In the Doyle Villa.
Florence looked at the overwhelming news on the internet and a cold smile crept onto her lips.
“Jane sure knows how to create a buzz with her custom-made scripts.” Florence narrowed her eyes; everyone could see that Star Entertainment was going all out to promote Maria.
Thinking about this, Florence pondered for a moment. Jane was not easy to deal with, but her artists were different. If Maria’s scandal broke out during the opening ceremony, it would be a heavy blow to Star Entertainment, and Jane would definitely be affected.
Florence could already imagine what it would look like when Jane was affected by this. She pursed her lips and sent a message to a number she had in mind, “Let’s meet tomorrow afternoon at three o’clock.”
The next day, Florence waited in the coffee shop as planned. After some time had passed, someone sat down in front of her and took off their sunglasses. It was Waylen who had been accused of harassing Maria before.
“What did you mean by your words yesterday?” Waylen looked at Florence suspiciously; although their families had business dealings with each other, they didn’t have much interaction personally.
Why did Florence take the initiative to invite him? What exactly did she want?
“I heard that you were sued by Maria and imprisoned,” said Florence calmly as she sipped from her coffee cup.
As soon as these words came out of her mouth, Waylen’s face twisted instantly as he thought back on what happened before. He still harbored resentment towards Maria for getting him into trouble like that. If his father hadn’t used his connections to get him released early from jail, he might have stayed there for months!
“What do you mean?” Waylen asked coldly while looking at Florence; he instinctively thought that she wanted to make fun of him intentionally.
“I can help you,” replied Florence confidently while raising an eyebrow.
“Help me?” Waylen paused for a moment before responding; he didn’t seem quite sure how to react yet.
“If you like Maria so much, then I can help you get closer to her,” continued Florence while tapping on the table with one finger.
Waylen’s eyebrows twitched slightly but even though he didn’t say anything aloud yet, deep down inside, he knew that this was exactly what he wanted all along! So naturally… he agreed!
Florence wore an expression full of confidence which erased any doubts or suspicions lingering within Waylen’s mind.
As long as Maria’s scandal was exposed during the opening ceremony, Jane, as the CEO of Star Entertainment, would naturally be held accountable. By then, the fans would create a storm of public opinion, and everyone would witness the disgraceful end of Jane, that shameless and despicable person!
Thinking about this, Florence was eagerly anticipating the outcome.
…
“Achoo!”
Maria sneezed and her body shook uncontrollably. Fortunately, the director had already called cut, otherwise they would have to reshoot this scene.
Today was a reshoot for the shampoo advertisement. The workload wasn’t heavy, but the shooting time was a bit late.
“Are you sick from catching a cold?” Kim, who had been waiting on the side, walked over with concern when he saw Maria’s condition.
“I think it’s just because I’ve been exposed to too much wind today.” Embarrassed by her runny nose, Maria rubbed it and thought that it might be due to all the hair dryers blowing around during the shoot for effect.
Kim carefully examined Maria’s complexion and still seemed worried about her condition.
Maria joked with him, “Dr. Ragsdill, your professional disease has flared up again! I’m strong and healthy; it isn’t easy for me to get sick.” She even patted her chest as if proving something.
Looking at Maria’s slender arms, Kim couldn’t help but laugh out loud. He looked around before leaning in closer towards Maria, “Can I treat you to some late-night snacks? As compensation for being blown by cold air all day?”
At the mention of food at night-time, Maria’s eyes lit up but then hesitated, “No way! I want to lose weight.”
“Eating one meal won’t hurt; besides no one else wants to treat you? You can order whatever you like,” Kim said softly like a snake tempting Eve in Eden Garden.
Maria who wasn’t very determined began wobbling after hearing his words. There is no such thing as free lunch in this world but maybe there could be free dinner?
“You really want to treat me?” she blinked her eyes innocently at him.
“Of course! When have I ever lied or cheated you before?” Kim smiled warmly back at her.
“Well then… Mr. Big Shot, don’t blame me, an ordinary worker, if I end up exploiting your generosity!” With dimples showing on both cheeks while laughing mischievously, she teased him playfully.
Kim felt his heart soften upon seeing those dimples, “I wouldn’t mind…” he muttered under his breath.
“What did you say?” Still thinking about what food they should eat later on, Maria didn’t hear what he said earlier so she turned back towards him asking curiously.
“I said that my wallet is ready,” replied Kim pushing up his glasses while smiling gently.
“Great! Let me go inform my agent first,” waved goodbye with excitement written all over face, Maria packed up quickly and went off looking for her agent.
Hearing that Maria wanted to go eat with Kim after work hours ended, the agent didn’t have any reason not to agree since these were times when she could arrange things herself anyway. However …
“Maria, do you think Dr. Ragsdill is interested in you?” The agent’s sharp gaze swept across Maria’s face before looking up at Kim, who was standing nearby.
Maria, who was packing her things, stopped when she heard the agent’s words.
“What are you talking about? We’re just good friends,” Maria explained.
“Maybe,” the agent guessed simply. But she had heard that Kim was a fan of Maria’s.
“Well, I’m leaving now.” Maria straightened her back and stretched her stiff neck.
“Be careful not to get caught by the media again or there will be trouble,” the agent reminded her.
“I know all that. I’ll be careful,” Maria nodded and wondered if she should tell her online followers about their dinner tonight. But what if it caused trouble for Kim? She decided to talk to him later about it instead.
“Let’s go.”
Fully equipped with sunglasses and a hat, Maria stood in front of Kim with a mysterious look on her face which made him burst out laughing.
“What’s so funny?” She took off her sunglasses and looked at him puzzledly.
“Why are you dressed like this?” Kim pointed at Maria’s hat and sunglasses while still smiling.
“I’m a star! Of course I have to avoid the media.”
“But do we really need to go through all this trouble?”
Kim looked at how cute Maria looked right then; his smile grew even wider as he said, “I’ve already taken care of everything regarding paparazzi.”
Maria felt even more curious about his mysterious background as they went together to an underwater restaurant that many internet celebrities recommended. The dishes were also ones that she liked very much so Kim had booked them ahead of time.
However, after arriving at the restaurant, Maria felt uneasy for some reason; she glanced behind but nothing seemed out of place in the parking lot.