"She's strong-willed, quiet, and accomplished. We rarely interact."Anyone Luke described as 'quiet' must barely speak at all."Did Mrs. Walker make her perform in public too?""Never."Clearly, Mrs. Walker played favorites. My grip tightened on my chopsticks. "It wasn't your fault. Some hearts are naturally biased."Since Luke wasn't Mrs. Walker's biological son, making him perform publicly seemed meant to humiliate and degrade him.If he'd been more sensitive or fragile, it could have broken him. Thankfully, he'd survived and escaped her control."It's all in the past. Everything that once confused me is now clear."It took courage to reveal old wounds. Luke opening up showed he was beginning to trust me.Not wanting him to dwell on painful memories, I changed topics. “Hanque could collaborate with Sophie on a special edition - attract younger customers."Sophie's bold style was popular with youth. Partnering with an electric car company could benefit both."Worth exploring
She was desperate to push her chosen candidate on Luke!"Though Emily and Luke grew up together, they've grown distant. As his assistant, you could use your position to create opportunities for them to meet. You'll be well compensated for your help.""I want to help, but Mr. Walker keeps work and personal life separate. If he knew I was meddling in his relationships, I might lose my job.""He won't fire you. Luke values loyalty - your father was his mentor. Now that he's gone, Luke will look after you. He won't fire you over something so small. You can be more daring.”How calculating of Mrs. Walker!"Mrs. Walker...""David, back to the hotel."Before I could finish, she rolled up her window. As the car started moving, I stepped forward, but David honked, making me stop and watch them leave.Once the car disappeared, I dropped my helpless act and looked at the gift boxes. Luke's tense relationship with Mrs. Walker meant he never accepted her gifts. I opened his gate, left the b
Those words could hurt.Emily's comment caught my attention."Luke and Emma work like machines, no time to breathe. Sophie's the free spirit. I hear she's planning another exhibition - wonder what she'll shock everyone with this time."Sophie was famous for provocative art, including a controversial self-portrait. The nude captured her with innocent eyes but sensual pose, a study in desired beauty. It drew crowds at her exhibition. The likeness was so striking that anyone who knew Sophie could recognize her.As the Walker family's younger daughter, she had quite a following.When photos hit social media, they went viral.Patricia was livid when she saw it. She immediately tried to kill the story and flew overseas to destroy the painting.But Sophie had vanished, leaving a note: "Painting sold, great price. More self-portraits coming next show."Patricia nearly collapsed reading it.She hired private investigators to track Sophie down and bring her home.Having outsmarted Patr
During dinner, I'd focused so intently on Luke and Emily's conversation that the food turned tasteless in my mouth."The steak was too salty."Luke reached into the car's compartment, offering me a bottle of water.Only then did I notice the salty taste lingering, my throat uncomfortable."I'm... I'm not thirsty."Pride made me suffer as I withdrew my reaching hand, turning away.Luke chuckled, unscrewed the cap, and placed the bottle in my hand. "I remember the duet."He'd claimed to forget because it was an unpleasant memory.I took a sip."Emily..."Luke paused, leaving the thought unfinished.He rarely hesitated like this. I looked up at him. He switched to discussing the afternoon's meeting instead.I wanted to ask what he'd meant to say, but knew he wouldn't answer even if I asked a hundred times. I swallowed my questions.Over the next week, Emily contacted me several times. I kept making excuses about Luke's busy schedule.After a week, Patricia grew impatient and
After David left, I stared at the jewelry box for a long time. I wanted to ignore it, but knew I'd need to return it eventually. I picked it up and stored it with Patricia's other gifts in my room.Three days later, the charity gala proceeded as planned. I informed Luke that Patricia and Emily knew he'd be attending. His eyebrows furrowed slightly, his handsome face turning colder."Should I accompany you to the gala?"Usually, Luke took Brian or Zac to such events. I volunteered to go with him."I've already asked Zac. You've been busy - get some rest.""Yes, Mr. Walker."Luke always managed work arrangements well. I acknowledged and left his office, driving home.That evening, I couldn't focus on my book, sensing something was about to happen.Early next morning, before dawn, Wendy appeared at my door.Half-asleep, I opened it. "Wendy, you know my code. Just let yourself in next time."I'd tossed and turned until past midnight. Yawning, I rested my head on her shoulder, eye
"You haven't seen the trending news?"Wendy's eyes widened. She quickly covered my ears, muttering to herself, "She didn't hear anything, nothing at all.""Wendy, I'm an adult. I can handle it."I gave her a resigned look, removing her hands and gesturing for my phone back."Look, even though hotel security cameras caught them in the same room, we must trust Luke's character. He wouldn't hurt you."Wendy returned my phone."He's just my boss. Even if something happened with another woman, it's not my place to question it.""You're Luke's crush. I'm sure his feelings for you are solid." Wendy kept trying to comfort me. "And worst case? You've still got me!""The news broke at 3 AM - you haven't slept?""Different fields, different skills. PR's my thing, not company management. I don't want to fall behind, so I work hard." Wendy pointed to her eyes. "I'm starting to look like a panda.""Work hard but take care of yourself. Don't burn out.""Oh, it's just a phase. I might give
