Chapter 4

On the other end of the phone,

Simon's cool voice came through,

"Miss Bella, you've made up your mind?"

"Yes, I've decided."

"Alright, confirm the time and I'll come to Los Angeles to pick you up."

Inexplicably,

I actually detected a hint of excitement in Simon's voice.

Putting down my phone,

my thoughts drifted back three years.

I'm the only daughter of the Anthony family in Manhattan, New York.

My family arranged a marriage alliance with the Brandt family

to help me better inherit the Anthony family in the future.

I didn't want to marry a stranger,

even though I knew he was of good character,

one of the rare clean-living men in high society circles.

I came to Hollywood in Los Angeles alone to break into the entertainment industry.

But without my family's support,

I couldn't move an inch in the entertainment world.

I could only do bit parts, playing extras without even any lines.

During one audition,

I was almost taken advantage of.

It was Charles who saved me.

He not only helped send the producer who harassed me to prison,

but also helped me land the first role of my life,

though it was just a supporting role.

When Charles decided to personally become my assistant,

it shocked the entire industry.

Everyone speculated he was just acting on a whim,

that he'd get bored and move on.

But he persisted for three years.

My food, clothing, housing, and transportation were all his responsibility.

All endorsements and film contracts

were personally selected by him

and presented to me.

Every time I joined a crew,

he would push aside all other matters

to stay by my side wholeheartedly.

Originally, I planned to finish filming this movie,

then come clean to Charles about my identity.

But I never expected

this to happen...

Since I'd decided to go home for the arranged marriage,

I decided to withdraw from the entertainment industry.

I opened my laptop

and typed out my retirement statement.

But I hadn't sent it yet.

I wanted to finish filming one last movie before leaving.

The redness and swelling on my face hadn't completely subsided yet.

As soon as I stepped onto the set, everyone's eyes swept over to me.

There was mockery, pity,

and more than anything, schadenfreude.

I lowered my head and quickened my pace toward the makeup room.

"Miss Bella."

I stopped.

A crew member blocked my way,

wearing a professionally polite fake smile.

"That makeup room, Mr. Fletcher has instructed that it's for Miss Nia from now on."

He gestured to the side,

"Miss Bella, you can use that one over there."

I followed where he was pointing.

Next to a pile of miscellaneous items at the far end,

a broken door stood half-open.

Inside were dusty prop boxes and discarded light stands.

I said nothing in the end and walked in.

But I waited a long time.

The time for my next scene was approaching,

but my makeup artist still hadn't arrived.

I got up to find someone,

only to see my makeup artist standing next to Nia,

touching up her makeup.

I froze.

Only then did Nia seem to remember something,

covering her mouth as she giggled,

"Oops, I forgot to tell Miss Bella."

"Charles gave me your makeup artist too. From now on, she's my personal makeup artist."

"He said my face is precious and needs the best makeup artist and the best cosmetics."

She tilted her head and glanced to the side.

Immediately someone threw several paper boxes at my feet,

spilling out cheap foundation and eyeshadow palettes.

"Charles also said Miss Bella is getting on in years, so just make do with whatever."

Nia looked at me with eyes full of malice.

I looked down at the pile of items.

Charles knew I had sensitive skin

and could only use specific cosmetics.

He used to have people test the ingredients

even if I switched brands.

I stood up and walked toward the studio.

"Miss Bella, you haven't put on makeup yet!"

I didn't look back, only said coldly,

"I'm not doing it."

Immediately people started slandering me.

"Acting like such a diva."

"Still being difficult even now. No wonder Charles dumped her."

But Nia's smile remained unchanged.

"It's fine. Once she sees the new script, she won't be so arrogant anymore."

I walked into the studio.

The next scene was supposed to be between me and the male lead.

I calmed myself and went through the script,

but the actor playing the male lead never showed up.

I was about to find someone to ask

when I saw the director walking toward me furiously.

"Bella!"

He grabbed my hand

and dragged me outside.

"What are you doing slacking off here? We've been calling you forever. Are you deaf?!"

"Director, isn't the next scene supposed to be between me and the male lead?"

He waved his hand impatiently,

"All those scenes have been cut."

"Your next scene,"

"is a drowning scene."