Filed to story: A Second Chance with My Billionaire Love
“Let me give you a hint… Didn’t someone take revenge on Carmine Pawnshop recently? Their newly- bought treasures were drowned at sea, right?”
“Yes… That did happen.” Leia recalled Flossie telling her about that. The shipwreck was a small affair, but Chase, the most important subordinate of Carmine Pawnshop, went missing. It was a fatal attack on Carmine Pawnshop.
Rumors claimed that it was Halston’s doing to counterattack
Quinton for slandering Guajardo Group.
“They ruined the most important worker, the backbone of the business… Isn’t it clear who did it? You don’t have to ask me at all,” Shirley said cryptically.
“Are you saying… it’s Halston?” Leia’s heart skipped a beat as she asked.
“I didn’t say that. Anyway… I’ll leave you to your thoughts.” Shirley smiled and said vaguely, “That’s all I can say. If you want to know the truth, you’d better find the culprit.”
Leia was speechless. She clenched her fists and stopped asking any more questions. The answer was obvious.
“Also, you’d better stay away from Xavier. He’s Halston’s best buddy. He’ll always take his buddy’s side. If not, Halston wouldn’t know about Quinton having surgery so soon and even happen to have the doctor’s contact.” When Shirley noticed that Leia had fallen for her trick, she continued making matters worse.
However, the truth was that the accident had nothing to do with Halston. It was related to Halston’s significant other, so she felt that it was related to Halston too. Shirley felt that she hadn’t lied by saying that.
“I knew that scumbag Halston was a cruel villain!’ Leia felt that Halston was the mastermind behind it because of Shirley’s words, and figured that Xavier must have helped Halston.
She could not stay here any longer. She had to return to Beach City to protect Flossie from that villain.
Meanwhile, the burning fire in the kitchen predicted the imminent battle between the two men who were there.
Santiago had rolled up his sleeves and was wearing an apron. He was cutting the ingredients attentively, looking attractive as he worked.
Most people would be mesmerized by him, but Xavier, who was sitting by the stove and making a fire, found Santiago detestable. He broke the firewood roughly as if he was imagining it was Santiago’s arm, and said to Santiago icily, “So, what’s your great plan, hmm? Just tell me if you want money. How much do you want?”
Santiago sneered and harshly threw the ingredients into the pot. The water splashed on Xavier’s face, and Santiago smiled vindictively. “Mr. Stuart, you’re filthy rich. How much can you pay to get rid of me?”
Xavier wiped away the water on his face and gritted his teeth. “As expected, you’re showing your true colors. I can easily see through a scheming man like you; you can only fool a dumb girl like Leia. It’s good that you’re finally being honest.”
“I’m a scheming actor, and Miss Osborne is a dumb girl. Shirley and you are the only ones who are noble and smart. Is that what you’re saying?” Santiago met Xavier’s gaze, his tone even but firm.
Xavier felt that he was a shrewd man who had met countless people, but he felt that Santiago was on par with him. Santiago was an actor, but he radiated an aura that suggested he was no ordinary person. It was indeed strange.
“Which company do you belong to? Who is your backer?” Xavier narrowed his eyes and demanded.
“I didn’t sign a contract with any company. I have my team, and I accept jobs myself. No capitalists support me either… If we’re talking about support, I only have a lot of fans like Miss Osborne,” Santiago said slowly.
“You know that she’s your fan. Her feelings for you are what a fan feels for her idol. You’d better not flatter yourself and let your imagination run wild. Don’t even dream of living a rich and carefree life by hooking up with a rich, young lady.”
Xavier made himself very clear. He didn’t care about Santiago’s background, but he would not let him off the hook if he tried to approach Leia with ulterior motives.
“Hah! So, people can live a carefree life after hooking up with a rich, young lady? Isn’t that just like what Shirley did?
After she hooked up with you, she was always promoted and supported.” Santiago snorted. “How hypocritical. I don’t even want to argue with you about this.”
The pot was steaming, and the fried mudfish was finally done. There were some pickles and chili too. It was a sour and spicy meal, which Leia liked.
Xavier wanted to say more but Santiago left the kitchen, carrying the freshly-cooked meal. Xavier was left alone in the kitchen, crying because of the smoke.
He had lost this round.
“Food is ready. Let’s eat!” Santiago called out politely. Leia came to the table absently, looking dazed. She tried her best to force a smile but failed.
