Chapter 611
The moment she put it on, a wealthy woman purchased it. Everything Violeta wears ends up selling out fast, always breaking sales records.
During the charity event, a lot of famous faces showed up to mingle with powerful investors.
Violeta sat apart, having a conversation with Kaylee. Now and then, producers and sponsors approached them to take photos with Violeta.
After The Island premiered on National Day last year, it became a huge hit.
Despite Violeta facing significant criticism, other actors seized the chance, particularly Chad and Kaylee.
Kaylee, who was already somewhat known, gained even more recognition through her role as the male lead’s sister in The Island, which greatly advanced her career.
While she might not have reached Violeta’s level of fame, she still enjoyed considerable success and prosperity.
Her easygoing nature meant she was often viewed as a B-list artist on the fringe.
A lot of artists attended the charity event that evening.
Zelena, Evelina, Ophelia, Polly, and several other female artists were all there.
From a distance, Ophelia spotted Violeta sitting in the front. Previously, during the National Day release, the film The Island had outperformed Dawn.
Ophelia had a strong recollection of Violeta.
Initially, Violeta was known in the TV drama circle, but now she was beginning to make a mark in movies.
Ophelia was Violeta’s senior, having entered the entertainment industry about five or six years before her.
This year, Dawn was Ophelia’s chance to win the Best Actress Award, but she found herself up against Violeta.
Violeta’s career was progressing exceptionally well, but Ophelia thought it was merely due to luck. Among the female artists who started their careers around the same time as Violeta, none could rival her. She seemed like a towering figure among shorter ones.
Was it even possible to compete with me for the Best Actress Award?
It’s still a few years too soon!
Ophelia coldly turned away, shifting her focus to a well-known director in the crowd while holding a glass of wine.
In the back corner, Zelena stood quietly, her eyes thoughtfully surveying the entire venue. The scene of the domestic entertainment industry was laid out before her.
Meanwhile, Violeta sat with Kaylee.
Polly was engaged in conversation with a female artist friend nearby, while Nolan sat not far away.
Evelina’s table was surrounded by entertainment producers and prominent magazine editors.
Ophelia was deep in conversation with a top luxury brand CEO.
Hattie appeared somewhat detached, sitting by herself with a highball glass in hand, as if she had already consumed a few drinks.
Since her official announcement, Hattie had been struggling and had fallen out of the A-list circle.
Family issues had led to a significant loss of projects, and her fan base had dwindled, with several of her most dedicated supporters leaving.
No one had any idea what had transpired.
When Zelena spotted Nolan, her gaze grew even sharper.
Since his previous encounter with Polly, Nolan appeared to have picked up on something and intentionally stayed away from Zelena in public, rarely appearing at the company.
Zelena recognized that she had become completely estranged from Nolan.
She had let countless chances slip away.
Had it not been for Polly, things between her and Nolan might have turned out differently.
She had even lost a reliable assistant because of it.
As she reflected on this, a surge of fury rose within Zelena.
Nolan might be keeping his distance because of what Polly told him.
After speaking with Nolan, Polly approached Violeta with a drink, joining a lively chat with Violeta and Kaylee.
When did Polly and Violeta become such good friends?
Violeta, Polly, and Nolan…
These three people and the lawyer, Shirley …
Zelena’s thoughts spun rapidly. How did Shirley come to represent Polly?
How did Polly end up close to Nolan?
Why does it seem like Violeta is the common link between them all?
Something felt deeply wrong.
Zelena’s mind raced with thoughts.
She then turned her attention to the other side, focusing on Ophelia.
Holding a drink, she made her way over to Ophelia.
Last year, during a movie promotion, Zelena appeared on a variety show where Ophelia was a regular, so they interacted a bit.
Even though they hadn’t stayed in touch much since then, Zelena could still start a conversation with her.
So, with her drink in hand, she approached Ophelia.
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On the opposite side, Polly was seated beside Violeta and Kaylee.
Violeta glanced over, her eyes unintentionally drifting toward Hattie.
Hattie was alone, appearing somewhat pitiful.
The price of her marriage announcement appears to be steep, and she has become less prominent in the entertainment industry.
No one truly understands Hattie’s experiences. Only she knows the pain of being unable to express herself.
Polly said, “While selecting scripts earlier, I heard that Hattie now only takes on high-paying roles and is working on several projects simultaneously. It looks like she might be in financial need right now.”
Kaylee responded, “Is that so? Isn’t her family fairly well-off? After spending so many years in the entertainment industry, she should have some savings. Why would she be taking on multiple roles just for the money?”
Violeta gently lowered her eyes, a subtle smile playing at the edges of her lips.
With a money-devouring beast at home, it’s no wonder she might be short on cash.
