Rebirth vs. Rebirth Tragedy to Triumph by Violeta and Zelena [[Chapters 491, to 500]] – Daisy Novels 

Chapter 491

Now that Benson was back, things were bound to change. With his overseas diploma in hand, Benson returned home, and Carl arranged a position for him within the Ridge Group.

Despite Liam’s mother’s objections, this decision was final and unchangeable.

Carl hoped to witness a rivalry between Benson and Liam, eager to see which of his sons was truly stronger.

Survival of the fittest – the one who emerged victorious would inherit the Ridge Group.

For the company and the family’s long-term future, this was clearly the better choice.

This was why wealthy families often favoured having many children.

Zelena’s fall from the horse was just as Violeta had expected.

Even if Zelena hadn’t fallen, Violeta’s plan ensured she would have an accident on a reality show, causing her old injury to flare up.

If an injury to the lower back is not properly rested, it will be difficult to fully heal and will likely leave a lasting problem.

Zelena’s career demanded constant activity, making proper rest nearly impossible.

Moreover, she was highly ambitious.

She was determined to surpass Violeta, and she took her career very seriously.

Unable to secure good roles in film and TV, Zelena found her comfort zone in reality shows.

Modern reality shows often feature sensational content to attract viewers. They included heart-to-heart discussions with shocking revelations or thrilling games.

Recently, ‘Beyond Limits’ garnered exceptionally high ratings.

Zelena’s competitive nature made her take on challenges she couldn’t handle, often pushing herself beyond her limits.

She greatly overestimated herself.

It was only a matter of time before things went wrong.

When she was filming ‘Spring in Moon City, her back injury became a pivotal issue.

The injury would haunt her for life, making it uncomfortable to stand or sit for long periods of time.

Having such a condition at a young age was tough to bear.

Prolonged periods of recovery would leave her in a state of inactivity.

Gradually, she would disappear from the big screen.

It wouldn’t take long; just six months would be enough to bring Zelena down.

If she insisted on working, it would only benefit Violeta.

Neglecting her back injury would worsen the condition, making her old age even more painful.

Since her debut, Violeta has never openly targeted Zelena.

She was well aware that Zelena’s “switched lives for eighteen years” story was a potent card that would blow up soon.

After being reborn, Violeta could change many things but couldn’t alter the fact that she and Zelena had indeed lived each other’s lives for eighteen years.

For eighteen years, Violeta had enjoyed Zelena’s life as a wealthy heiress.

Zelena had severely retaliated against Violeta in her previous life, but she was unable to discuss it.

The media easily swayed the public.

If Zelena played the victim, pretending to be innocent, Violeta’s career would be in ruins when the truth came out.

The headline ‘Stole Someone’s Life for Eighteen Years’ would immediately bias internet users, who would naturally sympathize with the weaker party.

Violeta would face an unprecedented public relations crisis.

One misstep could destroy everything she had built in her career.

Therefore, Violeta couldn’t afford any stains on her reputation.

She couldn’t allow Zelena to hold any evidence against her.

You can’t keep secrets in the entertainment industry for long. Eventually, anyone could dig up Violeta’s actions over the years.

If Violeta openly targeted Zelena, it would eventually come to light.

Violeta knew that if there was any evidence, Zelena would go to the media and make claims.

“I don’t know what I did wrong. Ever since I debuted, Violeta seemed to always block my way. I never wanted to compete with her, but why? Why won’t she get along with me… Boohoo! I really saw her as my sister. I don’t blame her for taking my life for eighteen years. Seriously, I don’t blame her at all.”

Chapter 492

When people on the internet hear what she has to say, they will quickly overpower Violeta with their opinions.

The more successful Violeta becomes, the harder her downfall will be.

Here are three methods to address this issue.

The first option is that Violeta could decide not to chase an acting career from the start.

She has gone back to the Whites and can enjoy a comfortable life as the heiress of the Whites.

In doing so, Zelena wouldn’t be able to control her, and perhaps Zelena might even be jealous of Violeta’s life as a rich heiress in Quinston.

However, this is not a feasible option.

First, Violeta has always been passionate about acting. She dreams of becoming a famous actress and delivering award acceptance speeches on stage.

She has dedicated two lifetimes of effort towards this ambition.

Violeta isn’t interested in any other career, nor does she wish to live as the wealthy heiress in the Whites, merely awaiting death.

Second, Violeta desires revenge. She wants to make Zelena pay for all the injustices from her past life.

Therefore, she does not even contemplate the first option.

The second option is that once she is back with the Whites, Violeta could convince Irene to join Anton in seeking revenge on the Blake family.

They could bankrupt the Blake Group, destroy Josh and Sharon’s reputation, and make sure Zelena has no chance for redemption.

