Everything went as scripted initially at the movie press conference. Dora, a veteran of twenty years in the entertainment industry, managed to navigate without any slip-ups.It wasn't until half an hour later that a reporter raised a personal question about Dora’s love life."Ms. Cruz, you mentioned recently that you encountered an old flame from your youth. Are you two together now?" asked the reporter boldly.The room, filled with over a hundred people, fell silent. They were all waiting for Dora’s response.Megan watched coldly while sitting in a corner of the audience. She, too, wanted to hear what Dora would say.If Dora clarified the situation, Megan might consider letting this go. Otherwise, her acting career could very well end on this day.Dora appeared well-prepared for this question. She smiled and said, "Lately, everyone has been quite interested in my romantic life, finding many connections between Mr. Belasco and me. Here, I am reminded of a quote by Duras."Love f
Did these people even know who Celeste was? If anything were to happen to her, even selling the entire movie crew wouldn't cover the damages.The security team, unaware of her background, hesitated to approach once they heard her repeatedly refer to Winston as her uncle. They stood frozen and didn't dare to make a move.Dora's face was a sight of utter dismay. Her attempt to stir media hype with Winston was a risky gamble.It was flattering for a man to be fought over by women, especially by someone as famous and beautiful as herself. Rumor had it that the stock prices of the Primax Group had risen by two points due to the hype. She didn't believe Winston would dare make a move.However, she had underestimated the situation.While Dora had obviously lost the game and couldn’t exit the situation, she managed a forced smile while saying, "The media has twisted my words. I never said that the person was Mr. Belasco. Miss, perhaps you and Mr. Belasco are being a bit presumptuous."Fo
The fact that a movie press conference ended in such chaos was completely unexpected by the production team.Surprisingly, such a grand event had no contingency plan for unexpected incidents. From the time Celeste took the stage to Ava's subsequent arrival, the media broadcast live, and no one stepped in to stop it.It was all over for both the movie and Dora.Dora's fellow actors stood by, with none stepping forward to intervene in the matter. Instead, they gave Celeste and Ava a wide berth on stage. Their expressions clearly mixed pity for their own wasted efforts but also a gleeful interest in the unfolding drama.As Celeste observed the fascinated expressions of the actors on stage, she was reminded of the saying, "All under heaven have long suffered under oppressive rule." The gap between Dora's public persona and her private actions was huge. Surely, she hadn't cultivated good relationships or connections.Ava was far above Dora in terms of status and popularity. Ava's publi
An enemy of an enemy would be considered a friend. To Celete and Megan, Ava seemed like one."Mrs. Sullivan." The two greeted her politely."Hi, just call me Ava. Both of you aren't even from the entertainment industry, yet you’re picking up its bad habits, being all unnecessarily formal. I’m craving spicy crayfish. How about joining me for that and some drinks?" Ava spoke as if they were close.She wasn't pretense. They could get along.Celeste and Megan exchanged glances."Ava, you helped me out today. The treat is on me," Megan quickly said while reaching out to link arms with Ava."Let’s order some garlic-flavored ones too. I haven’t had garlic crayfish in a long time." Celeste chimed in.Thus, Ava, like a big sister, led the two beauties off to have their late-night meal.Dressed to the nines and all strikingly beautiful, the trio was conspicuously out of place sitting in a cheap diner next to the theater, where the average spend there was barely a hundred dollars."Is th
Celeste felt awkward when Ava exposed her."Mr. Sullivan is talented, no doubt, but he doesn't deserve you," Celeste spoke more bluntly than usual as the alcohol took effect.She typically avoided meddling in others' private affairs, but she genuinely thought Ava deserved better.Ava placed a hand on her shoulder with a deeper smile."You're now Sebastian's wife. Do you love him?"Without intending to hide her feelings, Celeste shook her head. "We're together because of fate's arrangement. I needed someone to fill the role of my husband back then, and Sebastian just happened to appear."Ava finished her drink in one gulp and opened another can. "Same for me.""You, of all people, have moments when you have no choice?"Celeste laughed at herself after asking that question. How could Ava not? Despite her privileged background and experiences, she was still human. Everyone was pushed by fate at times.Ava nodded. Her eyes were shadowed with sadness."The man I loved has passed a
"You can't see the forest for the trees." Celeste mused as she watched the light from Ethan's car disappear."There's something about the way Ethan looked at Ava. I find it hard to believe that he doesn't love her." Megan commented."Ava only said she doesn't love Ethan, not that Ethan doesn't love her." Celeste pointed out.To outsiders, Ava might seem pitiable in this relationship. After all, she was a beautiful woman from a wealthy family who got married to a notorious lover. However, things might be more complex."What is love, if not a vow to live and die together?" Megan remarked wistfully."When you were upset and had come over to my house that day, your godson said the same thing." Celeste suddenly giggled at Megan's sentimental expression."Oh, did he? Leo can be quite funny," Megan was awkward. In fact, love was exhausting, yet men and women were all caught up in it. No one had the right to mock anyone else about it."Come on, let's drink to this. Thanks for always bei
Winston didn't take Celeste home but instead took her to his and Megan's place. He arranged for Celeste to sleep in the guest room.The next day, Celeste finally told Winston everything that had happened at the movie press conference while the three were having breakfast together.Winston looked sympathetic. "So much for Dora's career being all but ruined.""Huh?" Megan lifted her head from her coffee cup, frowning as she looked at him.Was Winston sympathizing with Dora? She couldn't help but think of that incident with Lilian five years ago. It seemed absolutely pointless.What a nice bunch of people at the Belasco."Instead of focusing on making good movies, she's always meddling in nonsense. And now look, she can never make a movie again," Winston went on to say.Celeste retorted coldly, "It’s her own fault. If it weren't for Ava and me cleaning up her mess, someone else would have. I’m full. I'm going back now. Goodbye, Winston."Celeste got up and left."What's the matte
After the incident where Leo was falsely accused by Lester, Kayden was the only one from the Bishop family welcomed by Celeste and her son.The first time he went to the York residence, he didn't give advance notice. He rode a shared bicycle for ten kilometers in the heat of summer. He was seen sweating profusely and standing under the sun with a smile for Celeste.Celeste remembered the first time she was falsely accused by Leah, and Kayden had stood up for her. It softened her heart and made her nose tingle with emotion."Kayden, why didn’t you tell me you were coming? I could have picked you up."She hurried out to bring him inside, wiping his sweat while asking the servants to prepare some cool drinks."I missed you and Leo." Kayden smiled as he drank the watermelon juice a servant had brought. He, too, started addressing Celeste differently.He had grown up and was no longer the little toddler he used to be. Nourished well by the Bishop family, the ten-year-old was nearly as