Never Too Far Novel

Chapter 1401-1410

One was a Demon Lord, and the other was the War God.

Alioth crushed all forces, giving Atlas, the War God, a hard time. As a young celestial servant, Estelle immediately stood in front of her master when he coughed out a mouthful of blood, leading Alioth to withdraw his energy and command icily, “Come here.”

“I will never leave my master!” Jessie recited her line.

Meanwhile, an eerie sensation exuded from Julian even though he was basking under the sun, and the surrounding crew sensed it too. It was as though Julian was genuinely pissed and not just acting.

Following, Fabian recited his line, commanding as he panted, “You’re my celestial servant. You’re not allowed to go anywhere but stay by my side!”

“Don’t worry, Master. I won’t leave you.” Jessie stared firmly at him while he held her hand.

Julian knew they were all just acting, yet he couldn’t help narrowing his icy gaze as he looked at how affectionately Jessie was looking at Fabian.

“Cut!” Vincent cried out in time, believing someone would get super jealous if he let the scene go on. “Julian, we need a panning shot from you. You two can take five.”

After Jessie eased her mood, she looked toward Julian as a few cameras panned around him. The malice in his contemptuous gaze was intimidating, looking like it could obliterate the entire world.

Julian completed his shots perfectly in no time, and Vincent had them take a break.

Jessie looked up at him and spoke up first. “Sorry I ruined your rep.”

“And what wrong do you have? The ones at fault are those ill-intentioned.” Julian corrected her, then sat down across from her. Seeing that she was dejected, he tried to comfort her. “Don’t worry about it. The company will sort it out. It won’t damage your reputation.”

“Did a crew leak it? I know people can make money out of them,” Jessie asked, curious.

“Cooper’s looking into it. No matter who it is, they won’t be spared,” declared Julian as a hint of rage flashed across his eyes. This guy is targeting Jessie’s reputation.

“Lexie said you barely ate anything,” he mentioned with concern. She seemed to have lost even more weight since joining the production. “What do you want to eat? I’ll take you there.”

“No, we can’t be seen together right now. Besides, there have been tons of rumors going on between us in the first place. I’m really worried I’ll affect you.”

“In what sense?” He narrowed his eyes.

“Your reputation, of course!”

“What use do I have for that when I can’t even protect a friend?! You’re more important to me than my rep,” Julian declared gravely, making Jessie speechless with gratitude.

“Come on. I’ll take you out for food.” At that, he extended his hand out to her, wanting to pull her up. Jessie put her hand abashedly on his, and he immediately pulled her up, then just like that, he led her out of her room.

A few assistants were chatting in the corridor when they came out, and Jessie reflexively struggled. However, Julian held a tight grip on her hand, not giving her a chance to break free.

As soon os they hod gone for enough, the ossistonts begon whispering, ond o rother loud ossistont’s voice troveled to the elevotor when the doors were closing. “Shut up! They’re reolly seeing eoch

other?!”

The elevotor door closed the next second, ond Jessie’s heod buzzed for o second. No, people con’t think thot I’m doting Julion, con they?

Julion, on the other hond, stored ot the moving numbers until they orrived ot the lobby os though he hodn’t heord o word the ossistont soid. As she worried there would be o crowd outside, she withdrew her hond eventuolly, instinctively wonting to protect his reputotion.

It didn’t motter if she got boshed, but he couldn’t be drogged through the mud. The one thot hit her the hordest wos o fon criticizing him, ‘Whot the heck is Julion thinking?! Whot o woste of his good looks. To think he’d foncy o nobody like her.’

Sometimes, words could be os shorp os o dogger, injuring someone indiscernibly, hurting deeply without ever bleeding.

Julion didn’t insist either, letting her hove her woy. Thot soid, he’d glonce behind his shoulder ot the young womon wolking behind him with every step he took. If she slowed down, then he would noturolly woit for her.

The chouffeur wos olreody stonding by with the cor outside, ond Julion let Jessie hop in before going in himself.

As soon as they had gone far enough, the assistants began whispering, and a rather loud assistant’s voice traveled to the elevator when the doors were closing. “Shut up! They’re really seeing each other?!”

The elevator door closed the next second, and Jessie’s head buzzed for a second. No, people can’t think that I’m dating Julian, can they?

Julian, on the other hand, stared at the moving numbers until they arrived at the lobby as though he hadn’t heard a word the assistant said. As she worried there would be a crowd outside, she withdrew her hand eventually, instinctively wanting to protect his reputation.

It didn’t matter if she got bashed, but he couldn’t be dragged through the mud. The one that hit her the hardest was a fan criticizing him, ‘What the heck is Julian thinking?! What a waste of his good looks. To think he’d fancy a nobody like her.’

Sometimes, words could be as sharp as a dagger, injuring someone indiscernibly, hurting deeply without ever bleeding.

Julian didn’t insist either, letting her have her way. That said, he’d glance behind his shoulder at the young woman walking behind him with every step he took. If she slowed down, then he would naturally wait for her.

The chauffeur was already standing by with the car outside, and Julian let Jessie hop in before going in himself.

Meanwhile, Vincent had the assistant director investigate the case, as he simply couldn’t allow something like this to happen again. Anyone who slandered his cast would be held legally responsible.

Hazel, on the other hand, became apprehensive after seeing the trending page in the afternoon. The scandal escalated far too quickly, and Jessie was bashed for good. Julian’s fans were now criticizing Jessie for anything and everything.

“What are we going to do, Miss Hazel?! I heard the assistant director’s investigating this case. What if he finds out it’s us?!” Hazel’s assistant was freaking out.

“Stand your ground. As long as they don’t know it’s us, the whole thing will fizzle out sooner or later.” Hazel was still rather collected as she had similar experiences. Sure, they’d investigate the situation,

but it would be just an act most of the time, and they’d just warn people from doing something like this again.

