Chapter 511

Although variety shows follow a script, the comedic content and the excessive camera time often strip actors of their mystique in the eyes of the audience.

Eugene believed that only artists who lacked popularity or buzz needed to participate in shows where they act goofy or silly to gain attention.

Violeta had both talent and popularity.

There was no need for her to cater to these shows, as doing so would only drain her unique charm.

For years, Violeta steered clear of variety shows. Her focus had been on consistently producing high-quality work.

She had never asked Eugene about variety shows before.

Unexpectedly, she actually brought it up now.

“What’s going on? Are you thinking about joining a variety show?”

Violeta shook her head and asked, “Eugene, can you find out if Nolan’s team is negotiating to join the show?”

Eugene’s eyes widened, and he asked, “What?”

After some digging, Eugene came back with some insider information.

Surprisingly, there were indeed rumors circulated around. The director was reportedly going all out to secure Nolan’s participation in the show. He wanted him to play the mysterious Warlord, a role never seen before in the show.

Firstly, Nolan was immensely popular, especially in historical dramas.

People widely recognized him as the ultimate leading man in period pieces.

Secondly, Nolan was enigmatic. He had never participated in any variety shows, which only heightened his allure and status.

If the director could manage to get Nolan on board, it would undoubtedly boost the show’s ratings significantly.

The show would be a hit.

According to rumors, the director was so determined to land Nolan that they offered an astronomical fee, even preparing a custom-written mystery script.

While regular guests would only be required to film for 24 hours, Nolan’s commitment would stretch to 36 hours.

Eugene shared these juicy bits with Violeta.

“I think this director must be crazy. There’s no way Nolan would agree to 36 hours of filming, sleeping on set, and everything. It just doesn’t make sense.”

“It’s possible,” Violeta said.

“What? You think it’s possible?” Eugene was baffled.

Violeta nodded and said, “Nolan might agree.”

Eugene’s eyes widened even further as he asked, “Huh?”

If Violeta remembered correctly, Nolan would agree to film it.

The reason was simple. They were offering too much money for him to turn down.

According to internet rumors from her previous life, the director initially offered Nolan a 10 million dollar fee. After back-and-forth negotiations with Nolan’s team, they raised it to 37 million!

In just 36 hours, you can earn 37 million.

The money just keeps rolling in.

Who would turn down so much money?

Even Nolan was reluctant; his team would act as the director’s persuasive allies, constantly urging him to take the offer.

In the end, Nolan would give in.

He would do that simply to have some peace and quiet, as they would likely continue to persuade him relentlessly.

A 10 million-dollar appearance fee was already top-tier.

37 million was a figure most actors couldn’t even dream of.

Violeta was certain that Nolan would agree to join this variety show.

Eugene was still confused. He asked, “It’s fine if Nolan ends up joining the show, but why are you so interested in this variety show? Are you thinking about joining it too?”

Violeta replied, “No, I won’t be joining, but I want to introduce someone else.”

The person she had in mind was Polly.

The show typically had two guest slots.

One was for Nolan, while the other was for Polly.

Wouldn’t that be just perfect?

Eugene frowned and asked, “What are you up to?”

Violeta smiled and said, “Nothing much. I just want to create an opportunity for Polly.”

This was the moment to begin closing the net.

Zelena was still recovering from a back injury and was unable to participate in any shows or activities. Rumor had it that Zelena had just received her hospital discharge and was recuperating at her Arlowand home.

If Violeta accepted the role in the movie, by the time filming began, Zelena would likely make a comeback.

And once the movie started production, Violeta would have to prepare for a two-year hiatus.

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This scene was a perfect echo of the time when Violeta first climbed the mountain to learn her craft in her previous life, right down to the timing.

During her previous life, Zelena and Nolan’s relationship began to warm up at this time.

Violeta would become completely engrossed in her role once the movie began filming, leaving no time for managing other matters.

Therefore, she had to create an opportunity for Polly before filming began.

Polly was the wildcard between Nolan and Zelena!

If two people were truly compatible, they don’t need to scheme; they just need a genuine chance to be together.

Now, Violeta was giving Polly a chance. Whether she could seize it was up to her.

Violeta messaged Polly and suggested she join the variety show.

At first, Polly didn’t get it, but then it clicked.

“Thank you, Vio.”

Violeta responded, “Okay, good luck!”

As for Nolan’s appearance as a guest on The Lodge, there was still no confirmation.

Besides Violeta, only Zelena knew the exact details.

In her previous life, Zelena took advantage of this opportunity to grow closer to Nolan and leveraged their shared company to win him over.

In this lifetime, Zelena was recuperating in Arlowand. Even if she wanted to return, her body wouldn’t allow it.

Violeta shared this information with Polly, hoping she would fight for her crush.

It was up to fate whether the two would work out..

Violeta had done her best.

What exactly had Zelena done in her past life to get together with Nolan?

Would Polly be able to spark something with Nolan during the variety show?

Violeta wasn’t entirely sure.

She didn’t have an all-knowing vantage point and couldn’t understand Zelena’s every move.

She could only try to anticipate based on key memories of Zelena’s actions.

Perhaps Zelena had resorted to underhanded tactics to be with Nolan.

Violeta didn’t intend for Polly to do the same.

As Polly herself had said, if one had to use schemes to win someone’s affection, was it really love?

Polly wasn’t that kind of person, and neither was Violeta.

Therefore, this game was left to fate.

Two days later, the team behind Spring in Moon City announced that the series would be airing mid-month.

Before the show aired, the entire cast would engage in both online and offline promotional events. There was a national drama festival coming up, and they would walk the red carpet together to boost the show’s visibility.

Promoting a series before its premiere was standard procedure.

Eugene had already arranged for a new styling team. After coordinating with the team behind the series, they decided that the entire cast would wear black outfits, keeping a unified style.

Zelena played the second female lead, but she couldn’t participate in this event due to her back injury.

Nolan and Violeta took the two central spots on the red carpet, while Callie, who played the third female lead, took the second position on Nolan’s right.

This opportunity falling into Callie’s lap felt like hitting the jackpot.

Callie was beginning to wonder if Zelena was sent by the heavens to help her.

First, she received increased screen time, and now she was occupying Zelena’s place on the red carpet. Which actress had it better than hers?

At the national drama festival, everyone from the cast except Zelena was present. The attractive cast made for a stunning sight.

During the voice-over work for the drama, Violeta had bumped into Nolan several times in the recording studio. Whenever they had scenes together, they were in the same booth.

Yet they weren’t alone; there were plenty of other voice actors, experts, and staff behind the glass. Outside of their scripted interactions, Violeta and Nolan didn’t have much personal contact.

Nolan was generous. He often treated everyone to lunch, which made Violeta feel a bit embarrassed, so she joined him and treated everyone to lunch.

In private, Nolan was a refined and gentle person. He was kind to everyone and had an impeccable character.

Later on, Violeta and Nolan had no more scenes together and worked in separate booths.

The entire cast’s walk down the red carpet provided plenty of exposure.

That evening, a wave of buzz surged on social media. Countless fans were urging the drama to air as soon as possible.

✩

Chapter 513

The next day, Spring in Moon City officially began its promotional activities.

They kicked off with an offline press conference where the main cast needed to answer questions.

Following that, there was an online live stream where they connected with fans, chatting and discussing the show.

At the press conference, Violeta and Nolan sat together.

In the drama, Violeta’s character has long hair. She had recently filmed a movie and had to cut her hair short. The short hair

made her look much more refreshed. She was dressed in a white casual outfit, sitting beside Nolan on the sofa, with the drama-themed pillow in her arms.

Nolan was wearing a light gray baseball jacket and held the microphone.

Both of their microphones had the drama name printed on them.

The backdrop behind them was filled with drama posters.

The host was following the script and asked them questions. The invited media present also took turns to ask about the filming process.

“The drama was an adaptation of Mr. Howell’s work. How did you both find the collaboration? It’s rumored that Mr. Howell is very strict. What are your thoughts on that?”

Violeta responded, “A scriptwriter’s strict standards are beneficial for actors. High standards are necessary to create good work. This is my second time working with Mr. Howell, and I’ve gained a lot from the experience. I hope we can collaborate more in the future.”

Nolan smiled as he held the microphone. “My experience during filming was similar to Violeta’s, so I’ll talk about something different. Mr. Howell’s strictness in his work is proportional to his casualness in life. We often play chess together in private. Strictly speaking, this is my first official collaboration with him. I remember the first time we discussed the plot on set; his serious expression took me by surprise.”

He chuckled, “I hope Mr. Howell doesn’t mind me saying this. I’m used to seeing his casual side, so seeing him so serious at work gave me the impression of someone trying to act formal.

“Later that day, when I went to have lunch with him, he was back to his usual self. That’s when I realized he switches between his work and personal life seamlessly.”

The host and media laughed at Nolan’s remarks.

Wade’s personal life rarely made it into the public eye.

He was a writer and screenwriter who required a creative atmosphere. Therefore, the media rarely used him to stir up gossip.

Nolan joking about Wade in public was likely a first, which suggested they had a close personal relationship.

Violeta was intrigued as she watched Nolan speak. It was fascinating to hear the amusing details about someone she respected from another person’s perspective.

