"Are you sure he's willing to help? Isn't he always on Robin's side? Even if he was there at that time, would he really choose to speak up, which might affect his friend?" Maya doubted Allen's idea."I'm sure; right now, it's not just a scandal involving you but will also affect him. You said he was there, too, right? If he speaks up, everything will be fine," Allen tried to convince Maya of his plan."Have you contacted him?"Allen shook his head. "I haven't contacted him because I wanted to discuss it with you first and find out if this man will be useful and can truly be the key. Now, I'll contact him.""Let me do it—""Excuse me, Mama. Can I come in?" Stelio suddenly appeared behind the door. "Ah, Uncle. So, you're Mom's guest?""Hello, little man!" Allen approached Stelio. "What's this you've brought? Give it to me."Stellio handed him the tray. "These are drinks and snacks for Mama and Uncle. What are you and Mom discussing?""Is it your Papa asking you to inquire about this? S
"Young Master, a man wants to meet with Young Madam," mad conveyed while Samuel was having breakfast. "Should I call Young Madam now?""No. Let me meet this man first," Samuel pushed his chair."Papa, can I join you to meet this guest? I want to see what kind of friend Mom has that makes her go out so often," Stelio said, feeling jealous that Samuel only mentioned Maya's frequent visits to a friend without revealing the scandal."No. You should stay here. Finish your meal, and then we'll leave," Samuel walked away, leaving Stelio behind.***When Samuel arrived in the living room, he directed his gaze at a restless man sitting. The man, dressed in casual but still fashionable attire, stood up."Mr. Ren, why did you come? Can you ask Maya to come out? There's something important I need to tell her," the man said."Mr. Allen, is it polite for you to force her to meet with my wife at a time when you've ruined her life? You must have betrayed her and collaborated with Robin Lee to trap my
"Samuel, you're really out of your mind, aren't you?! Get away from me! Someone might see," Maya said, pushing away the man who took advantage of her."Who's going to see? Aren't we in a closed room now?" Samuel reached out and gently caressed Maya's cheek. "Or are you afraid your special friend will find us? He should be used to it because we're a couple.""No, we still can't..." Samuel silenced her with a deep kiss."Don't refuse; you have to accept punishment for defending another man," Samuel said amidst their kiss. He continued his kiss.Bang!"Both of you!" The sound of the door opening and someone entering made Maya quickly push him away.Allen stared at the two of them without blinking. Samuel scolded him. "What are you looking at? Haven't you ever seen a couple being intimate?" Samuel retorted."Of course, I've seen it many times, but this is the first time I've found a man who can't control his desires. We're even playing with your son; aren't you ashamed if your son sees ho
"Maya, we finally meet again. You must have had a hard time with the scandal today," a woman said, chatting intimately with Maya."Yes, but everything has gotten better," Maya replied, trying to reassure her."I know; thank goodness you have a husband like CEO Ren who can help you overcome everything."Maya glanced at Samuel, who showed a flat expression. She wondered, what did Samuel do to Manager Chen that someone who initially opposed Samuel ended up on his side?"Manager Chen, my husband didn't do anything. It was Allen and I who—"Samuel cut off what Maya was saying, "We've wasted enough time. Now, it's time to discuss the contract. Please review the contract, and if there's anything you find disagreeable, just let me know."Manager Chen carefully read the contract. "I'm satisfied with the terms of this contract." She quickly took a pen.Maya's hand immediately moved to stop the hand that was about to make marks on the contract paper. "Wait! Manager Chen, are you sure you've ensu
"Stelio, can you open the door? Papa brought your favorite snacks," Samuel said from behind the door, attempting to coax his son out."I don't want to. I can't be bribed this time. Papa should've taken me along if it's with Mama. Why did both of you leave me when I was playing?" Stelio protested with a childish, sulky tone.Samuel sighed. Stelio often acted mature, but he was still a child, and when he threw a tantrum, it was challenging to control. "Stelio, I'm really sorry, but Mama and I had to go for work.""Papa, you took me with you to Mama's contract signing meeting, wasn't that for work too? So why not now?""Stelio, I'll take you next time, okay?""Papa always says that, but you still leave me. Lately, both you and Mama have been busy and don't have time to play with me. It's Uncle Allen, a stranger, who plays with me. If only Uncle Allen were my father."Samuel was sensitive to the men associated with Maya. "Stelio, if you like him so much, why don't you stay with him?"Samu
"Maya, why did you suddenly leave?" Samuel asked as he was about to enter, with Stelio following behind."It's nothing, I just suddenly lost my appetite. Leave me be! I want to go back to my room!" Maya told Samuel.Stelio held Maya's hand. "Mama, I'm sorry. I was rude to you. I promise I won't repeat this mistake. Please, mama, stay here and have a meal with me.""What's really happening here? Maya Lin, it's still morning, and you're already fighting? Get back to the dining table; no one is allowed to leave before finishing the meal!" Samuel ordered."Samuel, why do you make orders according to your wishes?" Maya felt annoyed. Her mood wasn't good right now."It's a long-standing rule. Don't talk too much; do you want to delay breakfast for an unnecessary argument?"Maya had to reluctantly follow Samuel's orders. She returned to her seat. Both of them started eating, but there was only silence in the room, with a cold atmosphere that made everyone uncomfortable."Papa," Stelio broke
