CHAPTER 38: CHAPTER 38: HER KISS WITH RHYS HAWTHORNE EXPOSED

Everyone around turned to look at Julian Fordham, whose lowered eyes hid the cold indifference beneath. He casually explained, "Slipped."

Immediately, a waiter came over to clean up the shards at his feet. Though those nearby didn’t know what had happened, they sensed the chill emanating from him.

Someone tried to ease the situation, ensuring no one would connect this incident to Victoria Monroe and Rhys Hawthorne.

Victoria Monroe was quite a distance from him, and with her back turned, she didn’t witness the scene.

Rhys Hawthorne, on the other hand, saw everything clearly.

He did not intentionally cozy up to Victoria Monroe to provoke Julian Fordham; he disdained such petty tactics.

He casually withdrew his gaze, more or less understanding the current state of Victoria Monroe and Julian Fordham’s relationship.

Meeting Victoria Monroe’s eyes, he lowered his voice, "I shall keep your secret."

"The banquet is about to start, let’s take our seats."

This banquet is arranged according to social hierarchy.

Without an invitation, she was here thanks to Rhys Hawthorne’s favor, hoping she could snag a corner seat, so she responded with some guilt, "...Do I have a seat?"

Like Rachel Hayes who flamboyantly sent her photos, today she wasn’t brought over by Julian Fordham.

Her seat was arranged at the artists’ table, which her previous status could never have attained.

Amid the recent fervent rumors about her and Julian Fordham, she was seated with the hottest celebrities at the most prominent position.

While Victoria Monroe was still bothered by this matter, a waiter led the two of them to the second floor.

This room was accessible only to tycoons worth over ten billion.

In stark contrast to the positions of the publicly exposed celebrities.

They stood high above, overlooking the entire scene. If a celebrity caught their eye, it took only a slip of paper with contact information sent their way.

Victoria Monroe had also received such before, not even aware of when she was appraised like a commodity.

Julian Fordham had never taken her to this realm, yet Rhys Hawthorne brought her here.

As she entered, everyone in the room unconsciously turned their eyes toward her.

In their gaze, there was palpable amazement.

The impression she left remained at the label of an award-winning actress.

When the two of them sat down, those around them stopped observing, because their seat was the number one table.

In this rigidly hierarchical society, the business world is the same, ranked according to net worth.

While everyone speculated about Victoria Monroe and Rhys Hawthorne’s identity, Julian Fordham and the Willis couple walked over.

Coincidentally enough, they were seated at the same table.

Julian Fordham sat beside Victoria Monroe, exuding coldness.

Victoria Monroe didn’t even cast a glance at him.

She realized her husband had long ascended to the top echelon, yet for all these years, he never introduced her.

Her first appearance at such an occasion was not Julian Fordham’s doing.

How ironic.

The Willis couple seemed quite familiar with Rhys Hawthorne, speaking consistently in Italian.

As they inquired about Victoria Monroe’s identity, Julian Fordham felt a chill down his spine.

How would Rhys Hawthorne answer?

Rhys Hawthorne responded fluently in Italian, "She’s a very famous and dedicated actress from our country, having won numerous awards. Three years ago, she temporarily retired due to an injury while filming, and she’s been recovering all these years."

Regarding her marriage, Rhys Hawthorne offered not a word.

The couple praised Victoria Monroe’s dedication, and Rhys Hawthorne’s eyes lowered to her anxious face, his voice devoid of the usual coldness.

"Indeed, she is excellent, already thinking about returning as soon as her health improves."

Julian Fordham heard another man praise his wife right in front of him, and it pained him deeply.

How could he not know Victoria Monroe’s excellence and dedication?

Precisely because of this knowledge, he didn’t want Victoria Monroe, such a precious gem, revered by the world.

He just wanted to hide her away, all for himself.

Willis suggested, "Julian, given the circumstances, why not invite Miss Monroe to be the spokesperson for our new product launch?"

Once Julian Fordham released his chip, the brand’s impact meant there was no need for a celebrity to endorse.

Let alone an award-winning actress; to him, no artist was worthy.

Willis was clearly aiming to curry favor with Rhys Hawthorne, offering this globally top-tier endorsement to Victoria Monroe, as a stepping stone for her return.

