What did he mean by that? The person who gave her flowers wasn't Dan? Wasn't Dan standing right there in front of her?Rebecca's brows furrowed as she looked at the blossoming roses near the front hallway. Then, she looked at the expressionless David.Pressing her lips together, she tried to investigate further. "Dan, do you mean that you weren't the one who picked these flowers? Regardless, you brought them back and gave them to me. I don't really understand what you’re saying."She stared fixedly at David, as if trying to get an answer from the expression on his face.Unfortunately, she couldn’t read anything from it.David's stern expression was slowly melting away. He glanced down and met Rebecca's gaze without restraint. "Of course, I don't mean this bouquet of roses. I mean …" He suddenly took a step forward, putting himself right before Rebecca and reducing the distance between them. "I was just thinking that I wasn't very nice to you before, and now there's not been a
The knocking became more rapid, making it seem like the phone ringing on the coffee table was getting more insistent and urgent too.David was forced to put down his cutlery. He got up to pick up his ringing phone.Rebecca stood up with him. "I'll get the door.""No need. You go back to your room," David cut her off as he grabbed his phone.He didn't answer it, hanging up upon seeing the caller ID. Then, he turned smoothly toward the door, moving to open it.Although Rebecca didn't know what was going on, she decided to obey David and go back to her room without asking any further questions. The look on his face was convincing enough.After David hung up, no more calls came through. However, there were notification noises from other emails and texts. As he went through these, he opened the door.The person at the door had been on the couch in the suite not long before, checking the surveillance footage. It was Randy.Contrasted with David's cool composure, Randy was in a wret
Even an ordinary person would get judged for causing a scene and delaying others from checking in at a public place. On top of that, he was the CEO of XR Entertainment.People tended to tar both sides with the same brush, no matter who you were.If you were a public figure, they'd start criticizing you before even knowing the details.They would call you a bully and call you an arrogant, entitled prick.At that point, not only would XR Entertainment be affected, but the Johnsons would get caught in the crossfire too. Ethan and the rest would definitely get some of the blowback.So when Caleb stopped him, Sam quickly suppressed his emotions.Helpless, he raised his hands.He even politely took a few steps back to make way for the other guests.While retreating, he apologized to the camera.However, his tone showed no signs of genuine remorse.He looked at the camera before shifting his attention to the security guards and receptionist. Then, he smiled coldly. "Fine, chalk it u
Overwhelmed by the tension in the air, the manager didn't object further.After agreeing to Sam's request, he swiftly retrieved his phone. He then turned around and dialed his boss's number.David had already heard about the situation from several people before he received the call.He knew what had happened downstairs.Therefore, he wasn't surprised when he received the call from the manager.Unfazed, he repositioned a rose from the foyer and placed it on the dining table, where he could see it at a glance. He even added a bit of water to the vase.The manager sounded worried on the other end of the phone.Business performance might not matter much to the head honchos. After all, they had businesses everywhere, and they weren't lacking in revenue. However, the people in charge of the specific project would undoubtedly feel concerned. This issue affected not only their colleagues' salaries and bonuses, but also their own jobs.The manager hoped the matter would be resolved sm
"Speak up!"Sam's patience was running thin, yet the manager was in a daze.The manager stammered, "Well, not the entire day ... Yesterday, she ..."Even Caleb began to lose his patience hearing him stuttering, let alone Sam.Standing behind Sam, he couldn't help but ask coldly, like he was threatening them, "Tell us exactly what happened. Don't beat around the bush."Sam added on, his tone gentler, but still carrying a hint of threat, "Feel free to discuss any other problems with us."The manager thought Rebecca was close to David. He wondered how these two intimidating guys were related to Rebecca. Obviously, they were on bad terms with his boss.He was afraid of getting into unnecessary trouble if he told them the truth, so he was at a loss for words for a moment.But it seemed like he had no choice but to tell the truth now.After a moment's hesitation, he began, "The young lady checked in with our boss last night. They went out to visit the scenic spots during the day and
"Sam, are we leaving just like that?"Outside the hotel, Caleb followed after Sam. Although he remained expressionless, his tone revealed his frustration and impatience.The person they were looking for was right in front of them, yet they didn't even get a chance to meet her.Anybody would be as frustrated as Caleb and Sam in such a situation.Sam glanced at the takeaway box in his hand and turned to look at the hotel. He spoke coldly."Since he's here, he won't just leave without a word. That Winston madman doesn't seem like an escape artist."He was proud and conceited. He wouldn't just run away like a coward.David would probably continue hanging around this place if he and Caleb hadn't come today. Then, he would fly the coop when the time was right.Now that they had arrived, they might confront each other. Knowing David, he would likely stick to his original plan, but they couldn't predict what he would do exactly. No matter what, they couldn't let him take Rebecca away