After the two-hour-long press conference ended, Violeta and Nolan returned backstage, each heading to their temporary dressing rooms to remove makeup and change clothes.

Suddenly, Nolan stopped and said, “Oh, Violeta.”

Violeta cocked her head and asked, “Yes?”

Nolan’s deep eyes held a hint of a smile as he said, “Mr. Wade told me that if you’re free at the end of this month, you should come over to his place for dinner.”

Violeta had given Wade a chess set as a gift and had arranged to play a game together when they both had time.

Wade had responded that they would set a date when they were both free.

It appeared that he had found the time, so he asked Nolan to relay the message.

Violeta nodded and returned a smile. “Sure, I should be free at the end of the month.”

After responding, she pushed open the door, ready to go inside.

Suddenly, she remembered something. Turning back, she expected Nolan to have already entered his dressing room, especially since his assistant had opened the door earlier.

However, when Violeta turned around, she was surprised to see that Nolan hadn’t entered yet. He remained standing there, his gaze still locked on her.

Nolan stood by the doorframe, his gaze unwavering.

Pausing, Violeta asked, “Nolan, did you also give Mr. Wade a chess set?”

Nolan replied, “Yeah, I did.”

Violeta continued, “I recently gave him a chess set, too. He casually mentioned it, and I wondered who had the same idea as me. What material was yours made of?”

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Nolan said, “A friend got it custom-made from abroad- mammoth ivory.”

Mammoth ivory was indeed a rare and valuable material.

Violeta smiled and nodded, stating, “What I found is in no way comparable to that, haha. Anyway, I’ll head out now.”

With that, Violeta walked straight into the lounge without looking back.

Aster followed. She nodded at Nolan before closing the door behind them.

Inside, the makeup artist was already waiting to remove Violeta’s makeup.

Aster said puzzlingly, “It seemed like Nolan was waiting for us to enter before he did.”

Violeta paused briefly. She was also confused by why Nolan hadn’t gone into his room earlier, but she didn’t dwell on it. After all, whether Nolan entered the room was his own business.

Today’s interaction only reinforced Violeta’s impression of Nolan being a genuinely decent person.

He had been with Zelena in her previous life, a true case of mismatch.

Nolan was too good for her.

Zelena doesn’t deserve him.

At Apex Entertainment, Tracy had just finished a magazine shoot and was returning to the company with her team.

She was there to check out the script for The Golden Age. Word was that Winnie had already secured a third of the script.

Tracy and Evelina occupied the two largest rooms downstairs after Violeta moved into the lounge upstairs.

The mere thought of sharing a floor with Evelina made Tracy feel uneasy.

As she exited the elevator with her assistant, the assistant said, “Winnie mentioned earlier that they’re in the big conference room. We should head straight there.”

Tracy’s face was expressionless as she replied, “Let’s go directly then; no need to waste time.”

They entered the conference room with only Winnie in mind. They found a surprising number of people inside.

Lance was present, as well as Evelina’s team.

Tracy was the last to arrive.

Winnie greeted her with a warm smile, “Tracy, come on in and take a seat.”

Tracy hesitated for a moment, then removed her sunglasses and walked over to sit beside Winnie. She said, “Quite a crowd today.”

Lance sat in the middle of the table. He had a sly smile, and his eyes were gleaming with shrewdness. “Busy bee, huh? Now that everyone is present, let’s begin.

Tracy didn’t respond but took a seat beside Winnie.

Directly across from her was Evelina, who offered Tracy a harmless smile.

Tracy, however, was far from convinced. Playing innocent, are we?

Lance then distributed multiple copies of the script and said, “Take a look first. We’ll discuss after.”

Ever since Tracy heard about the company’s big project with Invinne, she had been looking forward to it.

Winnie’s standing in the company had risen slightly, but her influence still couldn’t match those of Eugene.

All she knew was that Apex was investing ten billion in this movie, but beyond that, she had no details.

This was the first time they saw the script in person.

Everyone began flipping through the script.

After reviewing the director’s team, scriptwriters, and a portion

of the plot outline, Tracy was the first to speak.

“Two years?

“This movie will take two years to film? That’s a long time.”

Lance leaned back with his legs crossed. He responded lazily, “Good things take time to craft.” Gold needs refining, and diamonds require cutting. Two years isn’t too long.”

Tracy didn’t reply.

Across from her, Winona spoke up, “So this film is going to take two years to shoot. Are the lead actresses chosen from our company?”

Everyone turned their attention to her.

Evelina’s manager, Winona Iverson, was a formidable figure.

Eugene once described her as having a big mouth that could devour people whole, which wasn’t far from the truth.

Winona had large lips, and she always painted them in bright red lipstick, making her mouth seem even bigger.

With Winona as Evelina’s agent, and her two domineering cousins as assistants, Evelina appeared more and more harmless and innocent.

Winona’s question was one everyone else in the room was keen to hear answered.

Lance, ever the strategist, replied smoothly, “This script is a collaboration between our company and Invinne. Naturally, we have the right to recommend actors. But whether the female lead will be from our company-well, I can’t guarantee that. The director and Invinne will make the final decision.”

Chapter 515

“If all three parties agree, the lead female role is practically settled.”

Winnie chimed in, “Mr. Sowle, are you gathering us here to choose the female lead between Tracy and Evelina?”

Lance’s eyes flickered slightly, and he offered them a vague answer, which was likely to mislead them.

“You two are the backbone of this company. Of course, we’ll consider you first for the role. Personally, I think both of you would be great, which is why I called you here.”

Tracy and Evelina’s expressions naturally brightened with excitement at the remark.

Lance added, “However, my opinion doesn’t carry as much weight. It’s up to the company to decide. In fact, the company highly values Mason’s opinion. If Director Mason selects someone as the lead, both companies will undoubtedly respect his casting judgment.

“Alright, it’s getting late. You should go through the script quickly; I have to leave now.”

With that, Lance stood up, dusted off his hands, and walked away.

Winnie glanced at Tracy, then instructed her assistant to gather the scripts.

Winona also had Jenny collect the scripts, and she decided to head to the lounge to review them.

“Tracy, let’s go. When it comes to casting, besides us, only Violeta is on the same level. The others aren’t even in the competition.”

This remark subtly implied that Evelina didn’t even qualify to compete with them.

Sure enough, Winona slammed her hand on the table when she heard this. She roared, “Winnie, don’t forget that Evie was the lead in Mason’s debut film!

“Casting depends on the director’s vision. What good is your popularity if the director doesn’t choose you?”

So far, Mason has only directed one movie; therefore, no one can quite grasp his taste in actors yet.

Evelina being the lead in his first film suggests there’s something about her that caught his eye.

Could it be her innocent appearance?

No one could say for sure.

However, Winona had a point, and she had the upper hand for the moment.

“What a joke.”

Tracy scoffed coldly, and she started to scan Evelina up and down with unmasked disdain.

“The Lies in Winter won the Best Cinematography award at the Oplen Film Festival, and all the glory went to the director. You didn’t get any recognition as the female lead, yet you still have

the nerve to brag about it. If I were you, I’d quietly tuck my tail between my legs. Even if I wasn’t the lead in the new movie, do you think the role would go to you? The company merely threw you a bone, and you think they’re ready to crown you? What a joke. Evelina, you’ve got a long way to go!”

With that, Tracy turned and left, not giving them a chance to respond.

Winnie also gave a mocking smile before leaving the conference room.

“Who on earth did Tracy put on airs?!”

After they left, Shania fumed and said, “She’s just a mistress who climbed her way up thanks to her sugar daddy, yet she dares to act high and mighty in front of us. Without him, she’s nothing!”

Jenny added, “Exactly, Tracy is so disgusting. What is she even proud of? She’ll get her comeuppance soon enough!”

Winona narrowed her eyes.

When Evelina signed with Apex, she had brought her entire team with her.

Originally, Winnie was set to ride Tracy’s coattails to become a superagent, but now that Evelina had brought Winona into the company, she had become a strong competitor against that spot.

Naturally, Winnie didn’t take kindly to Winona.

Additionally, the company had no artists who could rival Tracy.

Her team only needed to focus on Violeta. With Evelina’s arrival, tensions were high, as she was constantly trying to outshine Tracy.

Winnie was anxious, and Tracy was equally unsettled.

The pros and cons in this situation were crystal clear.

Winona said, “Enough with the tough talk; it’s pointless. We

need to figure out how to secure this role.”

Empty threats are just that, empty.

Only what you have safely secured counts.

Jenny looked at Winona and asked, “Winona, what should we do now?”

Winona was silent for a moment before speaking, “Evie, you still have Mason’s number, right? Get in touch with him immediately. It’s been a while; it’s time to take him out for a meal or something. Don’t forget, you two have a special bond.”

Chapter 516

Evelina shared the same thoughts.

“I understand,” she said.

Winona turned to Jenny and Shania and commanded, “I need you to find out who Tracy’s godfather really is. We need to hold this information close, just in case.”

Currently, Tracy was their biggest rival at the company.

Her arrogance and brazenness meant it was only a matter of time before they clashed even more fiercely.

