Filed To Story: The Scarlet Vengeance: Justice of a Framed Beauty Novel (Grace & Jason)
Valda Theller smiled slightly. “It’s probably because I’m already too old to dream like that, so I don’t fantasize myself being Cinderella who’ll meet her Prince Charming.”
Even if she occasionally felt touched, she told herself to control her heart.
He was probably gentle to her because he was her boyfriend in name. Without the label, that gentleness would not exist.
*The arrest of the extras and Queenie Mack were kept under wraps for the time being. The production team was going to replace 17 actors. The news of it received attention as the list included important roles such as the second female lead, the fourth female lead, the fifth female lead, the third male lead, the fifth male lead, and the sixth male lead…
However, before the paparazzi heard about the drama’s massive cast change and could figure out why, word came that the director would also be replaced. The one taking over his place was a big shot in the industry who had filmed many popular films.
It set off waves in the media. The reporters gathered at the set, trying to get the latest news.
The film crew naturally replied formally that it was due to some personal reasons and scheduling conflicts. They also felt that some actors were too different from the characters, so they changed the actors and directors to produce a better show.
Compared to the film crew swarmed by reporters, Valda Theller’s side was peaceful.
The bruises on her face and body had faded, and her body had stopped hurting. After more than a week at home, she was finally able to go out and see people.
Brian said on the phone that he would take her to a party today. He spoke nonchalantly that it was only a small party with him and several friends. He wanted to bring her so he could introduce her to his friends.
“Just relax and be natural. I only want them to know that I have a girlfriend,” he said.
Valda Theller understood that Brian wanted to give others the illusion that he was in a relationship so that the person he loved would believe that he was truly dating someone.
Valda Theller chose her outfit from her wardrobe and wore light makeup. Even if she was only a fake girlfriend, she did not want to embarrass Brian.
Valda Theller went downstairs when it was time, only to see Brian’s car parked at the apartment’s entrance.
Tonight, Brian was not wearing his usual suit. Instead, he wore a casual beige shirt and light gray trousers, making him look elegant and relaxed.
Valda Theller could not help lamenting when she saw Brian like this. ‘No wonder many female celebrities in the entertainment industry are after the crown prince.
Even without the Hart family, his charm was enough to attract many women.
Valda Theller got into the car, and Brian said while driving, “If you feel uncomfortable later, tell me. I’ll get you out of there.”
She replied, “Oh. What are your friends like?”
“You’ll find out after meeting them. And stay calm. They’re probably more curious about you since they know I’m bringing my girlfriend over today. Anyway, ignore them if they ask questions you don’t want to answer,” said Brian.
“Are you good friends with them?” she asked in confusion.
“We’re okay, I guess. We’re from the same circle. I’ve known them since I was a child,” he said. ‘The same circle…’ It made Valda Theller realize that she and Brian were from different worlds.
It was a strange experience to have him bring her into her circle. When it was all over, she would return to her own world.
The car drove to the entrance of a private club, and Brian took Valda Theller inside.
People in the club knew Brian. They all respectfully called him Mr. Hart when they saw him.
One of the managers led the way to the entrance of a private room in the club.
When the door was pushed open, Valda Theller found that the private room was much bigger than she had imagined. It was about 200 square meters at first glance.
It had a karaoke machine, pool tables, poker tables, and so on…
The men and women inside were fashionably and lavishly dressed. By comparison, Valda Theller was a little embarrassed. She felt like an ugly duckling among swans.
At the sight of Brian and Valda Theller’s entrance, someone immediately whistled and said with a playful smile, “It’s rare that you finally brought someone to our party after all these years.”
After all, Brian had not had a woman around him for seven to eight years. Who could believe that this was the Hart family’s heir, who had always been surrounded by girlfriends in the past?
However, everyone knew that Brian used to have feelings for Jason’s wife, Grace. It was not a secret. Even the netizens regarded it as gossip.
“Aren’t you going to introduce her to us?” Patrick asked as he walked to Brian’s side.
He was the closest to Brian among these people. He had witnessed how Brian and Jason fought over Grace.
