It was Bryce, who had run out after Holly.As he witnessed the scene, a self-deprecating smirk slowly formed on his lips. His gaze was beyond icy.Bryce turned around and tossed the food containers and drink into the nearby trash can.He shouldn't have come. The situation only triggered him more. Forget it. Holly wasn't the only woman available on this planet, anyway. Why should he be so hung up on her?Bryce returned to his room with a darkened expression.He didn't even bother to change into his slippers as soon as he entered his room. He walked over to sit on the couch and reached for the cigarette box on the coffee table.He then took out a cigarette and lit it. He still felt upset even after he finished his third cigarette.Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Bryce thought it was Holly, who came after changing her mind or was hungry for the food.He stood up and walked over to get the door. Just as his hand was on the handle, he paused for a bit.He reminded himself not to for
Holly was bewildered. What nonsense was Bryce spouting about this late at night?She asked with a hint of mockery in her tone, "Tell me, Mr. Gabelman, were you enrolled in drama school while studying abroad?"Bryce casually replied, "I wasn't."Holly asked, "Have you majored in any subjects related to directing, then?"He replied, "I have not."Holly chuckled. "You haven't majored in any of those subjects. So, what could you possibly do by going over the script with me?"Bryce replied seriously, "As the investor, I have to see a return on my investment. You play an important role, so you have to work on your acting skills and strive for perfection. "Mr. Zook is too busy, so I'm here to review the script with you and personally guide you."Holly almost burst out laughing.She suppressed her laughter and calmly said, "Stop bluffing. I'm just playing a cameo role for a few simple scenes, and you're telling me that it's an important role? Do you think I'm easily fooled? "You
After consecutive failed takes, Kieran helplessly asked Bryce to leave. He had a bitter expression on his face.Bryce crossed his arms against his chest and calmly said, "Just get the stand-ins to do it. Do you even need me to teach you such an easy thing?"Kieran didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He decided not to hire any actresses linked to the investors anymore in the future, no matter how much their image fit the script.It was just too frustrating. A great character was ruined just because of Bryce's intervention. A perfectionist like Kieran felt heartbroken despite staying quiet about it.After shooting the hugging scene with the stand-in, it was time for the kiss scene. They couldn't use a stand-in as they required close-up shots of their faces for the scene. But Holly was fine with it being simulated as per their earlier arrangement.Kieran explained the scene to her. He wanted her to express shyness, excitement, and joy. It was especially so for her gaze—it had to b
The pilot nervously eyed his co-pilot in the passenger seat. He had a ghastly look when he told Abelin, "Please refrain from making baseless accusations, sir. This is damaging to my reputation, and I could take legal action against you."Abelin pressed a finger against his lips and made a shushing noise. "Do your job properly. Nothing will happen if we all land safely. But if anything happens—"He raised his hand to his neck and made a throat-slitting gesture. "None of your family members will live!"Abelin looked tough with his sharp glare and crew cut. The pilot dared not say anything else and focused his gaze on the instrument panel, lest he might affect his family if anything happened.The co-pilot beside him was eyeing Abelin suspiciously, wondering about his background. Abelin then turned to him and said, "You, get out."The co-pilot was hesitant. "I'm not allowed to do so, sir. I'll get into trouble if I leave the cockpit without authorization during the flight."Abelin
Kindness?Bryce's gaze was locked on her. He felt a piercing sensation of discomfort spreading within him. He scoffed in frustration.After their three years of marriage, all that was left for Holly was a sense of indebtedness.It was no wonder that whenever he had repeatedly asked her if she loved him, she either avoided answering him or told him that it no longer mattered.Bryce suddenly felt irritable. He waved a hand at her and said, "Just leave.""Take care." Holly looked at him once before turning away and walking toward the car parked at the roadside.Bryce stood unmoving as he watched her leave. He chuckled self-deprecatingly.What was the point of being so strong? In the end, he still lost anyway.Bryce couldn't even win against Abel when he was still presumed dead. He was even more powerless now that Abel was alive and well.However, Bryce felt unwilling to give up just like that.…Holly walked over to the car parked by the roadside and got into it. Cooper then
The scorching heat gradually faded into the refreshing fall weather as they entered October.On that day, Holly spent a great amount of time baking a cake. She shaped it into a sail and packed it into a beautiful box before bringing it over to Abelin's residence.Today was his birthday. The last time she celebrated his birthday with him was 13 years ago.She was only an introverted 10-year-old then. He was a quiet and lanky 12-year-old, with large eyes filled with unspoken thoughts.Holly's parents were divorced, and Lucas was absent during her childhood. She was brought up by Winston and Winona since Priscilla was busy with work. Abelin also didn't have a father and was also raised by his grandmother.They could sympathize with each other since they had similar personalities and experiences—they were both fatherless children. As they were also neighbors, they soon became best friends.13 years have passed in the blink of an eye. Holly had thought Abelin had died long ago, yet
Abelin's hand halted midair. His heart sank, and he felt somewhat hurt. It seemed as if Holly was trying to push him toward Zenia.However, he composed himself quickly and casually replied, "She's like a relative to me. Even though she looks feminine, she's actually a tomboy—she doesn't need me to take care of her."Zenia gave Abelin a sidelong glance. "You should do what Ms. Sinclair said. Just take care of me instead of wasting your words."She then picked up the wine decanter and filled Holly's glass halfway with red wine. "Have some wine, Ms. Sinclair."Holly replied, "Thank you."Zenia then poured some wine for Abelin. She sulkily poured him a full glass on purpose, murmuring, "This will teach you a lesson!"Abelin picked up his wine glass and gave Holly a toast. "I'm happy that you're here to celebrate my birthday."Holly smiled and replied, "I'm happy, too."Their eyes were rimmed red despite their cheerful words. They felt bittersweet, as if they were almost separated b
After that, Holly hastily turned around and stumbled toward the door."Let me walk you out." Abelin stood up and reached for her arm. His palm was burning, making her shiver involuntarily.As if electrocuted, Holly pushed his hand away and exclaimed, "No need!"She immediately realized that she was overreacting. She apologized, "I'm sorry. It looks like I had a little too much to drink."Abelin replied, "It's not your fault. Zenia admitted that she had mixed absinthe into the red wine. I'm intolerant of absinthe, so I'll have a reaction when I drink it. I didn't expect you to be intolerant of it as well."Holly was stunned. "What's absinthe?"Abelin said, "It's a type of liquor with an aphrodisiac from overseas that has a numbing effect on the cranial nerves. Apart from causing drunkenness, it also has a certain hallucinogenic and stimulant effect."Holly smiled helplessly. It was her first time drinking such a liquor—she wasn't even aware that it existed.She originally had a