Unfortunately, Violeta is unable to take this path either.

As a person, she cannot erase her childhood memories.

She experienced a joyful upbringing under Josh and Sharon’s care.

They truly provided Violeta with the best they had to offer.

Those memories once brought warmth to Violeta’s heart, helping her to persevere through her long and challenging life.

Before Zelena returned, Violeta was cherished as their prized possession.

After Zelena’s return, they felt remorseful for the pain their biological daughter had endured.

As a result of Zelena’s influence, an irreversible divide grew between them and Violeta, pushing them further apart.

The eighteen years of care and kindness remained deeply etched in Violeta’s memory.

Even when Fiona and her husband had once helped Violeta, she felt strongly about repaying even the smallest act of kindness, let alone the profound care she received as the Blakes’ child.

She believed that at the very least, one should not behave like a beast.

Josh and Sharon raised her, and even if their family connection was weak and they couldn’t truly be family, they could at least be strangers who stayed out of each other’s way.

Her hatred was solely directed at Zelena, and she didn’t want to drag the entire Blake family into it.

Additionally, in Violeta’s recollection…

Years later, the Blake Group faced a financial crisis. Zelena was unable to save the family business, and the outcome was bleak. The Blake Group eventually collapsed in the turmoil.

The third option is for Violeta to keep pursuing her acting career, achieving heights that Zelena could never reach and surpassing her in every way.

However, this path is also fraught with high risks, as Zelena’s intense jealousy could result in secret schemes and plots against her.

Violeta needed to be vigilant and cautious to avoid giving Zelena any advantage.

Clearly, she opted for the toughest third option.

She had been planning for so long that a bit more time wouldn’t matter.

Everyone was included in her scheme, from Zelena to Hattie.

Debts that needed to be repaid and wrongs that needed to be addressed were unavoidable.

Zelena’s trendy search for injuries stayed on Facebook for three days.

Her projects for the next six months were taken away by many, like hyenas devouring their prey.

But Hattie was the one leading the charge.

When Zelena woke up in the hospital, she discovered she was once again wearing a back brace.

This time, she realized she couldn’t move at all.

Even a simple twist of her waist, something she used to do effortlessly, now strained her aching ligaments and muscles, making her grit her teeth in agony.

“D*mn it! Those cursed horses and I just don’t get along. I never want to see them again.”

The assistant had just finished the admission paperwork and arrived at the ward with Trina.

Noticing Zelena was awake, Trina quickly approached and asked, “Lena, how are you feeling now?”

Hearing the voice, Zelena tried to turn her head to look at them, but this movement strained her waist ligaments once more, making her wince in pain, “Ouch!

“Isn’t there anything for the pain? It really hurts…

Chapter 493

Trina responded, “Yes.”

She then signaled her assistant to bring the nurse.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, she asked Zelena, “Lena, tell me right away, what happened that caused you to fall from the horse?

“How did this happen again?”

Zelena shut her eyes, realizing she couldn’t even lift her hand without causing pain in her waist.

She said, “I’m not sure. I probably didn’t grip the bridle properly. Everything happened so quickly, I couldn’t see clearly. D*mn it, I shouldn’t have ridden that horse.”

Trina gazed at her with concern and said, “Lena, your injury is truly a serious matter.”

Zelena asked, “What’s the matter?”

Trina replied, “With this injury, you won’t be able to participate in any shoots for at least six months, and a full recovery could take one to two years.

“Once the news of your injury is made public, the online comments will be manageable, but there are already people in the industry looking to take over your opportunities, especially Hattie’s team.”

She remarked, “Trina, please help me. I don’t care who ends up with my projects, just not that Hattie! And definitely not Violeta either.”

Trina sighed with resignation, “Protecting your projects isn’t as simple as it seems.”

Zelena remained silent.

Trina continued, “What can we do to safeguard our projects? Ignoring the schedule isn’t an option, and this incident has affected ‘Friendly Strangers’ as well. Luckily, we are the victims here, and the crew hasn’t caused us any further issues yet. They should cover the medical costs, and if we go to court, we might even get compensation for emotional distress and lost income… “

Zelena quickly responded, “No, we can’t damage our relationship with the crew. How will I be able to continue in this industry?”

Trina said, “Lena, we need to focus on protecting our benefits right now. Why are you…”

Zelena interrupted, “I said no. I’m not going to just wait and suffer. I’ll recover as quickly as I can… Ouch, it hurts so much…

Trina gazed at Zelena with a deeply conflicted expression.

She finally asked a question she had been pondering for a long time.

“Lena, what made you decide to become a star in the first place?”

“Huh?”

Zelena was taken aback by the question and replied, “Well, to become famous, of course.”

Trina said, “That’s a common response, but many people are really in it for the money.