"Samuel, this is too much. We're not going to a state affair attended by officials or an award show that'll be in the spotlight. Why do I have to do this?" Maya complained on the phone. It wasn't the first time, but it still tired her from the insistence."It's more important than that; you'll appear as Stelio's mother, and everyone will notice you. It's not too much to look as good as possible. Just follow the people I've asked to make you look beautiful. See you later," Samuel abruptly ended the call."Hey, I'm not done talking to you!" Maya redialed the man, but an operator's response was all she received.***Maya Lin finished getting ready. Today, like her first party, a long beauty treatment and makeup session was required. She sat in the living room waiting for Samuel as Stelio had already left with his teacher.Samuel arrived, reaching for Maya's hand. This time, Maya wore a darker dress, still showcasing her beauty."Your hands are even softer than usual. They're really takin
"Maya Lin! Don't close your eyes! An ambulance will arrive soon!" Samuel tightly held the bloodied woman's hand. The middle-aged man desperately tried to stop the bleeding from her abdomen.Samuel immediately carried Maya out of the car. No one paid attention to them as everyone was in panic due to the declared bomb threat.Samuel encountered his assistant as he exited the car. "I'll take her to the hospital. You need to find and look after Stelio!" Samuel instructed."Alright, sir."Samuel quickly placed Maya into the car that Assistant Jung had prepared and rushed to the hospital. Along the way, Samuel kept urging Maya not to fall asleep. "I'm injured, and you're threatening me?" Maya's voice was weak."Don't talk too much. You need to conserve your energy."Samuel drove at full speed; luckily, the hospital wasn't far away. Samuel directed the car to the designated area. He didn't care about his status; Maya, on the verge of losing consciousness, made him restless.Samuel shouted as
"Do you know where Maya Lin is?" Samuel asked upon receiving a call from Manager Chen about Maya's sudden departure."No, Young Master, I think something has happened. Especially since that number is not registered. It's my fault; I should have blocked it.""Do you remember the number?" Samuel persisted, staying calm."Yes, the number..." Manager Chen mentioned the number. Samuel's face began to harden."Assistant Jung, have someone trace the location of this number. I'm sure that person is behind all this. Ask them to do it quickly," Samuel instructed his assistant.Assistant Jung began contacting someone. "Young Master, we have found its location!""Let's go there right away!" Samuel said.Assistant Jung informed the driver of the address they were heading to. "Drive fast. We need to get there quickly," Samuel ordered coldly.***Maya stared at the small bottle. She was sure it contained poison."Mama, don't drink! I beg you!" Stelio tried to rebel, but he was too small to break free
"Maya, if something important happens, I will request permission for someone to replace you," Manager Chen said, sensing Maya's anxiety.Maya shook her head. "It's okay, it's not something important."Maya was confident that without her interference, Samuel would find Stelio. As usual, she handed her phone to Manager Chen, letting him keep it during her shoot.Maya tried to remain cheerful during the shoot and socialize with other reality show members, but her mood was off. Many thoughts raced through her mind. "Has Samuel found him? How is the child? What made him leave suddenly?""We'll take a short break, be ready for the next session."Maya immediately went to her manager. She was informed, "Maya, there's a call from an unknown number. He's been calling repeatedly.""Let me check it!"With the phone in her hand, Maya received a call from the intended person."Maya, I'm leaving for a moment!" Manager Chen said, leaving Maya.Maya nodded, bracing herself to answer it. "Hello.""Oh,
Stelio's mouth dropped open wide as he read the name on the tombstone. Marion Lin Ren. "This person has a middle name that's Mama's surname and also Ren. Could there be a connection to the Ren family?"Things were becoming clearer for Stelio, especially after Maya's statement earlier. However, a part of him found it hard to believe. Numerous questions filled Stelio's mind.The small man looked at a photo of a baby repeatedly touched by Maya. Unconsciously, he felt a twinge of envy. Stelio turned around, his mind filled with complexity and headed home.Someone suddenly tapped his shoulder. Stelio's body jerked in surprise. He turned hesitantly, fearing it might be Mama."Little Master Stelio, it's time to go home," Stelio felt relieved as the chauffeur approached.***"Papa, do you have another child?" Stelio couldn't bear not to know. Samuel, focused on typing something shifted his gaze to Stelio. "No. Don't you know you're my only son?""Is Papa sure there's no other child with the l
