- 8.
The emcee hyped up Stellar’s flagship project.
The audience immediately recognized the title:
the big–budget adaptation Chloe had been
teasing on social media. Predictably, she and
Ethan were the leads. The project was a
guaranteed blockbuster, with a massive budget.
Sponsors clamored for a piece of the action, a
bidding war erupting. The winning bid was a
record–breaking eighty million.
<
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((
“See? That’s what real power looks like.”
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“Who gave you the right to say that?” Ethan’s voice cut through Chloe’s gloating. She
instantly transformed into a meek lamb, clinging to his arm. “Ethan, why are you so mean? I was just joking with Ms. Ray.” Oblivious to his coldness, she continued her performance. “Why are you so late? Have you thought about what I
said?” “Our careers are stable now. Shouldn’t
we think about settling down…”
“When did I say I wanted to ‘settle down‘ with
you?” Ethan’s icy tone shattered her facade.
Her smile froze, but she quickly recovered,
unwilling to lose face. “I understand. You’re
worried about your parents. Don’t worry, they just haven’t met me yet. Once they do, they’ll
love me.”
“Why don’t you ask my mom right now if she’d
approve?” Ethan’s lips curled into a sneer. She
still didn’t get it. “I’ll come home with you after
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the launch.” She shot me a triumphant look. The
triumph was short–lived.
“No need.” Ethan put his arm around my
shoulder. “Let me introduce you to the
renowned actress, Vivian Ray. My mother.”
The room went silent. The press swarmed, their questions a barrage. “Ms. Ray, is it true? Is Ethan your son?” “Did you retire to hide his existence?” “Who is his father?” “Why are you making a comeback now?” “What do you think of Ethan and Chloe’s relationship?”
Chloe stood frozen, trembling. “No…this isn’t possible! It can’t be!” How could she not recognize her own… wait a minute.
“He looks like his mother! They don’t look
anything alike! How can they be mother and son?” Chloe babbled, still in denial.
Ethan shrugged. “I take after my grandpa. So
く
sue me.” His tone dripped with sarcasm. Chloe’s face crumpled. The live cameras
captured every micro–expression: disbelief, regret, then a calculated shift to wide–eyed innocence. I knew what she was doing. She was playing the victim again, hoping for sympathy.
“Ms. Miller, your delusions are getting out of hand.” “Mr. Hughes’s words were spot on.” Ethan crushed her last hope. “You? You’re not worthy of me.” That was the Ethan I knew. His words reduced Chloe to a laughingstock.
She tried to maintain her composure but stumbled, her elaborate dress tripping her up. The reporters, thankfully, were close enough to catch her. A nerdy–looking reporter helped her up. She shoved him away. “Don’t touch me!” She tossed her hair, then turned to Ethan and me, her face a mask of haughty defiance. “Ethan, I think you misunderstood. I’ve always admired you as a colleague, nothing more.
You’re the one who’s been reading too much
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into things. And don’t think I don’t know about the Stellar shares. You’re trying to trap me.” “Well, I won’t be controlled. I’ll return your shares. Stellar Entertainment isn’t for you.