“I’ve been in this industry for fifteen years, and I see things clearly. Female artists only have a few peak years. Even though our popularity and influence are still strong, the reality is that the variety show field has a low ceiling.

“In a limited timeframe, the key is to maximise personal benefits as much as possible.”

She gently reminded Zelena that making money should be the primary focus.

But Zelena looked somewhat disdainful and replied, “Do you mean to make money? My family is already well-off. If it was just about money, why would I put myself through all this in this field?”

Trina’s eyes brightened a little as she stood up from the bed and said, “Yes, you’re right.”

There are rarely wealthy heiresses who enter the entertainment industry unless they genuinely love it.

Trina could see that Zelena wasn’t fond of the entertainment industry and lacked passion for acting.

She was probably drawn by superficial fame.

Only the mountain remains steadfast. People will run away. Relying on oneself is the most reliable way to ensure security.

Trina had witnessed many individuals who, driven by ambition, sacrificed friends, family, and loved ones.

When ambition is matched with strength, rewards will follow.

However, Zelena’s current situation was increasingly resembling that of many short-lived celebrities in the entertainment industry.

As Trina noticed that she wasn’t heeding her advice, she began to strategize her next steps.

Hattie took the lead in attempting to seize Zelena’s projects.

Following team negotiations, the initial round did not succeed.

Since the other party was unaware of the specific details regarding Zelena’s situation, any issues would result in the party that first breaches the contract facing a penalty.

Meanwhile, some brands favour Zelena and are not easily influenced.

It wasn’t until the afternoon that the news broke. Zelena’s team had announced she was on sick leave.

Chapter 494

Some brands are beginning to collaborate with new artists.

Meanwhile, just when Zelena was preparing to confront Hattie, another major trendy search took over the charts.

‘Evelina Drayton revealed that her boyfriend, Alaric Thornton, was having an affair.’

This trendy search didn’t appear out of nowhere.

After Evelina’s Facebook post at 2 p.m., it rapidly rose to the top of the charts, catching the attention of internet users.

Zelena was stunned when she saw this trending search at the hospital.

In her mind, she quickly wondered. Who is Evelina Drayton?

She barely remembered this relatively unknown actress until the movie ‘The Lies in Winter’ came to mind, and then she realized Evelina was the female lead in it.

Evelina is dating Alaric?

So, what’s the connection between Alaric and Hattie?

Zelena initially intended to use the photos to blackmail Hattie, but this issue completely threw off her strategy.

In that case, she decided to wait and see what would happen.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Violeta had just wrapped up filming the new banner advertisement for biscuits in the studio.

Aster indulged herself with a basket of sample cookies.

Sitting in a corner, she surfed the internet while munching on the cookies. When she saw the trending news, her eyes widened in surprise, her reaction mirroring that of Zelena.

Evelina and Alaric… are a couple?

In her lengthy post, Evelina detailed that she and Alaric had been together for seven years, dating from high school, through college, and now into their professional lives.

Initially, they supported each other and made their debut together.

But unexpectedly, starting last month, Alaric began ignoring her messages, showing a lack of warmth, and Evelina even discovered women’s items at his place.

She wasn’t naive and quickly grasped the situation. She had been betrayed.

After some consideration, she chose to reveal this betrayal.

She wrote a lengthy post on Facebook to expose the sc*mbag.

Once Violeta finished her filming, Aster quickly stood up and said, “Ms. White, there’s another major scandal.”

Violeta, feeling anxious, asked, “What’s happening?”

Aster replied with excitement, “Evelina and Alaric are in a relationship! They’ve been together for seven years, even through a long-distance relationship!”

Violeta was momentarily taken aback. “Evelina…”

In her mind, she quickly remembered the recent announcement

of a new movie, featuring the face of an innocent girl.

“Did they announce it?” Violeta asked.

“No, Evelina revealed Alaric’s affair!”

Violeta remained silent.

Aster eagerly explained the details of the Facebook post to Violeta.

Violeta’s memories became clearer.

She recalled her previous doubts.

If Alaric keeps progressing as he is now, his future is sure to be promising.

So why doesn’t she remember Alaric very well?

Even though there have been some changes in this lifetime, celebrities who make a name for themselves in the entertainment industry are usually famous, even if Violeta hasn’t met them personally.

Alaric didn’t make a lasting impression on her. So, it’s either he left the entertainment industry partway through or he was just a brief sensation.

In Violeta’s previous life, something must have occurred that led to his early death.

As Violeta was reflecting on this, Aster read the entire lengthy

text and then leaned in to quietly ask her, “Ms. White, what are your thoughts on his lover?”

Violeta blinked and responded, “What’s your opinion?”