This marriage seems like a good match, and Harvey’s true nature likely surfaced after he married Hattie.
He can now drop his pretense and let Hattie settle his debts.
Hannah was aware that her daughter had wed someone completely different from what they had anticipated. For the sake of appearances, they couldn’t expose the truth.
If they did, Carl might react unfavorably towards them.
To outsiders, Harvey is still seen as a reputable businessman.
If the truth comes out, would Carl continue to be generous with them?
The mother and daughter believed they had secured a wealthy tycoon, only to discover that all his promises were nothing but empty words.
Their outward appearance was impressive, but the truth was riddled with flaws.
If word got out, Carl would likely be the first to sever ties with them. Not only would they face personal embarrassment, but they would also damage the Ridges’ reputation.
However, since Hattie has been married to Harvey for such a long time, it’s unlikely they can keep it from Amber for much longer. Carl must have already picked up on something.
Otherwise, Harvey would always be staying in Harbor City, never daring to return to Quinston.
Right now, Hannah is also staying in Harbor City with Harvey.
Now, Hattie is the only one left trying to earn money in the domestic entertainment industry. To make a quick profit, she has taken on various roles and already filmed at least three movies. It’s only a matter of time before this scandal is exposed.
When that happens, her career in the domestic entertainment industry will likely be over.
Violeta asked, “Which movies did she work on?”
Polly replied, “From what I know, she filmed two historical movies, which just finished last month.”
Kaylee wondered, “Can she manage to film several movies at the same time? It sounds incredibly tiring.”
Polly remarked, “For instance, if a movie requires three months to complete, she could potentially shoot three movies in that time, which is very productive, though the end result might not always be top-notch.”
Kaylee is amazed. “If she can wrap up three movies in three months, that would mean she could complete twelve movies in a year, right?”
“We spend two years on a single movie, so her productivity is truly remarkable. The production team’s cow can’t even match her pace.”
Violeta laughed. “The production team’s cows? That’s a brilliant metaphor, Kay.”
Kaylee said, “If I worked as hard as Hattie, I could probably buy a house in Quinston before I hit thirty-five, haha.”
Housing costs in Quinston are extremely high.
Naturally, the home Kaylee refers to isn’t just a standard apartment.
It would need to be a premium residence, such as one in Liberty Grove, or a top-tier neighborhood with a great setting.
Kaylee has been working in the entertainment industry for a long time, but her earnings are not that high.
This year is the first time she’s experienced a significant boost, indicating that she hasn’t yet reached the pinnacle of her career.
For one, she hasn’t landed a leading role yet.
Second, her fame has built up gradually, unlike Violeta, who gained recognition almost instantly.
The top-tier stars are the ones who make the most money.
Polly shook her head. “It’s not worth it. As long as I have enough money, that’s all that matters. You can’t take it with you when you’re gone, after all.”
Kaylee responded, “That’s right. Your words really reflect how wisely you live.”
Polly laughed.
Violeta teased, “Still thinking about buying a house? Why not let my brother handle it for you? Just relax and enjoy life a bit more.”
Kaylee flushed slightly. “No, I want to buy it myself. Besides, why should I depend on him?”
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Violeta gave Kaylee a knowing look that said, “Stop pretending.”
“Oh, come on, don’t think I don’t know. Zoren didn’t spend New Year’s in Quinston this year. Did he go back to your hometown with you?”
Polly’s eyes lit up. “Kaylee, is that true?”
Kaylee blushed with embarrassment. “Stop it, you two. Honestly, I don’t even know how he found my house. He just showed up out of the blue and gave me a good scare.”
Just a little while ago, around New Year, Kaylee had gone back to her hometown. Not long after, Zoren showed up too, bringing gifts for her parents.
Zoren didn’t give any advance notice. He called Kaylee when he was already downstairs, telling her to come down and get him.
Kaylee had bought a new house for her parents with the money she’d earned, but she had no idea how Zoren found the place. After asking Zoren, only Zoren knew that one of Zoren’s good friends worked for the real estate agency. Then, he got her address with a little inquiry.
It turns out that the rich kids were in the same social circle in Quinston.
Kaylee asked him why he’d come out there.
That was when Zoren confessed his feelings to her. He said that he was in a good place now, stable enough to offer her a serious relationship, so he brought gifts to her parents to ask for approval.
Kaylee was pleasantly surprised, but before she could even respond, her parents had noticed them. Everything went smoothly from there.
“So, you two are officially together now?” Polly asked.
Kaylee smiled shyly. “Yes.”
“That’s wonderful!” Polly said. “Your career’s taking off, and now your love life’s settled too.”
