Leighton's brief feeling of gratitude disappeared in an instant.After finishing the police report and stepping outside, they were greeted by a throng of reporters and fans. The police presence at the station helped keep things orderly, maintaining a relatively stable situation.As Leighton guided Nicole to the car, someone suddenly called out his name, "Leighton!"Leighton glanced up.An egg-sized stone came hurtling toward him, catching him off guard. But before he could react, a figure leapt in front of him, shielding him from the blow—it was Nicole.The stone struck the back of her head, causing her to wince in pain as she stumbled forward. Instinctively, Leighton reached out to steady her.Nicole furrowed her brow, reaching up to touch the spot where she'd been hit. Her hand came away warm and wet, stained with blood.Leighton's hand trembled as he held hers, his face drained of color, looking ghastly.The assailant shouted angrily, "You mongrel! We worked hard to make you
Estelle was teetering on the edge; here he was, already swamped with online rumors, and now these two troublemakers had landed them in the police station!Dealing with Leighton's rebellious dog-like temper alone was challenging enough, and now there's another one. Damn it, making money had become increasingly tough!Despite his frustration, seeing Nicole and Leighton unconscious and covered in blood filled Estelle with immense worry."How is she?""She's not dead."Leighton rubbed the sore spot on his lower back and shot a glare at the woman pretending to be unconscious. "Haven't you had enough of acting?!"Nicole leisurely opened her eyes and chuckled, "So, how was my performance? Realistic enough?"Leighton snorted and couldn't resist glancing at the back of her head. Her thick hair provided excellent coverage, making it difficult to assess the extent of her injury. When that stone came flying at them earlier, it packed quite a punch; he could even hear the dull thud as it hit
Leighton pursed his lips. "I'm 'dating' you because I wanted you to introduce me to directors. We have a contract, each taking what we need. It's not like I helped you, but you genuinely took a hit for me this time. Consider this a favor I owe you. If you need help in the future, just ask, and if I can do it, I'll definitely help you."Nicole paused, suddenly looking at the serious A-lister in front of her.She wondered, how could there still be such a simple-minded guy in this circle?Even though she had laid out many superior conditions at the time, being in a contract relationship with him was actually more of a disadvantage than an advantage for him. He wanted to film, wanted to meet big directors, and his cousin could help him with that. There was no need to get involved with her.After they "officially announced" their relationship, the comment section of Leighton's social media accounts visibly intensified with hostility.Just her being his "girlfriend" had received countle
He figured that Nicole must like him, which was why she got upset and cried when he said those hurtful things. If she didn’t like him, why would she block that stone for him? If she didn’t like him, why would she always tease him to get his attention? His words must have really hurt her.Leighton was feeling regretful when suddenly he heard a low chuckle beside him, which quickly turned into hearty laughter. Leighton turned to look and saw Nicole clutching her stomach, laughing so hard she was doubled over, tears streaming down her face, nearly out of breath.“Be honest, have you never been in a relationship before?” Nicole asked, still laughing, her face showing no signs of sadness, only teasing.Leighton realized he had been tricked by this crazy woman, and his face darkened. Estelle, in the front seat, was also laughing. He had thought this ferocious pit bull only acted tame in front of his cousin, but it seemed there was someone else who could tame him this way. Everyone had the
Was her skin always this thick? Love? Yeah, right. If she hadn’t come running over with that pale face begging him like her life depended on it, he wouldn’t have been bothered! He didn’t believe this shameless talk, and neither did the person on the other end of the phone, who even chuckled. “Stop being stubborn. Everyone in the family knows your type.”Nicole’s expression darkened as if she had thought of something unpleasant. She gripped her phone tightly, her knuckles turning white. She lowered her eyes and gave a light laugh. “It’s been so long, maybe you’ve forgotten.”“What?”Nicole said calmly, “My first love was a man. I initially liked men.”Leighton, sitting next to Nicole, could hear everything clearly because she had the speaker on. He glanced at Nicole, thinking, what kind of nonsense is this? If not a man, then what, a woman?Estelle was shocked, his mind reeling. Could the rumors about Nicole’s past relationships actually be true?The man on the phone scoffed. “Don
Nicole said, "We haven't been together long, so it's a bit too soon to talk about this."The man replied, "You're not that young anymore. Dad and Aunt Helen are quite worried about your future, especially Aunt Helen. She's worried so much her hair has turned gray. Since you have a boyfriend now, bring him over to meet her so she can be at ease."Nicole pressed her lips together. "We haven't been together for long, and Leighton is a few years younger than me. His career is on the rise. We're not ready to talk about marriage yet. When his career is stable and our relationship is still strong, and if he wants to marry me, I'll bring him to meet our parents without you telling me to."The man wanted to say more, but Nicole didn't give him a chance. She continued, "If there's nothing else, I'm going to hang up now. Leighton is busy preparing for his new album and is under a lot of pressure. With all the recent strange happenings, I want to spend more time with him. I won't be able to att