Santiago noticed that something was troubling her, so he put a mudfish on her plate. “You should eat first, and stop thinking about other stuff. I cooked it for you, so you should do me the favor and try it.”
“Umm… sorry for being rude.” Leia smiled apologetically at Santiago and started eating. “It’s good. It’s the best dish I’ve ever had.”
“Of course! Although it’s just a dish, Santiago poured his heart and soul into it. We’re very touched and jealous of you.
“Tsk! Who made the top actor cook for her? It wasn’t me. I’m just a nobody who eats for free…”
The other celebrities laughed and teased. Santiago did not say anything, and just smiled in agreement quietly. People might think he was Leia’s boyfriend.
Adam enjoyed the meal and gossip too. He also chimed in and joked, “Hey, this is a farming variety show. Why is it turning into a dating variety show all of a sudden?”
“Mr. Jiminez, you’d better make it a dating variety show then. Isn’t it more interesting to shoot the farming lives of couples? What’s more, we have two couples here, and it looks so nice when they’re together. Of course, there’s a lot to talk about!”
At that time, Xavier came out of the kitchen, his face full of dirt and looking pitiful and aggrieved.
“Who are the two couples? Tell me so I can join in the fun too.” Xavier looked at everyone and snarled coldly.
“No, there’s no such thing!” Everyone immediately kept their heads low and ate quietly. They could tease the top actor, top actress, or even the rich, young lady, but they did not dare to offend the capitalist.
The atmosphere was a little tense, and Leia put her cutlery down and sighed. “That thing doesn’t concern me at all because I’m going to leave after this meal. I had a great time with you guys these past few days. Goodbye.”
Adam looked stunned, and immediately tried to persuade Leia, “Oh no, please don’t. We’ll stop pairing you guys up. After all, Santi doesn’t like it either. We’re just joking. Don’t leave.”
He was trying to imply that the others were responsible for trying to put Santiago and Leia together, hoping that Xavier would stop glaring at him.
“It’s not because of that…” Leia looked at Adam apologetically. “It’s my personal reason that I must return to Beach City. I’m still very interested in this show, and I’ll be honored if people see me and Santiago as a couple. It’s more than I can wish for. Of course, I’m not scared.”
“Hmph, how superficial!” Xavier said suddenly, gulping down his wine.
Adam averted his gaze when he saw that Leia had made up her mind. He added, “How about this? If you’re busy, you may leave. But I happen to have a dating variety show coming up soon. Can I invite you and Santiago to be on it as guests?”
“Sure!” Leia agreed to it immediately for the sake of shooting a show with Santiago. She liked him very much. If not that she had to go back to be with Flossie, she would not leave.
“I’m fine with it too.” Santiago sounded gentle and straightforward. He had come to this show because of Leia, so he was fine with any other show as long as Leia was a part of it too.
“It’s settled then. You guys signed a contract, so I’ll draft up a transfer contract and move you guys to that dating show. You won’t breach the contract or have to pay compensation, so it’s killing two birds with a stone.” Since things had gone smoothly, Adam grinned happily and drank more.
“I disagree,” Xavier said icily, “She’s pretty busy, so she doesn’t have time to shoot a dating variety show.”
Leia frowned and glared at Xavier angrily. “How would you know if I have the time or not? You have no right to make the decision for me.”
Xavier ignored Leia and said to Adam coldly, “Correct me if I’m wrong, but the premise for a dating variety show is that the guests have to be single. They don’t seem to fulfill this condition.”
Adam became a little awkward, and immediately said, “Mr. Stuart, you’re worrying too much. Although Santi is loved by a lot of fans, he’s still single. There’s not been a scandal about him for years, so you don’t have to worry about it.”
“I know that he’s single. If not, he wouldn’t be so insensible and covet another man’s woman,” Xavier said roughly. The atmosphere became awkward. Everyone kept their heads low and did not dare to say anything.
“If that’s the case, then the guests are qualified. Mr. Stuart, is there something else troubling you?” Adam asked carefully.
“Yes, he’s qualified. But it doesn’t mean that she’s qualified. She’s not single…” Xavier said slowly.
“Miss Osborne isn’t single?” Adam was surprised. From what she told him, Leia should be single.
“Yes.”
Xavier lifted his chin and said arrogantly, “I’m her boyfriend.”