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.

at him, worried. "What about you? Are your roots

me, cupping my face in

"Solid."

know, the fact that you're willing to tell me everything makes me feel the

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

of him, I always felt weak. He could always stir my heart with

myself unable to pull away from

big argument that

was about to hit her goal, but it

but it was

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

together, couldn't stay

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

accusations and pressure, Faye bit her lip in grievance and

the TV station, they forcibly took me away. Victor wanted me to drive a wedge between you two. I initially refused, but

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

out a card from his suit, and

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

"No need. Her acting

lightly fell

my words was crystal

looking kinda

her phone buzzed. She glanced at

had to be Victor checking in since she hadn't shown

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

really saw Faye

a long pause, she whispered, "Ethan, I

my hand,

need to go practice driving with

giving Faye a glare,

the door, Ethan stopped and turned back. "Faye, no matter what others have promised you, whether it's money or a future, I can give

hand tightly, walking

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

knew he was my inescapable

she had something to do

the driving school now, is it?" he asked after starting

my head. "Not too

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

and he smiled, his

ahead. "Watch

me, but the smile

from the way he did when we argued last night, like

really serious about our argument

at him; he was

he sent after leaving

replied: [Same

a play, and a play was like

it. We used that big argument to

looked at me.

honestly. "Yeah, every time you care about Faye, I get

smiled faintly and said, "That

"And you?"

things awkward and that I might

I added, "Do you really feel exhausted being with

itself is exhausting. A man's job is to

answer was slick, almost like he