Chapter 201: Chapter 199: Terms
"I won’t mess it up." Bella clearly had no reason to refute, but she still looked down on minor roles.
Her stubborn yet confident demeanor made Elliana Lyle think Bella had some potential, but she wasn’t planning to change her mind.
She still said, "If you don’t want the role I’m offering, you can go out and find a lead role yourself."
"..." Bella was speechless for a moment. If she had to find it herself, it would undoubtedly be tough. As a "newcomer" like her, without guidance, she’d only start from background roles.
Thinking this, the character that could last several episodes wasn’t bad at all. She stopped being picky and replied, "I got it. If I achieve something, in the next show, you’ll arrange a lead role for me."
Elliana Lyle smiled, "Of course, if you have talent and skill, who else would I support but you, right?"
That was considered an agreement, and Bella didn’t linger any longer as an agent named Silvie Harper led her out.
But whenever she thought of Bella’s past, it gave her a headache. This was the main reason she wouldn’t give Bella a lead role.
After all, even if it went viral, it would be more harm than benefit. The media’s knack for digging up dirt was not to be underestimated.
Bzz bzz~
Luna (Mentor): "I’m setting off, boarding the plane in half an hour."
Seeing this message, Elliana Lyle was a bit bewildered. Leaving so soon? The injury hasn’t healed yet.
Kitty: "Wait two more days, your injury isn’t fully healed. What if you knock or bump it and it affects healing?"
Luna (Mentor): "I’m not doing anything dangerous, don’t worry. I’m visiting George Lyle’s hometown. Maybe I’ll find some clues."
Just as she was about to type "Take care on the road," a knock on the office door interrupted her.
She was typing and said, "Come in."
The door was pushed open from outside, and a leg in black suit pants stepped in.
Elliana Lyle had already put down her phone. She looked up and was delighted, "John Doe, you’re back so soon?"
Then she impatiently asked, "How did it go?"
"Uh..." John Doe looked a bit troubled, and stuttered, "The not guilty plea failed. Still a one-year sentence. Boss, you should tell Luna about this result."
After speaking, John Doe pursed his lips. Although he was a lawyer, he was always the one left speechless by Luna.
It was clear, John Doe tried his best. From sixteen years to one, this result was acceptable.
She said, "Yes, thanks for your hard work. There’s nothing much now, go rest."
"Okay, boss, I’ll head back then. Call me if you need anything."
John Doe had rushed here straight from North City, and now he just wanted to nap, being really exhausted.
With few people in the office, Elliana Lyle didn’t have much to do, as most matters didn’t require her attention. She decided to visit a pharmacy to get more medicine, as the last batch was all used up.
――― Subzero Community.
"So hot, so hot!" Bella carried a large plate of stir-fried instant noodles into the bedroom.
Yan Xue hadn’t spoken since coming here. She didn’t know what to say. Honestly, her sister was quite annoying.
Yet this annoying sister treated her well, making it hard for her to truly dislike her.
"Hurry, eat while it’s hot. I added double ham for you." Bella said.
Looking at the red stir-fried noodles on the table, a spicy aroma pierced the air, mingling with a fragrant scent. It was her favorite spicy stir-fried instant noodles from childhood.
As a child, she seldom got to eat them, always thinking they were delicious. After growing up and eating them often, they didn’t seem as appealing anymore.
She picked up her chopsticks, saying, "Sis, I don’t want to go back. Can you help me find a job?"
"Sure, how about being a server at a hotpot restaurant? You can handle it, right? Two thousand eight hundred a month, with bonuses if you do well."
"Sure." Yan Xue agreed right away and noticed Bella packing her luggage, so she asked, "Why are you packing up?"
"Moving. Boss Liu has employee dorms. They’re better than my current room, saving quite a bit of money monthly. You’re here with me, we can save up and maybe buy a place in bustling North City."
Bella had already imagined living in a future upscale community, her face showing anticipation and a smile.
That smile vanished in an instant, and Bella sighed, "First, we need to earn money for Dad’s treatment. We’re still young, we can take our time."
Upon hearing this, Yan Xue fell silent. Even her chewing slowed. Seeing Bella’s look, she felt a pang of guilt and said, "There’s no need to send money home. There’s plenty of money at home."
"Huh?" Bella replied, surprised, "The money for Dad’s treatment isn’t a small amount, even if all my past earnings were saved, it’s not enough."
"He’s faking it!"
Those three words seemed to burst out of Yan Xue’s mouth, and Bella’s hand froze in packing, her fox-like eyes widened, and her charming face held a hint of surprise.
Faced with Bella’s gaze, Yan Xue instantly lost her edge, bowed her head, and didn’t know how to explain.
"What did you just say?"
Bella tightened her brow, and anger slowly bubbled within her.
Yan Xue clutched her hands, stammering, "I downloaded the paperwork at the copy shop, they just want to buy a house for their son in the city, nothing more."
As soon as the words left her mouth, silence followed, stifling even the air.
Yan Xue dared not look up at Bella’s expression. In her memory, Bella had a fiery temper, surely seething now.
Simultaneously, she regretted speaking the truth aloud. Discovering someone else’s actions was clearly better than admitting it herself.
"Oh, got it. Eat up, it’ll taste bad if it cools."
The anticipated angry voice did not rain down upon her. Lifting her head, Bella showed no anger, rather a calm and breezy demeanor.
Bella wasn’t without anger; she merely felt resigned. Now that she knew, what could she do? Past matters were ultimately futile.
But one could still gamble on the future.
If starting anew, some things must be relinquished.
...
――― Miao Ren Pharmacy.
"Hey, what’s up?"
Elliana Lyle had just reached the pharmacy entrance when Bella’s call came through.
"What? You want to change your identity?" She was shocked, even raising her voice a little, then quickly moved to a less crowded area.
Covering the phone, she asked, "What trick are you up to now? Why the need to change identities?" Bella wanting a new identity was likely due to past scandals. She understood but couldn’t agree.
On the other end, Bella said, "I want a new identity to keep living. You do have the ability, right?"
"Provoking me doesn’t work. I’m not falling for it."
Bella said, "Help me change identities, and I’ll give you a piece of information in return. How about it?"
"..."
Elliana Lyle’s face turned dark. She knew Bella was holding something back, so she said, "You tell me first. If it’s useful, I’ll consider it."
"No, you promise me first."
"Then there’s nothing to talk about. Bye." With that, Elliana Lyle directly pressed the hang-up button. Bella would call her back anyway.
It was just a matter of time.
After all, Bella’s past scandals were indeed unbearable. If it were her, she’d certainly change to another planet.