"It's fine. Get back to what you were doing." Jason finally finished smoothing his cuffs. When he turned, the last trace of warmth on his face was gone, replaced entirely by cold.
"Let's go." Martin steadied Kristen and led her toward his car, muttering under his breath, "Animal."
Kristen got in with Martin. Any chance Finn had of dragging her back was gone.
Grace, who had been silently watching, walked over with reddened eyes. "What do we do now? Kristen… she's misunderstood us. If she really posts those records, then I…"
Tears spilled before she could finish.
"She won't." Finn's tone was absolute. Before she could ask, he added, "She dares fall out with me, but she won't dare fall out with the Gu family."
If it affected Gu Group, not just Father—his older brother wouldn't let her off either!
"I'm still scared…" She clutched his sleeve, lowering her head so that her tears landed on it. "Finn, what should I do?"
Finn patted her shoulder lightly, voice soft with reassurance. "Don't worry. I'll make sure she deletes them."
Martin drove while cursing Finn, and only when he'd exhausted himself did he sigh. "Good thing Mr. Jason happened to show up. Otherwise, that could've ended badly."
Kristen, quiet until now, said, "It wasn't a coincidence."
"Hm?"
She hadn't known how to broach it before; now was a chance to explain and let him be prepared.
But when Martin finished hearing her out, he barely reacted—just broke into a grin, showing eight bright teeth, looking like a happy fool.
Kristen frowned. "Why aren't you surprised—or angry?"
Martin couldn't wipe the smile off. "Why be angry? With Jason's backing, we'll be walking sideways across the Capital!"
Kristen was less optimistic. "He only helped solve the company issue. Future roles still depend on me."
"Got it," Martin said, then asked, "Does Scumbag Gu know about you two?"
Kristen shook her head. "They're friends. This needs to be kept quiet."
Jason had a name and a face. Getting tangled with a good brother's ex-girlfriend made for ugly rumors.
Martin looked disappointed. "Really wanted to see Scumbag Gu's face when he finds out you're with Mr. Jason. Would've been priceless."
Kristen didn't answer. She turned to the window, thoughts drifting.
Finn would stop at nothing to erase the evidence of his affair with Grace. She would need to be twice as careful from now on.
Back at Qixiyun, Kristen received the script from Director Hong and spent the whole day studying it. Jason still hadn't returned by the time she drifted off.
Half-asleep, she had the vague sensation of a dog sprawled across her, licking her cheek over and over.
She opened her eyes. The space beside her was smooth and empty, not a wrinkle in sight.
He hadn't come back last night.
Kristen got up and went downstairs. She didn't find Jason, but she did see a white-haired older woman—well-groomed, brisk, full of energy.
"You must be Miss Liang. I'm the Jin family's housekeeper—you can call me Aunt He," the woman said with a kindly smile.
"Hello, Aunt He," Kristen replied politely.
"I'll be looking after you from now on. If you need anything, just tell me," Aunt He said warmly.
Kristen nodded. After breakfast, Martin called to say he had other matters and wouldn't be able to accompany her to the audition.
Old He drove her to Director Hong's company. After checking in at reception, she was led to the door of a conference room packed with hopefuls.
Today, besides Kristen and Grace auditioning for the role of Leng Yue, a number of others were testing for different parts. Grace wasn't in sight yet—likely not arrived.
Kristen greeted a few familiar actors, chatted briefly, then took out her phone to review the script again. She'd memorized every line, but kept rereading, worried she'd slip on even one word.
Candidates went in and out. As her turn neared, Kristen stood to visit the restroom. She adjusted her outfit and practiced micro-expressions in the mirror. Feeling ready, she turned to leave.
Hand closing on the cold door handle, she pulled—
The door wouldn't open.
( End of Chapter)
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