However, right then, Vincent was bellowing in his room, “What do you mean you can’t find anything?! Pull all the footage from that day out. Young Master Julian personally ordered the investigation. We’ll stop all filming until we get to the bottom of this. So, dig into it now!”

The few members of staff had just been putting on a show at first, and their hearts skipped a beat after hearing Vincent’s words. It seemed that they couldn’t shrug it off anymore.

Nobody dared snub it any longer, and they hurriedly gathered together to fish out all the footage from this behind-the-scenes clip as well as find the possible crew member who had released the recording.

Finally, an eagle-eyed young woman watching the footage exclaimed, “Guys, look. She’s recording with a phone. It might be her.”

“She’s Miss Hazel’s assistant. She’s probably just recording Miss Hazel.”

“We’ll know for sure after we have her come over to Director Cooper’s, won’t we?”

Hazel’s assistant happened to have gone out to buy Hazel some fruits, and she was called to a conference room as soon as she arrived at the lobby.

“Bailey, were you the one who uploaded the behind-the-scenes clip online?” Vincent and a few higher- ups fixed their gaze on her.

“No, it wasn’t me.”

“Really? I’ve already verified it with the media, and it is you! Come clean, and I can spare you, but if you insist on being obstinate, you can say hi to prison.”

Bailey’s face blanched at once, and the fruits in her hands dropped to the floor. Even her legs had turned to jelly.

“I didn’t mean to do it. It’s… It’s Miss Hazel. She made me do it. I’m just following orders.” The assistant immediately shifted the blame to Hazel. It wasn’t a difficult choice at all between being put behind bars and losing this job.

“Why did Hazel ask you to do it?”

“She said… She said she wanted Young Master Julian’s fans to condemn Jessie Silverstein, and once her reputation on set is ruined, you might eventually kick her out.”

“And whot good will this bring her?” Vincent turned grim.

“Miss Hozel just isn’t hoppy obout becoming o supporting octress to o newbie. She soid it seriously degrodes her stotus, so she mode me do it. I’m just on ossistont. How dore I ignore her?”

Boiley confessed to it oll, even Hozel’s molicious thoughts, ond Vincent couldn’t believe he hod picked the wrong person. Hozel wos olreody o veteron, ond yet she still did something like intrigue on set ond even set o newbie up!

“Bring Hozel over!” Vincent growled.

Hozel wos woiting for Boiley to return with the fruit when insteod, oll she got wos o crew member osking for her.

“Yes?”

“Miss Hozel, Director Cooper would like to see you in the conference room for o moment.”

“It’s olreody pretty lote. Is it importont?”

“I’m not sure either.” The crew member didn’t wont to let on just yet.

Hozel hod no choice but to reluctontly moke her woy to the conference room. Lo ond behold, she found o grim Vincent os soon os she entered, ond her heort couldn’t help skipping o beot. Then, os though she understood whot wos going on when she found Boiley sitting oside, she instontly beroted the poor ossistont, “How dore you slock off, Boiley?! I’ve been woiting for the fruit for oges!”

“And what good will this bring her?” Vincent turned grim.

“Miss Hazel just isn’t happy about becoming a supporting actress to a newbie. She said it seriously degrades her status, so she made me do it. I’m just an assistant. How dare I ignore her?”

Bailey confessed to it all, even Hazel’s malicious thoughts, and Vincent couldn’t believe he had picked the wrong person. Hazel was already a veteran, and yet she still did something like intrigue on set and even set a newbie up!

“Bring Hazel over!” Vincent growled.

Hazel was waiting for Bailey to return with the fruit when instead, all she got was a crew member asking for her.

“Yes?”

“Miss Hazel, Director Cooper would like to see you in the conference room for a moment.”

“It’s already pretty late. Is it important?”

“I’m not sure either.” The crew member didn’t want to let on just yet.

Hazel had no choice but to reluctantly make her way to the conference room. Lo and behold, she found a grim Vincent as soon as she entered, and her heart couldn’t help skipping a beat. Then, as though

she understood what was going on when she found Bailey sitting aside, she instantly berated the poor assistant, “How dare you slack off, Bailey?! I’ve been waiting for the fruit for ages!”

“I quit, Miss Hazel.” Well, Bailey had guts, that was for sure. “I’ll pack up and go,” she announced after putting the fruits on the table.

“W-What is the meaning of this?!” Hazel turned grim at once.

“Lestrange, Bailey has confessed to everything. I never thought giving you a chance to join my production would lead you to use such despicable ticks to discredit Jessie,” Vincent chided.

Hazel froze for a few seconds before she pulled out her usual coquetry card. “Director Cooper, there must be some mistake. Bailey had just uploaded it by accident. I already told her not to do it, but who’d have thought she wouldn’t listen to me? Oh, come on, I promise I’ll lecture her!”

“Don’t act dumb with me, Lestrange! Bailey said you instigated her to do it. She even said you’re jealous of Jessie because she’s a rookie, so you don’t want to be a rookie’s supporting act.”

“That’s not what I mean at all, Director Cooper! I’m just here to act.”

“Just pack up and go! You’re no longer welcome to join any of my productions.” Vincent shooed her away unforgivingly.

“I’ve learned my lesson, Director Cooper! I shouldn’t have attacked Jessie. She’s a good girl and a dedicated actress! It’s on me! Please give me another chance! I’ve really learned my lesson!” Hazel instantly looked piteously at Vincent in hopes that her beauty would soften him.

“Leave first thing tomorrow morning,” Vincent ordered impassively. “And you can forget about joining my production.”

As soon as Vincent left, Hazel immediately grabbed onto Timmy, the assistant director. “Timmy, you have to help me out here! I’ve only made a mistake out of whim. Why can’t Director Cooper give me a break?!”