When that time comes, they can’t afford to always be under Tracy’s thumb.

They needed something that could turn the tide and control Tracy’s fate.

In this industry, everyone had their own dirty little secrets. Peaceful coexistence was impossible; they had to fight until the bitter end.

After Apex Entertainment announced its collaboration with Invinne Group, the company decided to hold a joint event over the weekend to celebrate the partnership. The event invited employees from both companies and several industry veterans.

They also expected Mason to attend the event.

With the launch of The Golden Age movie, it was likely that many actors would be eager to toast Mason at the event.

Eugene informed Violeta about the company’s weekend gathering.

Violeta hesitated to attend.

That morning, she received a message from Hayden saying it was his mother’s birthday on the weekend, and he had invited her to dinner. Anton and Irene would also be there.

It seemed like the perfect opportunity to make their relationship public.

Violeta had already agreed to join Hayden for dinner.

If she attended the company’s event, she would have to break her promise.

Eugene noticed Violeta’s hesitation and quickly realized she might have another commitment.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“I have another engagement this weekend, so I can’t attend the gathering,” Violeta explained.

“With whom?”

Eugene had never meddled in Violeta’s personal affairs before because he trusted her judgment. He believed that Violeta had a good sense of boundaries and wouldn’t be as reckless as Lydia had been.

The company gathering was a rare chance to connect with Mason, and Violeta was choosing to skip it for something else.

Violeta chose the latter option, which made Eugene feel compelled to ask her about it.

Violeta didn’t hide the truth. She told him honestly, “I’m going

to celebrate my boyfriend’s mother’s birthday.”

Eugene had anticipated this answer.

After all, Aster had always been close to Violeta. He had suspected for a while now that Violeta might be seeing someone, likely a close friend or even a significant other.

“Who is it?” Eugene asked.

“A man I’ve known for many years; his name is Hayden Frost,” Violeta replied.

Eugene pressed, “Is he not from our industry?”

“Yeah.”

Eugene sighed and said, “Violeta, I trust your judgment, but I just hope you don’t end up like Lydia. Are you sure Hayden is someone you can rely on?”

Violeta smiled gently and said, “I believe he’s trustworthy.”

Violeta had agreed to celebrate Frida’s birthday due to many reasons. It wasn’t a decision made without careful consideration.

It wasn’t just about following her heart.

Violeta had debuted at twenty-one and was now twenty-six.

She and Hayden had agreed to be together when he returned to Quinston.

Now, it was time to fulfill that promise.

Violeta wanted to enjoy the present in her best years, and attending the birthday celebration was a way to honor the promise they made years ago. She felt she had to go.

If she successfully landed a role in the movie, the filming could last two to three years.

Time passes quickly, and by then, she would have reached the age of thirty.

In her previous life, Violeta had neither a career nor love.

In this life, she wanted to take both.

Who knows?

Maybe when she turns thirty, she’ll reach a new peak in her career and be with the best partner.

Or maybe she’ll end up like Lydia, losing everything and falling into a pit of despair.

The future was uncertain.

But the decisions she made now were what she believed to be the best.

Besides, when it came down to it, Violeta had known Hayden for many years. Even if she were blind to his flaws, would Anton be unaware?

Hayden’s family had been in politics for generations, while Violeta’s family had been in business for just as long.

Regardless of anything else, just based on their family backgrounds, they were well-matched.

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Violeta thought Hayden was worth it.

Eugene glanced at Violeta, thinking that perhaps she might have

a different ending than Lydia.

After all, everyone has their own fate, and Eugene wasn’t in a position to say otherwise.

“Alright, if you think he’s reliable, then go ahead. I’ll handle the party.”

Violeta simply nodded and said, “Okay.”

The party’s day arrived on the weekend.

Mason made an appearance. As expected, many celebrities flocked to toast him.

Among them were Tracy and Evelina, both eager to gain some favor from Mason. However, Mason maintained a strict policy: he refused any drinks but accepted all the well wishes.

It wouldn’t have looked good for him to blatantly refuse; who would fall for that? Mason made the excuse that he was feeling under the weather and had taken medication that didn’t mix well with alcohol.

After making his rounds and feigning dizziness, Mason excused himself to rest upstairs and made a quick exit from the event.

Meanwhile, Eugene was chatting over drinks with Lance.

Earlier, he had noticed Tracy and Evelina approaching Mason with drinks in hand.

“Seems like those two are very interested in the new movie. Lance, you must have put in a lot of effort, huh?” Eugene remarked.

Lance chuckled, “I’ve always stood by the company.”

The more intensely the company’s artists competed, the more delicately they could maintain the balance.

In this industry, there were new faces every year.

You couldn’t put all your eggs in one basket.

The company never fully committed its resources to a single artist.

“By the way, where’s Violeta today? Does she have another engagement?”

“She had personal matters to attend to, so she couldn’t make it.”

“Oh, personal matters,” Lance teased. “You know, Lydia once said she had personal matters too, and then she just vanished. Be careful, Eugene.”

Eugene smirked and said, “Just drink your wine and don’t worry about it.”

Afterward, Eugene shifted his gaze and noticed the president of Invinne Group across the room.

He glanced over briefly and asked Lance, “Is that the man-

Archer Barnett?”

His gaze landed on Archer, who stood out in a deep red suit, holding a glass as he conversed with several senior executives from Apex. His expression was calm and composed, exuding a strong presence.

Archer was strikingly handsome, his tailored suit accentuating a narrow waist and broad shoulders. The clean, sharp lines of his brows and eyes gave him a commanding presence, rivaling that of many male celebrities in the entertainment industry.

“Looks pretty young, doesn’t he? Not even thirty, younger than me,” Eugene observed.

Lance poured another drink and pointed out, “You have no idea. He’s a rich heir. You’re just a commoner-comparing yourself to a rich heir is asking for trouble.”

“Whatever,” Eugene muttered.

Lance suddenly grinned and shared some gossip. “I heard he was quite the campus heartthrob back in college.”

Eugene remained silent, rolling his eyes.

The Barnettes were originally in the construction business, and the family owned substantial assets.

Perhaps finding no more room for growth, they decided to partner with Apex Entertainment to enter a new industry.

It’s no surprise that those at the top remain there, as they consistently control ninety-eight percent of the resources.

Meanwhile, sitting on a couch in the corner, Evelina was staring at Jasper, who stood by the railing on the second floor.

Winona stated, “Tracy has a godfather, and I’ve heard Violeta is an heiress from White Group. It’s challenging to succeed in life without strong connections. I found out that Jasper used to live it up in Wiltonshire and change girlfriends frequently. That doesn’t matter; what truly matters is that he’s generous. Evelina, this is a rare chance to meet the company CEO don’t waste it.”

Winona handed her a glass of wine, saying, “Go offer him a drink and make a favorable impression. He’ll get the hint.”

Evelina knew what she had to do.

Usually, this sort of interaction was handled discreetly, but doing it in front of so many people made her a bit uneasy.

On second thought, she realized if she missed this golden opportunity, there might not be another one.

She couldn’t afford to miss it.

Taking the glass from Winona, she nodded and said, “I understand.”

“Go ahead,” Winona encouraged.

Evelina adjusted the neckline of her dress, then walked toward Jasper, drink in hand.

Eugene and Lance happened to see this. Eugene smirked, “Only lowlifes resort to these tricks. Really, it’s disgraceful.”

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Lance asked, “Hey, do you think Mr. Weekley will drink the wine she offers him?”

Eugene scoffed in disdain and said, “Well, some think dying for love is a romantic way to go. Mr. Weekley’s reputation in

Wiltonshire is notorious for his wild escapades. I doubt he’d turn her down.”

Lance disagreed, saying, “But you never know. Foreign girls are different from Evelina. What if she’s not his type?”

Eugene shrugged and said, “We’ll see. If I win, you’ll tell me where Mason’s lounge is and save me the effort to search every room for him later.”

Lance agreed, “Deal. I bet he won’t drink.”

They both watched Evelina as she approached Jasper with a drink.

From their angle, they could only see Evelina’s bashful expression; Jasper’s reaction remained hidden, just the back of his head in view.

They could only make educated guesses about the conversation.

About thirty seconds later, Evelina said something to Jasper. She clinked her glass against his, and Jasper tilted his head back, dropping the drink.

Lance had lost the bet.

Eugene had emerged victorious.

He smirked and teased, “See? I’ve seen enough of this industry to know for sure. Ninety-nine percent of men won’t refuse a woman throwing herself at them, especially someone of his status. Even if something happens between them, it’d be a “blessing” for Evelina. I’m heading to the restroom. Remember our deal, text me Mason’s room.”

Eugene put down his glass and walked off.

Though slightly surprised, Lance wasn’t too hung up on the outcome and didn’t dwell on it.

Meanwhile, at Fortuna Estate.

Today, the entire estate had been reserved for Frida’s birthday celebration, which also doubled as a meeting with the in-laws.

The subtle fragrance of tea lingering in the air and the beautifully landscaped greenery outside enhanced the estate’s serene and elegant environment.

By a carved wooden window, Violeta stood dressed in a beige dress with a jacket over her shoulders. She leaned against the window, holding her phone and a limited edition Hermès key bag that dangled from her arm.

