Vicky had come for the audition of The Lost City because she perhaps did not know that the screenwriter of the web series was Summer. But after what happened for the past two days, she should have known.
…
When Summer was out of the movie studio, a white van stopped in front of her. As the sliding door slid open, Emerson Vicky got out of the van. Wearing sunglasses and a leather jacket in the month of August, Vicky had gone all out just to look cool.
Vicky folded her arms and came in front of Summer with her chin raised in a haughty manner. “I heard your mom said you were also in the movie studio.”
Summer said nothing, just looking at Vicky.
Summer’s reaction had angered her, but thinking of why she was there, she grinned and bore it.
“Did you write The Lost City?” Vicky asked.
“Uh-huh.” Summer wondered what Vicky was up to.
Vicky took off her sunglasses. “You’ve got a good relationship with the producer? I like the script. Not necessarily the female lead, but at least arrange for me to act as a supporting actress. Then I will wipe the slate clean and you can return to the Jarrett family.”
Wipe the slate clean? Summer sneered. “What do you mean by wiping the slate clean? What have I done against you? I wouldn’t return to the Jarrett family even if you beg me for it.”
Vicky never expected that Summer was this uncooperative. Her expression changed. “This is the last chance I’m giving you because I sympathize with you for being alone outside. I gave you the chance to return to the Jarrett family, yet you are so unappreciative!”
How could Summer not know what Vicky was thinking? When Vicky said she was giving her the chance to return to the Jarrett family, she just wanted to boss her around just like when she was wearing that ugly makeup. Vicky must be thinking how wonderful her plan was. But Summer was not going to fall for the cheap trick like that.
“As you say, I’m unappreciative. Save the chance for someone else.”
“You…”
Summer walked past Vicky and left.
…
Summer knew the Jarrett family; Vicky would not let go until she got what she wanted.
Sure enough, she got a call from Lynn the next day. If there was ever one good thing about Lynn, it was his endless pampering of his children—except Summer, of course.
“Since you are back in Hoover City, why don’t you come home?” He sounded as if he got dementia, forgetting that he had taken an ad in the newspaper to sever ties with her.
Summer had no plan to let sleeping dogs lie. “Since Mr. Jarrett has forgotten, let me remind you we are no longer father and daughter.”
However, Lynn ignored what she said. “If you are willing to come home, I’m willing to forget the past.”
Summer scoffed. “What have I done to you we need to forget the past?”
Summer felt that she could never understand what these people from the Jarrett family were thinking. It was apparent that she was the one who had been made use of and forsaken all along. But in the words of the Jarretts, she was the one who had wronged them, and they were kind enough to forgive her and allow her to return to the family.
“You know what you have done. No matter what, we the Jarrett family were the ones who raised you. Now it’s your turn to pay your debt of gratitude.”
“Mr. Jarrett, please check your brain if you have the time. Something must be wrong somewhere in your head.” Summer hung up at once.
She poured herself a glass of water, gulped it all down, then let out a long sigh as she sat down on the sofa. As there was no more food left in the house, she decided to do some shopping.
She drove to the nearest hypermarket. When she returned, an expensive car was parked up in front of the apartment complex. As expensive as the vehicle was, it was still nowhere as expensive as Leonardo’s. But still, it looked out of place in this neighborhood.
Summer received a notification on her mobile phone. Taking it out, she saw that it was a message from Jerome.
“Get into my car. I have something for you.”
She read the message and looked at the expensive car again. Walking over to the car and opening the door, she saw a man smoking inside the car. It was none other than Jerome.
“What are you doing here?” Summer frowned as she looked at him.
“Looking for you.” He put out the cigarette in his hand.
The thick smoke still lingered inside. Summer felt it nauseating and fanned her hand in front of her nose. As she looked at him suspiciously, only then she saw something was not quite right with him. The ashtray was overflowing with cigarette stubs, and he looked haggard.
“What’s wrong?” Summer asked.
“Are you concerned about me?” He looked at her.
As Summer turned around to leave, he called out, “Summer, I’ve got something for you.” She looked back, and Jerome continued. “It’s something you want.”
Only then she turned around. “Let’s talk over a cup of coffee. Should we?”
“We will talk in the car.” Jerome wound down the car window.
The evening wind felt a little cool. Summer got in and sat beside Jerome. He handed her an envelope.
“See for yourself.”
She glanced at him, took the envelope and opened it. It was a DNA report. There was no name written on it, just the result at the end of the report.
Summer’s heart skipped a beat. “Who are they in this DNA report?”
Jerome fished out a cigarette. “One of them is Adams.” He then reached for his lighter. Seeing Summer covering her nose, he tucked it back and just fiddled the cigarette in his hand.
“Adams?” Summer’s expression changed, her mind blank for a while.
Jerome explained, “Adams had this DNA test done during the height of the gossip between you and him last year.”
She ran some calculations in her mind. Adams had masterminded the gossip, especially the second time where he had directed public opinion against Tip Top. He had started to show his intention of facing off with Leonardo at the time. Could it be that Adams’s sudden change of disposition to part with Leonardo had something to do with this DNA report?
Summer turned to look at him. “So who is the other person in the DNA test?”
Jerome’s lips curled up in a smile. “Adams was very careful not to have names written in the report, but it is not hard to figure that out.”