Maria’s drama had finished filming, and the crew members gave her a bouquet of flowers and took a photo with her for a keepsake.
Just as Maria was chatting with her agent, preparing to leave by car, the director approached.
The director was accompanied by the assistant director.
The director’s clothes were wrinkled, obviously not washed for a few days, but he didn’t mind at all. Instead, he casually said to Maria, “Maria, are you busy?”
Maria was puzzled. “Not really, is there something you need?”
The director coughed and said, “Nothing much, it’s just that the drama has wrapped up, and we’re planning to hold a wrap party. Would you like to come?”
The director was a bit nervous because Maria was a star, and her time was precious. If she had something else to do and couldn’t attend, he couldn’t force her.
But it was a bit regrettable since everyone had been working together for so long and hadn’t had a meal together at a fancy restaurant.
The boxed lunches they had eaten together didn’t count.
Maria couldn’t make the decision on her own, so she looked at her agent and asked, “Can we have dinner together tonight?”
“Of course,” the agent thought for a moment. She didn’t have any plans for tomorrow. Besides, having dinner with the director and other crew members wasn’t a bad thing. After all, Maria would continue working in the industry, and maintaining good relationships with colleagues would be beneficial.
Little did they know how many people wanted to have dinner with the director but hadn’t had the opportunity.
Since the agent weighed the pros and cons, she let Maria go.
The hotel that the director booked for the wrap party was the Kirin Grand Hotel, which was well-known in the city.
When the crew members saw it was the Kirin Grand Hotel, they teased the director, asking if he had struck it rich.
The director waved his hand repeatedly, indicating that it was the investor who had money.
Although Maria was a celebrity, she didn’t have any airs. She could chat with anyone on set. So at the wrap party, many people wanted to toast her.
However, as a star, it wouldn’t look good if she got drunk. Even though she knew everyone had good intentions, after drinking two glasses, she switched to fruit juice.
Everyone understood Maria’s status, so when she switched to fruit juice, they expressed their understanding.
The wrap party was held in a large room on the first floor, with at least twenty to thirty people inside. Even with fruit juice, Maria couldn’t handle it. After chatting with everyone for a while, she couldn’t hold it any longer and needed to use the restroom.
The agent followed her because she was worried about her.
Maria leaned close to her agent’s ear and whispered, “I need to use the restroom.”
The agent nodded, assuring her to go ahead.
Maria hurriedly left and went to the restroom.
There were very few people in the women’s restroom. When Maria entered, there was no one inside.
First, she entered a stall and quickly came out after finishing her business.
As she washed her hands and looked at herself in the mirror, she realized that she had been sweating for a while, and her makeup had smudged a bit.
Maria touched up her makeup in the mirror, then grabbed her purse and prepared to return to the banquet hall.
…
Although Kim was forced to go on a blind date with Adeline, since he had already come, he kindly escorted Adeline out.
As they walked and talked, although Adeline was somewhat displeased that Kim had been deceived into coming, she was satisfied with him as a blind date.
Kim was charming and handsome, and Adeline couldn’t help but sigh if only it were a simple blind date.
The two of them were engrossed in their conversation and were about to walk out of the hotel entrance.
When Maria came out of the restroom, she saw a couple ahead who looked very compatible. The more she looked, the more she felt that the man’s figure was familiar. She quickened her pace and called out, “Kim?”
Kim heard his name and reflexively turned around in response.
When he saw it was Maria, he felt a bit flustered.
Why was she here?
Adeline, on the other hand, was confused. She looked at Kim with bright eyes, hoping that he would introduce the two of them.
Maria misunderstood. Did Kim and this woman have a date here?
Maria stumbled for a moment, finding it hard to believe.
Did Kim deceive her? Was the woman in the short skirt next to him his girlfriend?
Even though Maria was heartbroken, she couldn’t help but size up Adeline, wanting to see what made her better than herself.
Adeline also quietly looked at Maria. From their interaction, it was clear that there was some affection between Kim and Adeline.
“Kim, did you deceive me?!”
Even though Maria had only had two drinks, her face turned slightly red.
She passionately accused Kim.
If he really had someone else, why did he bother to provoke her?
Kim, seeing Maria’s misunderstanding, hurriedly explained, “It’s not what you think, you’ve misunderstood.”
Maria glanced at the bewildered Adeline and sneered, “Misunderstood? Should I assume she’s your sister then?”
Maria didn’t believe for a moment that they were relatives. Judging from the eager look on the woman’s face, it was obvious she had an interest in Kim.
Kim was a bit anxious. He didn’t know how to explain his relationship with Adeline. If he said they were on a blind date, the situation would be even worse.
Their parents, to give Kim and Adeline some space to chat, stayed behind for a few minutes before leaving.
Just as they left, they saw Kim and Maria entangled in a conversation, while Adeline stood there looking helpless.
Mrs. Ragsdill’s expression changed when she saw Maria.
She thought Maria knew that she had arranged the blind date for Kim and intentionally came to cause trouble.
She walked over, looked at Maria with an imposing manner, and said loudly, “Miss Marner, what do you want?”
Maria pursed her lips when she saw Mrs. Ragsdill. She knew Mrs. Ragsdill didn’t particularly like her. But she liked Kim, and causing embarrassment for Mrs. Ragsdill at the entrance was something she hadn’t planned on.
Mrs. Ragsdill saw Maria’s innocent expression and became even angrier.
“Miss Marner, you don’t know, do you? The person next to you is Adeline Faulkner, Kim’s fiancée.”
Maria’s face turned pale. Kim had a fiancée?
Kim’s face also changed. He didn’t expect his mother to say such a thing when the matter wasn’t even certain yet.
Kim’s face turned serious as he looked at Mrs. Ragsdill. “Mom, what are you talking about?”
Mrs. Ragsdill couldn’t contain her anger when she saw her son defending Maria like that.
“What am I talking about?”
She glared at him.
Mrs. Ragsdill went over and hugged Adeline, speaking as if it were a serious matter, “I’m satisfied with Adeline anyway.”
Adeline shyly lowered her head.
Seeing Kim standing up for Maria without backing down, Mrs. Ragsdill gritted her teeth and said, “Kim, let me tell you, our family is not a place just anyone can enter.”
“Mom, can you please stop?”
The more Kim defended Maria, the angrier Mrs. Ragsdill became.