Not long after, Irene turned the corner.

“Vio.”

Violeta put away her phone and smiled at Irene. She said, “Mom.”

She handed the bag to Irene, who took it with a gentle reminder. “I told you to go inside. Why are you waiting here? Isn’t it windy when you stand by the window?”

When they arrived, Irene had gone to the restroom while the others went inside, leaving Violeta waiting for her.

Violeta looped her arm through Irene’s. She said, “It’s fine; I wanted to wait for you.”

Irene patted Violeta’s hand affectionately and said gently, “Vio, when did you and Hade start dating?”

The gathering today was supposedly to celebrate Frida’s birthday.

Although Irene knew the real reason, they were likely planning to reveal that Violeta and Hayden were in a relationship.

With both of them busy with their careers, they rarely saw each other.

Since Hayden’s transfer back to Quinston, they’d been in contact more often, and it was clear they were serious.

Yet, their meetings had always been secretive, like spies meeting in secret.

“Just recently, after he got back from Quinston.”

Violeta began to tell Irene about how she and Hayden started.

As Irene listened, her heart filled with joy.

She and Anton had practically watched Hayden grow up.

He was as impeccable in character as he was in appearance.

Hayden was the perfect choice from any angle, especially from a mother’s perspective.

For Irene, her daughter finding a match in Hayden was a dream come true.

Honestly, Irene had always been worried that Violeta might choose someone from the entertainment industry.

A man who previously worked in a chaotic industry might not have the best intentions, both in terms of their backgrounds and their genuine character.

A man could pretend to be honorable and still hide his true colors, making it difficult to tell what kind of person he really was.

Irene feared that someone unworthy might deceive and take advantage of her precious daughter.

The corridor was quiet as the mother and daughter, arms linked, walked toward the tea room at the end.

As they walked, Irene spoke with the wisdom only a mother could impart.

“Vio, your father and I have never pressured you about these things. We’ve always wanted to keep you close to us for a few more years. You have all the time in the world to find a partner you truly love. As long as you’re happy, that’s all we care about.”

Chapter 519

“Time flies so fast. It’s been years since you came home. Hayden is indeed a wonderful kid,” Irene said with a hint of nostalgia. “You know, just the other day, I was wondering why he rushed back to Quinston so quickly, even making Glen upset. It wasn’t until you told me that I realized he did it all for you.”

Violeta looked puzzled and asked, “Huh? What do you mean, Mom? What did he do for me?”

Irene revealed, “Your dad told me about it. Originally, Glen had a different plan for Hayden wasn’t supposed to return so soon. The folks over in Newham wanted him to stay for another couple of years. If he hadn’t been so eager to come back, he’d be able to take over a branch office directly when he returned. But now, he’s just a deputy manager at a sub-branch.”

If Hayden had returned to Quinston as the head of a branch office if he would have stayed in Newham for two more years.

But he gave up that opportunity and insisted on coming back early.

Since the branch manager hadn’t retired yet, Hayden was placed at a sub-branch.

When he applied for the transfer, Hayden hadn’t informed Glen, and the people in Newham assumed Glen knew about it.

To their surprise, Hayden returned to Quinston without his father’s knowledge, and it wasn’t until after he’d arrived that

Glen found out. The father and son had a huge argument about it.

Thankfully, Frida had stepped in to mediate. Their relationship had somewhat mended.

None of them knew why Hayden was so insistent on returning early.

He excused himself by saying that he was homesick.

But now the truth was out, it was all because of his promise to Violeta.

Violeta had never known about this.

If it weren’t for Irene telling her, Hayden probably would never have mentioned it.

Learning this, Violeta felt both surprised and touched.

She had always thought Hayden was someone who would prioritize career over love, like herself.

Violeta never expected Hayden to make such a choice.

In Violeta’s mind, both career and love were important.

But if she had to choose one, she would choose the former.

In a corporate environment, it was tough to get a promotion. Bad luck could trap someone in the same position for life.

Hayden had undoubtedly chosen Violeta over his career when he made this decision.

She didn’t know what to say.

It was as if a blazing fire had ignited deep within her heart, a light that shone only for her.

It was truly remarkable to feel so firmly chosen.

She wondered what was going through Hayden’s mind that day when he was waiting for her with the fruit tea at the building.

Rushing back from Newham just to have dinner with her.

Later, when he returned home and argued with his father, he stood his ground and claimed it was his decision. He never brought Violeta along.

If his parents knew Hayden had returned for her, they would undoubtedly see her as an obstacle in their son’s path.

Violeta lowered her eyes and said, “Mom, I didn’t choose the wrong person.”

Irene continued, “Exactly. After hearing what you said, I’m even more convinced that Hayden is a good man. Your father and I will support you.”

The two of them entered the tearoom.

As the intricately carved wooden doors swung open, inside sat Hayden’s family along with Anton.

Anton and Glen were chatting over tea. Hayden stood by the window, staring at the tree outside. Frida sat nearby, munching on some snacks and scrolling through her phone.

The scene was surprisingly harmonious.

When Violeta and Irene entered the room, Frida set down her phone and dusted herself off. She smiled and said, “I was

beginning to believe you had lost your way. Irene, you sure took your time.”

Irene chuckled and said, “I had a bit of my morning tea. Haha! Have you ordered?”

Anton nodded. “Yes, Violeta, say hello.”

Violeta greeted them, “Hi, Glen and Frida.”

Glen nodded and said, “Long time no see, Vio.”

Hayden turned around, his gaze landing on Violeta, his eyes carrying both warmth and unfathomability.

“Take a seat, Irene,” Hayden offered.

Irene smiled and replied, “Alright. Vio, you sit over there.”

With everyone present, Irene and Frida soon began chatting.

The dishes were served shortly after.

Since the main purpose of this tearoom was tea and chess, the lunch was very light, almost entirely vegetarian, and devoid of any spicy foods.

Chapter 520

The dining table was a long, rectangular wooden piece, with the two families seated across from each other.

Hayden was right in front of Violet.

As they began to dine, Hayden poured some wine for everyone.

“Mom, Dad, the reason I invited Anton and Irene over today is to share some news. Vio and I are together, and I wanted to take this opportunity, on Mom’s birthday, to let you all know.”

Anton and Glen were already prepared for this news.

Both families were prominent in Quinston, and because they were family friends, there was nothing they couldn’t accept if their children were happy together.

For them, their children’s happiness was enough.

“This is wonderful news!” Frida beamed with joy. “Irene, it seems we weren’t meant to be good friends, we’re going to be in-laws! Haha, your daughter is about to become my daughter-in-law; how delightful!”

Glen had done his homework on Violeta. She had earned her place at Toland University through her own efforts, and she excelled academically. Though her career required some public exposure, her reputation in the entertainment industry was solid.

Glen had no objections to accepting her as a future daughter-in-law.

He suggested, “Let’s all have a toast together!”

Irene raised her glass and said, “To Frida, happy birthday.”

The two families clinked glasses, and the atmosphere was warm and joyful.

In Glen and Frida’s hearts, they had already accepted Violeta as their future daughter-in-law.

Later in the afternoon, around two o’clock, they left the estate.

Violeta had already informed Eugene that she wouldn’t be going to the office today.

Hayden had the day off and personally drove Violeta back to Liberty Grove.

Violeta had had a couple of drinks at lunch, and with music softly playing in the car, she soon dozed off.

When she woke up, she realized they weren’t at Liberty Grove, and Hayden was still driving.

Rubbing her eyes, her voice still drowsy, she asked, “Hayden, where are we going?”

Hayden glanced at her warmly and asked, “You’re awake?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“There’s a spot behind my workplace with a wonderful view. I thought I’d take you to see it.”

Hayden worked at a branch office in West City, where there was a hill that offered a panoramic view of two-thirds of Mapleton.

The view was fantastic. Since they had some free time that afternoon, Hayden decided to show it to Violeta.

“To see the view? Sure,” Violeta said, turning to look out the window. She narrowed her eyes slightly and asked, “Is this the route you take to work every day?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Violeta gazed out and admired the scenery for a while.

Soon, the car’s music changed to the song ‘The Promise’.

Violeta blinked and couldn’t help but hum along.

The car quickly made its way up the hill. They walked up a wooden staircase built into the slope and arrived at a lookout point with an exceptional view.

“Wow!”

Violeta stood by the railing and took in the distant sights.

“You can actually see the city center from here! Isn’t that my office over there? The sign is huge, haha.”

Hayden stood beside her. He chimed in, “It’s a wonderful spot. I’ve never been here before.”

Hayden had brought Violeta here on a whim, and it turned out to be quite a rewarding experience.

Violeta spread her arms wide, embracing the wind.

“If we brought Hera here and let it fly while we whistled it back, it would be amazing. It could soar over the city.”

Hayden turned his head slightly to look at Violeta, the sunlight casting a gentle glow on her face. From this close, he could see every delicate feature.

She closed her eyes, feeling the breeze. Then, she slowly opened them again.

As if something had crossed her mind, she turned to look in another direction, toward another mountain peak.

In Violeta’s eyes, there was a mix of emotions Hayden couldn’t quite decipher.