"Why can't I open it? Did Samuel take the child home?" Maya said. This morning, she mustered the courage to meet Stelio after the heated argument."Excuse me, Madam. Is there anything I can help you with?" A neatly uniformed hotel employee approached Maya."Do you know the guest staying in this room?""The guest in this room checked out last night. Is there anything else?" the woman asked politely."No." Maya felt a bit relieved. Stelio must be getting better care in S city now.***A few days later, Maya had resolved her drama. She decided to return to S city. "Manager Chen, is there any schedule after this?""No. Even the schedules for this month, including both advertisements and dramas, have all been canceled," Manager Chen replied."What? Why suddenly? Isn't my popularity rising now? Has the company not assigned any projects to me?""No. I also don't know what happened. Maya, did you perhaps offend CEO Ren?"Maya didn't answer. Manager Chen quickly interpreted her silence. "Didn't
Stelio faced numerous negative comments, and even haters began resorting to cruel actions like throwing rotten eggs at him when he met fans. Maya couldn't stop it in time. She could see Stelio's displeasure, but a professional smile remained on his lips as fans expressed concern. "Don't worry, I'm fine. I just need to clean up."However, it wasn't as simple as that because Stelio's skin turned red. It seemed the eggs were laced with something causing skin irritation. Luckily, Stelio had completed his part. Maya couldn't bear to see this anymore."Stelio, you better quit after this!" Maya said sternly when they were in the room."No, Mama, I--""I can't take it anymore. You're always getting into trouble, and now your image is tarnished in the public eye. Plus, you have a lot of anti-fans; this will only reflect badly on me!""Mama, don't worry about it. Papa can handle all the internet news and annoying people--"Maya frustratedly cut Stelio off. "Enough! I don't want to hear it. How
Maya initially ran the shoot smoothly, but in a few days, everything changed. When the child suddenly arrived."Director, what's this? Why did the plot in the script change so drastically? Moreover, you've added a child character?" Maya protested about what was happening. She intentionally spoke privately with the Director."Maya, this isn't a drastic change. The writer just added it. Some scenes support it. Besides, we can capitalize on your popularity for this drama when it airs."Maya still suspected something. "Director, did my husband meet you and provide a significant investment with the condition that the story is altered to include a child?""Nothing like that happened. I chose to include it myself. Maya Lin, you don't need to worry about this. Just focus on acting. It should be easy for you to interact since he's your son, right? Don't complain too much; just do what's been determined."Maya left feeling disappointed. She was very sure that Samuel was behind all of this."Mam
Samuel gave flowers to Maya and Stelio. "Congratulations on completing this drama shoot!""Thank you, Papa." Stelio smiled happily.The crew and actors involved began celebrating with group photos."As a celebration, I'll treat all of you to a restaurant," Samuel announced, a statement that both actors and crew eagerly anticipated. "Come on, let's head to the restaurant I've booked right away."Everyone started getting ready. Samuel stopped Stelio, who was about to follow Maya and Manager Chen. "Stelio, you'll be in my car. There's something I want to talk to you about."Stelio looked at Samuel with confusion but still got into the car. During the journey, Samuel immediately posed a question."Are you close to Mike? What kind of relationship do you two have?" Samuel asked."Papa, didn't you want me to separate them? I don't have any relationship with him other than this," Stelio calmly replied."Are you sure that's all? Mike hasn't done anything wrong to you, right?"Stelio hesitated
"Stop looking for excuses. I know you're just talking nonsense to leave this place," Samuel said, not intending to let go of Maya."Samuel, can't you use your eyes properly? It's so obvious, but you didn't see it. Come on, we need to go to the eye doctor!" Maya said irritably.Stelio observed his parents arguing. He then shifted his gaze towards the door, his brow furrowed as if contemplating something.***Days passed, and Stelio's body slowly began to recover. He insisted on resuming shooting. Samuel was still concerned about his condition. "Are you sure you're feeling better?""Yes.""Alright. If that's what you want. Stelio, starting tomorrow, you'll have a guard to watch over you," Samuel informed his son.Stelio disagreed with Samuel's decision. "Why do I need a guard? Wouldn't it be safer if I'm with Mama? Dad, those guards could be one of the bad people like what happened at the party.""This time, I've chosen more carefully. Being with Maya is not too safe; look at yourself n
"Did Boss instruct you to do this? If anything happens to him, you'll know what we can do. Be aware, never touch the child recklessly," the person on the phone warned.The call ended, leaving Mike feeling anxious. Now, he had to ensure the child was okay to save himself. Mike immediately contacted someone he trusted to handle the situation.***"What the kid ate, I also had the same menu. If something's wrong, I would have experienced it too," Maya insisted."No, that's not necessarily true. Maya, you've always been careless about these things. Someone must have tampered with Stelio's food to harm him. Who's the lunatic daring enough to hurt a child?" Samuel felt frustrated."What about his condition now?""Lucky that the doctors could handle it, but Stelio hasn't woken up yet.""Samuel, you better reconsider your decision. Now you know the outside world is too harsh for a child. It's better for him to focus on school and play rather than pursuing a career as an artist like this!""I