Violeta chimed in, “I knew it! This year, he didn’t stay home for New Year’s, so he must have gone somewhere else. I guessed right, didn’t I?”
Kaylee playfully sighed. “Yes, yes, you were right.”
The three of them continued chatting away.
Meanwhile, Zelena had struck up a conversation with Ophelia.
Recently, Zelena was interested in jadeite, and Ophelia, a long-time jadeite enthusiast, was the perfect person for Zelena to connect with. Using jadeite as a conversation starter, Zelena began to bond with Ophelia.
Ophelia seemed to enjoy Zelena’s company, and they hit it off right away.
Ophelia even invited Zelena to her home in a few days to check out her jadeite collection, and Zelena gladly accepted.
Soon, it was nighttime.
Violeta emerged as the top seller of the night. Though she didn’t sell many items, what she did sell was top-notch and came with a high price tag.
Violeta also donated 132 thousand dollars.
To help things along between Nolan and Polly, Violeta shared some inside info with Polly, saying that Nolan might be interested in antique chess sets.
“Antique chess sets?”
“That’s right.”
Nolan and Wade have a close relationship. They were both chess enthusiasts and had always played chess together.
Nolan might not necessarily be into antique chess sets himself, but Violeta was sure that Wade would be.
And if Wade was interested, Nolan would definitely go out of his way to get one.
So, if one approached him from that angle, it should be easy to get closer to Nolan.
Polly felt like Violeta knew Nolan quite well.
Curious, she asked, “Vio, how do you know so much about him?”
Violeta hesitated slightly. “Huh?”
Then she quickly recovered. “I don’t really know him that well. We don’t talk much outside of formal settings, haha.”
“Then how did you know Nolan would be interested in antique chess sets?” Polly pressed.
“That’s because Mr. Howell loves them, and he’s very close with Nolan. I know Mr. Howell enjoys playing chess and privately collects antique chess sets. So, if you start from there, you’ll have a common topic to talk about and get closer to Nolan.
“Plus, even if Nolan isn’t interested, you could give the antique chess set to Mr. Howell, which would definitely earn you some points with him. It’s a win-win situation.”
Polly was convinced by Violeta’s reasoning.
“You’re right, Vio. That makes a lot of sense. But antique chess sets are rare and hard to come by.”
Violeta nodded. “Exactly. So, even though I’ve shared this plan with you, it won’t be easy to pull off.”
Polly’s tone shifted. “But it just so happens that I have one at home.”
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Violeta was taken aback. “What?”
Polly smiled. “I really do have one. It’s probably part of my great-grandfather’s collection. It’s been sitting in our storage room for ages. Honestly, I’d almost forgotten about it if you hadn’t mentioned it. But tonight, I’ll call my mom and have her dig it out. We should be able to find it.
“Thank you, Vio.”
The thought of turning a forgotten family heirloom into something that could help her get closer to someone she liked made Polly feel like it was all worth it.
Violeta was amazed. “Something like that is practically impossible to find even at auctions, and you guys had it lying around in storage? That’s such a waste, Polly!”
Polly shrugged. “Well, it’s been so many years. It’s something from my great-grandfather’s time, and no one in my family for the last three generations has been interested in chess, so we never knew its value.”
It made sense. Antique chess sets were so niche that most people wouldn’t even recognize them as valuable.
Not everyone would see the appeal of collecting them.
Polly’s great-grandfather?
Judging by his age, he was probably from the early 20th century.
There were likely other hidden treasures waiting to be discovered in Polly’s family storage.
Violeta said excitedly, “Polly, when you go home, if you find anything else that looks interesting, let me know. Who knows? I might just find another gem in your collection!”
Polly nodded. “Sure, I’ll let you know as soon as I find anything.”
And with that, the event wrapped up, and everyone left with their teams.
A few days later, Violeta received good news from Polly.
Polly had her mom thoroughly search their old storage room, and not only did they find a dusty basic antique chess set, but also a collection of stamps.
These stamp albums were old, dating back at least several decades.
They had been buried at the bottom of the box for a very long time. They looked like old photo albums so no one had ever bothered to open them.
But once opened, it turned out there were treasures inside.
Polly knew that stamps could be valuable, but she reached out to Violeta first.
When Violeta heard there were stamps, she asked Polly to send her some photos. To her surprise, the collection included the limited edition animal stamps from the eighties, along with a rare set of military stamps.
These were extremely valuable!
Violeta immediately offered, “Polly, are you willing to sell them? I’d like to buy them from you, and I’ll pay you a fair price based on the market value.”
“Uhh…
Polly wasn’t naive. She knew these stamps held significant value, and some of the complete sets could easily fetch millions at an auction.
