Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 122 I Don't Mind Being Cheesy

In the private room, it was just Ethan and Faye.

Ethan glanced up and locked eyes with me. Neither of us was shocked to see the other.

"Ethan, I'm outta here."

Faye was all jittery and hadn't even noticed me walk in. I'd already set the tray on the table, and she hadn't looked up, probably thinking I was just some waiter.

I poured a glass of wine and slid it over to her, saying coolly, "Bailing already? What's the hurry?"

Faye's head snapped up, eyes wide with shock. "Why is it you?"

"So, this Mr. Windsor ain't Victor!"

Bella suddenly got it, pulled out a chair, and plopped down, ready for the drama.

Faye glanced between Ethan and me, piecing things together, her eyes darting around, looking kinda guilty.

I didn't bother pouring Ethan any wine, just handed him a glass of warm water. Then I took a seat next to him.

On the burgundy tablecloth, there was a stack of papers.

Ethan drummed his fingers on the documents and gave a faint smile.

"Faye, I was planning a surprise for you, and you showed up right on cue."

Of course, I knew this wasn't just a random thing.

And when Faye walked into the restaurant, she had no clue that the so-called Mr. Windsor wasn't Victor, the guy she was supposed to meet, but Ethan.

Ethan spoke softly, "The director we met earlier is a straight shooter. This is the contract for the lead role in his new movie. He thinks you're perfect for the part. Faye, this is your shot. I promised to help you chase your dream, and I'm sticking to it. But there's one catch."

But Faye still looked super uneasy.

"What catch?"

"Cut ties with Victor."

Faye was stunned, but being the pro actress she was, she quickly pulled herself together.

"Ethan, I have no idea what you're talking about."

Ethan pulled out a cigarette and lit it, a faint smile on his face.

"Faye, how old are you, and how old am I? Those extra years I have count for something."

Faye probably never thought that just this morning, she was strutting her stuff in front of me at the villa, and now the tables had totally turned.

But the story kicked off last night.

Ethan and I were out looking for Scruffy. When it seemed like a lost cause, he parked the car by the roadside.

"Emily, I dug into what you told me about Faye. It's Victor," he said.

I'd already gotten the scoop from Faris, so I wasn't surprised.

Ethan leaned back in his seat, rubbing his temples, looking beat.

I could totally feel the sadness in his heart right then. If the investigation had just shown Faye was with some rich dude, that'd be one thing. But finding out Victor was scheming against him? That was a whole different ball game. "It's like a tree. If outside forces try to yank it out and the roots don't hold firm, it'll get pulled out easily."

He spoke slowly, each word dripping with helplessness.

"What about you? Are your

looked at me, cupping my face in his

"Solid."

bitter smile. "You know, the fact that you're willing to tell me everything makes me feel the

me, kissed my hair, and said hoarsely, "A woman feeling insecure is a man's fault. Babe, I was

could always stir my

found myself unable to pull away

argument that followed was just a

to hit her goal,

it was firm.

cigarette into the ashtray and said steadily, "Faye, you mess up because you're young and can't resist temptation. But don't

pieced everything together,

sell out for money, huh? Ethan's been so good to you, and Emily kindly took you in. How can you be

the accusations and pressure, Faye bit her lip

I didn't want this either. That night, after I left the TV station, they forcibly took me away. Victor wanted me to

the night Ethan had sent Ivan to pick up Faye, but she wasn't there. The next morning, she did have bruises on her hands, which

his cigarette, took out a card from his suit, and pushed

Settle the account, then focus on prepping for this movie. I'll find an acting coach to teach you

blurted out, "No need. Her acting is

gaze lightly fell on

my words was crystal

pouted, looking kinda

She glanced at it but didn't

Victor checking in since

even lower. "Faye, this is your last

Faye

and after a long

my hand, intertwining our

need to go practice driving with

with him, and Bella, giving Faye a

stopped and turned back. "Faye, no matter what others have promised you, whether it's money or a future,

held my hand tightly, walking steadily step

him. His rugged and mature

he was my inescapable

she had something to

school now, is it?" he asked after starting

head. "Not too

and pulled me by the neck, planting

flushed instantly, and he smiled, his gaze particularly

pointed ahead. "Watch

but the smile

the way he did when we argued last night, like a rainbow hanging

serious about our argument last night," he suddenly

glanced at him; he

the text he sent after leaving last night: [Good

replied: [Same to

was like a play, and

true feelings into it. We used that big argument to express our true thoughts,

at

nodded honestly. "Yeah, every time you

"That means you really

"And you?"

it, fearing the question would make things awkward and that

I added, "Do you really feel exhausted being

A man's job is to make his woman less

answer was slick, almost like