Leighton was taken aback, his ears turning red as he met Nicole's teasing gaze.“You’re the one who’s dumb! I know it’s pronounced petty!'”Nicole blinked and helpfully pointed out, “But you just said ‘pi’ not ‘pe’.”Leighton stiffened. “No, I didn’t.”“Yes, you did.”“I didn’t!”“You did! Estelle heard it too.” Nicole nodded toward Estelle. “Right, Estelle?”Not wanting to get involved in their childish argument, Estelle cleared his throat and said, “I didn’t catch what you were saying.”Nicole clicked her tongue. “No wonder so many young idols are clueless these days. It's because managers like you spoil them.”Leighton suddenly wanted to kick her out of the car!Estelle chuckled. “Leighton just isn’t great at the language. He's fine in other subjects.”This wasn’t just to cover for Leighton. The Hall family had good genes for academics. Leighton’s grandmother had been an educator before she retired, and his siblings excelled in school. Leighton’s younger brother even won
"Ultimately, what everyone detests are actors whose virtue doesn't match their position. If you can't see this and only think about using your education to silence the audience, even with a high degree, you'll just be seen as a highly educated waste in their eyes."Being an actor is different from being an idol. Fans' affection for you is eighty percent based on your looks. They need to see your face first to have the desire to know you as a person. Idol dramas choose you because you look good, fulfilling fans' fantasies. However, an actor doesn't have to be handsome or beautiful. They serve the role, and sometimes you might not even show your face in a whole scene, but your acting can still leave a mark on the audience. That's the charm of an actor."I can introduce you to big directors, but if you still cling to an idol's mindset, caring about your image in fans' eyes and heavily focusing on your external persona, then even if I help you, it will do you no good. Do you understand?"
Keegan moved from initial resistance to reluctantly listening, and eventually to questioning."Why do these novels portray men as so stupid and brainless, yelling at the female lead as if they have intermittent explosive disorder?""Is the male lead sick? Forcing the female lead to donate a kidney, is he out of his mind?""How many years would they get for calling the police in their world?""Why is he so dumb? The supporting actress claims the female lead pushed her into the water and he believes it? Is checking surveillance footage illegal?""Stella, are you making fun of me?""I can't learn this. It all feels so neurotic. What does the female lead see in him?"Stella retorted, "Who cares if it's neurotic? Just mimic that stupidity, that's how these innocent women like men who protect them like that."Keegan was very reluctant, but his brain was more compliant than his body. Without needing to study deliberately, everything he heard stuck in his mind.So when Keegan mentione
Keegan's expression darkened with anger. "You're being completely unreasonable!"Stella crossed her arms, wearing an expression that seemed challenging. "You let her take it. Let's see if I dare."Jaylene hadn't actually wanted those junk items in the first place; she was deliberately trying to stir up discord between them. Now that her goal was achieved, she put on a sympathetic look."Keegan, I don't want it anymore. Don't be angry. Your health is more important. Didn't the doctor say to keep your emotions stable?"Turning her head, she reproached Stella. "Stella, are you here to help Keegan recover his memory or just to provoke him?""Shut up, you brat! Do you even have a say here?"Acting under the guise of a drama, playing the role of someone lacking in manners, was incredibly satisfying.She’d wanted to curse this brat for a long time!Jaylene's lips twitched, but she held back, tearfully saying, "Stella, if you don't like me, I'll leave. There's no need to humiliate me l
Jaylene understood the situation perfectly. Even though she didn't particularly like these cold, mechanical devices, she put on a pretense of surprise, saying, "Really, Keegan?"Keegan nodded. "Choose one you like.""Keegan!" Before Stella could finish her sentence, she couldn't hold back her sharp voice, "With your pile of junk that I can't even touch normally, she takes a look and now you want to give it to her? What's the meaning of this?!"Keegan frowned, apparently not comprehending her current anger at all. "Jaylene gave me a gift, and I'm giving her one in return. What's the problem?""What problem?" Stella's eyes started to redden. "I can't touch them, so why should she be able to? Have you forgotten, or do you have inappropriate feelings for her?"Keegan's expression darkened. "This makes no sense!"Jaylene secretly delighted in this, hypocritically trying to calm things down, "Forget it, Keegan. Since Stella minds so much, I don't want it anymore. You've strained your r