Keeping them would only increase their worth over time, and besides, Polly wasn’t short on money right now.
However, she knew that selling them to Violeta meant gaining a lifelong friend and confidante.
It wasn’t just about Violeta helping her with Nolan. The other time when Zelena tried to sabotage her, Violeta had given Polly a heads-up in advance, saving her from ruining her career.
Wait, my career is worth millions too…
But then, Polly made up her mind. “Vio, these things I didn’t even know existed until now, so it’s like they were never mine to begin with. I’d like to give them to you as a gift.
“I believe in fate. The fact that I discovered them now and that it was you who helped me find them means they were meant to be yours, not mine. I’ll hand them over to you the next time we meet.”
Violeta hadn’t expected Polly to be so generous.
She was genuinely touched and realized Polly truly saw her as a good friend.
“Thank you, Polly.”
“No problem.”
A week later, Polly met with Violeta and handed her the stamp collection.
Violeta then cleverly had Eugene, through his network, spread the word that Polly owned a rare, complete antique chess set.
Sure enough, the news reached Nolan’s ears.
Just two days later, Polly received a message from Nolan on WhatsApp.
He wanted to come over and take a look at the antique chess set, asking if Polly had some time.
Polly was thrilled when she got the message. She immediately replied, “Of course! Would you like to come over next weekend?”
Chapter 615
Nolan hesitated for a moment. “Your house? That might be inconvenient.”
Polly understood Nolan’s concern about propriety, so she quickly replied, “Don’t overthink it, Nolan. I don’t mean anything by it. It’s just that we’re both public figures, and meeting outside isn’t exactly ideal. The chess set is at my place, so it’s safer if you come over.”
After considering it, Nolan finally agreed.
Polly excitedly shared the good news with Violeta.
Violeta was excited too.
She was even happier since she’d also scored a rare stamp collection.
The antique chess set at Polly’s house was in pristine condition.
There were barely any signs of wear. Since Polly’s family had little interest in chess, the set had remained untouched for decades, preserving its excellent condition.
Such a rare piece would be a dream come true for someone like Wade, who’d probably be over the moon if he received it as a birthday gift.
It would be a perfect gift for him since his birthday was approaching.
After Nolan visited Polly’s home to see the chess set, he was immediately interested in acquiring it.
However, Polly, wanting to keep Nolan engaged, didn’t agree to sell it right away.
Instead, she vaguely mentioned that her mother wanted to keep it in the family as a cherished heirloom.
Nolan would have to continue negotiating with Polly if he wanted to buy the chess set.
The chess set was the bait, and Nolan was the fish.
Polly was patiently reeling him in.
Since Tracy’s departure, the company’s top resources had noticeably shifted in Violeta’s favor, especially with the luxury brand deals.
Winona, being unhappy with this, repeatedly complained to Lance.
However, Lance shut her down with a single remark, “Securing luxury brand deals isn’t something the company can control. It all depends on the artist’s ability. Do you think we have the power to make these brands invest in an artist they’re not interested in?”
The implication was clear. Evelina simply wasn’t up to the standard of luxury brands.
Winona was furious, but there was nothing she could do.
Instead of relying on the company, she could only hope that
Evelina’s popularity would continue to rise.
Evelina was just one step away from becoming an A-list celebrity.
Violeta, on the other hand, had a unique advantage in the industry. Her social circle was filled with elite, wealthy women, and her first public appearance at a global event had left. everyone in awe.
Such an advantage was unparalleled and unlikely to be repeated.
Evelina had once experienced the massive exposure and buzz that came with being the global first to wear a new design from a luxury brand.
She envied Violeta but knew that not everyone could become Violeta. All she could do was secretly harbor her jealousy.
She had finally managed to push Tracy out of the way, and now she was just waiting for Violeta to fall from grace.
If a scandal took her down, Evelina would no longer have any obstacles in her career path.
One day, a certain topic slowly began to trend online.
Frosty.
For those unfamiliar with the username, it might seem strange at first, but once they learned the backstory, it brought a knowing smile to their faces.
According to long-time followers, Frosty’s account had been documenting small details of daily life for years, mostly through weather-related photos instead of words.
However, each time he posted about the weather, it was often tinged with a sense of longing.
Netizens speculated that the person behind the account was well-educated and kind-hearted. Because of this, some heartbroken users would leave their stories in his comments, and he would occasionally reply.
Frosty’s fame began with a particular incident a few years ago when the stock market was highly volatile.
A user had invested all their savings in stocks, only to see them plummet. Feeling hopeless, the user left a comment in Frosty’s feed, hinting at taking drastic measures.
Frosty saw the comment and left a brief reply: “Wait, it’ll rise in a week.”