Aster’s eyes brightened as she replied, “You share my thoughts!”

Lately, the promotional campaign for ‘Firelight’ has become very popular online.

The most notable promotion was the one involving Alaric and Hattie.

Additionally, Aster had previously seen Alaric waiting for someone in the parking lot.

Even though Violeta didn’t have any proof, a bit of creative thinking could suggest a connection between Alaric and Hattie.

It’s unclear whether Hattie is aware that Alaric is already involved with someone this time.

If she isn’t aware, then she might also be a victim in this situation.

If Hattie is aware, then she truly deserves the consequences she faces.

Once Evelina’s lengthy post reached the top trending search, it began to make an impact.

Alaric’s Facebook comments section was hacked and taken over.

Notably, aside from advertisements, the top five posts on his Facebook were all about the couple’s promotion of ‘Firelight’ featuring Hattie.

合

Chapter 495

When ‘Firelight’ became popular, Alaric updated his profile picture to a couple’s photo with Hattie, claiming it was for the movie’s promotion.

Back then, fans were really excited, but now… they feel embarrassed.

Alaric has been unfaithful and has been spending a lot of time with Hattie lately.

Could it be that Hattie is the person Alaric cheated with?

Some netizens quickly went to Hattie’s Facebook to inquire.

‘Hattie, what do you make of Evelina’s detailed post about Alaric?’

‘Hattie, is Alaric being unfaithful to you?’

However, some rational netizens stepped in to challenge this.

‘Hey, what’s the matter with you all? Hattie never claimed she was involved with Alaric. It was all for the promotion of the movie.’

The headline of Evelina’s detailed post is: ‘Alaric, you might be able to hide love for one person, but hiding love for two is another story.’

This line became the theme of the comments on Alaric’s Facebook.

Alaric’s agency quickly contacted his manager to get details about the situation.

But now even the manager was in a tough spot.

The media had been flooding his phone with calls!

Bang!

Alaric’s manager, Carmel Demir, pounded the table angrily. “Where is Alaric right now? Why can’t you get in touch with him?”

Since the incident, the assistant who normally stayed close to Alaric has also been unable to locate him.

He seemed to have disappeared, hiding away like a turtle pulling into its shell.

Meanwhile, in the upscale apartment…

Alaric was having a heated argument with Hattie.

“Listen, Hattie, there’s no need for this argument. I’ve already ended things with her. It’s her intention to make things difficult for me,” Alaric explained.

Hattie eyed him skeptically. “Alaric, do you think I’m stupid? Evelina said you were together for seven years, and now you claim it ended a long time ago? If you’ve broken up, why does she still have the key to your place? It’s awful. Don’t drag me into this mess, or you’ll regret it.”

Alaric grabbed Hattie’s arm and said, “I promise I won’t let anything you said slip, but you need to help me clear this up. The situation is still intense, and even if I stay silent, I can’t stop them from shifting the attention to you.”

Hattie shook off his hand and replied, “Alaric, let’s cut off all contact from now on. Don’t reach out to me again.”

Alaric, clearly frustrated, said, “Why don’t you believe me?”

Hattie responded, “Believe you? Haha, whether I believe you or not doesn’t matter. What’s important is that I never planned on a future with you!”

With that, she put on her sunglasses and slammed the door behind her.

Alaric watched Hattie leave with a look of despair.

He then went to the living room, took out his phone, and turned

it on. As soon as it powered up, he was bombarded with calls from his assistant.

He picked up the call, rubbing his forehead with his hand.

“Hello.”

“Alaric, where are you?”

“I’ll head back to the office later. See you there.”

The gossip is heating up.

People online are increasingly feeling sorry for Evelina’s seven lost years and are bashing Alaric for being a coward.

Hattie is also caught up in this, and her team quickly released a statement in the evening.

The statement stressed that Hattie did not meddle in others’ relationships and was embarrassed by such actions.

It seems that everyone in the entertainment industry was chatting about it that night.

Hattie was in a state of panic, and it was obvious that if she were linked to this, the fallout would be severe.

Violeta’s work on re-recording “Spring in Moon City” would go on until the end of next month..

Therefore, she had a relatively relaxed schedule.

She requested Eugene to get her a personalised chess set and intended to give it to Wade when she had a chance.

The following morning, when she went to the office to collect it, she was surprised to see that a new female artist had joined the company.

Eugene and Lance were both present, and they made a big deal out of introducing her to Violeta.

“Violeta, meet Evelina Drayton, our new artist signed by our agency.”

Evelina, wearing a white dress from a mid-range luxury brand, stood next to Lance with a smile and greeted her warmly, “Hello, Violeta. Nice to meet you.”

Chapter 496

Her smile resembled a delicate white blossom.

Violeta paused for a brief moment, “Evelina?”