Forget about acting; once the news is announced, Victoria Monroe’s value would skyrocket!

Three years ago, she had no chance to make an international breakthrough, yet today, even before her return, she’d secured top-tier resources!

Julian Fordham’s expression was grim; he had been suppressing Victoria Monroe, hoping to push her back.

Yet now, he could not reject Willis’s suggestion.

The collaboration was almost finalized, with the contract set to be signed tomorrow.

"Miss Monroe’s image and demeanor are excellent; I think she’s perfect as our spokesperson."

With years of experience in the business world, how could he not know that capital’s attitude dictates everything?

Whether suitable or not, it’s merely a word from capital.

His aim is to step out of the country, open up to the foreign markets, and stride toward a bigger world.

Unlike Rhys Hawthorne, he doesn’t have the Hawthorne family’s centuries-old ancestral funds and network.

Willis is his crucial move.

The man’s voice was delightful to hear; for the first time, Victoria Monroe heard him speak Italian, seemingly hearing them talk about her.

From the richness of his voice, every time he called her name, it sounded different.

What were they discussing?

Victoria Monroe was puzzled, wondering if their identities with Julian Fordham had been exposed.

The overheated room air mingled with a faint fragrance causing her already dizzy head to feel terribly uncomfortable.

She sat, flanked by her husband on one side and Rhys Hawthorne on the other.

The Willis couple’s intentional and unintentional glances made Victoria Monroe feel on edge.

She lifted her skirt, using a touch-up excuse to go to the restroom.

The restroom in this VIP area was deserted, and Victoria Monroe pulled out her phone to see the trending topics exploding online.

Among the top ten searches, she and Rhys Hawthorne occupied six.

Those CP fans reawakened, celebrating as if it’s New Year.

There were high calls across the entire net.

Even her personal social media account, under her award-winning post from three years ago, gained tens of thousands of comments in just minutes.

Screens flooded with various scenes of her and Rhys Hawthorne, with thousands pleading for a reunion.

A fan she recognized, "Little Xu Loves Victoria Even Today," replied in the comment section: "Bought it, an insider says the two are about to collaborate."

This major fan was all too familiar to her, though never having met offline, they had supported her throughout her unremarkable beginnings.

And financially well-off; during her first disaster-themed movie release, this fan spent thirty million to book entire showings for free audiences.

Back then, when she decided to marry and leave her career, many major fans unfollowed and criticized her for being a lovestruck fool destined for a poor ending.

This "Little Xu" sent her a private message advising her to live according to her thoughts and disregard others.

From that day on, "Little Xu" vanished from the entertainment world alongside her.

Yet today, their reappearance warmed Victoria Monroe’s heart significantly.

Someone even released the first version of her and Rhys Hawthorne’s kissing scene, scolded by the director initially, adding fuel to the lively scene!

Victoria Monroe had never seen this behind-the-scenes footage; it was her first viewing.

On that large rock, her clothes partially open, revealing an inner vest, hair chaotic, with droplets hanging on her long, black lashes.

Her lashes lightly trembled at the moment Rhys Hawthorne kissed her.

The scene was stunningly beautiful, from lighting, setting, atmosphere, it was impeccable.

The only dissatisfaction the director had was the male lead’s character; in such a scene, he should be passionate, not cautiously treating her as a treasure.

Zooming in with the high-definition lens, Victoria Monroe saw the suppressed emotions in Rhys Hawthorne’s eyes.

He truly brought this role to life, flawlessly portraying unrequited love.

While Victoria Monroe was analyzing the character setting, she heard the sound of a door closing behind her.

She lifted her head, seeing Julian Fordham in the mirror reflected behind her.

The man wore a dark expression, steadily walking toward her.

Victoria Monroe felt an inexplicable tension, her phone slipping to the ground.

On the phone played the scene of her and Rhys Hawthorne kissing.

She knew the man’s possessiveness; in the final edit, it showed merely those fleeting seconds.

In reality, she and Rhys Hawthorne reshot it many times.

Victoria Monroe bent down to pick up the phone, a large hand clutched her slender wrist, his voice devoid of emotions, "Is it for Rhys, you insist on divorcing me?"