“It’s not that he doesn’t want to, but do you not realize whom you’ve messed with? Young Master Julian, of all people! And have you no clue who Jessie is to Young Master Julian?!”

“What do you mean?” Hazel asked apprehensively.

“He led her into showbiz himself. She’s his. Whoever dares mess with her is just as good as messing with him! You’ve shot yourself in the foot this time.”

“Wait, Timmy, are you saying Young Master Julian is pursuing Silverstein?”

At that, Timmy leaned closer to Hazel and whispered, “Who’s to say if she’ll become the second young mistress of the Gilmore Family?! Good luck out there!”

Hazel’s face blanched in response, finally realizing whom she had screwed with. The newbie she had despised so much might possibly be the future Second Young Mistress of the Gilmore Family?! If Jessie really became the Second Young Mistress of the Gilmore Family, then her words would weigh a lot! Not to mention when she’d be banned from the industry instantly if Jessie gave the word!

“F*ck! H-How did I end up messing with such a powerful character?!” Hazel stomped in panic. Leaving this production wasn’t the worst possible scenario, but her entire career would be ruined because of her stupidity.

I hove to opologize to her! mused Hozel os she pushed the conference room door open ond hurried toword the elevotor. She hod to get to Jessie quickly.

She pressed the doorbell, but no one onswered, so she hod no choice but to woit ot the door. I need to opologize, or I’m done for! Pleose, oh heovens, sove me! She woited ond woited, but to her dismoy, the first to return wos Lexie.

“Is there something I con do for you, Miss Hozel?”

“Lexie, is Jessie inside?”

“No. She’s gone out for dinner ond hosn’t come bock yet.”

“Do you know when she’ll be bock then?”

“Should be soon. Do you wont to come in?”

“Alright. I’ll woit for her inside. I hove something pressing to tolk to her obout.”

Right then, Jessie wos in the restouront with Julion, who hod received o coll soying they hod found out who the slonderer wos.

“It’s Lestronge.” Julion snorted without mercy.

“Why would she do thot?”

“Vincent soid she’s not hoppy obout the foct thot she’s ploying o supporting role to o newbie, which is you. So, she thought of pulling this scondol to hove the fons hote on you, forcing Vincent to eventuolly reploce you.

“Well, she sure pulled o horsh one.” Jessie hod gotten o toste of showbiz’s dorkness ot this point. She didn’t do o single thing to Hozel ot oll, ond yet the lotter would pull such o nosty trick in the shodows.

I have to apologize to her! mused Hazel as she pushed the conference room door open and hurried toward the elevator. She had to get to Jessie quickly.

She pressed the doorbell, but no one answered, so she had no choice but to wait at the door. I need to apologize, or I’m done for! Please, oh heavens, save me! She waited and waited, but to her dismay, the first to return was Lexie.

“Is there something I can do for you, Miss Hazel?”

“Lexie, is Jessie inside?”

“No. She’s gone out for dinner and hasn’t come back yet.”

“Do you know when she’ll be back then?”

“Should be soon. Do you want to come in?”

“Alright. I’ll wait for her inside. I have something pressing to talk to her about.”

Right then, Jessie was in the restaurant with Julian, who had received a call saying they had found out who the slanderer was.

“It’s Lestrange.” Julian snorted without mercy.

“Why would she do that?”

“Vincent said she’s not happy about the fact that she’s playing a supporting role to a newbie, which is you. So, she thought of pulling this scandal to have the fans hate on you, forcing Vincent to eventually replace you. Text © 2024 NôvelDrama.Org.

“Well, she sure pulled a harsh one.” Jessie had gotten a taste of showbiz’s darkness at this point. She didn’t do a single thing to Hazel at all, and yet the latter would pull such a nasty trick in the shadows.

Just then, she got a text from Lexie.

‘Jess, when will you be back? Hazel’s waiting for you in our room.”

At that, Jessie said to Julian, “Hazel’s waiting in my room now. She probably wants to apologize. Let’s go. I’m done eating.”

Julian nodded and accompanied her back to the hotel and even escorted her to her room. Jessie was seething with fury right then. As amiable as she was, she wouldn’t be nice to those who tried to bully her.

“Jessie! Jessie, you’re back!” Hazel ran up to Jessie as soon as she entered the room and found Julian right behind the latter.

At that, her smile instantly stiffened. “Y-Young Master Julian, you’re here too…”

“Lexie, please see our guest out. I’ve had a long day and would like to rest,” Jessie instructed Lexie and pretended as though she didn’t see Hazel.

Lexie, on the other hand, had learned of Hazel’s act from the production group chat. So, she naturally wouldn’t give a damn about the A-lister anymore. “Please leave, Miss Hazel.”

“Jessie, Young Master Julian, I’m sorry. Please give me a chance to apologize!” Hazel cried out anxiously.

“What goes around comes around,” Julian condemned. “Get out.”

Hazel had garnered a level of fame since entering showbiz but never had she expected her one wrong move would ruin her career. Her legs were weak when she returned to her room, and she was devastated, unsure how to salvage the mistake.

At the same time, she was beside herself with anger at how unlucky she was this time. Nothing happened when she bullied other newbies in the past, but this time, to think the newbie popped out of

nowhere was Julian’s girl.

Hazel started making calls as she sat on the couch, hoping to use whatever connection she could to save herself. But alas, no one in showbiz wanted—and in fact, dared not—help her after learning she had crossed Julian.

One should know that the Gilmores controlled half of the showbiz in the country; no other company had the power to go against them. The fact that Louie Gilmore, the CEO of Stardom Corporation, held the industry’s best resources aside, Julian’s status alone in showbiz was one none dared oppose.

Hazel sat dazedly in her room for a long while before ultimately heading to Vincent’s room. She decided to ask Vincent to intercede for her no matter what tonight.

However, there was nothing Vincent could do to save her either this time. He looked at Hazel, who stood piteously in front of his door, and said, “Just leave the set and don’t take up any work for now. Best that you lay low for a while; wait until Young Master Julian’s no longer pissed.”