Lance explained, “That’s right, Evelina has never been with an agency before, and now she’s becoming part of the Apex Entertainment.”

Eugene approached Violeta, carrying a chess set, and said, “Beauty, let’s head out.”

Violeta offered a slight smile to Evelina. “We can talk when we have a chance.”

Evelina stayed unmoved until Violeta and Eugene departed together and entered the lounge at the hallway’s end.

Aster was in the lounge.

Upon their arrival, she got up from her chair.

“Ms. White, Mr. Scott, you’re here,” she said.

Violeta nodded at her and then asked Eugene, “Mr. Scott, what is Evelina doing?”

As Eugene spoke, he walked over to the table and placed the chess set down, “Curious, isn’t it?

“She just criticised Alaric harshly online and then joined Apex with a lot of fanfare. Beauty, what do you think she’s trying to achieve with that?”

If Eugene said this, Violeta could only assume the worst.

Violeta furrowed her brow slightly before giving a resigned smile. “Her criticism of Alaric is just a strategy to advance.

“Alaric is really popular right now and has many fans. By attacking him for cheating at this moment, she can capture his popularity and promote her own image simultaneously.”

Alaric and Evelina both started their careers in the same year.

However, aside from Mason’s movie ‘The Lies in Winter’, most of Evelina’s other projects had not been successful in recent years.

Over these years, she not only lost time but also saw her fame fall short of Kaylee’s.

Kaylee benefited from Violeta’s connections, which helped her advance and gain access to valuable projects.

In contrast, Evelina lacked such connections.

“By the way, she recently announced a new movie, but it didn’t attract much attention. However, after she revealed Alaric’s affair, the hype surged dramatically…”

Eugene asked, “Do you think she’s smart enough for this, considering how she looks?”

Violeta didn’t confirm. “Mr. Scott, appearances can be misleading.”

She had been deceived by someone who looked innocent before.

She was determined not to let it happen again.

So, despite Evelina’s seemingly innocent demeanour, Violeta remained cautious, wondering if she might be a scheming person.

Eugene said, “She didn’t come to the company by herself. I got a message last night that she brought her entire team with her: a manager and two assistants. The manager is her elder cousin, and the assistants are her younger cousins.”

Aster remarked, “A family operation, huh?

“Ms. White only has me as an assistant. Why does Evelina need two? Isn’t that a bit flashy?”

Violeta said, “Apex now has three well-known female artists.”

Eugene remarked, “Evelina is only a partial success. Her market value is nearly zero. Compared to you, she doesn’t even come close to Tracy. But I have a feeling that she has grand plans.

“She’s trying to ruin her ex-boyfriend while simultaneously pushing hard to find a superior replacement for herself. Her desire to advance is already clear.”

Aster asked, “Is she taking the main role all by herself and putting her entire family in the limelight?

“She’s debuting alone and then brings her family members, even when joining a new company. What kind of person is she?”

Violeta let out a quiet sigh, walked over to the table, and opened the chess box to take a look.

She picked up a chess piece and turned it over.

It was a rook.

“Let’s handle this gradually.”

Eugene said, “Now that she’s signed with Apex, it’s clear that her next move will be against us. I saw her manager this morning. She had a big mouth and seemed like she could devour me whole.”

Evelina joined Apex with her trendy search, gaining solid support for her future career.

At the same time, Alaric was pushed down by her.

Once the scandal was revealed, all of Alaric’s commercial activities were put on hold.

Alaric’s team tried to contact Evelina on their own.

However, Evelina flatly refused to talk to them and had her manager pass along a message.

‘Don’t even try to deny it. Since I chose to expose it, I have proof.’

Chapter 497

“Alaric, if you’re determined to drag that woman into this mess with you, then let’s see what happens.”

Alaric clenched his teeth and said, “Evelina, you’re out of your mind. We ended things ages ago. I didn’t change the password because you said you were coming back to collect your stuff! Why are you doing this? What’s the point of destroying me for your gain?”

The call ended abruptly, and there was no further reply.

Alaric was extremely angry.

If he had known how things would turn out, he would have never been involved with Evelina.

Carmel observed his distressed state and realized that this situation was likely beyond repair.

However, he knew Alaric better than the rumours.

So he understood that Alaric wasn’t the type to be deceitful.

“When did you end things with her?”

“A while back, but it officially concluded about four months ago,” Alaric responded.

“Four months ago?”

“Yes.”

In reality, Alaric had ended his relationship with Evelina much earlier.

In Evelina’s lengthy post, besides some exaggerations and attempts to play the victim, there was also some truth.

In other words, she and Alaric were indeed together for seven years.

They started dating in high school and stayed together until they made their debut.

Those seven years were undeniably Evelina’s youth.