That was classic Wendy, always worried I'd get hurt, afraid she wouldn't be there to protect me when needed."I promise I'll take care of myself."I grabbed my coat and left with Wendy.The forecast predicted snow. The sky was gloomy, with a biting wind that cut like knives.I went to get my car from the garage and loaded Wendy's abandoned suitcase into the trunk.Just as I closed it, Luke's car appeared.Wendy waved at the vehicle.Peter stopped and lowered the window, smiling. "Good morning, Ms. Middleton, Miss Smith.”"Morning, Peter.”We replied in unison, looking toward the back seat.The rear windows were tinted, but I could make out a figure.From the height and posture, it was Luke.Peter checked his rearview mirror, but the passenger remained still."Mr. Walker's tired. I'm taking him home."He raised the window.Wendy stared at Luke's car. "He's sleeping?""Probably."Luke was usually a light sleeper - he'd wake when the car stopped.Him not greeting us likely
Unless he planned it that way.I quickened my pace, hoping to reach the elevator and escape the persistent reporters. Unsatisfied with my answers, they blocked my path, refusing to back down. Trapped in their midst, I pulled out my phone to call building security. Security arrived quickly and escorted me to the elevator. When the doors closed, the chaos finally faded away.In the lobby, the receptionist called out softly, "Ms. Middleton, is Mr. Walker dating someone?""You'll have to ask him yourself. Let me know if you get an answer."We were friendly, so I winked playfully."My tarot cards already told me."She showed me her deck."They say Mr. Walker's in love.""Did they tell you when you're getting promoted?""As a receptionist, there's not much room for promotion." She smiled good-naturedly. "But they say I'll get a nice wedding gift when you get married!""..." She should be giving me gifts at my wedding! Her cards were wrong!"So when are you getting married?""Need t
Due to jet lag, I was already exhausted though it wasn't dark yet.Ian was drooping too, suddenly slumping against me.Worried he'd fall, I quickly steadied him.He glanced at me before contentedly closing his eyes again.He was completely worn out.Mr. Lloyd, who had been chatting with the director, noticed this and quickly wrapped up his conversation to join us.Still half-awake, Ian instinctively held onto my arm when his father reached for him."It's your Dad."At my words, Ian let go.Mr. Lloyd picked him up and strode toward the car, while I gathered Ian's things and followed.On the way back, I offered to drive.Mr. Lloyd was quiet. I turned on the car's music system, and soft music filled the space.Having debuted overseas as a trainee, Mr. Lloyd's fingers unconsciously tapped along to the rhythm on his leg.At a red light, I caught this movement in the rearview mirror.Mr. Lloyd had been an all rounder superstar - consistently among the top three highest-earning
Since Penelope was mid-flight and unreachable, I sent her a message and forwarded Sara's letter."Are you okay, Jen? You seem worried," Ian asked."Just blown away by your amazing performance. I'm still thinking about it."Ian was a natural - his acting could really move people."I might be cocky,” Ian grinned.He looked proud, and I ruffled his hair. "No chance of that."For a four-year-old, he'd shown remarkable composure during the preschool incident.Even after being cleared, he hadn't played the victim. That kind of emotional strength showed real character.A few compliments wouldn't change that.Ian's smile lit up his whole face, showing perfect baby teeth."When do you start filming your scenes?"The director was clearly impressed - Ian's role was locked in."Not sure yet."Ian looked up at his father."Soon," Mr. Lloyd said, clearly proud of Ian's performance. "I'll stay on set with Ian these next few days. Jen, feel free to explore the city. I'll call if we need
Just when they thought they'd found hope, the bad guys caught up with them.During their escape, his best friend fell off a cliff. When Bobby was finally rescued and led them back, they found his friend's body, mangled beyond recognition. He was devastated."I'll start now!"In an instant, Ian transformed. He walked heavily toward a chair, his expression gradually filling with pain.Kneeling beside the chair, he reached out as if to touch "him" but couldn't bring himself to do it. Tears silently rolled down his face.The director checked the script and signaled his assistant to remove the chair, simulating the scene where the friend's body would be placed in a body bag.At this, Ian broke into heart-wrenching sobs.His emotional outburst impressed everyone watching on set.Mr. Lloyd looked proud, and the director, as if discovering a treasure, praised Ian after his performance: "Your acting reminds me of your father in his prime.""If I'm as good as Dad was at my age, imagine