There was longing, mixed with a subtle hint of sadness.

This kind of expression didn’t seem to fit with how Violeta usually carried herself.

There were things in her heart that Hayden didn’t know about.

Violeta turned back and met Hayden’s gaze. She asked with a smile, “Why are you looking at me like that? We came here to enjoy the view, not to look at me.”

Hayden reached out to gently touch her face. He tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and said, “The view is in my eyes. If I say someone’s part of it, then they are.”

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Chapter 461

“No! She wouldn’t dare … “

Violeta leaned against the white mansion wall.

Even if she never set foot in the entertainment industry, she would still live a life of luxury.

She told Anton a long time ago that she wasn’t cut out for business. Violeta had no interest in running a company; she only wanted to be a successful actress.

Her parents had no objections.

They only wished for Violeta to be healthy, happy, and able to pursue what she loved.

The White Group was deeply rooted in Quinston. It was a vast and thriving enterprise with a well-developed system capable of independent operation.

They wouldn’t force Violeta to inherit the company; besides, there was Niall.

Violeta wasn’t involved in the family business. In the future, she could live off the dividends from her parents’ shares and enjoy a life of pleasures.

Therefore, she didn’t own any companies.

A simple café? She wouldn’t be attached to that.

After the studio clarified things, the situation swiftly reversed itself.

Violeta’s fans, who had been on the defensive, began to fight back and clear her name.

Within two days, the online uproar had subsided.

Fiona and her husband had their own vision for the café.

Violeta’s strict standards for coffee bean quality contributed to Sunset Café’s success.

Once they started franchising, more diverse staff joined in, and there were bound to be issues.

This lapse, although not harming Violeta, served as a wake-up call for the couple.

If Sunset Café wanted to grow stronger, it needed to enforce strict employee regulations and systematic training, even for franchise employees.

This was the sole method to guarantee sustained success rather than a fleeting fad.

This incident taught Fiona a valuable lesson. She surely knew what to do next.

Zelena’s schemes failed.

She had to let it go and focus on recovering from her back injury.

However, she didn’t completely settle down. Occasionally, she’d post nice pictures of herself and have her team approach fashion brands.

On set, the filming continued smoothly, and two months passed quickly.

Without any disruptions, they not only caught up on the schedule but also finished a few scenes ahead.

Violeta filmed continuously for two months. Meanwhile, she received an invitation from the Glorialand Television Awards to attend the 49th Award Ceremony for her role in ‘Nirvana and Rebirth’.

She took a break and flew to Glorialand with her team for the ceremony.

With her back injury mostly healed, Zelena returned to the set.

Upon her return, she keenly sensed a certain unfamiliarity from everyone.

Zelena knew that during her absence, someone had taken her place. Therefore, she immediately targeted Callie, giving her a difficult time.

She treated the whole crew to coffee, but forgot to buy one for Callie.

The situation made Callie feel awkward.

Callie could clearly sense Zelena’s exclusion.

Violeta, a Chesian actress walking the red carpet in Glorialand, stood out among the sharp-featured local stars. She dressed in a white couture gown and stood at the centre of the ‘Nirvana and Rebirth’ cast.

No matter the country, very few people could afford haute couture.

Violeta, a Chesian with enormous popularity in Glorialand, dominated the awards, highlighting the immense success of her work abroad.

Her victory and media coverage quickly spread back home, securing her position as a top actress.

Violeta’s triumph brought glory to her country, and her name was trending in the news.

It was worth mentioning that ‘Nirvana and Rebirth’ not only won the award but also broke Glorialand’s TV viewership records, setting a new historical high.

Glorian media ran the statistic and reported that one in three people in Glorialand had watched the drama due to the show’s immense popularity and the actors’ superb performances, as well as the excellent work of the director and screenwriter.

The award acceptance video stayed on Facebook’s homepage for five days straight.

In the set’s break room, Zelena watched the video with disdain.

Despite her disdain, jealousy burned within her.

Zelena hadn’t expected that the drama would succeed. Her previous attempts to incite Lydia had clearly failed; either Lydia wasn’t that clever, or someone even more astute was backing Violeta.

Chapter 462

No matter what, Zelena had to admit that the current developments were beyond her control.

No matter what she did, Violeta seemed to shine with the same brilliance as in their past lives.

A deep sense of despair settled in her heart.

Even with another chance at life, was she still no match for Violeta?

Violeta returned from Glorialand.

High-end endorsements were pouring in.

Following the Sunset Cafe incident, Violeta’s studio released a statement.

It subtly hinted to the public that she hadn’t endorsed any food products yet.

As a result, many food brands approached her, but Violeta’s exorbitant endorsement fees discouraged some.

Ultimately, Eugene selected a cookie brand from the array of options, and they were in the process of negotiating a contract.

A month later, after five months of filming, ‘Spring in Moon City’ was more than halfway done.

Meanwhile, Tracy starred in ‘The Rose’, which had decent ratings for a prestige drama. The performance was above average.

Apex Entertainment already had Violeta, who enjoyed top-tier popularity.

She had participated in two major productions that achieved extraordinary success. Furthermore, Violeta had already won the title of best actress at a young age.

Tracy was still playing catch-up. She had a considerable gap to close compared to Violeta, so the company planned her future to focus on prestige dramas, avoiding direct competition with Violeta.

All popular stars would eventually need to transition to serious roles.

What they could play now as a female lead would eventually be the role of the main character’s mother.

As their youth faded, they would gradually be phased out unless they found alternative paths.

Tracy had just taken the road ten years earlier, at the peak of her youth.

Tracy was reluctant, always feeling that the company favoured Violeta, despite the set plans.

The next month, Zelena had finished filming.

Despite falling from a horse while shooting, the crew organised a wrap party for her.

Zelena raised her glass to toast the crew members.

The production manager, Doug, who had perhaps drunk a bit too much, began to talk more than usual. “Zelena, how’s your back injury? You’re still young; you need to take proper care of yourself.”

Zelena replied, “Much better. I’ll be careful. Thank you, Doug.”

Seeing no one else around, Doug swirled his glass and muttered, “Zelena, do you know why you fell off that horse?”

Zelena answered, “Wasn’t it because that horse had a strange temperament? To be honest, if I had another chance, I wouldn’t have picked that horse.”

Doug chuckled. “Then what were you thinking? Why were you insisting on that horse?”

Zelena smiled faintly, seeming somewhat puzzled.

Doug shook his head, put down his glass, and stood up. He said, “I’m tipsy, and I think I need to rest. The stable hands always said that beautiful horses with gentle temperaments are rare. Even I heard that the white horse had a bad temper before Violeta. Why did you choose it?”

Zelena’s expression froze.

Something seemed to explode in her mind.

Yes.

Initially, Zelena hadn’t intended to fight for Violeta’s horse.

Who told her that this horse was gentle?

Who gave her the wrong information, making her want to fight for Violeta’s horse?

Zelena felt she needed to calm down.

It seemed like no one explicitly told her that; it was all a rumour.

Rumours?

Who spread them?

It was Violeta.

The white horse’s gentleness came from Violeta.

Suddenly, Zelena’s pupils contracted.

Did Violeta foresee I would fight for the horse!?

While sitting in the bustling room, Zelena felt a chill down her spine.

Could it be?

Violeta had anticipated I would fight for the horse?

If not, why would the rumour about the white horse’s gentleness spread?

But how could Violeta predict my moves?

Wait.

All this time, I thought I understood Violeta well enough.

But I had overlooked a crucial question: If I understood Violeta so well, how well did Violeta understand me?

Chapter 463

Did Violeta truly understand me?

Did all my actions anticipate Violeta?

My back injury couldn’t have been a coincidence.

The more Zelena thought about it, the more confused she became. She felt like she must have been drunk.

She glanced at Violeta, who was quietly chatting with Wade not far away.

Was this person still the same respectful and loving girl she remembered?

After Zelena finished filming, ‘The Chosen One’ finally aired.

She and the entire cast participated in offline promotions.

Meanwhile, Hattie had also finished filming ‘Firelight’. The two met again after almost six months, and both had undergone some changes.

Hattie smirked. “I heard you fell off a horse and hurt your back when filming a series.”

Zelena shot her a cold glance and retorted, “I heard you had quite the ‘fun’ while filming your series, too.”

During the filming of ‘Firelight’, the media captured some intimate photos of Hattie and the lead actor, Alaric, in a car.

Their teams quickly released statements to clarify the situation.

However, rumours still spread online that Hattie and Alaric were in a relationship. People said the photos were more than just coincidences, implying their interactions on set were far from innocent.

Such rumours, whether true or not, can occasionally benefit a show.

‘Firelight’ was a romantic drama, and Hattie and Alaric were the lead couple.

If there was no real chemistry between them, how could their fans ship them?

Hence, it wasn’t unreasonable to think the scandalous photos and relationship rumours might have been intentionally stirred up.

It’s hard to tell what’s truly going on.

Given what Zelena knew about Hattie, she suspected these rumours weren’t completely false.

When Hattie filmed ‘The Moon Belongs to You’ with Jacques, there were no such rumours despite their on-screen romance.

After the show’s buzz died down, there was no further interaction between their teams.