Rebecca was confused. She couldn't read David's mind.He used to be so protective of his food that he didn't even share food with her. Yet, he simply gave away the food she cooked to a stranger.She also recalled how Dr. Carl Collins called her "Ms. Johnson".She could write off what happened at dinner as a misunderstanding. Maybe Carl made a slip of the tongue, or she misheard.But she clearly heard David address her with the same name when he talked to the staff earlier.She couldn't have misheard twice, could she? What was David hiding from her? Who did the staff hand the food to?There were too many secrets. It was like stars in the night sky, hidden by the glare of city lights. She could only see the moon.She convinced herself that stars didn't exist.Little did she know countless stars would appear when all the city lights were off.Rebecca sat by the window and stared at the moon. She seemed to be looking for the barely visible stars in the sky.She didn't turn on
She knew that wasn't, in fact, her name. Yet, she instinctively turned around.The person was already standing before her as soon as she turned around.He weaved through the crowd with a look of concern in his eyes. Rebecca wasn't entirely sure if the person approaching her was looking for her until he came to a halt right a foot away from her.But she wasn't a fool. As she saw the complex emotions in the eyes of the man before her, she stopped moving forward.The man didn't look like a bad guy.Instead, there was something oddly familiar about him."Hello, are you looking for me?" Rebecca calmly asked. The morning light cast a gentle glow on the man's face. The streets were bustling with people. Cars honked as they passed, and seagulls cawed sweetly, yet none of it registered in Sam's ears.It was as if he had blocked out the surrounding noise and scenery.He was focused solely on the fact that he was face-to-face with the sister he had brought back, only to hear her say
Penny didn't have much free time over the past three years.As she had envisioned, during the first year, she honed her acting skills amidst criticism while also working as a translator.Later on, she felt that acting didn't hold much appeal anymore. Moreover, realizing that there weren't any roles left for her, she gradually gave up and moved toward working behind the scenes.She had some work during this period.It seemed that a daring reality show, not caring about potential risks, decided to capitalize on her controversial popularity and invited her to participate in one of their programs.The reason Penny agreed to participate was because the show's first season had a good reputation, and the payment offered was reasonable.Continuously doing translations could be quite tiring. After discussing with Cecilia and weighing the pros and cons, she eventually signed up for this TV show.Unfortunately, she had underestimated the darker side of human nature.The show's production
"Really?" Zane blurted out, staring incredulously at Sam, who nodded calmly. His unruly and carefree demeanor was restrained, and his composed attitude showed that he wasn't joking.Zane fell silent again, furrowing his brow as he intently observed Sam.It was as if he thought everything through in an instant, giving up without hesitation. He didn't even remind Zane of the request from years ago to take care of Penny. Instead, he said this would be the last time he would help out.Logically speaking, this should be a satisfactory outcome for Zane. After all, from any perspective, the Lowe family's scion would only be a burden to Sam.Looking again at Sam's attitude, it seemed he didn't want Penny to know he was the one quietly spending money to handle things behind the scenes.Since there was no plan to meet her, he didn't need to worry about anything after that. If that was the case, it would be better to just end it early.That way, if Sam saw Penny falling in love, getting mar
All those old scoundrels from the Lowe family undoubtedly ranked the highest. Then there was Jessica, the entertainment industry's national goddess, who also played a significant role.Besides them, there were a few minor celebrities who didn't really make the cut.However, as Sam's partner and someone who watched him grow up, Zane privately hoped Sam could find a better girl.So, he advised, "There are plenty of socialites in Riverwood, and Amdale has no shortage of beautiful young ladies, either, and Rookfort isn't much different."You and the Lowe family's daughter haven't even officially met…""Who said I haven't met her?" Sam interrupted him without a second thought.He had even seen her twice. How could Zane say they hadn't even met yet?The first time, she gave him all the money she had. The second time, he spoke up to help her get that role.After these interactions, they could be considered acquaintances.Zane choked up and couldn't find the words to refute.He was s
