After dinner ended, everyone left the VVIP room. The atmosphere that had been tense was now silent. They parted ways in front of the hotel-without many words.Vanessa's parents were still grumbling, especially Marylin who was upset that she didn't get what she wanted.Meanwhile, Vanessa walked beside Harvey. She held his arm tightly, but her face looked awkward. She looked at Harvey from the side-a man whose face remained impassive, as if nothing had happened at the dinner table."Didn't I say I would take care of this myself?" Vanessa frowned. "Why did you even show up, Harvey?"Harvey relaxed his gaze slightly. His steps were firm and steady as they walked out of the hotel door. The night lights reflected off the glass, highlighting the silhouettes of the two walking side by side."I just wanted to show you my brave side," Harvey said softly without turning around.Vanessa gave a small nod. There's a slight smile at the corner of her lips-she understands what Harvey means. The male

Vanessa closed her tired eyes. She leaned back in the makeup chair, her head slightly raised, staring at the white ceiling above her. The shadows of the studio lights reflected in her half-open eyes. A day of work had left her mind in turmoil—too much dialogue, too many cameras, and now... thoughts of her mother.Without her realizing it, a man stood at the side of the dressing table, holding a makeup brush. The man was flamboyant in appearance, with thin eyeliner and shiny lip gloss that matched his silver-dyed hair. He shook his head slowly, looking at Vanessa as if he were looking at a wayward student who had just given up on life.“Vanessa,” he said, patting her hip lightly. “You know, this is still a workplace. It's not good to have that kind of expression on your face, dear. The cameras aren't off yet, but your aura has already dimmed.”Vanessa suddenly opened her eyes, startled as if she had just awakened from a long daydream. She immediately straightened up, sitting with her u

When Marylin said that, rhythmic footsteps were heard from the direction of the door. An elegantly dressed woman with an open shoulder cut stepped closer with a handsome man beside her. The sparkle of jewelry around her neck reflected the light from the crystal chandelier, causing several guests to glance over.The woman smiled sweetly, but there was a hint of showiness in her every movement. She was Sonar—Vanessa's cousin who had previously sent her a text message.“Auntie, I was surprised you suddenly threw a party like this,” she said, looking Marylin up and down. “My husband and I even cleared our schedules immediately.”She turned to the man who was proudly holding her arm. “Right, honey?”The handsome man Sonar was holding only smiled slightly. He pressed his lips to the rim of a crystal glass and took a sip of champagne before speaking. His gaze was cold as he glanced at his wife.“Yes. I postponed today's meeting to come here.”His tone was calm, but it contained a subtle pres

Rudy pointed at the car that had just pulled into the driveway, his laughter bursting out uncontrollably. “That... haha... that's an Impala!” His voice echoed, drawing the attention of several guests nearby. His shoulders shook as he tried to hold back his laughter.Sonar tilted her head, staring at the car with a furrowed brow. “I don't even know what an Impala is,” she said, her lips curving uncertainly. “But that car... looks really old.”Rudy laughed even harder, while several other guests began whispering to each other—both surprised and amused by the vehicle that contrasted with the luxurious party around it.Rudy could barely contain his laughter. His shoulders shook slightly as he stroked Sonar's smooth shoulder, then playfully pinched his wife's cheek. “That's right, my dear,” he said between laughs. “It's a car from the eighties. It's 2025 now. I can imagine that car going in and out of the repair shop a lot.”He leaned slightly toward Sonar, his voice dropping to a cynical,

Marylin looked at Harvey with a furrowed brow. "Huh?" her voice was low, almost a whisper. She did not expect Harvey to utter such words in front of the gathered family. The air in the room seemed to tighten; the small conversations that had been overheard were now gone, replaced by a piercing silence.Rudy let out a short breath, trying to laugh at the situation, but his lips tightened instead. He grinned awkwardly, his eyes glancing at the people who began to notice him. His index finger was raised, but he immediately lowered it again, as if his own body refused to challenge Harvey."Tu-wait... what do you mean by saying something like that?" his voice trembled faintly. "I was the one who got here first. And you-you just came. Why talk like you own this place?"Harvey stood tall in the center of the room, his shoulders slightly raised, showing a naturally confident demeanor. His gaze swept them slowly from head to toe - sharp, as if judging without speaking.The corners of his lips