Hattie’s expression briefly flickered at Zelena’s words, but she quickly masked it.

Zelena closed her eyes and let the makeup artist work, missing Hattie’s brief unease.

They argued fiercely backstage, neither willing to back down.

Yet, when it came to the promotional event, they played the role of ‘good friends’ for everyone to see.

The promotion event concluded.

While all the other actors were leaving, Zelena sat in her car and rummaged through her bag, realising she had left something behind. She sent her assistant back to retrieve it and then waited in the car.

A secluded corner of the parking lot housed the van.

Zelena and the driver sat quietly in the car, and she leaned back in her seat, playing on her phone.

Suddenly, two people appeared in Zelena’s peripheral vision.

She shifted her gaze from her phone to the window and glanced outside.

That one glance made Zelena freeze.

Alaric?

Why is he still here?

After the event ended, Alaric’s team left first.

Zelena saw Alaric get into a car, but soon another figure approached from the other side.

Although she was wearing a cap and mask, Zelena immediately recognised her as Hattie.

Hattie walked over discreetly and got into Alaric’s car.

Zelena grinned as she witnessed the scene.

So, were the previous scandalous photos staged?

She quickly snapped a photo of them together.

Zelena could clearly see Alaric sitting inside the car when Hattie opened the door, despite the tinted windows.

The car quickly drove away, as if nothing had happened.

Zelena looked at the photo on her phone and smiled with satisfaction.

She seemed to have fate on her side.

The relationship between Hattie and Alaric wasn’t just ‘ambiguous’. They were genuinely involved.

Hattie, always arrogant and dismissive of everyone, had previously treated Zelena like a disposable pawn.

Now, Zelena had leverage over her.

There was no doubt she held a card that could balance the scales against Hattie.

How do I play this card? Zelena has to think carefully.

Chapter 464

Violeta continued filming with the crew for another month and a half.

Finally, the whole crew wrapped up the production.

That evening, they held a wrap party even bigger than the one for Zelena’s project.

During those eight months, they had all become friends- drinking, celebrating, and singing together.

The series had taken such a long time to film. Violeta had been working intensively every day, her mind filled with nothing but the scenes and characters. She was always surrounded by the cast and crew.

Her life revolved around the set and the hotel, moving between these two points on a daily basis.

Eight months was a long time, and Violeta needed a good rest.

She needed time to distance herself from her role.

After wrapping up the shoot, Violeta took a month off. When she reappeared in public, it was on the red carpet at the Silver Reel Awards.

Since the drama surrounding Lydia’s love scandal, the hot topic online has shifted to Hattie and Alaric’s rumoured relationship.

On this red carpet evening, Zelena had finally secured a haute couture dress. Though it wasn’t a global debut, it was still high fashion.

As the lead actress of ‘The Chosen One’ and someone who had been in the industry for a long time, her popularity matched the dress’s prestige.

Now, on the red carpet, Violeta’s placement didn’t require Eugene’s persuasion anymore.

Last year, she won the best actress award, and this year she returned from Glorialand with another prestigious award.

She was no longer the rookie from her debut year; her spot was always the finale.

In the TV drama circle, no one could overshadow Violeta’s presence.

Despite her prime spot, Violeta remained low-key and courteous as she greeted and took photos with several senior artists upon entering the venue.

Lydia was the closest rival to Violeta at the time, but Violeta had already surpassed her.

As the year neared its end, Lydia had only one project, with no other significant works.

She hadn’t won any awards last year, and this year she didn’t have any hits either.

Lydia felt as if a shadow had settled over her, perhaps a reflection of her recent poor state.

Since the relationship scandal, Lydia has taken a break and turned down numerous scripts.

She only took part in two variety shows; her aggressive nature has now calmed.

In terms of age, popularity, and work, Violeta had overtaken her.

Lydia had once soared past many predecessors, basking in glory and triumph.

Now, was she about to surpass herself?

It was sad to think about it.

Perhaps skyrocketing fame was destined.

The fame that once belonged to her has now shifted to someone else.

After all, Violeta, who was currently in the spotlight, wouldn’t always stay at the peak of her popularity.

In this world of fame and fortune, there were always confident newcomers and inevitably fading veterans.

Having a moment of fame was already a blessing.

Becoming a top star was something that couldn’t be forced.

Many aimed for Violeta’s current status.

Astonishingly, she reached this point in just three short years.

Among her peers, no one was mediocre.

Zelena was the queen of variety shows. Without her in the second season of RV Travel Diaries, ratings had reportedly plummeted.

Tracy was the first among them to successfully transition. Her role in ‘The Rose’ had proved successful.

She might indeed make a name for herself in prestige dramas in the future.

Hattie thrived in the fashion world. She would have dominated the luxurious sector if not for Violeta’s overshadowing presence.

Each of the four peers was formidable.

Each one could outshine a crowd on their own.

In a few more years, they would all become pillars of the industry.

The awards ceremony began soon after.

The Silver Reel Award stood for prestige and authority.

It featured not just Chesian films and TV series, but also some international works. The live broadcast attracted a huge online audience.

Quinston served as the grand venue for this year’s ceremony.

Violeta sat in the audience, wearing a black bodycon dress with a fur shawl over her shoulders. She exuded an aura of opulence. The camera frequently turned to her, and Violeta smiled naturally at it.

Fans in the live broadcast chat went wild, spamming with messages.

As the lights dimmed, the ceremony officially began.

Chapter 465

The crowd gradually fell silent as the host gracefully took the stage, microphone in hand, and commenced the opening ceremony, followed by the awards presentation.

The ceremony was set to present 29 awards in total.

The most prestigious was undoubtedly the Lifetime Achievement Award for Television Drama.

Receiving this award generally indicates an artist of significant stature and respect within the industry.

The audience was filled with actors, some not as well-known or commercially valuable as Violeta, but all highly skilled.

In comparison, Violeta still had a lot to learn in her eyes.

When she first started her theater lesson, Irene found a teacher, highlighting Violeta’s long journey ahead.

Violeta enthusiastically clapped at each award presentation.

The actors went up and down the stage, collecting their trophies.

Until …

“And the award for Best Actress in a Television Drama goes to…

Violeta White!

“Congratulations.”

The camera panned to Violeta, who smiled and removed her coat, preparing to go on stage.

Her win wasn’t a surprise, given the sweeping success of her second drama across many countries in the Artea-Pacifica region.

The drama’s overwhelming popularity made the award an expected outcome.

Violeta stepped up to receive her award. She delivered a well-prepared acceptance speech and descended amid applause, holding her trophy.

Several more awards followed.

“And the award for Best Actress in a Contemporary Drama goes to… Lydia Coleman!

“Congratulations.”

Lydia ascended the stage to accept her trophy.

“The Top Ten Most Popular TV Stars,” the host continued.

“Are Nolan Spencer, Violeta White, Jacques Lightstone, Lydia Coleman, Tracy Connor, Hattie Ridge, Zelena Blake, and Ophelia Morrow?”

All familiar faces.

Violeta stood on stage again, joined by nine others for a group photo.

Time spares no one.

Despite Lydia and Ophelia’s good looks, they were noticeably older than the younger stars. Time had left its mark on their faces.

However, the group of good-looking actors and actresses was still dazzling.

The group photo, as expected, soon appeared on social media and sparked a flurry of comments.

Among the stars, Nolan and Violeta in the centre shone the brightest. Others were popular, but the two were undoubtedly the hottest at the moment.

However, there was a mishap with Hattie’s outfit in the group photo.

Before she went on stage, her couture dress somehow ripped, prompting a hasty sew backstage. To cover the flaw, she had to wear a jacket for the photo.

Her team would be held responsible for the dress malfunction and might have to pay for it.

After stepping down, Hattie quickly changed into another dress.

“How did the dress get torn?” She asked.

Something sharp appears to have snagged it.

The team couldn’t figure out the problem, and Hattie was frustrated.

This incident was, naturally, Zelena’s revenge.

During a previous red carpet event, Zelena’s outfit clashed with Ophelia’s.

Zelena thought Hattie had orchestrated the incident.

Tonight’s act was Zelena’s payback.

Hattie lost her edge in a high-profile group photo because of the jacket. This could have an impact on her future fashion resources.

The impact could be serious or mild.

There would definitely be an impact.

Elsewhere, Violeta got in the car and left.

Aster picked up her phone and said, “As expected, Hattie’s jacket in the group photo is trending.”

The matter wasn’t significant.

However, it was impossible to conceal a torn dress.

Aster wondered aloud, “How did the dress tear? It’s really strange.”

Violeta leaned back in her seat. She said, “A dress doesn’t tear on its own, but it can be torn deliberately.”

Aster asked, “Ms. White, do you mean someone did it on purpose?? Could Hattie’s team have torn the dress themselves to create a trending topic? That would be bold.”

Violeta glanced at Aster, smiling. “Aster, you’ve got quite an imagination, but there’s a slight possibility in what you said.

“But it’s highly unlikely; the possibility for that to happen was almost zero.”

Aster scratched her head and asked, “Hehe, why is it zero?”