I'd dug my own grave, hadn't I?I swallowed my food, took a sip of water, and kept my head down while eating.Luke pushed the mild seafood soup toward me. "This is less spicy."Stubborn as I was, I ignored him.Luke called the server over, trying to order milder versions of the fish and pork."Don't bother, I love extra spicy food."Even though I needed water after every bite, I was determined to finish what I'd ordered.Seeing my stubbornness, Luke apologized to the server and let her go."Jen...""Don't talk while eating."By now, my soul had practically left my body from the spice. I wasn't in the mood for conversation.My throat felt like it was on fire as I gulped down more water.Luke quietly refilled my empty glass. He'd barely touched his seafood soup, his elegant movements making me feel even more ungraceful.I was suffering from my own spite!I wanted to throw down my chopsticks and leave.No, stay calm!I tried to maintain my composure, fighting the urge to d
Just as I finished speaking, my stomach let out an embarrassing growl."There's an excellent Chinese place around the corner," Luke said."You've been here before?""No.""..." Then how did he know about a good restaurant?Did he research every place this thoroughly?He'd make a perfect travel companion.I later learned he'd researched local restaurants knowing my passion for food.I'd only had water since waking up. The film crew would have finished lunch by now, with no leftovers available. I needed to find something on the way.Being in a bad mood lately, I hadn't researched any local restaurants before coming here.Craving authentic Chinese food, I decided to take Luke's suggestion.It was an upscale Chinese restaurant specializing in spicy cuisine. As soon as we sat down, a cheerful server brought out place settings and started listing their specialties."Our portions are generous. For a couple, I'd recommend one appetizer and a soup to start.""We're not a couple," I
Luke came to search for his birth mother himself?As I looked at him, he noticed me too.I greeted him and was about to get a taxi to the set."If you have time, can you show me where you saw her yesterday?""I... okay."Mr. Lloyd and Ian would be fine - finding Luke's mother was more urgent.After weighing the pros and cons, I agreed.Luke hadn't brought an assistant. I waited outside while he took his luggage to his hotel room, then we walked to where I'd seen his mother yesterday.It wasn't far from the hotel, so we went on foot.Without thinking, I kept about three feet between us.Luke: "Do I look like some kind of monster?"With his model-like features that made you want to break rules just looking at him, how could he possibly look like a monster?I shook my head."Then why are you keeping such a distance?""..." So that's what he meant...Though I'd decided to stay just friends, my heart - already full of him - still skipped beats when we were together.He was t
"If you can't find her, Luke can! Now that he has a general area, he can track her down quickly.""I'll let him know."Mrs. Walker was also searching for her, planning to use her to manipulate Luke. We needed to contact her before Mrs. Walker did.After hanging up with Wendy, I looked at Luke’s number on my phone. Several times I almost called him, but kept backing out.After hesitating, I tried calling Emily, but hung up just before it connected.Although Emily had been open with me, I couldn't be sure if she was genuinely helping Luke.To be safe, I called Luke instead. He answered on the first ring.Luke stayed silent."Mr. Walker, this is Jen.""I wasn't planning to cut you out of my life completely. I kept your number."Me: ...There he went again with his sharp tongue. I almost hung up, but remembering how much he'd helped me, and that I could finally do something for him, I told him about possibly seeing his birth mother near the hotel.After a moment of silence, Luk
"Dad, he's a bad guy!" Ian pointed at the man who was already several yards away.The robber was huge - well over 6'2", wearing a denim vest that showed off his muscular arms. Mr. Lloyd probably couldn't take many punches from him, and we didn't know if he was armed. It wasn't worth the risk.I ruffled Ian's hair. "Let's go get something to eat.""Help! Stop the robber!"A woman was running after him, desperately grabbing passersby for help, out of breath.Following the 'better safe than sorry' principle, no one stepped forward to help.She reached us, and seeing we were Asian, her eyes lit up with hope. "Please help me, I have something very important in my bag."Mr. Lloyd looked down at his arm where she was clutching it. "I'm sorry, we're new here and unfamiliar with the area. We can't help."She let go, disappointed, staring dejectedly in the direction the robber had disappeared.Ian said in his sweet voice, "When you're in trouble, find a police officer."The woman was a
His stern look only made Penelope more nervous.When Director Nolan called "Cut!", she was already drenched in cold sweat.She quickly apologized to the director.Director Nolan watched the playback with a grave expression.As the makeup artist touched up Penelope's makeup, I went to her side and encouraged her: "It gets easier after the first try. You'll do better in the next take.""Jen..." Penelope glanced at the crew members around us. "This is my first time on such a major production.""You'll have many more opportunities like this."One Entertainment had been investing most of its resources in Penelope lately, and with her connection to Jethro, her popularity wasn't waning.One hit was all she needed to skyrocket to stardom."Jen..."Penelope's voice trembled with worry.George was particularly anxious too. "You've done well in other productions. We can't mess up at this crucial moment!"A good performance in Director Nolan's film could lead to future collaborations,