An hour later, it was the chubby girl’s turn to meet Bianca. As Bianca looked up at her, she smiled and asked, “Are you here to audition as an artist?”
The chubby girl shook her head, her hands nervously fidgeting, tracing circles with her finger.
“You’re not?” Bianca was a bit confused.
The girl nodded again.
Even though Bianca was confused, she didn’t seem annoyed. She smiled gently and said, “I’m sorry. I’m here to find an artist for an acting job. If you’re here for another role, it’s in the next room.”
“I…” The girl hesitated, then suddenly exclaimed, “Bianca, you’re my idol! I’m a big fan of yours!”
Bianca blinked and nodded politely, “Thank you.”
“No matter what job it is, if I can get a job here, I’ll do anything!” The girl’s face turned bright red like she had put all her energy into saying that.
“Let me take a look at your resume first.”
Despite being a fan, getting into this place wasn’t easy; she needed an interview.
Hearing this, the girl quickly pulled out a crumpled resume from the big pocket of her jeans.
“Sorry, I… I forgot it,” the girl admitted nervously.
Bianca smiled politely and took her resume.
“Reese Vance… You studied computer science?” Bianca looked up, studying the chubby girl in front of her.
“Yes,” the girl answered, feeling nervous.
Bianca reviewed her resume and commented, “Your achievements in university are impressive, winning a computer competition. With this resume, you could easily get a job at an internet company. Why apply for a position here?”
“Because…” Reese pursed her lips, her cheeks puffing out. “Because I really admire you. I want to work with you.”
Bianca looked at her warmly. The girl’s eyes were sincere, reminding her of her own hopeful days after graduation.
Lowering her head, Bianca smiled and set the resume aside. “As luck would have it, we have an opening in network technology. You can start here.”
“Great! Thank you! I’ll do my best.” The girl beamed happily.
Bianca smiled softly. This girl was truly charming.
At two in the afternoon, inside the Rivercross Club…
Earlier, Stacey had told Petter she was meeting acquaintances-wives of successful men who might help their company. Petter, preoccupied with various issues, didn’t object and gave her the go-ahead.
She pushed open the door to the club’s most luxurious private room on the second floor.
Inside, she immediately noticed a man sitting in the middle of a sofa. He wore a white shirt and black vest, lounging with his legs crossed, leaning lazily against the sofa’s back.
As Stacey entered, the man’s sharp and composed gaze subtly narrowed.
They hadn’t seen each other in twenty years, yet Stacey remained captivating. Today, she wore a purple, figure-hugging dress that swayed gracefully as she approached. Approaching forty, she had aged gracefully, looking no older than her thirties.
“Rupert, it’s been a while,” Stacey said as she walked over and sat beside him. Today, she had dressed up deliberately, her face delicately made up. She elegantly tucked strands of hair behind her ears, exuding mature allure with every gesture.
Rupert Evans smiled and slipped his arm around Stacey’s shoulder. “I never expected you to still captivate me after almost twenty years.”
With a faint smile on her lips, Stacey looked at him softly. Her slender index finger gently covered his lips in a seductive gesture. “I don’t put much trust in a man’s words. I believed what you said twenty years ago and ended up abandoned. Do you think I’d believe you again after another twenty years?”
Rupert laughed, poured a glass of whiskey, and handed it to Stacey. “I like smart women. So, what brings you here today?”
Stacey drank the whiskey in one gulp. In the past, she had been the top escort at this club and could easily out-drink a dozen men.
She had gained some fame and had to drink with Rupert. After their time together, Rupert tried to distance himself from the situation.
Later, when Stacey found out she was pregnant, she discovered Rupert was from the wealthy Evans family, one of the four prominent clans. She decided to keep the baby and use it as leverage to make Rupert take responsibility. The Evans family had strict rules against their members being involved with women outside of marriage. Rupert initially thought about getting rid of Stacey to avoid trouble, but his plans changed when his wife had a premature birth and lost their child. This tragedy made Rupert more compassionate toward his illegitimate child.
Rupert, usually a ruthless man, might have feared losing another child, which led him to offer Stacey a settlement to end the situation.
Stacey, smart as she was, knew that pressing Rupert would only make things worse for her. She hoped that by keeping the baby, she might improve her situation in the future.
After Stacey had Ashley, her money quickly ran out, and her job at the club was gone. With no financial support, she struggled for eight years, living in the slums while raising her daughter alone.
Later, she got a job as a servant for the Scott family. Noticing that Petter was single after his divorce, she saw a chance to make a move.
Once she became Mrs. Scott, Rupert unexpectedly reached out to ask about her child.
Rupert’s wife couldn’t have more children after losing their baby, and since his marriage was a business deal, he couldn’t divorce without his father’s approval. With no heir, he remembered Stacey’s child.
He promised Stacey that if her child ever needed help, he would step in, but otherwise, he wouldn’t interfere in their lives.
This showed that his concern was only for the child and that he had no interest in Stacey’s life.
Stacey clenched her fists. She had suffered for years and was determined never to return to a life of poverty and shame.
With these thoughts in mind, Stacey’s smile became softer and more seductive. She gently traced circles on Rupert’s chest with her fingers, knowing he enjoyed the flirtatious gesture.
“Ashley… She’s angered the Reed family, who are very powerful. She’s at risk, and they could easily make her disappear. Golden Gate Films has also acted against her, blocking her and posting a compromising video of her and her ex on the internet. Her reputation is in shambles, making it hard for her to find a future husband or continue her career.”
Rupert listened quietly, lighting a cigarette and relaxing on the sofa.
“Tell me about your stepdaughter’s boyfriend. There are many people with the Evans name. Why would I be interested in him?”
Stacey’s lips slightly curled as she answered, “He’s tall and extremely handsome, with a strong presence. It made me feel…”