Filed to story: A Second Chance with My Billionaire Love
“Don’t avoid my question. Answer me if you’re a man… Wait.” Flossie fished her phone out. “Since everyone’s here, I think Lei should join in on this discussion too.”
Xavier’s displeasure was obvious. “I don’t think that’s necessary.” “Why not? She has the right to know your thoughts. If you choose to forgive Shirley, Lei can think about whether she wants to forgive you since she’s your current girlfriend.’ Previously, she couldn’t understand why Leia felt so conflicted and hurt in her relationship with Xavier, but now she did— Xavier’s hesitation and fickleness filled Leia with insecurity. What a despicable man! On one hand, Xavier shamelessly and constantly pursued Leia, but on the other hand, he faked generosity and tried to reconcile with his first love. He was clearly fooling around. How could such a disloyal man make Leia happy? Flossie wanted Leia to know the truth.
“This is between her and me. You don’t know the situation, so stop meddling in our relationship.” Xavier had always been casual and indifferent, but his relationship with Leia had made him frustrated and miserable. He would easily get upset when someone brought up Leia.
“What are you going to do if I don’t?” Flossie fiercely rebuked Xavier. “Stop dragging things out. Two women are waiting for you to make up your mind! Or, are you trying to have the best of both worlds while leading them on?” “No, of course not!” Xavier frowned and said icily, “Why do you care about others’ romance so much? Is it because your own relationship is disappointing? You should try to fix your own relationship instead of meddling in others’ affairs. Do you think your relationship with Halston is very good?”
Flossie’s heart ached, and she smiled bitterly in realization. “You’re right. I already have my own problems, but I’m still trying to worry about you and Leia. I must be overestimating my capabilities.” She felt that her current situation was crazier than Xavier and Leia’s.
“Alright, let’s stop arguing,” Xavier said finally, realizing that his words had been quite harsh. He had always had a soft spot for Flossie since she was the first woman he was serious about, and he couldn’t bear to hurt her.” Are you sure you want to make this guy famous?” Xavier changed the topic and glanced at Jeffrey, who had timidly watched them all argue with each other.
“Yeah, I would like to add some pureness into that lousy entertainment circle.” Flossie leaned against the chair, her tone confident.
“His looks are pretty good, and his natural charm is quite rare. He looks wild and bold, and as long as he has some experience, it’ll be easy to make him famous,” Xavier sized Jeffrey up and said objectively. As the head of Universal Entertainment, Xavier was confident that he could make Jeffrey a star, since he had done the same with many others.
“Okay, I’ll leave him in your capable hands.” Flossie got up and patted Jeffrey’s shoulders. “Kid, listen to Xavier from now on. He’ll make you famous.”
Xavier looked at Flossie, feeling slightly pressured. “Umm… Well, the crew of The Heart of the Grassland is currently searching for a male lead, so why don’t we let him audition for it?”
“The Heart of the Grassland?” Flossie usually scrolled through entertainment news and had long heard of this IP. It was one of the novels of the Grassland trilogy written by Juniper, a famous novelist. It described the story of a modern urban woman who was stressed about life, and chose to travel to Bellcoast. There, she ran into a handsome and pure youth on the grassland, and they fell in love. The plot was quite straightforward, and the characters were only the heroine, hero, and the animals living on the grassland. However, the novelist’s descriptive writing of the wilderness and the characters’ budding romance made the novel very enchanting, and it had gained a lot of fans.
“Is there a problem with it?” Xavier asked curiously. He felt that it was a great IP, and countless top stars were vying forthat role. Him suggesting giving the role to an unknown youth was already doing Flossie a great favor.
“No, that’s not it.” Flossie explained patiently, “I feel that this IP is very influential, and once the movie comes out, Jeffrey will either become famous or be fiercely criticized. I’m worried he won’t be able to handle the pressure.” The current entertainment circle was quite chaotic; Netizens could promote someone one day and put them down the next for the silliest reasons. The hero of The Heart of the Grassland had many loyal fans, and if Jeffrey did a bad job playing him or his interpretation of the hero was not what the fans had envisioned, he might fail to make a debut because of it.
