As Zoe drank the shrimp soup, she asked coolly, "Who is that man from yesterday?"She did not care, but still needed information anyway—she certainly did not want to face something like that every night.Clara worked hard to hold back her tears before saying, "He's my husband."As Zoe glanced at her, she continued, "After I left the Levines' service, I could not be picky since I already have a child, so I had to marry a good man."Zoe raised an eyebrow—a good man?"He used to be a good man—a farmer. I thought that he had been good to me and Cora, and he did not seem to mind that I was a single mother…"Clara then paused for a moment before continuing. "So, I told him about the money I had. He seemed to change immediately after that and kept coaxing me to give it to him so he could start a business in the city. He appeared determined, so I didn't stop him, but it turns out that he wasn't built for it. Soon, all our money was gone, our house taken as collateral, and to top it off,
Nonetheless, Zoe pulled herself together.She thought about many people who could help her, but as she scrolled through her contacts, she suddenly found herself unable to call them.There was John, Cordy, Quinn… even Bob and the rest of his gang.Forty grand was pocket change to them.But she refused to call them—to let them know her tragic, impoverished state—and certainly did not want to add to their troubles.Her fingers hovered over her manager's number for a moment, but she eventually called her manager, throwing aside all her dignity to ask for forty grand.Linda, however, refused—it was not as if she was reluctant to help, but she had been threatened and forbidden from aiding Zoe. To make things worse, Linda told Zoe that all her endorsement deals and advertisements she was scheduled to shoot had all been called off. Even the TV series and movies that were already filmed and were in post-production would now be altered, either with a new actress taking her place or havin
Why was Zoe suddenly thinking about Clara? The way she aged unnaturally quickly under stress, her hands that were filled with calluses, and how she always cooked her good food when she was already penniless…Her tears began to trickle out the corner of her eyes and streamed down her cheeks.She thought she would never forgive Clara for the rest of her life or be soft on her, let alone acknowledge her.But in just two weeks, she was already worried about Clara.She had no idea how long she had been crying, but her tears could not stop flowing.-Zoe received a text from Linda in the afternoon.Before she received it, she actually did not know if she would force herself and ask others for help, or really wait to die.Nonetheless, the text arrived, and Zoe stayed silent for a long while after that.[Your showbiz career is being smothered in every aspect, save for one option. You can take it if you're willing, and I understand that you can't survive after losing everything since
Zoe said over the phone, "I want to try making it on my own, Quinn."Quinn swallowed the words she was about to say, tears welling up in her eyes.Meanwhile, Zoe continued, "I know you two care about me, but no one can get me out of this situation except myself. We've been friends for years and you know how much I loved the Levines and how happy I was to be born into their family, but that's all in pieces now… And I don't mean the money, it's my heart. Even if you choose to help me and shelter me, things will stay the same if I can't do this myself.""No, it's different," Quinn argued. "I'd at least feel safer seeing you, and I understand your need to grow up as a person, but you can't do the same alongside us, and it would be the same. We won't ask questions if you're worried we dote on you too much—you can do what you want!""I have my pride. I can't accept your alms without qualms—""You think our bond is alms?!" Quinn was actually angry and accusing. "It's exactly because I
The evening traffic in North City was heavy.Zoe only turned on her phone again when she arrived at the studio, since she was unable to find the director and had to call the man.Nonetheless, his excitement was irrepressible when he saw Zoe… Her showing up on his film set was just like having a pot of gold drop on his lap.What was more, she was doing it for a bargain price!If she could make her show her face, he would make a killing.Still, he understood that he must not rush her—he could just wait until she got used to it before slowly coaxing her into showing her face.In a good mood just then, he was naturally very cordial to her. "Alright, you should get changed now. You don't need to wear anything underneath your towel when you come back—don't worry, there's just going to be two cameramen and myself here. The rest of the crew will be outside.Noticing her puffy eyes, he assured her, "It's natural to feel embarrassed and uncomfortable the first time, so just go with my sug
The raging bellow that boomed in the film set out of the blue left everyone stunned.Zoe then turned to find Bob storming toward them, flushed to the neck!She was shocked—she did not expect to see any familiar faces here!She watched as Bob furiously kicked down the camera in front of him and scooped her up in his arms the next instant while ensuring that she was tightly wrapped under her towel. It was as if he was worried that the towel would fall off in front of everyone!"W-Who the hell are you?!" The director was stunned by Bob's sudden intrusion, and it took a while for him to snap at Bob. "This is a film set, and you're intruding! I can call the police, y'know!""Call them right now!" Bob barked. "Let's see if they'll arrest you or me when they see what you're up to here!"The director was left speechless by Bob's retort, while Bob turned toward Zoe without delay. "Where are your clothes?'"In the changing room.""Put them on right now.""Bob—""It's just money, isn't
Neither Bob nor Zoe noticed a familiar figure just ahead of their car watching them kiss.Jay stood beneath a street light as he watched the pair press their lips together, unable to see their faces but understanding right then.He quietly turned to leave, limping as he did. Walking was difficult for him at the moment, but it hurt more that he always missed out on her. He sat on the end of the back alley, away from their sight, somehow not feeling any pain from his body, which was battered and bruised.After all, his heart was in pieces and that hurt far more than anything else…Suddenly, another figure appeared before him, and Jay looked up to see John, who said, "Come on."He clearly saw Bob with Zoe too. He was having dinner at Levine Manor when he received an angry call from Bob and found out what Zoe was about to do for money.He said nothing and started to leave with Jay, intent on stopping it, only for Nancy to intercept them, stubbornly refusing to let them go at an
Jay was covered in gashes from Lawrence's whip, but he did not make a sound as he took it.And once it was over, he got up quietly and left.John followed him.Nancy once again tried to stop him, but Alan raised a hand, and she did not dare to breathe a word at that.John drove, taking Jay to the studio where Zoe would be filming, and Jay was out of the car even before John stopped the car… only to suddenly pause under a streetlight, turn around, and walk down that alley. John was aware of what had happened in Bob's car too.Perhaps when one misses out on a chance for a relationship, they would miss out on it forever.John held out a hand to help Jay to his feet, but Jay waved him off and pushed himself slowly off the ground.However, he had not walked more than a couple of steps when he suddenly wobbled, and John had to quickly catch him. Even as John took Jay away, he had no idea if it was the physical wounds that overwhelmed Jay, or the heartbreak was more than what he co