He knew better than anyone how much Brian loved Grace. It was also why he was so shocked to learn that Brian was bringing his girlfriend to the party today.
“My girlfriend, Valda Theller.” Brian introduced and said to Valda Theller, “His name is Patrick. He’s considered my childhood friend.”
“Considered? We are childhood friends.” Patrick smiled before stretching his hand to Valda Theller and saying, “Hello, I’m Patrick.
If you want to know any humiliating stories about Brian when he was little, come look for me.”
Influenced by his relaxed tone, Valda Theller was not as nervous as when she first came in. “Hello, I’m Valda Theller.” She reached out her hand and shook his politely.
Then, Brian introduced Valda Theller to some other people. Brian did not introduce her to the women there. Valda Theller knew that they must be plus ones that Brian’s friends had brought.
Brian only introduced one woman-Phoebe Cross, the heiress of Song Yuan Group.
“Hello, I’m Phoebe Cross.” She wore elaborate makeup. Though she was already 35 years old, she looked not more than 30 years old. She was wearing a delicate red dress that fit her figure perfectly.
Even a woman like Valda Theller admired Phoebe Cross’s figure.
A woman like that easily became the center of attention.
“Hello, I’m Valda Theller,” Valda Theller replied politely.
Phoebe Cross stared at Valda Theller with her beautiful eyes and suddenly said, “I saw a viral post some time ago. It was about a comic artist with the same name as you, Miss Theller. She seems to have been involved in bullying and was later bullied by others during university. I wonder if it’s true.”
The atmosphere instantly turned weird as soon as Phoebe Cross said that. The crowd that had been laughing and talking fell silent as everyone looked this way.
Valda Theller felt embarrassed. She did not expect to be asked about this on this occasion. She could feel that the woman in front of her was looking at her without any kindness.
She did not want to embarrass Brian. At the very least, she was now his nominal girlfriend.
Taking a deep breath, Valda Theller met her eyes. “I’m the one involved in the viral post you mentioned.
I’m the comic artist. But what the viral post wrote isn’t true.”
“Oh? So the whistleblower created a rumor? Miss Theller, why don’t you tell me what isn’t true and save me from being misled?” Phoebe Cross said with a faint smile. She was only waiting for Valda Theller to take the Stephensont so she could embarrass her more.
“If you can be misled by such a stupid article, I’ll have to reconsider the project that Song Yuan Group is going to cooperate with Hart Group on.” Brian’s voice rang suddenly.
Phoebe Cross’s expression changed slightly. Brian’s phoenix eyes glanced at her coldly before he turned to Valda Theller and said, “You must be thirsty. What do you want to drink? I’ll pour it for you,” he said as he led her to the bar.
Their group disliked having staff in the private room, so no one was working at the bar. However, drinks and liquor were available, and they could pour them themselves.
“Just… Coke will be fine.” Valda Theller saw the vintage bottled Coke at the bar and could not help feeling nostalgic. Her parents used to buy her Coke in these glass bottles when she was a child.
However, one could not find Coke bottles like this on the market anymore.
Brian raised his eyebrows slightly and said, “Okay.”
He grabbed a bottle opener and skillfully opened the cap. Then, he put a straw in the Coke bottle before handing it to Valda Theller.
The sight of it carried a lot of meaning to the others.
Phoebe Cross’s expression turned more ghastly. Patrick dragged Phoebe Cross to the corner and whispered, “What are you doing?
Brian finally brought his girlfriend here today. Do you have to embarrass her like that?”
“That woman is only a comic artist. Who is she to be Brian’s girlfriend? Is she good enough for him?”
Phoebe Cross snapped.
Patrick said earnestly, “It’s Brian’s business whether she’s good enough. Is Grace, whom Brian used to love, someone great? But Grace could make Brian and Jason fall for her. Relationships are never about whether someone is good enough for the other!”
However, Phoebe Cross’s expression looked even more hateful.
Patrick patted her on the shoulder. “I thought you had put it behind you. It’s been years. Brian would’ve been with you if he wanted you.”