Chapter 3

“Why?” I thought seriously for a moment. “I guess… I’m just tired.”

Our relationship started with a silly dare. I always knew, and I always pretended not to know. But he would travel cross-country to spend holidays with me, stay up all night when I was sick, and bring food to me on set when I was too busy filming. Although it began hastily, I once believed we would be like any other normal couple.

But then, one day, I accidentally overheard Julian’s parents asking him when he planned to marry me. A single, casual sentence completely smashed the entire fantasy castle I had painstakingly built.

“No plans for that right now.”

Once the fantasy shattered, many things I had intentionally ignored became undeniably clear.

On my birthday, he surprised me by traveling from another state, but before I could blow out the candles, Julian was rushed away by a phone call. The night I got sick, he rummaged through all the medicine at home, asking which one I should take, unaware I just had terrible period cramps. When filming was hectic, he secretly brought exquisite takeout to the set. That hotel’s Szechuan cuisine was my favorite, but I had stomach issues then and couldn’t eat anything spicy.

I had told him this more than once. I downed the rest of the drink in my glass, feeling terrible inside, and stood up to leave.

“What if I chased you instead? Can you give me a chance?”

I didn't understand what he meant by that. If he truly valued this relationship so much, how could we have ended up like this? Unwilling to think any further, I didn’t reply.

Perhaps it was the alcohol, but I slept soundly that night. When I woke up the next day, my phone showed several missed calls from Marcus.

“I told you to keep your phone on 24/7! Are you deaf?!” I yawned and moved the phone away from my ear. When Marcus finally tired himself out, I leisurely asked, “So, what’s up?”

“That female supporting role I just secured for you? The investors want to replace you because of the trouble you caused. I’ve set up a meeting for you tonight. If you can’t satisfy the investor, don’t blame the company for playing dirty.”

He spoke with such righteous indignation, but the subtext was painfully obvious. A free dinner? Might as well enjoy it.

With the thought of freeloading, I went to this trap dinner.

Upon entering, I didn’t immediately spot the investor, but Liam and Chloe were conspicuously obvious. Liam was humbly peeling shrimp, while Chloe, with her legs crossed, acted like some entitled king who couldn't lift a finger, gesturing for Liam to put the shrimp directly into her mouth. Anyone who knew them would say they were a couple; anyone who didn’t might mistake them for some kind of master-servant dynamic. Wait, Liam hadn’t publicly announced their breakup, and Chloe still maintained a single persona. They couldn’t even claim to be a normal couple.

“Aria, you’re here! Come over here, this is Mr. Thompson, the biggest investor in our show.” Someone stood up and enthusiastically pulled me to a seat beside a pot-bellied, middle-aged bald man, then whispered threateningly, “If you can’t keep him happy tonight, not only will you lose the female supporting role, but you won’t last a day in this industry.”

Mr. Thompson, standing nearby, made no effort to hide the desire in his eyes. His gaze, thick with lechery, brazenly appraised me. “You’re even prettier in person than on screen.”

“Coincidentally, I think so too.” A staff member glared fiercely at me. I remained completely unfazed, burying my head and stuffing my face.

Initially, the conversation at the table was quite harmonious. The investor was particularly pleased with Liam and Chloe starring as the male and female leads, lavishing praise upon them. But when the topic of the female supporting role came up, a glint flickered in his eye, and his tone suddenly shifted.

“Miss Aria’s public reputation doesn’t seem to be very good lately. I’m concerned about her playing the female supporting role…”

Are you kidding? My reputation wasn't *recently* bad; it had always been terrible. I remained completely unfazed, continuing to eat. And honestly, this place’s food wasn’t bad.

“Mr. Thompson, regarding the recent events, our company’s artist will offer you a sincere apology privately.”

A flash of cunning appeared in Mr. Thompson’s eyes. “But I vaguely recall that she’s A-list actor Liam’s girlfriend, isn’t she? Wouldn’t this be inappropriate?”

The implication couldn't be clearer. Liam crossed his legs, his eyes filled with contempt, a smug, detached air, as if watching a play. “Mr. Thompson, as long as you’re happy.”

“Then I’ll take her.”

“Be my guest.”

My hands, peeling a lobster, paused. Seriously? My fate was decided in a few words without my consent. Did they really think I was his possession?

“Sorry, but I never said I was going to apologize to some creepy bald man. I’m full. I’m leaving.”

I hadn’t walked more than a few steps when my wrist was suddenly grabbed. I turned around to see Mr. Thompson grinning slyly. “Quite the personality, aren’t you? Do you really think you can just walk away?”

I tried to struggle, but Mr. Thompson’s grip was surprisingly strong. Not only could I not break free, but it hurt. “I suggest you let go.” His flabby body slowly approached me, while everyone else at the round table turned a blind eye.

Fortunately, all of this was within my expectations.