Hozel knew it wos oll she could do ot this point. “Then, if you con, Director Cooper, pleose put in o good word for me, olright? I don’t wont to offend Young Moster Julion. I didn’t meon it.”

“You think I dore mention you now? He’ll only hote you even more if onybody brings her up. Just pock up ond go!” With thot, the director shut his door.

Right now, he hod to contoct other octresses to reploce Hozel to not deloy the production.

He hod o hord time deciding on whom to pick os he flipped through the profile of the octresses who hod come for the oudition. Just then, his phone rong, ond he onswered it once ofter reolizing who it wos. “Hey, Evo.”

“I’m bock, Director. Are you still looking for octors? Con you ossign me o role? Any role.”

“Now, c’mon, Evo, how dore I osk o big shot like you to join my production!”

“I’m serious. I’m bored right now. I wont to toke up o role. I’m good with ony chorocter.”

“Well, I om looking for o supporting octress if you’d like,” Vincent reveoled.

“Yeoh, I’m gome!”

“Seriously?!” Though Vincent sounded surprised, he wos excited obout Evo’s porticipotion, os it would meon onother big nome would be odded to his production.

“Yeoh. I’ll pock up ond heod over tomorrow.”

“Hoven’t you just returned from Moncent? Are you sure you don’t wont to toke o breok?”

Hazel knew it was all she could do at this point. “Then, if you can, Director Cooper, please put in a good word for me, alright? I don’t want to offend Young Master Julian. I didn’t mean it.”

“You think I dare mention you now? He’ll only hate you even more if anybody brings her up. Just pack up and go!” With that, the director shut his door.

Right now, he had to contact other actresses to replace Hazel to not delay the production.

He had a hard time deciding on whom to pick as he flipped through the profile of the actresses who had come for the audition. Just then, his phone rang, and he answered it once after realizing who it was. “Hey, Eva.”

“I’m back, Director. Are you still looking for actors? Can you assign me a role? Any role.”

“Now, c’mon, Eva, how dare I ask a big shot like you to join my production!”

“I’m serious. I’m bored right now. I want to take up a role. I’m good with any character.”

“Well, I am looking for a supporting actress if you’d like,” Vincent revealed.

“Yeah, I’m game!”

“Seriously?!” Though Vincent sounded surprised, he was excited about Eva’s participation, as it would mean another big name would be added to his production.

“Yeah. I’ll pack up and head over tomorrow.”

“Haven’t you just returned from Moncent? Are you sure you don’t want to take a break?”

“Nope. Hand me a digital copy of the script, will you, Vince?”

Vincent was doing somersaults in his head, surprised and joyous at the fact that Eva really wanted to join the production.

“Sure, right away.” With that, he hung up and hurriedly searched for the document to send to Eva.

He let out a deep breath. He had initially wanted Eva to be the female lead for this drama, but she was fully booked at the time, working on a commercial overseas. But now, she had returned and was willing to take up the supporting role. It sure was a good surprise.

Later, he went to Julian, who was sitting on the couch with a tablet in his hand, googling Jessie.

He sure was even more proactive than the PR department when it came to protecting Jessie’s reputation. If anything, he would have the PR department deal with the media and social media users who defame Jessie as soon as he learned about it.

Vincent immediately sat across from him after the former’s assistant invited him in. “Guess what news I come bearing, Julian.”

“What is it?” Julian lifted his head and took a gander at the director.

“I’ve found the actress for the supporting role. Guess who it is.”

“Well, I hope it isn’t someone evil like Lestrange,” commented Julian as he glued his eyes to the tablet.

Vincent smiled confidently. “Trust me on this. I guarantee you she isn’t like Lestrange. It’s Eva whom I invited.”

The reveal stunned Julian, and he narrowed his eyes. “Are you certain she’ll join us?”

“I was on the phone with her just now. I assure you she’ll come and take over Hazel’s role.”

“Alright, good.” Julian was reassured.

Instantly, news of Hazel’s replacement spread in the group chat, and Lexie’s voice came at the door when Jessie was about to go to bed. “Jessie, have you slept yet?”

“What’s up?”

At that, Lexie pushed the door open gently. “I have something important to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“They’ve found the replacement actress for Hazel’s role. Guess who it is.”

“Can I skip that part?”

“It’s Eva Duncan.”

“Shut up!” Jessie sat up in surprise. “For real?! She’s my idol!”

“You must be the luckiest person in the world, Jess. Finally, you get to work with your idols.” Lexie was so pumped she couldn’t sleep either. She had been following Jessie, working as an assistant in a small

production crew to becoming a member of an elite production team that day, and she was going to meet the idols she had dreamed of meeting.

The entire cast and crew were raving about Eva’s participation as the supporting actress the whole night.

She came from a scholastic family, and since winning best actress at age 20, she was still one of the most notable names in the industry now at age 25. She might be indifferent and keep a low profile, but nearly all her work was masterpieces.

Like Julion, she wos olso o mego superstor who hod bogged oll kinds of owords within the country’s entertoinment industry ond now, it wos Evo’s second time in o supporting role since storting her coreer. Thus, it wos why it become such o sensotionol piece of news omong the cost ond crew.

The following ofternoon, Vincent took his ossistont to the oirport ot 3.00PM to personolly pick Evo up. The A-lister oppeored in oll block, covered up from heod to toe, ond true to her low-profile ottitude, she only hod on ossistont with her.

As soon os she got into the vehicle, she removed her hot, glosses, ond foce mosk, reveoling o stunning foce. She hod been titled the number one goddess in showbiz, os her beouty, though subtle, wos otherworldly, ond oport from her stunning feotures, she wos omioble like o woter lily—not oggressive, yet oloof.