Chapter 466

Violeta looked at Aster with a slight smile. She said, “Hattie won an award tonight, so she’s already in the spotlight. Why would she do something that might offend the brand and get her trending on social media?”

If Hattie hadn’t won the award tonight, she might have done something drastic like tearing her dress to get attention. Such incidents often grab headlines.

Since she did win, there was no need for such antics.

The couture dress was one of a kind. If it got damaged, it would be a big deal.

The brand might perceive this as careless handling. If their relationship wasn’t strong enough, borrowing dresses in the future would become difficult.

Aster nodded in agreement. She said, “Ms. White, you’re right. I was overthinking. But if her dress tore for no reason, could it be just bad luck? Wait a minute, I know!”

Her eyes lit up with realisation, and she said, “It was Zelena who did it! Ms. White, do you think I’m right?”

Violeta smiles and praises, “Smart.”

Aster continued, “Last time on the red carpet, Zelena’s look clashed with Ophelia’s. Although the dresses were from different brands, the colours and styles were almost identical!

Someone must have leaked Zelena’s or Ophelia’s look, causing that blunder.”

During the previous red carpet, neither Ophelia nor Zelena wore couture dresses, leading to the clash.

This time, both wore couture dresses to avoid such issues.

But Hattie’s dress was ruined.

It must be Zelena’s revenge.

If Aster could think of this, Hattie must have thought of it too.

“Hattie, the tear in your dress doesn’t look accidental. It seems deliberate. Also, where would there be sharp objects in the venue?”

Hattie’s eyes darkened as she thought deeply.

In the dim lighting of the venue, she did hear a faint tearing sound while descending from the stage.

She hadn’t paid much attention at the time and left immediately.

Upon reflection, she realised that could have been the moment her dress ripped.

But who could it have been?

The passage was crowded with staff.

Unless …

Her eyes narrowed. If she remembered correctly, Zelena’s team was also in the passage at that time.

Could Zelena have orchestrated this?

Hattie clenched her fists and said, “She took my lead role in ‘The Chosen One’ and now she’s pulling this stunt? Does she really think I’ll just take it lying down?”

Her assistant asked, “You mean Zelena arranged for someone to do this?”

Hattie replied, “Who else could it be?”

The assistant was puzzled. “Why would she do that? We haven’t done anything to provoke her.”

Hattie scoffed, now fully convinced it was Zelena’s doing.

“Making me upset is her biggest goal.”

Fine.

If Zelena wanted to play dirty, Hattie wouldn’t hold back either.

Violeta leaned back in her chair, her thumb lightly stroking the golden trophy in her hand.

The trophy’s reflection mirrored her serene eyes.

The incident with Zelena and Ophelia’s clashing dresses wasn’t Hattie’s doing.

Although Hattie disliked Zelena, she had already taken the lead role in ‘The Moon Belongs to You’ from her. With Benson returning, Hattie needed to keep a low profile.

Any more trouble would only make the family head of the Ridges more hostile towards her, risking further punishment that Hattie couldn’t afford.

So, while she was upset about Zelena taking her role in ‘The Chosen One’, she hadn’t done anything in retaliation.

It wasn’t because she didn’t want to, but because she had bigger issues to consider.

But how did Ophelia and Zelena end up with such similar looks?

Who could have leaked both styles?

The answer was clear. It was Eugene, who had extensive industry connections.

The trophy reflected Violeta’s smile.

Zelena and Hattie together would only spell trouble.

Stirring up conflict between them worked in Violeta’s favour.

The fight for the lead role in ‘The Chosen One’ had already strained their relationship.

It was only a matter of who would strike first.

Violeta had no intention of missing this golden opportunity.

Chapter 467

She and Eugene had a brief discussion and quickly came up with this plan.

Violeta knew Zelena very well.

Eugene was also familiar with the underhanded tactics employed by people in the entertainment industry.

If Zelena thought about it more, she could figure out who wanted her and Ophelia to clash with their outfits.

However, she underestimated Violeta, so she assumed the outfit clash was Hattie’s plan.

Starting with the wrong assumption led to mistake after mistake.

From the beginning, Zelena never suspected Violeta, so Violeta remained perfectly hidden in this matter.

After this incident, Zelena and Hattie could never get along.

Things turned out exactly as Violeta expected.

At the end of the year, during a Blue Channel variety show, Zelena and Hattie had a brawl on stage.

The views from the clip were astonishing.

The headline was a bit exaggerated.

In reality, Hattie appeared as a guest star on Zelena’s regular variety show.

During a game, the two were on opposing teams.

The goal was to stop the opponent from winning the game.

They tore into each other, using props to hit one another furiously.

The props were made of sponge and wouldn’t hurt anyone.

But with feathers flying everywhere, the sight of the two fighting on stage provided plenty of entertainment value.

That episode unsurprisingly broke the season’s viewership record.

They didn’t need to go that far for the show’s sake.

Given their genuine personal grievances, they turned the situation into a spectacle.

At the end of the year, Violeta landed two endorsements.

One was for DuchessM’s cookies.

The other was a global spokesperson for Calvin Klein’s clothing line.

At the company’s annual meeting.

All the artists from Apex Entertainment had to perform together, like a huge New Year’s Eve party.

The company’s only two top agents, Eugene and Aiden, were hosting on stage.

Talk about making the best use of resources.

The music mogul, Gerard, also performed a song, and several actors put on a skit.

Violeta attended the annual event. She joined the staff in the lucky draw and won a dryer.

Though she didn’t need a dryer, the atmosphere was fun.

After the show ended.

Everyone began to move around freely.

Many employees had prepared posters and notebooks to get autographs and photos with their favourite artists.

Violeta was the most popular, with people constantly seeking her out.

Finally finding a moment of peace, she escaped to the break room for some quiet.

Violeta received an invitation from a local TV station for a New Year’s Eve show. After a month of rehearsals, she celebrated the New Year live on TV with everyone.

This year’s New Year was just like the previous years, with several families gathered at the Frost Mansion to play poker.

Last year, Violeta was absent due to filming in Glorialand.

The day before she went to the Frosts, Violeta received a text from Hayden saying he’d be back tomorrow.

Early in the morning, the Cohens arrived at the house.

Violeta had just returned from walking Tuna and happened to see the Cohens’ car at the door.

“Elle.”

Elaine was taking things out of the trunk and turned when she heard Violeta’s voice, “Hey, Vio, you’re out early.”

Violeta said with a smile, “It’s a rare chance to take Tuna out for a walk. Elle, are you celebrating at our place this year?”

Elaine bit her lip, looking a bit shy. She answered, “Yeah.”

Violeta’s eyes lit up, suspecting something.

Sure enough.

At lunch, Violeta watched as Niall put some food on Elaine’s plate, then announced their relationship to everyone.

Violeta was momentarily stunned, then said with a smile, “Congratulations!”

Niall and Elaine had grown up together. They were childhood sweethearts and a perfect match in every way.

Their families were old friends, and the union of their children. It was a dream come true.

Anton and Irene couldn’t be happier.

Niall took the opportunity to announce this, adding to the joy.

Violeta had always admired Elaine. She raised her glass to show her support.

“From now on, I can’t call you Elaine; I have to call you sister-in- law. Happy New Year, Sis. Don’t forget to give me the gift.”

Irene smiled brightly and said, “Patricia, we have finally become in-laws! Hahaha.”

Chapter 468

Patricia felt a surge of joy in her heart. She said, “I think the same way, Irene.”

Elaine was delighted when Violeta addressed her as a sister-in- law.

She had prepared a gift in advance. At this time, she took it out of her bag and handed it to Violeta. “Here, Vio.”

Violeta said with a smile, “Thank you, sister-in-law!”

Irene was relieved that her eldest son had finally found someone.

She even indulged in a bit more wine at the dinner table.

Since everything was out in the open, given the close relationship between the two families, they openly discussed the wedding plans.

The Cohens weren’t a wealthy family, but they had some background.

The Whites, on the other hand, wanted to ensure everything was done with proper etiquette when their son was getting married.

The Cohens didn’t demand much, but the Whites made sure to be respectful in their preparations.

While they were discussing, Violeta’s mind wandered.

She remembered that this grand wedding had made the news because of the extravagant wedding gift, which was a staggering 45 million dollars.

This time, as the daughter of the Whites, she not only heard about it firsthand but also got to participate in her brother’s wedding planning.

The feeling was truly surreal.

The next day, several families went to the Frosts’ house to celebrate the new year and play poker.

When Violeta arrived with her family, the others were already there.

She greeted the elders one by one.

“Vio.”

Zoren called out to her from the side.

Violeta walked over to him and asked, “What’s up?”

He led her into a room filled with fireworks and sparklers.

Zoren explained, “We’re going to drive out tonight to set off some fireworks.”

Violeta grinned and said, “Sounds great.”

She thought it would be just the two of them until Zoren scratched his chin and said, “Hade texted me yesterday. He said he should be here this afternoon.”

Usually, Hayden and his uncle spend the holidays in Newham, but this year, they returned home.

Violeta was startled by the news. She asked, “He’s coming back by this afternoon?”

Zoren nodded and said, “Yeah, he’s probably coming back with his uncle’s family.”

Hayden’s uncle’s family had settled in Newham years ago.

