While Charles' entertainment company had yet to establish a subsidiary domestically, Olivia knew that whatever he promised, he would ensure it was kept.As if drained of all strength, Olivia crumpled onto the floor, her eyes vacant as she gazed at Maria.A sense of desperation took hold of her, and she was filled with regret.Why had she insisted on challenging Mia?The spectators around her showed no sympathy. In the dog-eat-dog world of entertainment, there were always those ready to build you up or tear you down."Olivia really got what she deserved. Of all the people to challenge, she chose Mia. Didn't she know who Mia’s husband is?""Exactly, and her piano skills are far inferior to Mia’s. There are plenty of talents waiting for their chance to shine, no one would risk their capital for an amateur pianist like her.""Absolutely, she brought it upon herself. She set the stakes, who else could she blame for losing?"Having sufficiently mocked Olivia, the crowd started showering Mar
Following the party, Luna found herself heading back to her hotel alone. It was no surprise; Charles wouldn't let her in his car.Her mind was filled with thoughts of Maria, and Mia had all but vanished from her considerations. Just as Luna was unlocking the door to her suite, the door next to hers swung open, and out rushed Mia, looking like she had seen a ghost."Luna, Luna, help me!" Mia pleaded.Luna turned to see Mia, hair disheveled, clothes in disarray, utter panic painted on her face. The sight was so shocking that Luna could barely speak."Mimi?"Mia looked up, her makeup smeared across her face. If not for her voice, Luna wouldn't have recognized her. Mia choked back a sob before blurting out, "Alexander is a monster...""Hush!"Luna hushed her, glanced around the empty hallway, and then quickly pulled Mia into her room.Sitting on the couch, Luna frowned at the sight of Mia. "What the hell happened to you?"Mentioning the incident brought Mia to tears. "Alexander... he..
Meanwhile, Maria and Charles rode in silence back to the hotel.Upon entering the elevator, Maria instinctively pressed the button for her floor.Charles made no move to press a button of his own, seemingly uninterested in choosing a floor.Maria frowned at him, "What floor are you staying on?"Charles, with a playful smirk, didn't answer. Maria dismissed him with a huff, and they rode up in silence.When the elevator doors opened, Maria stepped out with Charles close behind. Without saying a word, she headed towards her room.She swiped her card and opened the door. As she walked in, Charles followed.Maria turned to him, unable to contain her curiosity, "Charles, why are you coming into my room? Shouldn't you be with Mia at this hour?"Charles looked at her intently before surveying the room. Seeing that it was even smaller than his own bathroom, he took a seat on the edge of the bed.“Ria, you're upset,” he stated."I am not," Maria retorted, setting her bag on the desk and turnin
With that, she promptly hung up the phone.Interactions with Luna never ended well, and it was convenient to use Charles as a shield. A free shield is always the best!"Heehee, here you go."Maria returned the phone to Charles with a chuckle. She was beginning to find that Charles could be quite useful in certain situations.Charles raised an eyebrow, slipping the phone into his pocket.He glanced up, his deep gaze meeting Maria’s eyes, which were curved like crescent moons from her smile."Ria, after what you've said, it's mandatory you spend tonight at my place."Maria pouted but didn't refuse, following him to the elevator.Just as she pressed the elevator button, a "ding" signaled the arrival of the lift. The doors opened to reveal a slightly plump figure.Maria recognized the face and her heart sank. She suddenly felt guilty, as if her lie had been caught."Hehe..."Luna waved at them, "What a coincidence."Charles merely nodded, keeping silent, and pulled Maria into the elevator
The sensation of tickling on her face and a tingling in her ears sent Maria heart racing. What was Charles up to?Wasn't he here to see Mia?Why was he flirting with her?With hands pressed lightly against Charles' chest, Maria gently pushed him away, turned her face aside, and awkwardly changed the subject. "By the way, why are you here? You didn't even tell me you were coming, and you didn't respond to my messages..."Was she complaining?Oddly enough, Charles found he rather enjoyed her complaints.Chuckling softly, he took a seat on a nearby couch, then casually glanced at Maria, eyes never leaving her."I decided to come only after wrapping up my work. I only saw your message just before boarding the plane.""Oh."Maria responded absently, then wandered around the room. When she finally came back out, she saw the couch where Charles was sitting and heaved a long sigh."Looks like I'll be sleeping on the couch again."Charles was about to respond when Maria suddenly brightened up
The next day, when Maria arrived at the set, the assistant director led her straight to the martial arts adviser. "Matthew Turner, I'll leave Mia in your hands. She has a lot of fighting scenes, try to teach her as much as you can, but if it's too complex, just use a stunt double."Maria couldn't help but smile. She was already Mia’s stunt double, and now they were considering getting another one. Just how incapable was Mia?With a modest smile, she reassured the assistant director, "Don't worry, I'll work hard to learn. I would prefer not to use a stunt double if possible."The assistant director looked at Mia with a hint of disbelief.Just yesterday, at the film's kick-off ceremony and banquet, Mia was so aloof, treating everyone except the director, the producer, and the investors with disdain. Yet today, she was so humble?Even though he was puzzled, he could only respond to Mia’s beaming face with a smile of his own. "Alright, do your best but there's no need to rush. You don't
"Huh?"Maria stared at the man in front of her, momentarily taken aback.This man's eyes brimming with flirtatious mischief.His attire, a white suit paired with a bright yellow shirt, didn't scream respectable gentleman.Yet, judging by his tone, he seemed to know Mia, and their relationship appeared to be quite intimate.Maria eyebrows furrowed in caution, "My apologies, but my husband is waiting for me..""Tsk..."Alexander clicked his tongue, a teasing smile spreading across his face, "Are you afraid? Your husband was also there last night, and yet you still accompanied me in the restroom... hmmm.."Even though Alexander didn't explicitly mention what transpired in the restroom, his suggestive hums were telling enough.Maria blinked in shock, but quickly suppressed her surprise. Her hands by her sides clenched into fists.So this was why Mia wanted her to marry Charles on her behalf, she had been playing around...At that moment, Maria couldn't help but feel sorry for Charles.The
"Maria, don't get upset. Mia has always been like that."Luna stirred her coffee slowly, a mocking smile hidden beneath her lowered gaze."Mia is the youngest pianist in the country, and she has the Miller Family backing her up. Naturally, she can do whatever she pleases. As for Charles, he just happens to be the unfortunate party in all this."Maria closed her eyes tightly, her heart shaking… How was she supposed to face Charles after all this?After hanging up the phone, she walked back, her mind filled with Charles handsome face.What had Charles done to deserve this?Why did he have to marry a woman like Mia?"Mimi?"Seeing her approach, Charles rose from his seat. Seeing the distressed look on her face, he walked over to her and gently pulled her into his arms, "What's wrong?"Maria bit her lip hard, but couldn't find the words to say.How was she supposed to tell Charles that Mia had been unfaithful?Most men would struggle with such a revelation, not to mention a proud and sel