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.

worried. "What about

looked at me, cupping my face

"Solid."

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

leaned over, hugged me, kissed my hair, and said hoarsely, "A

him, I always felt weak. He could

myself unable

that followed

Faye thought she was about to hit her goal, but it

it was

"Faye, you mess up because you're young

everything together,

so good to you, and Emily kindly

Faye bit her lip in grievance and

TV station, they forcibly took me away. Victor wanted me to drive a

she wasn't there. The next morning, she did have bruises on her hands,

card from his

the account, then focus on prepping for this movie. I'll find

out, "No need. Her acting

gaze lightly

sarcasm in my words was crystal

pouted, looking

She glanced at it but

to be Victor checking in since

dropping even lower. "Faye, this is your last shot. If you don't listen to

really saw Faye as

long pause,

grabbed my hand, intertwining

need to go practice driving with

stood up with him, and Bella, giving

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

held my hand tightly, walking steadily step by

look at him. His rugged and mature handsome face seemed even more charming at this moment, making

was my

Bella tactfully said she had something to do

hit the driving school now, is it?" he asked

my head.

suddenly reached over and pulled me by the neck, planting a soft kiss

face flushed instantly, and he smiled, his gaze particularly

ahead. "Watch the

let go of me, but the smile

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

about our argument last night," he

glanced at him; he was

the text he sent

replied: [Same

a play, and a play

put our true feelings into it. We used that big argument

looked at me.

"Yeah, every time you care about

"That means you really

"And you?"

out, then regretted it, fearing the question would make things awkward and that I might get an answer

you really feel exhausted being with

man's job is to make his woman less

almost like he