes narrowing as he watched

 her.

Nancy paused, feeling a sudden chill in the room. She nodded silently and left without another word.