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    When Sharon first entered the industry, she yed a lot of supporting roles. But after refusing to follow the unspoken rules of showbiz, she struggled to find work for a long time and gradually faded into obscurity. She had hoped On a Snowy Day would be her bigeback, but then the scandal hit.


    With the movie pulled from theaters, the only romance film left was Sprout, starring Emily and Rex. Despite being widely criticized and having such a low rating that it didn''t even show up on some tforms, the movie raked in huge box office numbers. Emily became the biggest beneficiary, suddenly thrust into the spotlight and even earning the title of "National First Crush." It was a career-defining moment for her.


    But Ophelia knew Sharon had been wronged. Not long after the scandal, Sharon tragically took her own life due to depression, and it wasn''t until yearster that her assistant, wracked with guilt, finally revealed the truth. But by then, it was toote. And the one who framed her was Sungate Entertainment.


    Ophelia was lost in thought when suddenly arge hand cupped her head and turned her to face him. "Is James better- looking than me?" Keh asked, his tone slightly possessive.


    Ophelia blinked in confusion. Keh hadpletely misunderstood-she wasn''t even looking at James, she was focused on Sharon.


    Suddenly, it all clicked. She nced at Keh, who had just taken off his mask, and asked, "Wait... so that''s why you picked an animated movie, huh?"


    Keh''s expression confirmed her suspicions. His look seemed to say: What do you think? You think I''d let you spend two hours staring at another man? Ophelia spread her arms and shook her head helplessly.


    As the lights in the theater dimmed, the movie began. Keh had specifically chosen seats in the back row, which had been empty when he bought the tickets. But shortly after the movie started, a young couple with a kid entered and sat right next to them. Keh had intended to do something more intimate in the back row, but he didn''t expect someone else to ruin his chance. He nced at Ophelia and ended up locking eyes with the little boy beside them, who seemed to be wondering, ''Why are there two grown-ups here without a kid? Keh instantly regretted choosing an animated movie.


    He spent most of the movie with a sour expression, asionally eating the popcorn and snacks that Ophelia handed him. Meanwhile, Ophelia, watching a movie in a theater for the first time, was fully engrossed.


    To her surprise, the animated movie wasn''t bad at all. In fact, it had a great message, with strong moral values and a lot of positivity for kids-much more enjoyable than some of the trashy romance movies she''d seen before.


    Ophelia was absorbed in the movie, while Keh waspletely absorbed in her. When the movie ended, Ophelia wasn''t ready to leave. "Can we watch another one, please?" Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and she looked at him with so much hope.


    "With those eyes, she could''ve asked for anything, and he''d give it to her-no questions asked. Keh closed his eyes briefly and nodded.


    Before they could even stand up, the little boy next to them started begging his mom, ""Mom, I want to watch another movie too..."


    "No way. Watching too many movies will hurt your eyes. We''re going home now." The boy''s face fell as he turned back, casting a jealous nce at Ophelia.


    13:56 Sun, Nov 10 BO Chapter 301Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.


    After they left the theater, Keh put his mask back on. At the exit, Mark was pacing nervously, constantly checking his watch. When he saw Keh, he hurried over to greet him while nodding slightly toward Ophelia. "Mr. Sinir, there''s a problem in Mgia. We need to rush there tonight."


    "You''re on a business trip?" Ophelia asked, noticing the rare flicker of apology in Keh''s normally unflinching gaze.


    "Yeah, not sure how long it''ll take," replied Keh.


    That uncertain answer left Ophelia with an odd feeling in her chest, like something heavy had suddenly been lifted off her, leaving her unbnced. In the past, Keh would disappear for weeks, sometimes months. In herst life, after their marriage, she hardly ever saw him. Now that he had spent a few weekends with her, she was already dreading his absence. ''People are always greedy,'' she thought. ''I should be happy. With him gone, at least my back would get a break!


    Keh gently ruffled her hair, his touch growing more tender by the day. "I''ll stay to finish this movie with you first," he said.


    Mark''s face showed a hint of concern, and Ophelia quickly masked her disappointment and said, "I don''t want to watch another animated movie. Go handle your business ande back soon."


    "Mr. Sinir, the ne''s ready," Mark added, trying to stay professional.


    "You don''t want this month''s sry, huh?" Keh''s re shot toward Mark like a dagger, sharp enough to send a chill through the air. Even with just his eyes visible, the sheer weight of Keh''s presence was suffocating. "Clear the theater," Keh ordered, and Mark immediately set to work. Soon, the theater was entirely empty, just the two of them left.


    Ophelia couldn''t even remember what movie was ying. She wasn''t in the mood, and it was clear that neither was Keh. They sat in the back row, and Keh''s lips began to trail soft, deliberate kisses along her mouth, then to her ear. Each one felt like he was trying to consume her, to make up for the time they''d soon be apart.


    "Next time Ie back, you won''t be able to use the same excuse anymore," Keh whispered teasingly into her ear. "Why clinging to me? Can''t bear to let me go, can you? How about we watch another movie then?" Keh said.


    ''No, please,'' Ophelia thought. She was struggling to catch her breath, trying to steady her rapid breathing. "It''s alreadyte," she managed to say.


    "Alright, I''m leaving," Keh said before nting a kiss on her forehead.


    "Take care," she replied.


    By the time Keh left, it was past 7 p.m. Ophelia, as nned, went to grab some French fries, but they didn''t taste as good as she''d hoped. The experience felt nd and empty without him.


    **


    For the next two days, Ophelia buried herself in finishing up a dress. After Emily had paid the seven million dors inpensation, Ophelia had Chloe send the gown to her. After all, she couldn''t just take the money without giving her the gown.


    When Emily received it, she wanted nothing more than to tear the damn thing to shreds. Seven million for such a gown? She felt like she''d beenpletely ripped off.


    The next morning, Ophelia received an anonymous text-it was a video. The footage was dark, but she could clearly make out Nathan getting beaten up by a group of guys in a back alley behind a bar. He had his hands over his head, his pink suit covered in footprints, and blood running from his nose.


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    "What are you grinning about?" Chloe asked as she entered the studio, holding some documents. Lately, she''d been busy expanding their external business.


    Ophelia set her phone down, a sly smile ying on her lips. "I always enjoy seeing someone get their just deserts."


    Chloe handed Ophelia the documents. Before Ophelia could ask, Chloe exined, "Remember the designerpetition I signed you up for about two weeks ago? Well, it''s gained a lot of attention, and you''ve passed the first round.


    "It''s part of a reality show-ten unknown designers paired with ten celebrity models. There are six episodes in total, with three elimination rounds. The top two will get a spot in an internationalpetition and a chance to study at Denex University''s design institute for three months."


    Ophelia could feel the thoughtfulness through Chloe''s words, and she said, "Alright, I''ll give it a shot."


    Denex University''s design institute had once been her dream. But because of certain circumstances, she never made it. In herst life, the Hastings family had dangled the promise of college as a condition for her leaving Keh, and she had agreed. But her university experience had turned out to be a nightmare.


    "Thank you, Chloe," Ophelia said, her voice soft with gratitude. Besides her grandmother, it seemed Chloe was one of the few people who remembered her dreams.


    She wasn''t really aiming to go back to college this time. What caught her attention was a name on the contestant list. In herst life, she''d never even heard of this show, nor did she know that he had been part of it.


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