Because Penny declined his offer, Zane didn't insist. After a bit of small talk, he ended the call.He politely mentioned that if she needed any help, she could call this number again. If he could assist in any way, he certainly would.However, Zanw knew very well that, given Penny's temperament, she would rather give up what she had than actively seek help from a stranger.Yes, to Penny, Zane was just a stranger. He was a person she had met once but didn't really know.This time, Penny didn't respond as coldly as she did when she was 18. Instead, she exchanged a couple of polite pleasantries, mentioned that she would reach out if needed, and then hung up the phone.After that, she let out a long sigh of relief and lay on the lounge chair on the balcony, gazing at the view outside the window.There were fluffy white clouds in the azure sky and the greenery visible in the neighborhood. Sparrows were chirping persistently as they darted through the forest, and the cicadas loudly bu
Although the other person said only one word, Penny could still tell he didn't have any ill intentions.Because of that faint sense of familiarity, Penny didn't hang up the phone immediately. "Hello? May I ask what this is about?"The unfamiliar and distant tone probably made the man on the other end of the phone pause for a moment. It was only after a brief silence that he responded."Young lady, don't you remember me? It's Zane Moran."His voice carried a laugh, with a hint of teasing.Only then did Penny remember who he was, but she wasn't happy at all.Zane meant no harm when that incident happened back then. But despite that, over the years that had passed, he became one of the people and things Penny would rather not recall.Whether it was the exam she missed, the incident where Spencer took her to the hotel against her will, or Zane, who gave her 30 dollars for a taxi ride.She just wanted to hide all of them deep in her memories.The recent events had particularly made
"I'm fine. You all don't have to look so worried. You're making it seem as if something bad is going to happen to me."Penny looked at the two people at the door who were showing a range of expressions, feeling speechless.Cecilia was provoked by her words, and her eyes turned red."We're worried about you. You have no idea what you look like right now. You're almost like one of those disheartened protagonists in novels who hated the world."Penny clicked her tongue twice and said, "Aren't you exaggerating?"She didn't believe it. She was just worried about money. It wasn't like she had become disillusioned with life.Besides, she didn't dislike this world at all. On the contrary, she really liked it.Whenever Penny came across posts online suggesting that all humans should just die, she always felt like rolling her eyes. If they wanted to die, they shouldn't drag others with them.When searching for her own role in movies, TV dramas, and novels, Penny particularly preferred re
Penny's way of clarifying things was to simply tell the truth.Sometimes, trying to cover things up would just lead to needing 100 more lies to continue the cover-up. That would often end up making things worse and more ridiculous.It was better to tell the truth about the situation.To answer the question of why she lashed out at the Lowe family, she briefly explained her experiences over the years.Why didn't she attend the final paper of the college entrance examinations? She personally reopened that old wound.As for that man in the hotel, Penny didn't have much of an impression of him anymore. She only remembered not taking his business card and accepting 30 dollars from him.Why did she show up at that man's hotel room? She wrote it down truthfully—it was her father who personally took her and left her at the hotel, wanting to trade her like a commodity.Every single word was carefully considered and written by Penny.She didn't share much of these things with Cecilia. Th
Once the official statements were released, Penny's career being ruined became a certainty.The only surprising thing was probably that after the film crew issued their statement, the largest investor also requested to withdraw.The film crew was completely shocked, but there was nothing they could do. The scion was willing to lose money just to withdraw his investment, so what could they do?The amount of money in the compensation was nothing compared to the amount that the scion planned to invest. The production team would incur a significant loss.With one less investor, the project's status was essentially downgraded. They had much less room to manipulate their gains now, too.One would understand why the scion was doing this if they used their brain a little.However, the protests from the audience couldn't be ignored, and compared to the investors, it was clearly more important to keep the show going.After all, they could always attract more sponsors, even if the amount o
In addition to the widespread backlash caused by the phone recording, Penny's academic credentials were also scrutinized and exposed.Before the college entrance exam, she had always been the top student in her school and had never ranked anything else.However, in the college entrance exam, she barely passed the minimum mark for key institutions, far below her usual performance.Some people speculated that she had been cheating during regular exams and that her actual abilities were much worse.However, the exam results could be checked online, and the fact that Penny scored zero on the last exam was surprising.It was even more shocking that she was admitted to a top-tier university despite missing an exam. It was truly exceptional.But few people paid attention to this information.After all, the achievements attained through hard work couldn't be faked. Even if the results weren't as expected, it was undeniable that she was stronger than many others.Regarding this topic, t