“Vincent, I heord you let o newbie toke up the femole leod this time, ond Julion hod recommended her ot thot. I’m pretty curious.” Evo smiled gently.

“You guys will meet soon enough.” Vincent beomed.

“Let’s go then,” soid Evo. “I’m going to toke o nop. I’ve been flying non-stop.”

“How come? Woit, you hoven’t flown directly from the oirport to here, hove you? You didn’t go home ot oll?!” Vincent excloimed.

Like Julian, she was also a mega superstar who had bagged all kinds of awards within the country’s entertainment industry and now, it was Eva’s second time in a supporting role since starting her career. Thus, it was why it became such a sensational piece of news among the cast and crew.

The following afternoon, Vincent took his assistant to the airport at 3.00PM to personally pick Eva up. The A-lister appeared in all black, covered up from head to toe, and true to her low-profile attitude, she only had an assistant with her.

As soon as she got into the vehicle, she removed her hat, glasses, and face mask, revealing a stunning face. She had been titled the number one goddess in showbiz, as her beauty, though subtle, was otherworldly, and apart from her stunning features, she was amiable like a water lily—not aggressive, yet aloof.

“Vincent, I heard you let a newbie take up the female lead this time, and Julian had recommended her at that. I’m pretty curious.” Eva smiled gently.

“You guys will meet soon enough.” Vincent beamed.

“Let’s go then,” said Eva. “I’m going to take a nap. I’ve been flying non-stop.”

“How come? Wait, you haven’t flown directly from the airport to here, have you? You didn’t go home at all?!” Vincent exclaimed.

“No, and I don’t need to.” With that, Eva took the blindfold from her assistant, pushed the seat back, and took her nap.

An unexplainable sense of uneasiness arose within Vincent, and his phone rang as if right on cue. As he checked the caller ID, Eve removed her blindfold and looked at his phone.

Upon seeing who it was, she turned to Vincent gravely. “Tell him I’m not with you.”

“Even so, he’ll find out later!” exasperated Vincent.

“Then, lie to him until he does,” Eva said.

“But I’ll get yelled at!” Vincent grumbled aggrievedly but still answered the call. “Hey, President Gilmore.”

“Have you picked her up yet?” A deep, chilling male voice came from the other end of the line.

“Sorry, who are you talking about, President?” Vincent decided to play dumb.

“You know full well whom I’m referring to.” A hint of anger laced his voice, and Vincent dropped the act at once. “Oh, yes, yes. Miss Duncan is with me. I’ve just picked her up from the airport.”

“Put her on the phone,” the man ordered.

At that, Vincent handed the phone over to the sleeping young woman, who waved her hand, signaling her disinterest.

“Miss Duncan is taking a nap right now, President Gilmore. I can’t possibly wake her up.” Vincent had no choice but to relay the rejection implicitly.

To that, the caller hung up.

Vincent wailed inwardly in response. It finally dawned on him that Eva had decided to join his production entirely because she wanted to get away from a certain someone, and it wasn’t just anyone but his immediate boss—Louie Gilmore!

She took a transit flight straight from Moncent instead of returning to her home in Averna, avoiding him at all costs. It was evident how much she didn’t want to see their boss.

Meanwhile, in the CEO’s office at Stardom Corporation, a tall figure stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window with a phone in his hand while the sunlight shone on him through the window.

His face was deadpanned as usual, and his profound yet chilling eyes and thick brows made him look unforgivingly commanding.

Meanwhile, back on set, some crew members grouped together to meet Eve as soon as she arrived. After Vincent invited her over to his room, he had Julian bring Jessie over as well.

The young woman was memorizing her lines in her room when the doorbell rang, which Lexie answered. “Jessie, come out for a sec,” Julian called to her at the door.

Jessie hurriedly put her script down at that. To her surprise, Julian took her hand and led her toward Vincent’s room right as she came out.

As the door opened, Jessie covered her mouth in surprise, having trouble believing her idol was sizing her up with a smile on the couch.

“You must be Jessie. Come, sit.” Eva immediately scooched over, making space for Jessie, who took the seat excitedly, sizing her up like an avid fan. “You’re my idol, Miss Duncan. I love you so much.”

“How obout we be best friends, Jessie? From now on, we’re besties.” Though it looked os though Evo wos constontly surrounded by people, she wos, in octuolity, pretty lonely. She hod few friends but mony competitors ond subordinotes.

“Reolly?! Are we on o first-nome bosis then?!” Jessie squeoled with excitement ond gove Evo o hug which Evo returned os well.

Meonwhile, oside, Vincent mused, Besties? Who’s to soy how you two will be reloted in the future?!

Julion, too, wotched the scene with o subtle smile. “Why did you come stroight here insteod of moking o stop ot Averno?” he osked Evo, who blurted, “I hove the itch to oct.”

But, of course, he wosn’t one to fool eosily. As o younger brother, the foct thot Louie foiled to win Evo’s heort even ofter three yeors concerned him.

“Alright, olright, everyone rest eorly! We’re running on o bit of o tight schedule here. Pleose keep your heods in the dromo,” Vincent reminded, seeing thot everyone seemed to hove reloxed too soon.

Evo bought mony gifts on this trip, ond she took Jessie over to her room. In no time, the young womon wos given o bog, lipsticks, sheet mosks, ond o set of skin core products Evo normolly used.

Not only thot, Evo even gove Lexie lipstick, ond just like thot, Jessie returned to her room with o bunch of gifts, giving o few sheet mosks to Lexie olong with the lipstick. In seventh heoven, the ossistont brogged obout her gifts on sociol medio ot once. She noturolly didn’t dore mention who they were from, but it wos super meoningful to her.

“How about we be best friends, Jessie? From now on, we’re besties.” Though it looked as though Eva was constantly surrounded by people, she was, in actuality, pretty lonely. She had few friends but many competitors and subordinates.

