"Isn't this normal? You never know what is going to happen tomorrow. I'm just planning ahead." Susan sounded casual.If she had a cigarette now, her words might even sound more meaningful.However, there was nothing much in this room apart from the woman's sigh.Rebecca remained silent for a while before asking, "If possible, I'll try my best to guarantee your safety. If we're lucky enough, I will bring your brother back safely."This time, Susan was stunned.Rebecca's mouth twitched. "Meeting each other is our fate, and if I have the ability, I'm willing to extend a helping hand to a sincere friend. However, I've always disliked making promises I can't keep, so whether I can do it or not is uncertain."Susan smiled. "Then … Pray for my safety."To survive was a choice, and who would willingly make the worst assumptions? She presented such a request to someone she had only spent a day with, perhaps because she saw no other way out for herself. Additionally, in her life, ever
At the entrance stood a robust, well-built man with a foreign face and a clean-shaven look.His fierce and menacing demeanor made it clear that crossing him wouldn't be a wise choice."Are you David's woman?" The man swaggered in while carrying something indistinct. His attitude was brash.Rebecca assessed him from head to toe before stepping forward."You are wrong. I belong to myself, and I'm not anyone's possession. If you came to inquire if I am his woman, the answer is no."She positioned herself in front of Susan, while effectively shielding her from the man's attention. "Let me introduce myself. I am Rebecca, daughter of Kenneth Johnson from Rookfort. Albert Johnson of the MRC Group is my elder brother. And Sam Johnson from XR Entertainment is my brother, too."As she spoke, the man at the entrance remained unresponsive. However, a soft hiss came from behind.Rebecca glanced at it peripherally but maintained her composure. She raised her gaze to lock eyes with the man bef
The pressure on her neck suddenly eased. Rebecca coughed as she clutched her throat. She seemed to be struggling to breathe.Susan, standing nearby, felt breathless just witnessing the scene. She even held her breath.The man paid no attention to Susan. His cold gaze was fiercely fixed on Rebecca."How can you prove that David wanted to kill you before? Why would he want to kill a normal woman like you? I think he would rather sleep with you."Rebecca was speechless. After a moment of recovery, she couldn't help but laugh.Her voice, hoarse from the earlier choking, now sounded even raspier. The laughter, tinted with a cold mockery, added an eerie touch."You want to kill me, don't you? David is a lunatic. Why wouldn't he want to kill me?"The man fell silent for a moment, then spoke with a cold tone."How can you prove that? What if you are the woman David has protected for four years? If I let you go, wouldn't I lose out? We went through so much trouble to catch you, how ca
"Didn't you want evidence? I am showing you evidence."Rebecca looked calm. She was only wearing a sports bra now.This kind of attire was quite common in the gym, but this "innocent" pirate seemed to have never seen anything like it. He was so scared that he didn't dare to face her.Calling him foolish would be an understatement.It was unbelievable that such a fierce-looking person had this side.She thought that pirates must have gone through a lot.Rebecca looked at the man and said, "You wanted evidence, right? These scars on my body are the evidence. If you had seen me four years ago when I had just been rescued by my family, these scars would be even more obvious."Four years ago, when she first woke up in the hospital, her body had more scars than now, and they were deeper.In the past few years, David had arranged many surgeries for her.They had tried every treatment plan from hospitals and cosmetic institutions that could be used.Her hands were well-protected in t
Beardo approached with a tablet in hand. He glared fiercely at the other man as he passed.When facing Rebecca again, his demeanor transformed from menacing to respectful."We have contacted your family. They need to ensure your safety and want to video call you. What do you think?"He handed over the tablet, and his words hinted that it was a request.Rebecca raised an eyebrow while showing no urgency to respond. Instead, she looked at the man who had been glared at with interest.She chuckled lightly. "I can agree to your request, but considering my current state, wouldn't a video call be inappropriate? How about this? Arrange for someone to bring my friend's bag from where we stayed before. I'll conceal these marks, and then I'll do you this favor."Beardo hesitated, and his eyes widened when he noticed the visible marks on her neck.There were distinct purplish-red imprints and finger marks on her fair skin. It was evidence of recent strangulation.No wonder her voice sound
It was the lackey who came to give Susan the bag.Susan took it and went back to the room after thanking him.She didn't interfere with the talk between Rebecca and Beardo.Rebecca stopped observing the room and spoke to Beardo with a smile. "The room is great. You didn't give me the captain's room, did you?"This made Beardo laugh, and he said, "Of course not. This is just the room usually reserved for VIP guests. As you know, some things might not be useful every day, but it's best to be prepared."Rebecca nodded. "Alright, give me a moment. Let me ask my friend for help then I will come out with you."Beardo answered. "No worries. I will communicate with Mr. Johnson."Rebecca smiled and went into the bedroom.Inside, Susan had already prepared everything.Rebecca sat down in front of the dressing table. "Have you thought about it?"Susan's hand paused, and she chuckled. "Not really. Can you help me make a choice, miss?"Rebecca chuckled too, and said, "Don't call me that.
"Albert …" All her strength gave out in an instant when she saw her family.Rebecca was a little embarrassed for not being able to control her own emotions.When Albert saw Rebecca's figure on the screen that somehow lagged a little, he was finally relieved."There, there," Albert said while sounding gentler than when he talked to Beardo just now.Rebecca's tears rolled down even more when she heard his voice.She wanted to smile but when she tried, she found it too difficult right now.She could only grab some tissues to wipe away her tears. Eventually, when she felt embarrassed, she started laughing.She even felt a bit crazy because she was laughing and crying.Albert did not rush her, and he patiently updated her on the situation back at home. Albert mentioned that their parents were still unaware of her disappearance.Sam found out by asking why none of the siblings had sent any messages in the group all day, especially her. His sharp instincts eventually led to the revel
"If I wasn't sure, then I wouldn't be on this ferry now." Susan chuckled.Rebecca nodded understandingly and refrained from making further judgments. She had handed over the choice to Susan, and it wasn't her place to pass judgment after the decision had been made.However, perhaps due to her experiences with life and death, Rebecca couldn't help but offer a reminder. "If possible, it's better to think more about what lies ahead in life. There's no need to be so pessimistic and plan for the worst in everything. I'll say something that might be a bit presumptuous. "Although your mother has passed away, and your brother is overseas … It may sound like you're alone in this world, but from a different perspective, their departure might be a kind of relief for you."It might have sounded cold, but as an observer, Rebecca felt that Susan had been dedicating herself to them for all these years.She had never lived for herself.She was forced to avoid social interactions, reject kindn
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