Sunny was stunned. This was the first time she'd seen Tasha act vulnerable.
"Crying won't help—go cry to Eben," Sunny said, knowing Tasha used tears as her ultimate weapon against her father.
Tasha cried harder. "He's my dad. He cared about me! Sunny, there's a limit! You can't bully me like this! Now, the agent won't sign me. Are you satisfied?"
"How is this my problem?"
"It is! They heard about our bad relationship and rejected me!"
Sunny couldn't believe Tasha's logic. "Our bad relationship is a fact, but signing is about your ability."
Seeing sympathy-seeking failing, Tasha immediately stopped crying and threatened, "You'll regret this."
"Stop!" Sunny said sternly.
Tasha turned and sneered, "What now?"
Sunny approached, her eyes cold. "What do you want to do?"
"I'm just venting my frustration. Is that wrong?" Tasha said, hands on her hips.
"Try laying a finger on my mom," Sunny warned.
"What can you do? Move back to the Cooks' to watch me?" Tasha retorted.
Sunny was almost driven mad. "What do you even want?"
"I want to sign a contract!"
"Will you leave Mom alone if I help you sign?"
"It's not that simple. I want the company to promote me. You have the say. It shouldn't be hard," Tasha said triumphantly.
For the first time, Sunny felt a murderous impulse.
"Are you sure you want to threaten me like this?" Sunny clenched her fists.
Tasha, fearing Sunny might hit her, quickly said, "Okay, my demands aren't high. I sign, join your new drama, play the second female lead, and I'll stop."
"The second female lead is already cast—Jessica," Sunny said coldly.
"Ah? Jessica? Why her? She's lamb. Then I'll settle for the third female lead!" Tasha feigned annoyance, thinking it a pity not to get the second lead.
Sunny wouldn't let Tasha make demands. "I'll put you as the seventh female lead."
"What? You're insulting me!" Tasha's face turned red with anger.
"I'm putting you there because I think highly of you. Take it or leave it!" Sunny sneered.
Tasha was fuming but then said craftily, "Fine, the seventh lead, but I survive from the first to the last episode. I can't die!"
Sunny was impressed by Tasha's confidence.
"Alright, I'll make sure you're alive, even if it means you come back as a ghost, till the last episode."
Hearing "come back as a ghost," Tasha's face turned pale.
"You're not negotiating in good faith! I have looks and education. I'll find a better agency!" Tasha declared.
Sunny knew Tasha's pride wouldn't allow her to swallow this humiliation.
But thinking of her mom still living with the Cooks, she had to give in. "I'm not sure what roles are available. Wait for my call."
Seeing Sunny concede, Tasha left with a cold snort.
Sunny glared at Tasha's arrogant retreating figure, her toes curling with the urge to kick her. Yet, she was painfully aware of the helpless reality that bound her.
Her mother had already endured the trauma of one failed marriage. Eben, though far from a doting husband, still treated her with a modicum of decency for the sake of their two sons.
If only Tasha could keep her schemes at bay, Sunny mused, her mother's life might just regain a semblance of peace.
Sunny, frustrated, returned to Leo's office. Leo, noticing her dejected state, stood up and avoided her injured left hand, wrapping his arm around her waist. "Who upset you?"
"Leo, I need to ask you something," Sunny looked up.
"Hmm?" Leo raised an eyebrow. This was the first time Sunny had asked for help.
"Is there a role in the new drama that survives till the end?"
Leo chuckled. "Why ask that?"
"My stepsister's back from Paris and wants to be an actress... I want to help her," Sunny said, avoiding his gaze.
"Look me in the eye and be honest," Leo frowned. "Do you really want to help her?"
Sunny, recalling Leo had investigated her past, confessed, "She's threatening me with my mom."
Leo's face darkened. "You're complying even when threatened?"
"My mom won't divorce," a flash of pain crossed Sunny's eyes.
"Do you plan to be bullied by the Cooks forever?" Leo tightened his arm.
"Take it one step at a time..."
Sunny said bitterly. "As long as my mom loves Eben, I'll always be caught in the middle."
Leo looked at her with sympathy. She should be pampered at her age, yet she bore life's burdens early.
Meeting his intense gaze, Sunny's heart raced and she quickly looked away.
"I won't push you," Leo relented. "But I'll help you."
Sunny looked up in surprise and gratitude. "Really? Thank you!"
Leo smiled, but inside, he was cold. He'd make Tasha back down.
That night, Tasha got a call from Sunny. "The role's set—it's my maid, throughout the drama."
"What? Your maid?" Tasha exploded.
"It's the only role that survives till the end."
"I can't play a maid!" Tasha refused to accept the role reversal.
"Then forget it. I'll find someone else."
"Wait!" Tasha panicked. The drama was a hot opportunity before airing.
After verifying online, she gritted her teeth and agreed, "I'll do it!"