A Film Queen

Chapter 133 The Birthday Gift

“It’s fine; we really don’t need it.”

Jonathan, who had just been rushing around urgently, was now slumped hack onto the sofa, his voice tinged with resignation.

Seeing his sudden change of mood, Ace paused before suggesting. “Jonathan, should I ask the driver to take us back to that secret room we were just in? Maybe it’s still there.”

Jonathan’s face remained impassive as he responded, “No, let’s just head back. It’s not that valuable. I don’t even want it anymore.”

Ace was confused.

Hadn’t Jonathan just been insisting on its importance? Why this sudden shift in attitude?

Do celebrities really change their minds so quickly?

Jonathan leaned back, closing his eyes and radiating a chilly aura that seemed to ward others off. Even Stephanie, who had been playfully trying to get his attention, hesitated to come closer now.

Maybe Jonathan alone understood the truth behind what he said just now.

That item, while crucial, was ultimately inconsequential.

As the fifth in the Burnett lineage, two years junior to his brother Xavier, Jonathan had always felt somewhat overshadowed. From his earliest years, his older siblings had carved out significant paths: the eldest as a prominent CEO and the second as a celebrated designer.

Meanwhile, his third and fourth brothers were stars in their fields, too.

Yet, he remained unremarkable.

In a family orbiting around successful figures, he often felt neglected. Even in times of crisis, a call to the family doctor was about as involved as anyone got with him.

With Anthony and his sister now in the picture, he felt even more like a ghost in the grand Burnett household.

envied his privileged life filled with wealth and status, but for him, these were just

be like in an ordinary family where even small achievements were recognised

reality, such

by a desire to carve out his own identity, he plunged into the entertainment industry, aspiring to dominate the spotlight and

was this same drive that made him a supportive figure to Stephanie, even though they did not share blood. Her calling him her brother gave him a semblance of the familial warmth

The

sweet voice like Stephanie, However, she would silently tend

also choose a band–aid for him, the same unsightly, childish one that he

was undeniably closer to Jordan and Anthony, leaving him feeling sidelined once again, stuck in a familiar

car was

back with his eyebrows furrowed and eyes closed, wearing an unhappy expression. He scoffed softly, leaned towards Milly, and whispered conspiratorially, “Ms. Milly, I think he might be going through an early midlife crisis. He’s

but chose to remain

ignore the nagging feeling that Jonathan’s glances carried

none of them noticed Stephanie sitting quietly in the corner, her

tried to create a rift between Milly and her assistant during a live broadcast, but

with all the preparations in place, wouldn’t it be a shame to give up

beside her, her intentions were clear in

ignore Stephanie’s intense scrutiny, met her eyes and

the gesture and allowed

see how you’ll get out of this one,

the film set, Ace completed his duties

Mr. Hawkins

scenes.

had been sulky all day,

he was about to lean back and rest in the van with his eyes closed, a gentle voice stopped

He paused and turned.

to have already left, was rushing towards him, battling against the wind.

why was he

to Stephanie: he should