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 roots

looked at me, cupping

"Solid."

fact that you're willing to tell me everything makes me

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

front of him, I always felt weak. He could always stir

I found myself unable to pull away from

the big argument that

Faye thought she was about to hit her

tone was never harsh, but it was firm. Faye couldn't

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

everything together, couldn't

so good to

her lip in

left the TV station, they forcibly took me away. Victor

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

took out a card from his suit, and pushed it in front

on prepping for this movie. I'll find an acting

blurted out, "No need. Her

gaze lightly

sarcasm in my words was

pouted, looking

phone buzzed. She glanced at

be Victor checking in since she hadn't

stared at her phone, his voice dropping even lower. "Faye, this is your last

really saw Faye

head, and after a long pause,

grabbed my

to go practice driving with

and Bella, giving Faye a glare,

others have promised you, whether it's money

held my hand tightly, walking

couldn't help but turn to look at him. His rugged and mature

knew he was my inescapable

something to do and left. I got into

driving school now, is it?" he asked

my head.

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

instantly, and he smiled, his

I pointed ahead. "Watch the

me, but the

did when we argued last night, like a rainbow

about our argument last

him;

remembered the text he sent after

[Same

like a play, and a play

feelings into it. We used

looked at me. "You

time you care

smiled faintly and said, "That means you

"And you?"

awkward and that

really feel exhausted being with

job is to make his

slick, almost like he dodged