Chapter 3

Footsteps echoed from the stairs.

Daniel and Scarlett descended.

Scarlett had changed into a modest long dress, her face a mask of perfectly calibrated panic and innocence, eyes red-rimmed, clinging tightly to Daniel's arm like a terrified fawn.

Heh, impressive acting. No wonder she's hailed as the next big thing.

Daniel's face was grim, his brows furrowed, with a hint of displeasure at being caught.

"Maya, why didn't you say you were coming home?" He walked towards me, his tone carrying a trace of accusation he probably hadn't even noticed himself.

I ignored him.

I raised my hand and pressed pause.

On the enormous screen, the image of Scarlett nestled in his arms, calling me a "craftswoman," was frozen.

The air instantly became dead silent.

Scarlett's face went white as a sheet, and she swayed as if she might faint any second.

Daniel's face turned ashen. He strode to me, blocking the screen, his voice low and warning: "Maya, what is this? What are you trying to do?"

"What am I trying to do?" I finally looked up, my gaze calm. "Daniel Sterling, that's what I should be asking you."

"I…" Daniel was speechless.

Behind him, Scarlett had already started crying, her tears, like a string of pearls, began to fall.

"Maya, please don't blame Daniel; it's all my fault… I just admire you so much, and I wanted Daniel to give me some acting tips, we…"

"Shut up."

I bit out two cold words.

Scarlett's sobs hitched, and she looked at me in disbelief.

She probably hadn't expected the usually gentle me to speak to her in such a tone.

Daniel's temper flared. He grabbed my wrist, his grip so strong it felt like he wanted to crush my bones.

"Maya! Come at me! What does this have to do with Scarlett? She's just a kid, she doesn't understand anything!"

A kid?

A twenty-four-year-old actress was a kid in his eyes?

I looked at his furious face and suddenly found it ridiculous.

"Daniel, look closely at what she's wearing." I yanked my hand free and pointed at Scarlett's sexy silk nightgown on the screen. "Wearing that to 'practice lines' with you? In your study, sitting on your lap, until your bathrobe was practically open?"

My voice wasn't loud, but every word was like an ice-cold knife, striking both their faces.

Daniel's face flushed red, then pale.

Scarlett's dramatic streak kicked in again. She cried harder, rushing to cling to Daniel's arm.

"Daniel, I didn't mean to… I just felt comfortable wearing something casual at home… Maya, I truly didn't mean to ruin your relationship, I… I'm leaving now! I'll never bother you again!"

With that, she covered her face and ran out, looking heartbroken.

Just as expected, Daniel immediately felt a pang of sympathy.

He shot me a furious glare, an expression that saw me as nothing but an unreasonable lunatic.

"Maya, do you have to make such a scene?!"

He chased after her.

I heard the car engine start outside, followed by a deadly silence.

He was gone.

He'd left me alone in this house, empty as a tomb, for that "wronged" Scarlett.

Slowly, ever so slowly, I walked to the massive floor-toceiling window.

Outside, was the rose garden I had personally designed and planted.

It was right here, years ago, that Daniel held the first script I had ever written and told me, "Maya, marry me. I'll spend my life protecting you and your talent."

Ten years.

How many decades do you get in life?

I'd given him my best ten years, given them to Starlight.

What I got in return was being called a "craftswoman."

I picked up my phone and dialed my private lawyer.

"Mr. Davis, prepare something."

"Prepare what, Ms. Linwood?"

"Divorce papers, and also… a full audit for copyright divestment and asset liquidation for all film and television projects under Starlight Entertainment where I served as screenwriter or held the original creative concept."

Mr. Davis on the other end was silent for three seconds, clearly stunned by the news.

"Ms. Linwood, are you certain? This is almost half of Starlight's empire."

"I am."

I hung up, looking at the roses outside the window.

Daniel, you think Scarlett is unpolished jade, a genius?

Fine.

I'd like to see what kind of castles in the air your unpolished jade can build without me, the "craftswoman," laying the foundation.

This play needed a new ending.