But didn’t Alaric’s seven years also include his youth?

Evelina came from a poor family. She didn’t have money for living expenses during high school, and her family prioritized boys over girls. They believed she should leave school and work to support her younger brother, rather than spend time in education.

Alaric met her during their second year of high school, and they soon began a relationship.

Alaric came from a relatively wealthy family, and from their second year of high school, Evelina depended on him for her lunch and dinner costs, as well as her school fees.

She had to work on weekends and holidays.

Alaric, feeling sympathetic, would willingly give her money.

When they went to college, Alaric had many admirers who were better than Evelina, and he admitted that he had had moments of doubt. However, he never acted on those feelings to betray her.

Since they attended different universities, there was a distance between them.

The biggest gap happened during the summer break of their third year.

Alaric drove Evelina home and unintentionally overheard a conversation between her and her cousin.

It was then that he discovered their high school meeting had not been a coincidence.

It turned out that everything had been part of Evelina’s carefully planned strategy!

While she seemed innocent, she was actually quite manipulative.

From the start, she was aware that Alaric was from a rich background. She ignored her family’s suggestions to get a job and instead aimed to find a wealthy boyfriend at school, which led her to focus on Alaric.

From their first encounter to her attempts to win his favour, Alaric believed he had met a wonderful girl.

However, he was unaware that what he admired about her was merely a facade.

Following that event, he was left with a lingering sense of hurt.

Eventually, Eveline secured a role in ‘The Lies in Winter’ and landed the coveted female lead spot that many newcomers aspired to.

Alaric wanted to celebrate her success, but she turned down his offer.

He assumed she was still occupied with her studies.

However, much to his astonishment, his close friend happened to spot Evelina at a bar, socialising with other men.

She had turned him down only to hang out with the male lead from the film crew.

His friend even took pictures to show him.

In the end, Alaric saw Evelina for who she really was. He never imagined that the girlfriend he had been with for so long would turn out to be like this.

The family arranged for someone to help him get in touch with the crew and set up his debut role.

Alaric then officially ended his relationship with Evelina.

However, Evelina didn’t accept it. She cried and pleaded with Alaric to reconsider, insisting that she loved him deeply.

Alaric remained firm, as the pain in his heart was too deep, but

he underestimated how persistent she could be.

Evelina had initially believed that landing the female lead in ‘The Lies in Winter’ would launch her to stardom.

She dreamed of achieving instant fame with her debut.

However, when ‘The Lies in Winter’ was released, it didn’t

generate the dramatic success she had hoped for. Although the outcome was positive, it fell short of her expectations.

Her shattered dream of stardom made her cling even more desperately to Alaric.

He was her best option at the time.

Even though Alaric no longer had any feelings for her, they had been together for several years, and she had accumulated many belongings in his apartment.

Chapter 498

Every time, Evelina would make an excuse to go to his apartment to retrieve something.

In reality, her true purpose was to see Alaric, hoping to persuade him and cling to him desperately.

Alaric was tricked by this a few times, but he eventually stopped falling for it. He gave her the apartment password and told her to retrieve it on her own.

Evelina had no other option but to give up when she couldn’t find him.

Until the appearance of the movie ‘Firelight’…

Alaric had previously encountered Hattie on the set of ‘The Chosen One’, and ‘Firelight’ marked their second joint project.

Hattie and Evelina were very different kinds of women.

Alaric had once been badly hurt and had developed a fear of delicate women as a result. He was wary of getting involved with someone like that again.

During the filming of ‘Firelight’, there were several intimate kissing and bedroom scenes between them.

Naturally, this led to some romance between them.

Alaric developed feelings for Hattie, and she did not reject him. They began seeing each other secretly and started a covert relationship.

However, Evelina discovered what was happening.

She was filled with intense jealousy and resentment due to the success of ‘Firelight’ and Alaric’s rising career.

The last time she had a reason to visit the apartment, she came across belongings left by Hattie.

This discovery was what triggered the whole incident.

When Carmel heard the full story, he insisted, “Should we address this with an official statement?”

After thinking it over, Alaric sighed and said, “Evelina has Hattie’s belongings. I don’t want to drag Hattie into this.”

Carmel was outraged. “What am I supposed to do now? Do you think she has feelings while you have principles? Her studio already put out a clarification statement last night!”

Alaric replied, “From the start, she told me it was just a fling, and she’s also a victim in this situation.”

Carmel responded, “And what about you? Are you just a puppet now? Is it really worth jeopardizing your career for this?”

Alaric took a puff of his cigarette and sighed heavily.

“This is Evelina’s revenge. She’s really crazy…

“Sorry, Carmel, I’ll handle this.”

Three days later….

