CHAPTER 45: CHAPTER 44: STILL FERMENTING

The next day.

When Elliana Lyle woke up, it was already broad daylight, another day waking up to find Norman Bennett absent from the bed.

After breakfast, Norman looked at her and asked, "I have free time today to accompany you, is there somewhere you’d like to go?"

"Are you saying you want to take me out?" Elliana was a bit excited; she had planned to play on her phone all day, but she didn’t expect Norman to be free today.

"Yes." The man nodded slightly.

Now... she had to think carefully. What’s fun in North City?

The tourist spots were nothing special, but the food at Deer Park Amusement Park was famous, and she hadn’t been there yet.

She grinned at Norman and said, "I want to go to Deer Park Amusement Park!"

However, as soon as Norman heard, he said directly, "Too noisy, choose another place."

"Why? No, I want to go to Deer Park Amusement Park!" Elliana quickly clung to the man’s arm and pleaded, an expression of appeal on her face.

"Please, Norman."

The man slightly lowered his gaze, "How will you convince me?"

How to convince him?

That question left Elliana at a loss; seeing the little girl’s momentary pause, the man watched her calmly.

Smack~

The little girl hugged his neck and planted a kiss on his cheek, a firm one, leaving his face a bit moist.

Seeing the saliva on the man’s face, Elliana giggled, "Let me wipe it for you."

Just as she reached out her hand, the man pulled her into his arms for a gentle and lingering kiss...

―――North City, Deer Park Amusement Park.

This place, filled with hundreds of mixed sounds, was what Norman disliked the most, but since the little girl holding his hand liked it, he reluctantly accepted it.

The two of them stood out here not only because of Norman’s natural aura but also because Raymond Wood had arranged two bodyguards.

"Norman, I want a balloon!"

"Okay."

"I want to eat that grilled squid!"

"Okay."

...

After a round, Elliana visited all the food stalls and showed no interest in the roller coasters and such.

Of course, she was the only one eating, and after a forceful feeding session, Norman grudgingly took a couple of bites.

This forced feeding was done with...!

Feeling tired from walking, she spotted a coffee shop in the distance with a pure, simple, black and white sign.

"Norman, let’s go in and have a seat," Elliana pointed ahead, her legs aching from walking.

"Okay."

Whatever she said, he agreed to everything, and hand in hand, they were a scenic view at the amusement park.

"Isn’t that Elliana?"

"Seems like it!"

"The man beside her must be Norman; he’s really handsome in person!"

"I want an autograph..."

A girl was just about to approach them, but a chilling glance from one of the bodyguards instantly scared her away!

...

The coffee shop was quieter than outside, and Elliana ordered two cups of unsweetened bitter coffee. She wanted to taste the coffee Norman drank every day.

"So bitter, so bitter!" Elliana took a sip and instantly found it hard to swallow.

In contrast, Norman was elegant, calm, and dignified; just sitting there seemed to elevate the entire coffee shop’s class.

At that moment, a group of girls walked in, chatting animatedly about something.

It seemed like they were discussing Joy Lyle.

"Whoa, a sky-high contract; I don’t think Joy is worth that much!"

"Exactly, the entertainment industry is really chaotic now!"

A sky-high contract?

The 150 million one? She had accidentally seen it a few days ago; could it be true?

Without time to think, she quickly took out her phone to check the situation.

The internet was in an uproar again, with the current content completely different from yesterday’s.

According to an insider’s tip, Joy’s half-year contract was sold for a sky-high 150 million.

Netizen 107: "150 million? Oh my, are celebrities worth that much now? A half-year contract for 150 million?"

Miss Butcher: "Could it be Joy, Art Elegance, and Roland are laundering money?"

Netizen 4267@Miss Butcher: "No doubt about it, if it’s not money laundering, then there’s definitely something fishy!"

Money laundering is no small matter; it’s a financial crime. She quickly messaged Joy.

Kitten: "Sis, did you see? What’s going on with the sky-high contract online?"

Sis: "I just saw it too; I don’t know. The contract was signed by Roland and Art Elegance without my knowledge."

"Norman, the internet says my sister signed a sky-high contract!" Elliana handed her phone to the man.

Norman glanced at it and then said, "Hmm, do you believe it?"

"No, of course, I don’t believe it!"

"There’s nothing to discuss about uncertain things," Norman said calmly, contrasting with Elliana’s anxiousness.

"Oh!" Even though Elliana was still a bit worried and had lost the mood to keep playing, she could only say, "Norman, let’s go back."

―――Vicars Hotel.

After returning, Elliana checked the online commotion again.

Roland, Art Elegance, and Ada came forward with urgent denials as things started to spiral out of control.

Roland:

Solemn Statement:

Joy Lyle’s contract was transferred to Art Elegance Media Company for Joy to become a flagship host. Our company and Art Elegance Media Company have conducted a peaceful, reasonable, and lawful contract transfer.

An original photo of the contract change was displayed below the statement, clearly stating that the contract transfer fee was 3 million.

At the end was a lawyer’s letter stating full responsibility would be pursued against anyone spreading rumors. We urge everyone not to create or spread rumors.

Simultaneously, Art Elegance Media also denied the rumors online, stating they would seek legal action against those spreading rumors, claiming it seriously defamed their company image and would seek compensation. Please do not believe or spread rumors!

But what caught her attention was Joy’s statement.

Joy Lyle:

I was not aware of the contract matter beforehand. Although I am somewhat displeased with my contract being transferred, it is reasonable and lawful. I will fulfill my duties as stated in the contract strictly.

Regarding the sky-high contract, I am unaware of the details, but I will pursue legal responsibility against those speaking and spreading slander. I hope everyone will not believe or spread rumors!

Elliana initially thought the three-party statements would calm the netizens, but someone posted a contract online showing indeed a 150 million transfer fee!

Initially suspected to be photoshopped, Elliana felt like she couldn’t help much and was left anxious.

The following day.

Elliana returned to the film set feeling a bit worn out. She hadn’t slept well until after midnight last night, and now she was basically listless.

"Alright, there’s a scene with spicy duck heads later. Elliana, prepare yourself and try to pass in one take," Thomas Lee instructed from one side.

Elliana summoned all her energy and prepared herself.

"Okay! All departments in position!"

Holding the oiled paper bag with bright red spicy duck heads, Elliana thought this scene would be great.

With the director’s signal, she started eating, but as soon as she tasted it, she realized something was wrong. The spiciness made her entire mouth feel as if it was being scorched by lava!

Cough, cough...

The spicy duck heads scattered on the ground; she could hardly speak from the pain, hunched over the table, coughing continuously!

"Can you be a bit more professional?" Timara Zephyr said disapprovingly.

"Cough, cough! No, it’s too... too spicy! Water..."

Yates Zander noticed something was wrong and quickly ran over with a bottle of mineral water, gently holding Elliana and carefully feeding her the water.

The one drinking had red eyes and continuously swallowed, quickly finishing the whole bottle.

"Are you okay?" Yates asked with concern.

"I’m... I’m fine..." Elliana finally felt alive again, going limp in Yates’s arms, gasping for air.

Victor King quickly came over to support Elliana.

Yates picked up the spicy duck head from the ground and tasted it, instantly furrowing his brow, "Director, there’s something wrong with this prop!"