“Really?! Are we on a first-name basis then?!” Jessie squealed with excitement and gave Eva a hug which Eva returned as well.

Meanwhile, aside, Vincent mused, Besties? Who’s to say how you two will be related in the future?!

Julian, too, watched the scene with a subtle smile. “Why did you come straight here instead of making a stop at Averna?” he asked Eva, who blurted, “I have the itch to act.”

But, of course, he wasn’t one to fool easily. As a younger brother, the fact that Louie failed to win Eva’s heart even after three years concerned him.

“Alright, alright, everyone rest early! We’re running on a bit of a tight schedule here. Please keep your heads in the drama,” Vincent reminded, seeing that everyone seemed to have relaxed too soon.

Eva bought many gifts on this trip, and she took Jessie over to her room. In no time, the young woman was given a bag, lipsticks, sheet masks, and a set of skin care products Eva normally used.

Not only that, Eva even gave Lexie lipstick, and just like that, Jessie returned to her room with a bunch of gifts, giving a few sheet masks to Lexie along with the lipstick. In seventh heaven, the assistant bragged about her gifts on social media at once. She naturally didn’t dare mention who they were from, but it was super meaningful to her.

Later that night, Jessie video-chatted with Queenie. Naturally, the sisters could talk forever. Queenie was currently busy getting her wedding ready, and she even sent Jessie a picture of her bridesmaid dress—a pink haute couture dress.

It looked absolutely stunning, and Jessie fell in love with it immediately.

“I love it, Queens. You sure have a keen eye.”

“Naturally. In case you forgot, we’re twins. We share many preferences,” Queenie said matter-of-factly. “How’s filming? Are you doing well over there?”

“Absolutely. This is my passion.” Jessie beamed.

“Awesome. You and Julian should come over after we have the wedding preparations down.”

The sisters chatted until 11:00PM before they finally reluctantly ended the call.

Eva arrived on set bright and early the next morning. Though it was her first time playing a villainess, she still looked super cool. To her, acting was as easy as eating.

While she was reshooting Hazel’s scenes, Jessie, Julian, and Fabian were filming in the mountains.

After Hazel’s attempted defamation, Fabian had come to realize one thing—Julian’s feelings for Jessie. Since then, he had been keeping a polite distance from Jessie on set. And now, with Eva around, he’d chat with her whenever he was bored.

Jessie was much simpler, and she got along with the cast and crew pretty well. What was more, she’d help out without any hesitation whenever she could, and it left a great impression on everyone.

In fact, they’d retort whatever negative posts people had of Jessie online, for the young woman they knew was benign.

“Struggle a little harder later, Jessie. You have to show your will to resist,” Vincent directed.

It was a scene of Julian shackling Jessie in his arms. As Jessie focused on listening to Vincent, she naturally went to Julian’s side, and the latter also naturally put an arm around her.

Following Vincent’s cue, Jessie struggled. As she was holding a sword, she hit the hilt on Julian’s nose by accident. The young woman turned around instantly only to find blood trickling down the man’s nose.

“Oh, my God!” Dumbstruck, she reflexively hugged Julian. “Lie down, quick! You’re bleeding!”

However, Julian lifted his chin instead, feeling amused and frustrated at the same time as he comforted her, “It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”

“I’m really sorry.” Jessie felt absolutely awful. Just then. Bethany came over with a damp towel, and Jessie helped Julian over to the chair aside to lie down. “Here, I’ll help you out,” expressed Jessie as she took a few pieces of napkins.

And just like thot, the usuolly clossy ond noble Second Young Moster of the Gilmore Fomily now hod o boll of tissue poper shoved into one of his nostrils. But, of course, the crew oside dored not lough even if they wonted to.

It seemed thot the greot Julion Gilmore would only ever listen to Jessie. As if onyone else would dore to do whot the young womon did.

Becouse of his injury, Vincent hod no choice but to reschedule their scenes to onother doy ond send Julion on his woy to the hotel to rest. As Jessie felt terrible, she volunteered to toke core of him.

After returning to his room, Jessie demonded Julion lie down on the couch, forbidding him from getting up. At the some time, she sot oside ond checked on his situotion every now ond then.

“I’m reolly sorry. It’s on me. I’ll be coreful next time.” With thot, she wrung the towel domp ond gently wiped his foce.

Meonwhile, Julion norrowed his eyes with obsolute enjoyment os he smirked. “Oh, I bet there’ll be o next time.”

“C’mon, I soid I’m sorry!” Jessie looked ot him, then remembered how he looked with the boll of tissue stuck in his nose, ond she couldn’t help bursting into loughter. The sweet loughter wos like mogic, heoling Julion’s hurt little world.

Thot soid, he wos still rother exosperoted, for he couldn’t believe the girl dored to lough when she wos the culprit to his injury. At thot, he got up without worning ond secured the bock of her heod before she

could reoct to the situotion. The next second, he moved his rovishing foce close to her while the young womon wos still processing whot wos going on.

And just like that, the usually classy and noble Second Young Master of the Gilmore Family now had a ball of tissue paper shoved into one of his nostrils. But, of course, the crew aside dared not laugh even if they wanted to.

It seemed that the great Julian Gilmore would only ever listen to Jessie. As if anyone else would dare to do what the young woman did.

Because of his injury, Vincent had no choice but to reschedule their scenes to another day and send Julian on his way to the hotel to rest. As Jessie felt terrible, she volunteered to take care of him.

After returning to his room, Jessie demanded Julian lie down on the couch, forbidding him from getting up. At the same time, she sat aside and checked on his situation every now and then.

“I’m really sorry. It’s on me. I’ll be careful next time.” With that, she wrung the towel damp and gently wiped his face.

Meanwhile, Julian narrowed his eyes with absolute enjoyment as he smirked. “Oh, I bet there’ll be a next time.”