Alaric posted a message on his personal Facebook announcing his withdrawal from the entertainment industry.

He didn’t give any details, only left a brief statement: ‘Those who are innocent will stay innocent. Not arguing doesn’t mean I accept the accusations. I just don’t want to harm anyone else. Apologies to my fans who supported me, you don’t have to wait for me.’

With that, he left the entertainment industry.

Later, word spread from Carmel that he had moved back to Kairana to open a guesthouse and start his own business.

His family had been in the guesthouse business.

So, he was continuing the family business.

Alaric’s situation was fully resolved.

Even Hattie didn’t anticipate him taking such responsibility.

Reflecting on it, she realized her judgment of men had always been accurate.

Zelena was also surprised by his cowardice.

He confessed immediately without any resistance!

Had he fought back, things might have been different, and Hattie would surely have been implicated.

She also had evidence that would haunt Hattie.

Now, with Alaric leaving the entertainment industry, her evidence would hold even more significance, wouldn’t it?

It seemed that now was not the right moment to reveal her evidence.

Zelena almost exposed it, but decided to hold back.

The final message Alaric posted on Facebook before leaving sparked speculation.

Many netizens believed he was just fighting a losing battle. They wondered why he didn’t just come out and say what he meant if there was something more to the story.

That way, they could enjoy the drama!

However, some netizens thought Alaric must have had a hidden motive but chose to endure it for some reason.

Alaric’s fans were the most heartbroken.

With his complete quit, they knew they wouldn’t see him in the domestic entertainment industry anymore.

You see, Alaric was the kind of talent who could have carved out a prominent place in urban dramas, right up there with Nolan and Jacques.

Moreover, his appearance and physique are exceptional.

He can excel in both historical and contemporary outfits.

Leveraging her ex-boyfriend’s fame, Evelina managed to force her way into Apex Entertainment.

Tracy remarked, “Evelina? Why does she deserve that?”

Apex’s projects were originally divided between her and Violeta -now they’ve included Evelina as well?

Chapter 499

An actress who is only on the D-list of celebrities.

How could she have the audacity?

Winnie laughed. “I heard she didn’t just come alone, she brought her manager and assistants too. It turns out she didn’t have a real agency. It was just a family-run operation. It makes sense why she’s been around for so long and still isn’t well-known!”

Tracy scoffed, “Is the company going bankrupt? They’re hiring anyone who walks through the door.”

The assistant added, “But now that Evelina has joined the company, Ms. Tracy, you’re the second senior at Apex.”

Tracy remained silent.

She shot her a hard look. “Is being the second senior supposed to be a compliment?”

The assistant backed away. “I’m sorry, Ms. Tracy.”

Tracy responded, “I can’t stay in Violeta’s shadow forever!”

Winnie fiddled with her nails. “Actually, it makes sense why the company signed Evelina.”

Tracy asked, “Why’s that?”

Winnie grinned.

“Evelina has that fresh and pure look, and the company used to promote Lydia Coleman, who had a similar image. Even though Lydia isn’t as famous now, there are hardly any actresses with that type of image left in the entertainment industry.

“If they handle Evelina properly, she could turn into the next Lydia Coleman, actually, she could be the new leading innocent-looking actress for this generation.”

Moreover, from the company’s point of view, there’s something even more crucial to think about.

They need to bring in fresh talent.

Violeta and Tracy both signed five-year contracts with the company.

At the end of this year, the company will be renegotiating its contracts.

They have to be ready to let go of their old actresses at any moment.

So bringing in new talent is one strategy, and there could be resource cuts later on.

With that in mind, Winnie looked at Tracy and asked, “Tracy, your contract is up for renewal early next year. Are you thinking about extending it?”

Tracy paused, and other thoughts seemed to cross her mind.

After considering her choices, she nodded and said, “Winnie, how could I leave the company? I’m not ready to leave a big company and start my own team just yet.”

Winnie was pleased with her response.

After all, Winnie was relying on Tracy to become the company’s superagent.

If Tracy didn’t renew her contract, it would be difficult for Winnie.

Since Tracy is planning to renew, they can sign the new contract early to ensure their projects remain unaffected.

What Winnie could think of, Eugene could naturally foresee as well.

In the adjacent lounge, the renewal contract was already laid out in front of Violeta.

“Oh, a renewal?”

“Yes.”

Eugene, sitting across from Violeta with his legs crossed, said, “I’ve arranged for a larger lounge for you upstairs. Beauty, are you not planning to renew?”

Violeta glanced at the renewal contract in front of her, feeling a bit unsure.

She now resembled the former Lydia.

She can now lead a team on her own, and she won’t share Lydia’s fate because she still has the backing of the Whites.

However, Eugene has been kind to her, and they have collaborated for many years.