“Your worries are normal, but this is the fastest method to make him famous.” Xavier said rationally, “It’s just like how ‘Guajardo my Ellsworth’ went from a fanfiction on a forum to a popular movie when Shirley acted in it. She even won many awards for it. This guy’s situation is the same as Shirley’s back then, and I believe that his career as a star will be more dazzling than Shirley’s as long as he doesn’t forget himself.”
Shirley flinched subtly, pursing her lips. Shirley knew that Xavier still hated her even though he seemed to have let it go. The one wrong choice she had made had driven a wedge between them. “If that’s the case, I…” Shirley summoned up her courage and asked hesitantly, “Can I be the heroine of The Heart of the Grassland? I just want things to go back to the way they were.” “Forget it.” Xavier sounded icy. “Your current image is way worse than the heroine of the novel, so I don’t think you’ll be able to handle this role.”
“I’ve read this novel, and I think I’m a lot like the heroine-we’re both marginalized people of the city who have too many burdens. Plus, I’m experienced in acting, so I’m sure I can play the role well.” Shirley tried to persuade Xavier. She wasn’t just trying to get famous again; she was also hoping she could get closer to Xavier.
Flossie thought about it for a while, then said, “Let her be the heroine. Her image does suit the role very well. The most important thing is that it’ll bring in more views.” She knew people would always be harsh on the heroine, which meant that Jeffrey might be given some slack…
After coming up with a plan, Jeffrey was almost a part of the entertainment circle. Xavier temporarily made Jeffrey and Shirley the male and female leads of The Heart of the Grassland, which he would have a grand startup ceremony for a week later.
Flossie felt more relaxed after returning from Universal Entertainment. She was glad her focus was broadening to something outside of her children, Halston, and her. She went to meet Leia at a roadside stall to eat.
Leia was confused when Flossie told her the whole story. “Flossie, I don’t get you. What’s with you and Jeffrey? Why do you insist on making him famous?” She took a big gulp of her beer. “Yes, that kid is handsome, but he’s just a boy. You need a man.”
Flossie stared at her friend helplessly, then placed some beef on Leia’s plate. “You like beef, don’t you? Eat more and talk less.”
“Was I mistaken?” Leia munched on the beef happily, then continued, “Look – there are many young handsome guys in the entertainment field. It’s okay if you have some fun with them, but Jeffrey is too pure. If you date him, he’ll take it seriously, then it’ll be hard for you to get out of the relationship.”
“I just want him to explore the world.” Flossie slowly took some beer for herself and explained nonchalantly, “He and his family helped me when I was in a bad place. If it wasn’t for the time I spent in Joyner Village, I might still be depressed and troubled. Jeffrey might look young, but he has a mind of his own. I think his life will improve once he leaves his comfort zone. If he finds it boring, he can return to his village, and he won’t have any regrets. Don’t you agree?”
“So… you just want to help him?” Leia frowned, looking doubtful.
“Yeah, it’s really that simple.” Flossie spread her hands helplessly. She didn’t expect that one simple action would cause so much speculation.
“I thought you finally wanted to enjoy yourself!” Leia shook her head, then said meaningfully, “If you date a young and pure guy like Jeffrey, I’m sure some people would be fuming.”
Flossie ignored Leia’s words and casually sipped her beer.
“Are you still not in touch? Haven’t you seen each other again?” Leia couldn’t help but ask as she ate.
“No.” Flossie smiled calmly. “But isn’t my life great now?” Things hadn’t turned out as bad as she thought.
“Yeah, you’re right!” Leia agreed enthusiastically. “Your life is so much better now, and sd is mine. Let’s En toast to a better tomorrow for both of us!”
“Well said! I’ll drink to that!”
A week later, the planned startup ceremony for
Coincidentally, the startup ceremony of The Heart of the Grassland happened to be the same day as the graduation photograph session of the kindergarten, so Flossie asked Leia to take Jeffrey to the startup ceremony.
Although Leia was reluctant, she agreed so Flossie could go with her kids without worrying. She drove her convertible out of Ellsworth Manor to go to Santa Fe, the place Universal Entertainment had booked.
During the car ride, Jeffrey was cautious and awkward as he didn’t know Leia that well yet. “Leia, thank you for doing this. I… can actually just take a cab there.”