The standoff lasted for over twenty minutes before Keegan grabbed a book and knocked the beetle off Jaylene's neck. The beetle fluttered twice and suddenly flew up, landing on Jaylene's face.Jaylene screamed, rolled her eyes, and fainted.As she collapsed, the bug flew off again."Jaylene?"Keegan called out to her.He looked up at Stella and said, "You go start the car, I'll carry her to the hospital."As he spoke, he signaled to Stella.She understood and coldly grunted, "So troublesome."Walking over to Jaylene, she squatted down beside her and slapped her face twice.Jaylene immediately opened her eyes and reached out to push her away. "What are you doing!"Stella was prepared and had already moved back before she could be pushed.She shook her tingling hand and innocently said, "Jaylene, you fainted because of the bug. I was just saving you. Don't believe me? Ask Keegan."Jaylene nearly ground her teeth. Did she think she hadn't heard? She was intentionally exposing h
Her fingertips trembled with a mix of horror and excitement. Just as the teapot was about to slip from her grasp, Keegan suddenly said, "Jaylene, don't move."Jaylene froze, instinctively thinking Keegan had regained his memory. She had barely twitched when Keegan loudly stopped her again, "Don't move, absolutely don't move."Jaylene wanted to say something, but then felt an itching sensation on her neck, as if something was crawling slowly. Goosebumps erupted all over her body.By now, Stella had turned around and saw Jaylene standing stiffly with the teapot in hand. Her eyes quickly assessed the situation and then she noticed the beetle crawling on Jaylene's neck.It was an unknown species, not overly tentacled but as long as a little finger, its mouthparts slightly twitching, genuinely alarming in appearance.Stella murmured, "It's so big."Jaylene couldn't see what was on her neck, unsure if it would bite or if it was venomous. She stood frozen in place, her voice trembling,
Seeing him, Stella even lowered her eyes and softly praised, "Mr. Kane, you acted very well."Keegan glared at her, his voice low and intense. "If you keep watching like this, Coco will cut ties with me tomorrow."Stella replied confidently, "No, she won't. After accepting the red envelope, she can tolerate you a little longer."Keegan asked sharply, "Did you teach her to ask for red envelopes like this?""Don't falsely accuse me; I didn't teach her.""You may not have taught her directly, but you set an example. Have you forgotten how you always make me buy things for you?"Stella was speechless. Whenever she wanted Keegan to buy her something, she would often say, "Gifts are only surprises when given voluntarily. If reminded, it shows they don’t like me that much."It had to be said, Coco had learned the essence of it.Stella also felt a bit awkward, thinking that in the future, she needed to avoid such flirtatious conversations between spouses in front of the children. They
Could she figure all this out?Keegan frowned, casting a disappointed look at Coco. "Are you not listening to me now?"Coco raised her gaze defiantly and stated, "Aunt Stella taught me that if I don't want something someone gives me, I can say no. I don't want this hairpin.""Didn't she teach you that even if you don't like something, you should still say thank you?"Coco fell silent for a moment, then reluctantly said to Jaylene, "Thank you, Aunt Jaylene, but I don't want it."Jaylene hesitated with her hand extended, unsure whether to retract it or leave it there, managing a strained smile. "Then what do you like? Next time, I will get you something you do like."Coco asked, "Do you want me to do something for you?"Jaylene was taken aback. "What?"Coco replied seriously, "Aunt Stella says offering help without reason is either deceitful or thieving. Since you don't like me, why else would you give me something? You want me to do something for you, right?"Jaylene forced a s
Leighton's incident did indeed revive their suspicions.Jaylene was gullible, but Darcie might see through this scheme. "Keegan, why didn't you go to work today?" Jaylene chose to ask directly at first.Keegan remained composed. "I've been busy with the press conference lately and haven't had much rest. Now that things have slowed down, I thought I'd take a break and relax."Jaylene spoke gently, "You should rest well. Since you came back, you've been busy, and you've been postponing Dr. Stone's follow-up appointments. Keegan, I'm really worried about your health. Since you're resting these days, I'll arrange for Dr. Stone to give you another check-up. Stella has been living here to assist your recovery for so long. We need the doctor to give a clear assessment of whether there's been any improvement. Otherwise, it's not good for Stella's reputation to stay here so long, unmarried and under one roof."Keegan nodded. "Okay, please arrange it. Thank you."His response was decisive,
Stella had just descended the stairs when she heard that remark, causing her eyelids to twitch as she thought to herself, “Damn it! He really knows how to come up with excuses!”Upon hearing this, Jaylene's eyes briefly flashed with disdain, but she ultimately accepted the shoe covers Keegan handed her. As Keegan led Jaylene into the house, her eyes continued to scrutinize every corner.There were a couple of pillows on the sofa, couple mugs on the table, wedding photos of Keegan and Stella on the walls, and even headbands and hair ties scattered on the table. The house exuded an unmistakable feminine touch.Jaylene's expression darkened, but when Keegan turned to ask if she preferred tea or coffee, she adopted a gentle, harmless demeanor. "Tea would be perfect."Keegan invited her to take a seat and called for Maria to prepare tea. Jaylene spoke softly, "Keegan, I heard from Stella that you brew Dragon Well tea better than anyone else. Is there a special technique?"Stella paused