Most people who saw the comment didn’t take it seriously, assuming Frosty was just offering some comforting words.
The user, who had been on the brink, didn’t commit suicide, perhaps because they lacked the courage.
But then, something unexpected happened. The stock that had been crashing suddenly rebounded a week later.
It skyrocketed, and those who had bailed out early regretted it deeply.
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A week later, the person who had been on the brink of despair returned to leave a comment, thanking Frosty for the encouragement and expressing his surprise at the stock bouncing back.
Many were astonished. They wondered if Frosty was a stock market insider.
His predictions seemed almost prophetic.
This led to bolder comments, with people asking Frosty for his predictions on the stock market’s future trends. Although he rarely replied, whenever he did, it was always spot-on.
As a result, his account became a haven for heartbroken netizens and a hub for financial discussions.
While the comments from users weren’t always serious, any comment Frosty posted was accurate.
He became a niche influencer, with his comment section sometimes buzzing more than those of larger following accounts.
Many attempted to contact Frosty privately, hoping to gain financial advice, but he never responded.
Over the years, Frosty became known as the most mysterious and melancholic oracle in the financial world.
“Frosty must be a market manipulator. Even if he isn’t, he’s definitely connected to come higher-ups.”
“He’s incredible! I actually made money by following his advice. I can’t even imagine what his network is like. Please, let me join you!”
The mystery deepened because no one knew who Frosty really was.
Even the financial world had tried to investigate, but they came up empty.
The melancholy part came from a cloud photo Frosty had once posted. Someone in the comments asked why he always shared these pictures.
He replied, “Because I’m missing someone.”
So, everyone knew that whenever Frosty posted a picture, it meant he was likely longing for someone.
Some netizens were envious.
“I wonder who Frosty is thinking about. It must be his wife.”
“If only I could be Mrs. Frosty!”
“Turns out, even successful people have their worries.”
This time, Frosty had trended because of his followers’ activities.
He had been silent on Twitter for three months, but finally, in February of this year, he posted something new!
It was a simple image of a coffee mug with a faint red lipstick stain on the rim.
There was also some wedding stuff visible in the background.
Fans speculated that something good must have happened!
The tweet initially didn’t attract much attention, but over the months, the comment section became so lively that it eventually trended.
“Frosty is probably in the financial circle. If he really is about to get married, he might finally reveal himself this time.”
“Ask around people from the financial circle. The big shot that is getting married got to be Frosty!”
“Even Frosty’s getting married, and here I am, still single.”
“If that’s the case, was Frosty pining for someone all this time? I’m really curious now. The woman he’s into must be incredible!”
As the topic trended, more people flocked to learn about Frosty.
His Twitter followers went through his following, but they couldn’t figure out much.
It was hard to imagine a cool and reserved person with his entire follow list consisting of entertainment gossip accounts.
The contrast was striking.
“Turns out, Frosty likes celebrity gossip too!”
The trend on Twitter lasted less than two hours before it vanished without a trace.
Even searching for his name yielded no results, as if the system had blocked the term entirely.
This had never happened before, fueling even more wild speculation.
People said Frosty didn’t want the fame and had somehow managed to block his own account from trending.
It was unbelievable.
Meanwhile, Elaine had recently returned after giving birth and launched her own independent column, where she interviewed various political figures.
At the top of her list was the rising star in the political world, Hayden.
If Hayden were to marry Violeta, Elaine would become his sister- in-law, so the connection was quite close.
Hayden usually didn’t do interviews, but he made an exception
for Elaine, giving her ten minutes of his time.
Elaine assembled a film crew and, at the agreed time, interviewed Hayden.
The brief ten-minute interview was packed with valuable insights, with not a single wasted moment.
Chapter 617
Hayden’s sharp features and demeanor held up well on screen. He looked impressive even in the raw footage.
Elaine was so satisfied with the ten-minute interview that she didn’t want to cut any of it. So, she aired the entire segment on her show, with a short clip as a teaser.
Military news channels typically cater to an older audience and don’t usually release teasers for new segments.
There wasn’t a need for that.
But this time was different.
Elaine was making her comeback after giving birth, and it was a rare opportunity for her to interview none other than Hayden.
Determined to make her mark, Elaine requested that the station allocate some advertisement time for her preview.
The station had some ties to the Cohens, so the director granted Elaine this chance.
They used some advertisement time to run the teaser for the new segment.
Unexpectedly, the teaser went viral.
Normally, people would change the channel during advertisements.
But just as they were about to switch, they were drawn in by Hayden’s handsome face in his uniform. Many people stayed and watched the entire teaser.
As a result, the viewership for the advertisement slot increased.
Some netizens even caught the teaser on Twitter and started commenting.