“No, you can’t do that.” Leia had her sunglasses on, and held the steering wheel with one hand, enjoying the breeze as she drove. “Flossie is worried about you, and she’ll kill me if you get lost or someone bullies you during the startup ceremony, so it’s best I bring you there. Stop overthinking-think of me as your agent, and just tell me if you need anything. I’ll protect you as well as Flossie since she’s working so hard to make you famous.” Although Leia couldn’t understand Flossie’s reasoning, she would support her since it was something Flossie wanted to do.
The car soon arrived at the entrance of Santa Fe. There were a lot of paparazzi and celebrities there because of how grand the startup ceremony was, and many stars were also attending to give their support. It was so crowded that the organizer had to ask everyone to show their working permits or invitation cards if they wanted to enter.
Leia and Jeffrey finally reached the entrance, where the staff asked for their working permits and invitation cards. “Invitation cards?” Leia shook her head. “No one told me that we need such a thing. This guy is the hero of this movie, so just let US in.”
The staff was a rough man who didn’t know much about the entertainment circle, and he glanced at Jeffrey in disdain. “Are you kidding me? The Heart of the Grassland is a big production, and the cast are all A-listers. Why would they get a country bumpkin to be the hero? Do you think we’re stupid?”
Leia became furious. “Look at him! Why can’t this guy be the hero? Isn’t he handsome? Doesn’t he have a great temperament? How can you humiliate him like this just because he’s a novice?” While talking, Leia tried to search for the movie posters online, but Universal Entertainment had kept Jeffrey’s casting a secret to increase people’s interest in the film. Only Jeffrey’s silhouette was on the poster, which made it impossible to identify him. “Look-isn’t he this guy here?” Leia clicked on the poster, trying her best to zoom in on Jeffrey’s face.
“It doesn’t look like it!” The staff shot Jeffrey a contemptuous look and scoffed, “If this guy can be the lead, I’d be nominated for Best Actor.
Where’s security? Hurry up and get these crazy people out of here!”
A few security guards walked over and tried to pull Leia and Jeffrey away. The paparazzi immediately came over when they saw the commotion, and kept snapping pictures of the scene.
Suddenly, the paparazzi shifted their focus, turning their cameras in another direction.
“Here they come! Mr. Stuart is here, and he’s with Ms. White!”
“Wow, they look so close! Did they get back together?”
“Of course! I heard that Mr. Stuart purposely made The Heart of the Grassland for Ms. White!”
The media kept taking photos as they gossiped.
At that moment, Xavier and Shirley walked onto the red carpet hand in hand, generously letting people take photos of them. They looked like a sweet couple from afar.
Leia was immediately frozen to the spot as she stared at them blankly.
“What’s wrong, Leia?” Jeffrey asked carefully when she suddenly went quiet. “I’m sorry for causing you so much trouble and embarrassing you. I’m just a nobody, so it’s normal that they wouldn’t recognize me. Don’t be mad … Huh? Isn’t that Xavier and Ms. White? It’s good they’re here-they know me!” Jeffrey immediately brightened when he saw Xavier and Shirley, and enthusiastically waved at them. ‘ Xavier, Ms. White!”
When Xavier and Shirley heard Jeffrey’s voice, they turned towards him. Instantly, the atmosphere grew tense.
Shirley’s hand was on Xavier’s arm, and she shifted awkwardly as she whispered to Xavier, “Xavier, should I keep some distance from you?”
“No, you don’t have to do that.” Not only did Xavier stay close to Shirley, but he even held Shirley’s hand firmer. He faced the cameras calmly and whispered, “She wouldn’t mind even if we had a baby on the spot.” He had been fawning over Leia lately, and always went to Ellsworth Manor every day before dawn to see her. He wanted to spend more time with her, and always observed her so he knew her preferences in presents, food, and hobbies. He had showered her with the things she loved, and thought that his sincerity could move her until she forgave him and reconciled, but she remained unmoved regardless of how hard he tried. She only saw him as a shameless and disloyal person, and they just kept growing apart.
Consequently, Xavier had gotten tired of trying.
Xavier and Shirley reached the end of the red carpet and walked over to Leia and Jeffrey.
“Why are you the one who brought him here?” Xavier asked indifferently.
“Flossie is busy,” Leia replied in the same unbothered tone.