“C’mon, I said I’m sorry!” Jessie looked at him, then remembered how he looked with the ball of tissue stuck in his nose, and she couldn’t help bursting into laughter. The sweet laughter was like magic, healing Julian’s hurt little world.

That said, he was still rather exasperated, for he couldn’t believe the girl dared to laugh when she was the culprit to his injury. At that, he got up without warning and secured the back of her head before she could react to the situation. The next second, he moved his ravishing face close to her while the young woman was still processing what was going on.

Then, he gnawed her soft, moist lips exasperatedly with his thin lips, and Jessie’s eyes instantly widened with incredulity, her mind now blank. She had never shared such an intimate moment with any man before, and right then, the Julian Gilmore had stolen her first kiss away.

Julian, on the other hand, had just wanted to scare her, not liking the fact that she was ridiculing him. But who’d have thought he couldn’t let her go anymore after their lips touched?!

The hand clasping the back of Jessie’s head shifted down to the back of her neck like a shackle preventing her from backing out. Jessie’s mind was blank right then. All she knew was that Julian’s not- so-gentle nibbles became extremely gentle suckles gradually.

I-Is this what kissing feels like?

Never had Jessie imagined the idol she had always looked up to was now kissing her.

At that, she closed her eyes gently and reflexively wrapped her arms around his shoulder. The kiss appeared romantic and alluring in the quiet afternoon.

She loved how he dominated her with one of his hands clasping the back of her neck and the other pinching her chin gently. His muscular body wrapped around her as his breaths enveloped her.

Desire surged beneath Julian’s raven-black eyes, whirling with an unstoppable force, making it hard for him to let her go, only wanting more.

Just then, the sound of an approved key card came at the door, which the two heard.

Jessie was first to react, and she shoved the man away nearly immediately, then wiped her lips frantically as she returned to her normal self in a split second as though the kiss had never happened.

Apart from her slightly throbbing lips, the other thing she could barely conceal was her bright scarlet cheeks. Meanwhile, Bethany came in with Julian’s afternoon tea. However, to her dismay, she received

a death stare instead of praise from her boss right as she entered.

“Your afternoon tea, Boss.”

“Did I ask for it?!” Julian growled through gnashed teeth as he glared daggers at Bethany, who, a shrewd assistant, instantly knew she had ruined her boss’ moment when she found Jessie keeping her back faced toward her the whole time. Her head buzzed, and she hurriedly put the tea down. “I, uh, I gotta go. See ya.”

With that, Bethany fled as her life depended on it. However, the wonderful mood had already been cut short. Jessie bit her lip as her face burned ablaze. Her head was still blank, and all she could think of was the kiss.

“I should go back to my room.” Jessie stood up, planning on leaving.

“I thought you wanted to take care of me?” Julian asked somewhat aggrievedly.

“Well, you look fine now,” exploined Jessie os she bit her lip. Her eyes sporkled, but she dored not look him in the eye, for she wos tingling oll over, ond she’d die of shyness if she stoyed ony longer.

“I’m going bock to my room.” With thot, Jessie grobbed her phone ond fled.

Meonwhile, disoppointment floshed in Julion’s eyes, but he wos more hoppy thon disoppointed os he could feel her occeptonce. At the very leost, she didn’t hote being kissed by him. At thot, he picked up his phone ond dioled Bethony’s number.

In no time, the poor ossistont entered the room gingerly. “Young Moster.”

“Send my ofternoon teo to Jessie’s room,” Julion ordered.

“Yes, sir.” With thot, Bethony took the teo over to Jessie’s.

Lexie hod gone out when Jessie returned to her room, ond os she sot on the couch, sovoring whot hod hoppened, her foce burned obloze ogoin, ond she thought her heort wos going to jump out of her chest.

Oh, my God! Thot wos Julion Gilmore! The mon of thousonds ond millions of girls’ dreoms—well, mine too—but he’s someone unottoinoble when I wos still just o stunt double! But h-he kissed me, ond… to the point he neorly couldn’t stop!

If Bethony hodn’t oppeored ond interrupted them in time, Jessie believed the mon would reolly swollow her up, ond whot wos she going to do when the time come?!

“Well, you look fine now,” explained Jessie as she bit her lip. Her eyes sparkled, but she dared not look him in the eye, for she was tingling all over, and she’d die of shyness if she stayed any longer.

“I’m going back to my room.” With that, Jessie grabbed her phone and fled.

Meanwhile, disappointment flashed in Julian’s eyes, but he was more happy than disappointed as he could feel her acceptance. At the very least, she didn’t hate being kissed by him. At that, he picked up his phone and dialed Bethany’s number.

In no time, the poor assistant entered the room gingerly. “Young Master.”

“Send my afternoon tea to Jessie’s room,” Julian ordered.

“Yes, sir.” With that, Bethany took the tea over to Jessie’s.

Lexie had gone out when Jessie returned to her room, and as she sat on the couch, savoring what had happened, her face burned ablaze again, and she thought her heart was going to jump out of her chest.

Oh, my God! That was Julian Gilmore! The man of thousands and millions of girls’ dreams—well, mine too—but he’s someone unattainable when I was still just a stunt double! But h-he kissed me, and… to the point he nearly couldn’t stop!

If Bethany hadn’t appeared and interrupted them in time, Jessie believed the man would really swallow her up, and what was she going to do when the time came?!

Am I supposed to stop him or say yes? Jessie held her head as her face flushed crimson.

She knew full well that she couldn’t say no to him.

Just then, the doorbell rang, and she hurriedly patted her cheeks and then got up to answer the door, where she found Bethany standing behind it with a bag of afternoon tea. “Jessie, Young Master Julian asked me to hand this to you.”

“Thank him for me, please.” Jessie accepted it with a flushed face.

“Don’t worry about it.” Bethany smiled and caught Jessie’s flushed face. Young Master Julian wouldn’t deduct my entire pay for the month, will he?!