Violeta trusted Eugene completely. Changing managers might be difficult for her.

“Of course, I’ll renew.

“Not renewing would be unfair to your guidance.”

When Eugene heard her decision, he finally felt relieved.

He had been uncertain if Violeta would choose to renew.

Considering she had the strong support of the White Group, her career achievements were merely a bonus for Violeta and did not impact her life significantly.

Eugene said, “Since you’re renewing, let me share some inside information.”

“Hmm? What info?” Violeta lifted her eyebrows.

Eugene replied, “Our company plans to team up with Invinne Group to produce a film. Invinne Group has a cross-industry project, and they are likely to form a strong partnership with Apex in the future.

“To be frank, Beauty, you and Tracy are in the same category. If neither of you signs the contract, the company won’t consider you for this significant film project.”

Chapter 500

Violeta responded, “Got it.”

A moment later, Violeta grinned and said, “It looks like the company is really pushing for Evelina.”

Eugene asked, “How can you tell?”

Violeta explained, “Evelina began her career in movies, and everything she’s done since has been movies. She hasn’t appeared in any TV dramas. If I’m right, the company must be aiming to build her career in the movie industry. With their strong partnership with Invinne Group, isn’t it likely she’ll play the lead in their first joint project?”

Eugene nodded and said, “That’s right.”

Eugene did not undervalue Violeta’s insight.

Her prediction was entirely accurate.

The company’s strategy for Evelina is to boost her career in the movie industry.

This approach is partly to address the issues from Lydia’s past performance.

Another reason is that Evelina has a look that’s perfect for movies.

Although she might not be as striking at first glance as someone like Violeta, her overall demeanour completely embodies that of a sweet and innocent girl.

The fact that Mason noticed her immediately indicates her strong potential in movie acting.

For movies centred around youth, her look and demeanour are also a great fit.

Meanwhile, Violeta recalled a crucial detail.

Invinne Group.

Wasn’t that the same as the Barnett Group?

The Barnett Group is set to work with Apex.

This aspect was a blind spot for Violeta, as she wasn’t high enough in status to handle such matters in her previous life.

Confronted with the unfamiliar, she had to navigate it gradually.

Once Evelina signed with Apex, the company planned to organize a fan meeting for her first.

This would subtly announce that she was the newest artist signed by Apex.

The event preparations were progressing gradually and carefully.

Violeta went to the recording studio daily to complete the audio for ‘Spring in Moon City’.

One day, she was in the studio as usual.

She was so engrossed in the script and wearing headphones that she didn’t notice a missed call on her phone, which was resting on a nearby table.

No one picked up the call, and it was automatically ended.

The caller, being thoughtful, chose not to call back and interrupt her.

Violeta kept working until she completed the audio recording. Afterwards, she stretched and removed her headphones.

Aster had made her a cup of coffee.

Violeta took a sip and then searched for her phone on the table, asking, “Hey, Aster, do you know where my phone is?”

Aster replied, “It’s on that table.”

Violeta asked, “Could you hand it to me, please?”

Aster walked over and gave the phone to Violeta.

After unlocking with facial recognition, a missed call immediately came into view.

It was a call from Hayden.

Violeta was somewhat surprised.

He rarely called her; they usually chatted over WhatsApp.

She wedged the phone between her shoulder and ear while marking lines on her script with a pen.

After a couple of rings, someone picked up her phone. Violeta

was the first to speak, “Hello, why are you calling?”

Hayden responded, “Vio, are you still on the job?”

Violeta replied, “Yes, I’m in the middle of recording but taking a break at the moment. What’s going on?”

Hayden said, “Great, I’m in your studio building.”

Violeta stopped for a moment, glanced at her phone’s clock, and sat up straight, asking, “Where exactly are you?”

“Outside your building.”

“You know where I am?”

Violeta was quite taken aback and a bit pleased by Hayden’s unexpected arrival.

Hayden said, “It’s not difficult to locate you. Head downstairs. I’ve made a reservation at a restaurant.”

Violeta said, “Alright.”

After swiftly ending the call, she removed her headphones, grabbed her coat from the chair, and put it on.

She instructed, “Aster, let the others know that I’m stepping out for lunch and will return in the afternoon.”

Aster was taken aback. “Oh? We’ve already ordered the food.”

“Then I’ll let you have mine,” Violeta remarked.

“Alright, should I have Felix send you over? I’ll give him a call.”

“No need. I have someone waiting for me downstairs, so I’ll head down now.”

“Okay.”

After a quick notification, Violeta exited the studio.

Wearing a mask and baseball cap, she took the elevator down and didn’t encounter anyone in the lobby.

SEND GIFT or GCASH: +63.936.139.8714

COMMENT

Subscribe

♡
Prev | Next