“Who’s this guy? He’s pretty good-looking.”
“He’s so young! I didn’t know we had such young leaders. Impressive.”
“That’s the kind of face my mom would love in a son-in-law. I see what they mean by ‘the perfect young man from a good family’ for the first time.”
The response exceeded Elaine’s expectations.
As the buzz spread online, it didn’t take long for someone to dig up Hayden’s background. However, because he was an official, there wasn’t much publicly available information.
Just a brief resume, showing nearly ten years of impressive political achievements, particularly during his time in Newham.
The only slowed down in his career was when he served as a deputy branch manager.
Comments poured in.
“To be fair, a deputy branch manager in their twenties? That’s impressive enough.”
“When I was little, I dreamed of marrying someone like him. I wonder if he’s married. I’m really tempted! He’s totally my type!”
“He’s seducing me in his uniform!”
Hayden wasn’t one to enjoy being the subject of gossip.
So, he had the station shut down the comment section.
Three days later, Elaine’s first independently produced segment aired. Hayden’s interview took up ten minutes, with the rest filled with other content she had prepared.
Hayden’s segment was the grand finale.
The episode’s ratings were off the charts, surpassing those of previous news segments.
It was all thanks to the teaser that built up anticipation for the show’s premiere.
Elaine owed Hayden a big thank you.
She invited Hayden out for a meal, but he politely declined.
Violeta heard about the show but didn’t have time to watch it live, so she caught it later online.
Viewing the show as Hayden’s girlfriend and reading the cheeky comments from fans calling him their “husband” amused her.
That day, Violeta finished work early and headed home, just in time to meet Hayden for dinner at the White residence.
Before it got dark, Hayden came to pick her up from the office.
As Violeta was leaving, Evelina’s assistant, Jenny, had just returned to the office to retrieve something.
They crossed paths in the elevator: Violeta on her way out, Jenny on her way in.
Jenny recognized Violeta and waited outside the elevator for her to leave before stepping in herself.
As an assistant, Jenny knew that even though Evelina’s team was in direct competition with Violeta’s, she could only act out when Evelina was present. If Evelina wasn’t around, Jenny had to be respectful and keep her distance.
After Violeta left, Jenny entered the elevator and checked the time on her phone.
Judging by Violeta’s outfit, it didn’t look like she was heading to work.
Could she have finished work so early? It wasn’t even seven o’clock yet.
Just then, a message popped up in the group chat named “Hardworking Little Bees.”
This was a small circle of celebrity assistants that Jenny had been part of for years. The assistants often shared gossip and industry news in the group.
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“Ladies, here’s some juicy gossip! Have any of you heard that Violeta might be dating?”
“Violeta? Seriously? Where did you hear that?”
“My brother works as an extra in Jobus’s film crew. He mentioned seeing Violeta getting into some guy’s car on the set
of The Golden Age.”
“Getting into a car isn’t that unusual. It could just be her company car, right?”
“No, no, that car shows up once or twice a month. If it were a company car, there’d be no reason to gossip. The car looks like it’s there for personal visits, and it’s an Audi A8, a low-key luxury car that is worth millions.”
Hayden did visit the set during the two years that Violeta was filming The Golden Age. It was normal for people to notice that, but it was a problem that someone remembered.
Although they were always discreet, it’s hard to avoid being noticed.
Jenny scrolled through the messages in the group chat, thinking this might actually be a big scoop.
After quickly grabbing what she needed, Jenny took the elevator down and returned to the car. Inside, Evelina was resting with an eye mask on. She didn’t move when Jenny got in, seemingly fast asleep.
Evelina was often exhausted because of her schedule. She would only get three or four hours of sleep per day, sometimes even less.
Jenny nudged Evelina’s arm.
Evelina, irritated at being woken up, snapped, “What is it?”
Jenny whispered, “Evie, I think Violeta might be in a relationship!”
No one talked for a moment.
Evelina then pulled off her eye mask and looked at Jenny with a mix of surprise and skepticism. “What did you say?”
Jenny showed Evelina the messages in the group chat.
“It’s not just me. The group is buzzing about it.”
Evelina, half-believing her, took the phone and scanned through the messages.
“Do you think that they’re telling the truth?”
“I’d say there’s a 60 to 70% chance it’s real.”
Jenny continued. “This group is made up of assistants from across the industry. We share information occasionally, and it’s usually pretty accurate.”
After all, they were all part of the same circle. There was no need to fabricate stories or spread rumors.
They were the only employees who couldn’t afford to take any risks.
Plus, there were so few people in the group that it would be easy to trace who started any false rumors.
So, unless someone was certain, they wouldn’t say anything.