Last year, Hayden spent the New Year in Newham.

Violeta felt her phone buzz in her pocket. She pulled it out to find a message from Hayden.

Zoren kept muttering beside her, “Did Jas forget about us?”

Violeta opened the message from Hayden.

Hayden asked, ‘Are you at my place?’

Violeta answered, ‘Yes, my brother said you’re coming this afternoon.’

Hayden wrote, ‘Yep, already on the train. Should be there by the afternoon.’

A moment later, he sent a photo of himself on the train.

Violeta opened the picture. Before she could reply, Zoren

peeked over her shoulder. “Oh, Hayden’s on his way.”

Violeta pouted and asked, “Can you give me some personal space?”

Zoren chuckled and agreed, “Fine, fine, I’ll leave you to your sweet talk.”

Violeta was stunned.

Sweet talk?

Did Zoren know that Hayden had confessed to me?

As he left the room, Violeta typed on her phone. ‘Did my brother know about your confession?’

Hayden replied, ‘I didn’t discuss it with anyone. It was a spur-of-the-moment thing.’

Violeta pressed, ‘So he guessed?’

Hayden couldn’t answer that.

They had known each other for years.

Zoren and the others were well aware of Hayden’s feelings for Violeta, so it wasn’t really a secret.

Violeta didn’t think there was anything wrong with having a loving life. Even though they weren’t officially dating, there was nothing to be ashamed of.

She was just a bit surprised.

On second thought, it didn’t matter if Zoren knew.

She sent a message to Hayden. ‘Happy New Year! I wish you a good year ahead and make a lot of money.’

A moment later, Hayden sent her a cash present through Venmo.

Typically, a cash present contains 30 dollars.

Before Violeta could open the first one, several more came through in quick succession.

Eight contained 30 dollars, for a total of 240.

Violeta accepted them all without hesitation.

‘Just sending money, but you have nothing nice to say?’

Chapter 469

After a while, a message popped up. ‘You are the prettiest girl in the world.’

It was so simple, yet it made Violeta smile. It sounded pleasant to her ears.

After lunch, they started playing poker.

Violeta went to the snowy backyard, drew a heart in the snow, and took a picture. She posted it on Facebook, wishing everyone a wonderful holiday.

Fans soon flooded her post with well-wishes.

Violeta chuckled to herself as she scrolled through the comments, finding her fans incredibly adorable.

“What’s making you smile like that? Aren’t you cold-squatting here?”

Violeta was engrossed in reading the comments from her fans. A clear male voice came from behind, followed by a warm coat draping over her shoulders.

The phone screen went dark.

Violeta froze and saw Hayden’s reflection on her screen.

She stood up quickly and said, “You’re back already? So early.”

Hayden smiled softly, his eyes twinkling with a gentle light. He said, “It’s not early; I left very early this morning.

“Come on, let’s go inside,” he said.

They walked side by side towards the house.

“Did you watch the New Year’s Eve show?” she asked.

“I did,” he replied.

“I mean the part where I performed.”

“I watched your performance,” he said.

“Smart choice,” she teased.

After greeting his parents briefly, Hayden rushed to the backyard to find Violeta.

As they walked into the living room, someone teased, “I wondered why Hayden was in such a hurry. It turns out he was looking for Violeta. Irene, it looks like you are coming to have a double celebration.”

The speaker was Liam’s mother, Amber Black.

Amber was playing poker with Irene. Irene glanced at Violeta and laughed. “I’d like my daughter to stay with me for a few more years. Hayden, you’ll have to wait.”

Hayden was rendered speechless.

“Mum, what are you talking about?” Violeta protested.

“Oh, we can’t even talk about it, huh? I’m getting old now,” Irene joked.

Violeta quickly pulled Hayden away.

Outside, they saw Zoren and Liam discussing where to set off fireworks that evening. When they saw Hayden and Violeta approaching, Zoren turned and said, “Come on, Hade, we’re deciding on a spot with a wonderful view for tonight’s fireworks.

“We should decide soon and transport the fireworks there, so we’re not rushing later.”

Quinston banned fireworks in most areas, but allowed them in a few spots. They eventually chose Tugral Hill.

Since it was quite far, they planned to drive there early and had even booked a nearby Airbnb to stay overnight.

Violeta was eager to join. She covered herself from head to toe to avoid being recognised.

They set off in the afternoon, skipping lunch to leave early.

Before leaving, Irene wrapped a scarf around Violeta. She urged, “Hayden, you better take excellent care of Vio. Otherwise, I won’t let her go out with you again.”

“Don’t worry, Irene,” Hayden reassured her.

Irene smiled and said, “Off you go then.”

“Mum, I’ll send you videos,” Violeta promised.

The four of them piled into the car, heading to Tugral Hill.

The drive took about an hour.

They arrived before nightfall and rested at the Airbnb.

Zoren had invited a few others from the Pet Haven team. By nightfall, their small group had grown to nearly a dozen, both men and women.

When darkness fell, they gathered at the foot of Tugral Hill to set off the fireworks.

“Wow!”

“Beautiful!”

As the fireworks exploded in the sky, everyone shouted in amazement.

Each voicing their New Year’s wishes.

“This year, I hope to get rich!”

“Count me in on that wish! I want to get rich too!”

“Here’s to finding true love!”

“I hope our Pet Haven app reaches a million active users!”

Violeta had one hand in her pocket, and the other was holding her phone to record the fireworks.

She heard everybody’s wishes. She glanced at Zoren and smiled. “I don’t know about everyone else’s wishes, but I’m sure Zoren’s will come true.”

Chapter 470

Zoren and a few of his partners had been working on their startup for several years. Finally, their Pet Haven app was about to launch.

The app allows people to virtually care for and feed cats.

Hayden stood next to Violeta. As he listened to her, he looked down at her and asked, “What are your wishes for the new year?”

Violeta thought for a moment.

Pointing in a direction, she said, “I hope to go to the mountains soon to fulfill my promise.”

“A promise?”

“Uh-huh.”

“It sounds like you made this wish a long time ago. Which fountain did you go to, and which angel did you pray to?”

“I’m not telling you that.”

Violeta smiled.

The reflection of fireworks in her eyes didn’t light up her heart.

The wish she made and the promise she hoped to fulfill seemed like impossible dreams in her previous life.

Who would have thought she’d actually achieve it?

“Hayden.”

“Hmm?”

“What are your wishes?”

“Me?” Hayden exhaled, “I wish for peace and prosperity for the country, and harmony and success for all families.”

Violeta nudged him. “You’ve been speaking like a politician now, haven’t you?”

Hayden smiled gently, looking down at her. He said, “Well, I do have one wish right now, and only you can help me fulfil it.”

“Really? Me?”

Violeta lowered her head, wondering what his wish might be.

Hayden wouldn’t wish for something strange, right?

Bam!!

Another wave of fireworks ignited nearby.

The dazzling display in the sky interrupted Violeta’s train of thought.

“Violeta?”

“Hmm.”

Hayden asked, “Will you help me with my wish?”

Violeta paused a little before she answered, “Why not?”

Hayden reached out and held her hand. His voice softened as he

demanded, “Look at me.”

Her gaze shifted from the sky to Hayden’s.

He slowly leaned in. As the next firework bloomed, his lips

brushed against hers as lightly as a feather.

Her eyelashes trembled lightly.

Boom!

Fireworks exploded again.

This time, not in the sky.

After the holiday…

Violeta was the only Auratias spokesperson officially endorsed by DuchessM. Her first assignment of the year was to shoot a promotional video for DuchessM.

After the airing of ‘The Chosen One’, the reaction was exactly as Violeta had predicted- underwhelming, to say the least. It was almost a complete flop.

If it weren’t for fans watching, it would have faded away without a trace.

Zelena had expected this, but she hadn’t imagined that the show would get absolutely no buzz upon release.

Although it would become a classic in the years to come, the lack of initial reception gave Zelena no immediate boost.

The best she could hope for was a future hit and a surprise.

Previously, during a variety show, Zelena had a heated argument with Hattie, which brought high ratings for the program.

Now, Zelena’s status in the variety show sector could rival Violeta’s in the film industry.

At the start of the year, Zelena announced her participation in the third season of RV Travel Diaries.

Hattie and Zelena fell out.

Their teams adopted a zero-tolerance stance towards each other, openly competing for resources.

Zelena, with her high exposure to variety shows and popularity, managed to outshine Hattie in the fashion scene on several occasions.

Additionally, the damage to Hattie’s couture gown last time left the brand representatives unhappy.

In this realistic industry, whoever was more popular attracted more resources.

Hannah was able to help Hattie at first, but as Hattie’s career progressed, her influence seemed to wane.

While Hannah could make connections with Hattie, there was an invisible mountain in the entertainment industry, where class distinctions were the harsh reality.

Hannah couldn’t bridge the class gap.

She couldn’t carve out a larger piece of the pie.

Hattie’s peers would eventually surpass her if she didn’t strive for herself, widening the gap between them.

Hattie was the first to make her debut.

She initially thought she had distanced herself from the pack, but then Violeta surpassed her.

Now, even Zelena had managed to overtake her, making Hattie anxious.

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