Eric quickly shook his head, "Liz, I’m afraid this is not possible. Even if two different sets of producer and director produce a film using the exact same script, the two films will be completely different due to the differing ideas of the two sets of producers and directors during filming. Even if I say that a script has potential, if the skills of the director you choose are not up to par, the film could still end up being terrible which will ruin my reputation."

Elisabeth pulled Eric's sleeve and hurriedly said, "Then join us. You can become a producer on the film, so that you can personally check the quality of the film."

Eric smirked and said, "If I release the news that I plan to collaborate with another company to produce a film, not to mention smaller studios like Orion, New World and Carolco, even the Big Seven will rush over and accept all of my conditions. So, tell me, why should I work with you?"

"You..." Elisabeth gnashed her teeth and cursed, "You’re such a bastard!!"

Eric smiled and put one hand on the bench as he leaned down towards Elisabeth and whispered in her ear, "Hey, little girl, since your father doesn't want you to inherit the family business then stop causing trouble. Instead, you should enjoy your life since you were lucky enough to be born in a rich family. You can relax and find a man to marry in the future."

In all the time she had known Eric, he had never shown any particular interest in her. At this time, however, he had suddenly closed the distance between them. He was so close that she could even smell the faint musk emanating from his body.

Elisabeth, who had been caught unprepared, was like a deer caught in the headlights as her heartbeat and breathing quickened and her cheeks became flushed.

Under the soft lighting of the garden’s lamps, Elisabeth’s pretty face looked even more beautiful and amorous as she unknowingly began releasing pheromones and the atmosphere between the two became more sensual.

Maybe because he had been infected by this sensual atmosphere, Eric, who had only been planning to joke with Elisabeth, couldn't help but move his face closer to hers as he sniffed the flagrant scent emanating from her neck. Finally, his eyes fell on her delicate, cherry-red lips.

Elisabeth felt something on her lips, waking her from her stupor. She had never expected that Eric would suddenly kiss her like this, so she opened her eyes wide and wanted to push him away, but she felt an electric sensation throughout her body which left her powerless, unable to even lift a finger.

Feeling the girl's lips quivering like a frightened animal, Eric suddenly regained his senses and became aware of his blunder, but since the damage was already done, he decided to kiss Elisabeth’s soft and sweet lips for a few more moments before he withdrew.

Seeing her lower lip still open due to his intense kiss, Eric reached out and used his index finger to gently push it up as he said, "Sorry, Liz, I didn't mean it."

During the past few seconds, Elisabeth had felt like she had been floating on clouds. First, her eyes became covered by Eric's face; then, she felt him gently sucking on her lips for more than just a few seconds; finally, she felt the touch of his slightly rough fingertip on her lip. It truly felt like she was in bliss until she heard his words…

'Sorry, Liz, I didn't mean it.'

She thought, 'Oh, he said he didn't mean it… Didn't mean it...??? He didn't mean it!!!'

Elisabeth quickly opened her eyes and blinked them a few times, wanting to confirm that she had not heard incorrectly, but of course she had not heard incorrectly.

'How can he say this??!! What an asshole!!!'

Suddenly, the flames in her heart ignited as if someone had set a barrel of oil on fire. Her body which had become soft quickly hardened and her strength quickly returned. She bowed her head before she noticed his foot nearby and instinctively lifted her leg and slammed her sharp high heels down on his foot with all her might. 

"Owwwwwwww!"

As Eric’s scream rang in the background, Elisabeth walked away without turning back.

Soon, two security guards rushed into the park and noticed Eric sitting on the bench alone with one of his feet placed on the bench. He was massaging foot after he had taken off his shoe and sock.

The two guards quickly recognized Eric and relaxed as they placed the baton back into the strap on their waist. One of them stepped forward and asked, "Mr. Williams, what happened?"

Eric smiled awkwardly as he shook his head and replied, "Nothing, I just accidentally hit my foot on the bench."

The other guard glanced at the increasingly-clear black-green mark on Eric's foot as he asked with concern, "Mr. Williams, should I call a doctor?"

"No, there’s no need for that. I will rest my foot for a little while before I return."

The guard thought that Eric might not want others to know about his injury, but he also noticed that the injury needed to be treated, so he asked, "Mr. Williams, there’s a first aid kit in the guard quarters. Should I bring it?"

"Oh, thank you. I’ll be in your care," Eric nodded and smiled gratefully at the man.

Meanwhile, Elisabeth did not return to the party hall after she left the garden. Instead, she went to her bedroom and took off her evening gown before she entered her bathroom to take a shower.

Although she had stepped on Eric’s foot, her mood had still not calmed down. She paced back and forth within her room, punched her pillow a few times, attempted to do some deep breathing, but nothing helped. Finally, she jumped in her bed and covered her face with a pillow to muffle her screams as she vented her annoyance. After a few screams, she finally became quiet. Then, she picked up the mobile phone placed on the bedside table and dialed a series of numbers.

Just after entering Beverly Hills, Julia heard the ringing of her mobile phone and parked the car on the side of the road before pressing the receive button and pushing the mobile phone to her ear.

Immediately, Julia heard the aggrieved voice of her friend, "Julia, he kissed me."

Julia quickly understood who was the ‘he.’ Even though Julia always acts submissive in front of Eric due to some psychological reasons, her character has not changed.

Hearing her friend’s words, Julia not only did not get jealous, but, instead, laughed as she had long expected that this would happen one day. She asked, "Liz, didn’t you just go to talk to him about the script? How did you end up getting kissed? Also, did he agree?"

Elizabeth felt frustrated as she replied, "No."

Then, she briefly explained what had happened. Of course, she didn’t forget to omit many details.

Julia patiently listened to her friend’s words as she sighed many times and calmed her down before she hung up. Then, she started the car and hit the road again. She looked at the curious Drew from the corner of her eyes and snorted as she complained, "Your little daddy is really abominable. He kissed Liz, but isn’t even willing to give us a script."

-To be continued-