According to the group, someone had seen Violeta getting into an Audi A8 on the set of The Golden Age, and it wasn’t a company car. Over the two years of filming, the car had appeared on set once or twice a month.
That frequency suggested the person was here for a visit.
Evelina remained silent.
It would be good news if Violeta were in a relationship.
I could use this to completely ruin her reputation!
Luck is on my side!
However, she knew she had to be cautious. If she failed to fully expose Violeta, she might not get another chance.
Evelina turned to Jenny. “First, check with the company to see if they own that car. If it’s not theirs, then go back to the group and verify with the person who shared the info. Make sure it’s true.”
Jenny nodded, “Got it, I’ll take care of it. Evie, if Violeta really is dating someone, we have an opportunity to bring her down.”
Evelina nodded, “I know, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We need solid evidence. We can only strike when we’re sure we’ll bring her down for good.”
Meanwhile, Violeta and Hayden were at the White residence, enjoying a simple dinner.
Irene served them soup and then asked Violeta when they planned to move forward with their marriage.
Violeta, munching on a chicken leg, replied, “Mom, making an official announcement has to be done at the right time. Rushing it could lead to a backlash.”
Irene scoffed, “Backlash? For getting engaged and married? If that’s the case, just leave the industry. It’s not like we’re short on money.”
Violeta glanced at Hayden and tossed the question to him, “What do you think, Hayden?”
Hayden smiled calmly, “We’re in no rush, Mrs. White. Nowadays, people tend to marry late. Violeta wants to focus on her career for a while, and so do I.”
Chapter 619
Anton placed his cutlery down and said seriously, “It’s important to pursue your career, but you shouldn’t neglect marriage. Wouldn’t it be better to have both? Why choose one over the other?”
Violeta nodded, “Yes, I get it.”
Love is a two-way street.
Violeta knew she couldn’t keep Hayden waiting forever, constantly compromising for her sake.
There were things that her parents could tell her, but it wouldn’t be the same coming from in-laws.
Given the Frost family’s status, they shouldn’t have to be so accommodating, waiting for her to decide when to go public with their relationship.
A secret marriage was impossible to keep hidden.
Going public was the only option for them. The Whites and the Frosts were both prominent families, after all. It’s not like they have anything to hide.
The Frosts have always been understanding because Hayden loved Violeta, so they’ve been willing to accept her as well.
Violeta knew she couldn’t be too selfish.
Anton and Irene’s gentle reminders were crucial.
Hayden might be patient, but from his parent’s perspective, they didn’t necessarily need Violeta as their daughter-in-law. A refined lady from another prominent family would be just as suitable. They might prefer someone they could proudly introduce at any time.
Violeta realized she still had a long way to go.
There are many wealthy and influential families in the world, but only one person can take away an Oscar award, leaving their mark in history.
According to Jenny’s investigation, Apex Entertainment did not own an Audi A8.
Jenny later tracked down the extra who had initially shared the gossip. After asking around, she discovered that this person had even taken a photo.
He had been smoking outside the set when he saw the car and snapped a picture to brag to his friends about being on Violeta’s set.
This photo became solid evidence, though it was unfortunate that Violeta was somewhat blurry in the shot.
However, the image could turn clearer with some editing.
Jenny contacted the extra and asked him to send the photo. When she received it, she excitedly rushed back to report to Evelina.
Evelina asked, “Who owns that car?”
Jenny replied, “The license plate indicates that it belongs to someone in Quinston. It’s obvious that it belongs to someone wealthy.”
Evelina pondered for a moment. “Where does Violeta live?”
Jenny quickly recalled. “I think she lives in Liberty Grove?”
Evelina said, “Check out Liberty Grove’s parking garage. You might find something.”
Liberty Grove was a high-end apartment complex, and its parking garage wasn’t easy to access.
Jenny hesitated, showing some difficulty.
Shania, who was nearby, suggested, “I have a friend who delivers water to different residential areas. Maybe he could help us out.”
Evelina smiled. “Delivering water? That could work. As long as we can get into the parking garage, it’ll be worth it. Shania, if you and Jenny can help me with this, I’ll cover the down payment on your house in your hometown.”
“Really?”
“That’s amazing! Don’t worry, Evie. I’ll contact him right away.”
Liberty Grove residents might not all need bottled water, but the security booth at Liberty Grove definitely has a water dispenser. As long as they could get into the underground parking garage, they could figure things out. Plus, they already had the Audi A8’s license plate number they were sure to find it!
Shania immediately contacted her old friend. It turns out that keeping people’s contact information came in handy after all.
She offered him 100 dollars to let her tag along the next time he delivered water to Liberty Grove.
Her friend agreed without hesitation because of the money.
