Chapter 23: She Doesn’t Know Him, Right?
Sonya found Lily Lane, a striking woman in a leather jacket, skirt, and boots, engaging in a heated conversation with a security guard.
“Seraphina and I grew up together. We were classmates in high school and college. I know all her dirty laundry. You like her TV dramas? Hah! Her melodramatic acting? How could I possibly say anything bad about her? We’re close friends. That thing with the actor Li… she’s always loved snatching other people’s things. Maybe she thinks other people’s husbands are more interesting” The guard was completely stunned by Lily Lane’s rapid–fire gossip. When Lily Lane spotted Sonya, she waved her over, then continued, “Sonya, my girl! You know about her and Julian Jennings and Seraphina West, right? My poor friend got totally screwed over by those two heartless people. She and Julian were together since college! Everyone knows…” Before Lily Lane could spill more, Sonya pulled her aside, silencing her and greeting the guard. He looked slightly disappointed to be interrupted.
“Miss, you should come by the security office for tea sometime,” he said to Lily Lane warmly, “Olivorre, let’s continue this later,” she grinned.
Sonya shot her a withering look and surveyed the two large suitcases.“Are you two moving back to a New York?”
“Just me.”
“What do you mean?”
“I divorced Li Chaoan.”
Sonya was taken aback.“When did that happen?”
“Five days ago. He cheated.”
“How did you find out?”
“I opened the door.”
Lily Lane erupted into laughter, leaving Sonya utterly bewildered.
“It’s an online meme.”
Walking toward the villa, Lily Lane leaned against Sonya, still giggling. But when she saw Julian Jennings taking out the trash, her laughter died abruptly. Sonya instinctively tried to stop her, but Lily Lane was already charging towards him.
–
“Hey, second master of Jennings, long time no see! Remember your old classmate? Me, Lily Lane
the one who punched you into the hospital! Remember?”
Julian Jennings tossed the trash and glared at her, hands in his pockets.“Did you pluck that hair from a flamingo?”
“Still that same annoying attitude. I hear you’ve unlocked a new identity: modern–day Chen Shimei (a historical figure known for betrayal).”
Julian Jennings narrowed his eyes. “You’d better watch your mouth.”
“Angry? Guilty? Doing bad things while hiding behind a good reputation makes you arrogant?” “You’re speaking gibberish!”
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Chapter 23 She Doesn’t Know Him, R…
He scoffed and turned to leave.
“You’re the bird–brain! You’re not even human! I warned you not to bully Sonya! You didn’t listen! I’m sending you back to the ICU to reflect!”
Lily Lane started punching the air, ready to chase him, but Sonya stopped her.
“Don’t get mad. I’ve already made things clear with him.”
“Clear? You should have sent him to the hospital directly!”
The villa was still under renovation, but the second floor was finished. Sonya led Lily Lane into a bedroom and asked if she’d eaten.
“Eat? I’m saving my appetite for drinks with Jake Parker tonight.”
Sonya admired Lily Lane’s resilience. She’d cried her eyes out during the breakup but could still be friends with her ex–husband.
Despite that, Sonya made Lily Lane a bowl of noodles.
Lily Lane ate the noodles in the small living room upstairs.“Your good wife and mother act is why Julian Jennings thinks you’re easy to bully.”
“Do you like the noodles?”
“Delicious,”
“Then eat. Don’t talk about him anymore.”
Lily Lane chuckled and pointed around the villa.“Your fiancé is generous.” She’d obviously seen the online property deed.
You don’t think I faked it?”
“You wouldn’t bother.” She slurped her noodles.“What’s he like?”
“Uh, I don’t know. Seems okay.”
“What do you mean?”
“We haven’t met.”
Lily Lane gave Sonya a thumbs–up.“Before even getting married, he gives you a villa. He’s at least reliable.”
“Actually, I feel guilty.”
“Don’t be silly. Know how much I got from the divorce with Li Chaoan?” “A lot?”
“Three hundred million,” Lily Lane said, holding up three fingers.“In
fingers.“In debt.” Sonya frowned.“How could that be?”
“I was stupid. He swindled me,” Lily Lane sighed.“So cherish a guy like your fiancé. At least he doesn’t scam you.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Brave the entertainment industry. Start over.”
Sonya realized Lily Lane, like Seraphina West, was a performing arts major. She’d acted in a few dramas before marrying Li Chaoan, but only minor roles.
Chapter 23. She Doesn’t Know Him, R…
“I still have some money.”
“Then help me rent an apartment,” Lily Lane said with a smile.
That night, Lily Lane dragged Sonya to Jake Parker’s bar.
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“I don’t have resources or connections. Going solo is impossible. I need to join an agency.” “Oh.” Sonya didn’t understand the entertainment industry.
“But I’m not that young anymore. Just showing up at agencies won’t work.”
“So?”
“Jake Parker says the CEO of JoyPlus Entertainment is here tonight. He’ll introduce us.” At the bar, they saw Julian Jennings and Seraphina West sitting in the courtyard, not in a private
room.
“Sonya, how did you know we were here? Come sit!” Seraphina West called out. That was a loaded statement. Why would she assume Sonya was there for them? Running into them was certainly bad luck.
Sonya ignored them, but Lily Lane pulled her over.
“Old classmate, you don’t recognize me?”
Seraphina West didn’t recognize Lily Lane at first. After a few seconds, she gasped.“Lily! Wow, you’ve changed! Did you get plastic surgery?”
Lily Lane laughed.“Plastic surgery? Unlike you, I haven’t had a nose job.” Seraphina West’s smile faded.“Why are you back in New York? Are you planning a comeback?” “That’s the plan.”
“Haha, Lily, you’re so funny.”
Sonya was getting a headache from their sniping. She wanted to escape, but Lily Lane wouldn’t let her.
“I heard you two are getting married soon. Having a backup plan is different, isn’t it? Congratulations, old classmate. After all this time, you finally let your golden tortoise land. Congratulations, Jennings Er Gongzi. Not only did you marry your white moonlight (first love), you also got a kid for free.”
Sonya couldn’t help but laugh.
Julian Jennings glared at her and turned to Seraphina West.“There are all sorts of outside. Let’s go inside.”
crazy people
Seraphina West’s face also turned sour after being insulted by Lily Lane, but then their friends arrived.
“Seraphina, Julian, look who I brought.”
Sonya turned and saw Luna Stone, Seraphina West’s friend, with a tall, handsome mixed–race man in casual white clothing. When he looked at Sonya, he smiled.
Sonya froze. She didn’t recognize him.
Chapter 24 He Wouldn’t Be Your Fia…