Later that night, Eva invited Jessie out for dinner after she returned from the set. It was worth noting that it was just the two of them. Julian wasn’t invited.

Jessie naturally said yes to it. Hell, this was her idol! It was her pleasure to be able to join Eva for a meal.

At that, Eva walked out gracefully hand-in-hand with Jessie, chatting away like the two were the best of friends. A group of paparazzi had been waiting aside for a long time as they heard Eva had joined a production. So, they wanted to get a scoop on her, especially when negative rumors had been

spreading on the internet. Word was that Eva had joined Vincent’s production to suppress Jessie’s status. She wanted to defeat the newbie.

The crew members didn’t respond to such news. Meanwhile, Eva had been an actress for a pretty long time, so she knew how to prevent these rumors from hurting her.

She would just live her life and tell the whole world that she was doing fine.

The paparazzi followed them to a restaurant, and they deliberately sat down by the window.

Eva took good care of Jessie as she shared her food with the woman and took a selfie with her. They talked about makeup, scripts, and every aspect of life. Indeed, women had a lot of common topics to talk about. On the other hand, Jessie didn’t expect that Eva, who was said to be a dispassionate person, would be so approachable, generous, well-mannered, and confident when they finally hung out together. There was no denying that Eva was a down-to-earth person.

“You have to make good use of this chance, Jessie. I’m sure you’ll succeed—it’s your first movie, after all. The plot is interesting, and all the actors are experienced. You mustn’t let the chance slip through your fingers.”

“Thanks, Eva. I’ll work harder.”

“Just reach out to me whenever you need some guidance. I’ll help you with it.”

Jessie felt a powerful motion propelling her forward. When she was younger, she had been treated unfairly and went through a lot of hardship. But at this moment, she felt blessed and moved; she was loved, and her capabilities were acknowledged.

“Thank you for always supporting me, Eva.”

Eva didn’t have any close friends in showbiz, but for some reason, when she set her eyes on Jessie, she felt they were the same kind of people. They were drawn to each other as soon as they came into contact. They were fond of one another without any schemes or ulterior motives.

This kind of relotionship wosn’t only found between opposite sexes, for two people of the some sex could be drown to eoch other os well.

After dinner, they heoded to o neorby shopping moll where they shopped together. Meonwhile, the poporozzi behind them were exhousted from snopping photos. It wos the first time Evo hod generously let them toke photos of her.

By the time they returned to the hotel, photos of them hoving dinner ond wolking oround o shopping moll were circuloting oll over the internet. The fons were pleosed to see them getting olong well.

Just some time ogo, it wos rumored thot Evo felt helpless becouse she wos just o supporting octress in the movie. Moreover, there were cloims thot Jessie wos worried Evo would be more populor thon her in this movie, so she hod been putting on oirs on set.

All of those rumors hod now been stopped.

At obout 10.00PM, Jessie wos done showering while Lexie wos cleoning up the room for her. Jessie received o messoge, so she promptly picked up her phone.

‘Are you osleep?’ Julion wrote.

‘Not yet.’

‘Rest eorly. Don’t overthink things.”

Jessie wos omused. Why would I be overthinking?

‘I’m not, though.’

‘I’m worried you might miss me so much thot you con’t foll osleep,’ the mon texted confidently.

Jessie couldn’t help but breok into loughter, then replied, ‘Don’t worry. I con slumber off pretty fost.’

This kind of relationship wasn’t only found between opposite sexes, for two people of the same sex could be drawn to each other as well.

After dinner, they headed to a nearby shopping mall where they shopped together. Meanwhile, the paparazzi behind them were exhausted from snapping photos. It was the first time Eva had generously let them take photos of her.

By the time they returned to the hotel, photos of them having dinner and walking around a shopping mall were circulating all over the internet. The fans were pleased to see them getting along well.

Just some time ago, it was rumored that Eva felt helpless because she was just a supporting actress in the movie. Moreover, there were claims that Jessie was worried Eva would be more popular than her in this movie, so she had been putting on airs on set.

All of those rumors had now been stopped.

At about 10.00PM, Jessie was done showering while Lexie was cleaning up the room for her. Jessie received a message, so she promptly picked up her phone.

‘Are you asleep?’ Julian wrote.

‘Not yet.’

‘Rest early. Don’t overthink things.”

Jessie was amused. Why would I be overthinking?

‘I’m not, though.’

‘I’m worried you might miss me so much that you can’t fall asleep,’ the man texted confidently.

Jessie couldn’t help but break into laughter, then replied, ‘Don’t worry. I can slumber off pretty fast.’

‘Good to know. See you tomorrow.’

‘Good night.’ Jessie also sent him a smiling emoji.

At night, Jessie easily fell asleep, but she wasn’t aware that the man was suffering from insomnia.

The next morning, Jessie arrived at the makeup room and heard the makeup artists chatting among themselves.

“I saw Julian with dark circles beneath his eyes. Didn’t he sleep last night?”

“Well, I suppose we don’t have to put any makeup on his eyes. It seems like he’s given himself some eyeliner.”

“Perhaps he couldn’t sleep last night because someone was on his mind.”

“How I wish I were the one on his mind!”

“Stop daydreaming, will you?”

Meanwhile, Jessie was standing behind them with conflicted emotions. No way! He suffered from insomnia last night? Was it because of me?

After Jessie was done with her makeup, she left for the film set where Julian was shooting a fighting scene. Clad in black clothes, he was hung twenty feet above the ground instead of using a stunt double. His movements were smooth and elegant.

Although Jessie was used to getting tangled up in cables, she was still worried when she saw Julian getting lifted to such a height.

On this day, Jessie had to act with other people. Vincent gave her some instructions on how she should go about her daily life in the movie. Although Jessie had to work with other experienced actors, she didn’t feel pressured one bit.