At the beginning of the month, when her friend was delivering water to Liberty Grove, he brought Shania along.
Their delivery van was a common sight at Liberty Grove, so the security guard waved them in without a second glance. Shania, who had been nervous, felt relieved seeing how easily they were let through.
As they unloaded the water, the security guard noticed Shania and casually asked, “Robert, where’s your wife today?”
Robert Jenson laughed awkwardly, “This is my sister. My wife’s busy at the shop.”
Shania nodded along, “Yes, I’m his sister, Shania Jenson. By the way, is there a restroom here? I really need to go.”
The security guard took another look at Shania. She was well-dressed, with manicured nails-hardly someone who looked like she’d be doing manual labor.
“Go straight down this way, then take a right at the end of the hall.”
Chapter 620
Shania nodded and quickly walked away.
Once she was out of the security guard’s sight, she changed direction and headed straight for the underground parking garage.
The parking garage was massive, but it wasn’t hard to navigate.
After entering, she began searching for the car.
Today, Hayden drove a different car. After a wash and maintenance, his driver parked the Audi A8 there again. The car gleamed under the garage lights after waxing.
Shania found the car and immediately started taking pictures with her phone. She pressed her face against the window, trying to see inside, but the tinted windows blocked her view.
Luckily, the front windshield wasn’t tinted, so she stretched her neck to peek inside, but still, she couldn’t see anything.
Despite that, she did manage to find the car.
This car being in Liberty Grove’s parking garage meant that the man driving it probably lived there too-maybe even living with Violeta.
She wished that she could get a picture of Violeta and this man together.
Shania’s eyes lit up as she thought about her next move. She decided to leave the garage and wander around Liberty Grove, hoping to get lucky. After all, she was already there, so she might as well take a look around.
It was her first time in such a high-end neighborhood. She had heard that the rent here was more than 10 thousand per month.
Just as Shania was about to leave the parking garage, a patrolling security guard caught sight of her.
“Who are you?”
Shania’s heart skipped a beat, but she quickly pulled herself together. After all, working with Evelina had exposed her to high-pressure situations before.
And today, she was dressed quite respectably, so she bravely turned around and snapped, “I’m a resident here. I just came down to grab something from my car. Why are you shouting and scaring me like that?”
The security guard hadn’t seen Shania before, but her confidence made him hesitate.
“You’re a resident? Which building and unit are you from?”
Shania had no idea, but she pretended to be confident and replied, “Building 2, Unit 6.”
The guard immediately saw through her lie. “Our residents don’t introduce themselves by their unit numbers like that. You’re not a resident! Who are you? What are you doing in the parking garage? Are you up to something?”
Realizing she’d been caught, Shania didn’t waste a second and ran away.
She couldn’t afford to get caught.
If she were caught, everything would be over.
“Stop right there!”
The guard, seeing her flee, quickly grabbed his walkie-talkie to alert the other guards and took off after her.
Shania was short but quick as she darted through the garage.
The guard was surprised by her agility as she dashed out of the parking area.
Liberty Grove’s grounds were extensive, and Shania focused only on escaping and didn’t pay attention to where she was going. Soon, she found herself lost.
Ms. Silverleaf and Hilary had just returned from grocery shopping and were about to enter their building when they heard a security guard shouting for someone to stop.
Hilary’s eyes narrowed as she looked toward the sound.
Shania was running straight toward them, shouting, “Move!”
Hilary calmly set down her groceries and, in a swift motion, grabbed the hood of Shania’s jacket, pulling her down. With a knee to Shania’s back, she pinned her to the ground, expertly twisting her arms behind her as if she were subduing a criminal.
Shania screamed in pain, shouting and struggling.
Ms. Silverleaf, not wanting to cause trouble, quickly said, “Oh dear, what’s going on? Hilary, don’t get involved.”
By then, three security guards had caught up.
“Thank you! If it weren’t for you, who knows where she would’ve gone.”
Hilary made a gesture.
Ms. Silverleaf interpreted, “She says no problem, just lending a hand.”
“Who is this woman?” one of the guards asked.
“We’re not sure. How did she even get in here?” another guard replied.
Ms. Silverleaf warned, “You all need to be more careful. She might be another one of those paparazzi sneaking in to take photos. Hilary, let’s go.”
Shania glared at Hilary. If it hadn’t been for her, she wouldn’t have been caught.
Ms. Silverleaf and Hilary walked into their building, while the guards took Shania away. They intended to call the police, but Shania claimed she was just lost and refused to say anything more.
When the guard who had been helping unload the water returned, he recognized Shania as the woman who had come with Robert to deliver water.
Robert couldn’t believe that Shania had the nerve to wander around a place like Liberty Grove.
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