She sounded as if she was apologizing, but she was really exaggerating her kindness and innocent self. Jean was disgusted, feeling stupid for being deceived by such a disdainful person for so long. She smiled and raised her hand to wipe Anne’s tears away. “Silly girl, why would I be angry with you? You are my best friend.” “I was protective of you for the past few years. When you were bullied by those unspoken rules, I stood up for you; when you were stolen of acting roles, I fought for you; when you were slapped, I slapped back those who hit you. But I can’t protect you anymore because I am up to my neck now.” Anne’s mouth twitched. Jean told her this crap just to show everyone how kind and innocent she was, and what she had achieved so far was because Jean had shielded her from problems. Anne wanted to refute, but was interrupted. “Shhh, don’t say a word. I know you want to thank me, but please don’t mention it. You are my friend.” Jean hugged Anne. They looked like a p

Jean gave him a push. “Someone has come. Answer the door. I don’t want anyone to suspect anything.” “Are you afraid?” Etan sounded sarcastic. The knocking on the door continued. Not that Jean was afraid of being seen mingling with Etan. It was just that she had not used Etan enough and did not want to let her relationship with him be exposed. Jean ran her finger down Etan’s tall nose bridge. “Is it Jason? I am not sacred, but your buddy might get hurt if he sees us together.” The hand holding her waist let go of her at last. Etan’s face looked cold and dangerous. “Give me a second.”  He turned and left, then closed the bathroom door behind him. Jean sat on the sink and laughed with her shoulders moving up and down. It was a laugh of ridicule. Tears were flowing down her cheeks. She turned to look at herself in the mirror and raised a hand to wipe away the tears. “Anne, the more you fear something, the more you will make your fear become a reality,” she told herself. To

“I am still worried about you. It is too risky.” “Since things have come to such a pass, I have got to gamble on this.” Jean grinned bitterly. “Believe it or not, even if we don’t release it, somebody will. Someone else was behind this when Willie asked me to entertain those men. They wanted to finish off me.” Jenny gritted her teeth. “That must be some deep-seated enmity there. They have caused so much damage to your reputation, and now they want you dead?” “They are desperate. If I don’t die, they won’t be able to sleep at night.” If she did not die, Anne and Alana would have sleepless nights as she was the first heir to the Mitchell family. Her falling out with Anne meant that her confrontation with Alana would happen openly. It was a one-way street and there was no turning back. Either they, or she, would die. … Anne felt nervous all night. It felt like a forever while she waited for Etan. She had wanted to ask Etan if Jean had seduced him, but she did not dare to,

“Jean! It is really you!” “Jean? I can’t believe you still have the nerve to come out shopping! I used to like you so much. Bah, I was so freaking blind to becoming your fan!”  “Why are you willing to stoop so low to become a hooker? I really sympathize with your parents.” “Is this why you got yourself a nose job—just to sell your body for a better price? What is the difference between you and the pigs in the pigpen?” Jean’s face was pale. Although she had expected this, it still hurt to hear those nasty words, as if every word was a death sentence for her. She was like an isolated island that was about to go under the water. Some people were taking photos, and some live-streamed videos of her. “Those videos are not real. I didn’t do those things.” She tried to explain, but no one was listening to her. An old lady walked up to her and cursed, “This is adulterous. You would have been sentenced to death if you were in the Medieval Period! Ptui!” A thick sputum was spit

This was the reason she never thought of asking Robert for help, even when she was in the most difficult situation.Robert cared more about the Mitchell family and its reputation than her. He was afraid that she would ruin the marriage between Etan and Anne. It was also the reason Alana could do whatever she wanted with impunity.Jean dialed Jenny’s number, and it was quickly answered. “Are you okay? Are you injured?” Jenny sounded concerned.“I am fine, Jenny. Do you remember what I told you? Whether we succeed will depend on tonight.”“I got it. I will keep an eye on the time.”“The rest, I will count on you then,” Jean said.The line was still connected, but neither of them spoke.After a long while, Jenny said, “I know you will not listen. But don’t worry, I will take care of the rest. There won’t be surprises.”“I trust you. See ya.”“See ya.”But none of them was sure if they could still see each other by tomorrow.Jean put down the phone, took out a pen and a paper,